Employee visa

​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 4 months (in the case of a temporary contract, the validity period must cover the duration of the contract) and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.  

4. Initial residence and employee work permit. Original and a copy of the initial residence and employee work permit signed by the employer. 

5. Work contract. A copy of the work contract stamped by the Foreign Nationals' Office.  

The visa will not be issued without the Criminal Record Certificate apostilled by Global Affairs Canada, so it is recommended that you carry out this procedure with the Canadian authorities well in advance.​
The official translation can include the translation of the Apostille as well, but it is not necessary (the translation does not need an Apostille and the Apostille does not need a translation). You can find a certified translator through The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario​.
​​The background check must be issued within 6 months preceding the submission of the visa application.
​​The apostille must certify the signature on the Criminal Background check, not other signatures (e.g. we don’t accept apostilles that certify the signature of a notary public that stamps a seal on the criminal background check). 
​If the applicant has spent more than 6 months (more than 180 days) during the last 5 years in another country (outside Canada) an additional criminal background check from every country of residence must be provided. The criminal background checks must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague, unless it is issued by an EU member state. The criminal background check issued by an EU authority does not need to be apostilled to be accepted. You can check the list of the countries signing the Hague Convention here
If the country in which the applicant has lived in the past 5 years does not subscribe to The Hague Convention of 1961, the background check must by authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and then by the Spanish Consulate in that country. The background check must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (if the original is not written in Spanish).​​​

7. Medical certificate. Original and a copy of a medical certificate of a medical certificate issued by your family doctor worded as follows:

“This medical certificate states that Mr./Mrs. ….. does not suffer from any diseases that may have serious consequences on public health in accordance with the provisions contained in the 2005 International Health Regulations." ​

Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

8. Proof of residence in the consular district. The applicant must provide proof of their legal residence in the National Capital Region (Ottawa and Gatineau)​. 
If you live in a city other than Ottawa and Gatineau, you should apply for your visa at the Spanish Consulate General in Toronto or Montreal according to their consular jurisdictions

9. Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the applicant is a minor, it will be necessary to present originals and submit copies of the identity document or passport of one of their parents, as well as of the document constituting proof of kinship. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

10. Payment of the visa fee. The visa fee is CAN $ 117.20 (year 2024), except when a reciprocity fee applies to other countries, such as Australia, Bangladesh, United States of America and the United Kingdom. Visa processing fee for Canadians is CAN $ 117.20. Please refer to the consular fee chart for other nationalities.

Only cash, money order or certified cheque payable to the "Embassy of Spain" will be accepted.

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.

Procedure​ 

This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district. 

• Who can apply for a visa: Visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant, or by one of their parents if the applicant is a minor. 

• Visa application period: The visa application must be submitted within a period of 1 month, counted as of the day after the date on which the employer is notified of the favourable decision regarding the initial residence and employment permit. 

• Place of submission: Applicants must obtain an IN PERSON appointment to submit his/her application. To book an appointment, click HERE​. On-line applications are NOT accepted. 
  The embassy’s address is the following:

  Embassy of Spain in Ottawa
  Consular Section
  74 Stanley Avenue
  Ottawa, ON
  K1M 1P4
  

• Proof of receipt: The Consular Office will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the application with a code that enables them to check the status of the dossier through the following link: https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspx 

• Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to submit any missing documents, or to provide additional documents or data that are necessary for a decision regarding the application. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview. 

• Decision period: The legal period for reaching a decision is of 1 month from the day after the application submission date, but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested. 

• Collecting the visa: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their legal representative (if the applicant is a minor) within a maximum period of 1 month, counted as of the day after the date on which the favourable decision is notified. To find out about the outcome of your visa application, click HERE and input your personal data on your Proof of receipt . You may pick up your passport/visa any working Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.   

• Visa refusal: Visa refusals will always be notified in writing, setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted was based. 

• Appeals: If a visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to this Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal is received. An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within the 2-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal. 

• Validity period of the visa: If the contract is for one year, the visa will be valid for 90 days. Once in Spain, the worker must register with the Social Security system before beginning their work activity and apply for a Foreigner Identity Card at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the corresponding police station, within 1 month from their registration with the Social Security system.
  
  If the work contract is for seasonal work, the visa will be valid for the entire period for which the applicant is authorized to reside and work in Spain, and it will not be necessary to apply for a Foreigner Identity Card upon arriving in Spain.

​