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Researcher visa

​Visa to carry out a research activity in a Spanish University, in business entities or R&D&I centres or in a research organisation established in Spain and you have an offer, you may be eligible to apply for an R&D&I and training residence permit. 

Applicable legislation: 

The R&D&I and training residence permits are regulated in article 72 of the Entrepreneurial Support Act of 27 September 2013. 

It does not apply to EU citizens or to nationals of countries to whom EU law applies for being beneficiaries of the rights of free movement and residence. 


The following family members of the worker may also obtain the visa: 

  • The spouse.
  • Children and adult children who are financially dependent on the worker and who have not created a family unit of their own.
  • Relatives in the ascending line in the worker's care.


The Embassy of Spain in Seoul will process the visa applications submitted by applicants living in the consular jurisdiction in person by APPOINTMENT only (see General Information​​)

​비자 신청은 예약제이며 무조건 대한민국에 거주하는 자만 비자신청이 가능하다 (바로가기​)

Required documents for the researcher​​​​​ 

1. National visa app​lication form새로운 윈도우로 열립니다. Each applicant, or their representative, must complete in Spanish or English and sign a visa application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents or a duly accredited representative must sign the application. 

2. Photograph. One​ recent, passport-size, colour photograph, taken against a white​ background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face. 

3. Valid, unexpired passport. [Original and a photocopy] of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity period of 1 year and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.  

4. Resolución de autorización de residencia inicial para formación e investigación: issued by the Large Business and Strategic Groups Unit (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos). In the case of their relatives, Resolución de Autorización de residencia inicial para familiares de formación e investigación. [Original and photocopy]

The visa application must be submitted within one month from the notification to the employer of the authorisation grant.​

5. Criminal record check certificate (only in the case of persons over 18 years of age, criminal age in Spain). Applicants of legal age must submit the criminal record check certificate(s) issued by their country or/and countries of residence for the past 5 years preceding the date of the visa application.  It cannot be older than 6 months, unless the certificate itself specifies a longer expiration. These certificates must be legalised through the consular representations of the issuing country or, in the case of signatory countries to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, hold the Hague Apostille (except official documents issued by a Member State of the European Union, which will not require to be legalised). Sworn translation into Spanish is also required. [Original and photocopy]

6. Valid and unexpired Korean residence card: must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date from Korea (only for non-Korean Nationals). [Original and photocopy]

7. Payment of the visa fee. Please refer to the section Consular Service fees​.


Required documents for family members​​ 

For each family member accompanying the researcher, the following must be submitted: 

  • All the required documents specified in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. 
  • Documents proving family relationship with the researcher: birth or marriage certificates issued by the civil registry. All these documents need to be legalised through the consular representations of the issuing country or, in the case of signatory countries to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, hold the Hague Apostille (except official documents issued by a Member State of the European Union, which will not require to be legalised). Sworn translation into Spanish also is required. [Original and photocopy]

When necessary to assess the application, the Consular Office may request additional documents or data and may also ask the applicant to come in for a personal interview.


Validity period of the visa: The visa is valid for 1 year, or for the same period as the residence permit granted, provided that this permit is for less than 1 year.

The visa accredits residence in Spain during its validity period, making it unnecessary to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE). However, this card may be applied for at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the corresponding Police Station. 

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