Family Visa For Spain

Spain is one of the most preferred destinations among immigrants around the world. It harbours a rich culture and also provides excellent standard of life. In Spain, you have the best opportunities to settle down as a foreigner along with your family and can enjoy the Spanish culture. The good thing about Spain is that you may find a place to live in it along with your family members by availing the most effective procedure for migration to Spain. There are various visas for Spain depending on your purpose of travel and residency. If you want to settle down in Spain with your family then you must start looking for Family Visa For Spain .Are you a EU National who wants to apply for a Spanish Family Visa? Unfortunately for many there is the misconception that anyone can just live in Spain. Nothing could be further from the truth, if you are not of Spanish origin and would like to live in Spain, then you must have permission (Resident Permit).

If you are a foreigner who is thinking of moving to Spain and planning to bring your family with, you could be eligible for a Family Visa. With a Family Visa, not only your family but also spouse and children can apply for the same. Family visas are available in multiple categories such as marriage, kinship or in certain circumstances, stateless persons or refugees.

Family Visa For Spain

Who needs a family visa to join family in Spain?

Non-EU/EEA relatives of non-EU/EEA citizens living in Spain will require a family reunification visa to reunite in the country. The family member in Spain must generally live legally in the country for one year and receive authorization to stay for another year before their relatives can live in Spain with them.

However, your family members are immediately eligible to apply for a family reunification visa if you have one of the following:

• Long-term residence permit from another EU member state
• EU Blue Card
• Student or researcher visa

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Spain family reunification visa 

Who can apply?

Relatives that are eligible for family reunification are:

• Your spouse or civil partner (with whom you are still in a relationship).
• Unmarried dependent children, including adopted children, aged 18 years or under, of both you and your partner or spouse.
• Dependent child, grandchild or an adult for whom you are a legal guardian. For example, you have legal custody of a grandchild or are the caretaker of an adult who has a disability and cannot live independently.
• Parents, of both you and your spouse, over the age of 65 (younger in exceptional cases) who cannot live independently due to age and health concerns. 

Under the EU Community regime, children who are ages 18 to 21 can also relocate based on a family reunion visa in Spain provided that they are dependent on their family and if they are enrolled in academic studies. 

If you are a Spanish citizen

After living in Spain for 10 years you can apply to become a Spanish citizen. As a citizen of Spain or another EU country, you will have the right to sponsor extended family on a reunification visa. This includes: 

• Nieces/nephews
• Siblings
• Children over 21
• Uncles/aunts
• Your partner if you haven’t registered the relationship
• Any other family member with a recognized disability that prevents them from living independently 

Another requirement for bringing extended family members to Spain is that they must be economically dependent on the relative in Spain and they must be responsible for the relative in the country of origin. Money transfers must have taken place in the last 12–24 months, and the applicant must pay all of their expenses. 

Visa length

The family reunification visa will be valid for as long as the residence visa of the person they are joining. Therefore, if the foreign resident applying for family reunification has a temporary residence permit, the family reunification visa is valid until the same date. If the foreign resident applying for family reunification has a long-term residence permit or EU long-term residence permit, the family reunification visa will expire on the date of the Foreigner’s Identification Card (TIE).

You can submit an application (jointly) to renew the visa 60 days before it expires. Everyone can apply to become a permanent resident of Spain after living legally in the country for five years. 

Visa entitlements

Partners (married or registered union) and children over age 16 will be able to look for work, become self-employed, or study without obtaining an additional permit. They will generally also have access to social benefits such as Spain’s public healthcare system and social security. Education is compulsory for children under 16 years of age. As such, they can attend public primary and secondary schools. 

Other relatives who join you with a family reunification visa will need to first get a valid permit before they can legally work or study in Spain. 

How to apply

The person who has the Spanish residence permit must be the one to initiate the family reunification visa application. If you’re still in your home country, apply at the Spanish embassy there when you apply for your own residence permit.

If you’re in Spain, go to your local Foreigner’s Office. You may need to present the following documents:

• Original and copy of your passport and copies of the passports of your family members
• Copy of your residence permit(s)
• Proof of the family relationships, for example, marriage and birth certificates
• Sworn statement that you aren’t living with another partner, if your spouse or partner is joining you
• Evidence of your employment and/or proof you can financially support your family
• Proof of health insurance
• Evidence of adequate room for everyone to live with you, for example, a rental contract

Once the application has been granted, your relatives have just two months to go in person and apply for a visa at the Spanish embassy or consulate in their home country.

They may be required to have an interview and could also need to show the following:

• Valid passport
• Proof of the family relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate, or adoption papers
• Certificate showing ‘no criminal record’ for the past five years
• Medical certificate proving that they do not have any disease which could endanger public health

The process of family reunification takes around 4-5 months. However, the exact period will depend on how long it takes to prepare and gather all the documentation and how long it takes to get an appointment with the immigration office. After the Spanish authorities grant the visa, the joining relative will have three months to travel to Spain with the visa.

Visa costs

The fee for a family reunification visa will depend on your nationality. Payment methods for a Spain visa application also differ from one country to the other. 

In most countries, you will need to pay the fee at the consulate or visa application center, wherever you are submitting your application. The payment method will then depend on the local regulations. 

EU family reunification visa

If you are an EU citizen who is living, working, studying, or looking for a job in an EU country different from the one you come from, EU laws make it easier for a non-EU partner to join you. However, the rules can vary depending on your personal situation.

Generally, the non-EU/EEA partner will need to get a Spanish visa to enter Spain. Then, they can apply for an EU family member residence card from the local Foreigner’s Office. If the relationship ends, the non-EU/EEA partner must reapply for a new residence permit within six months. You can use information from the European Union to further understand the requirements. 

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Short-term visits to family members in Spain

Non-EU/EEA citizens may need to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa (visado de corta duracion) to visit family members who are living in Spain. This visa is required for citizens of countries that have not reached a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states. Visitors can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period with this visa, but cannot work. If you have a Schengen visa issued by another Schengen state, you can also visit Spain for up to 90 days. 

You will need to fulfill several requirements to receive a short-stay Schengen visa, such as: 

• proof of valid travel insurance
• round-trip itinerary
• proof of sufficient financial means (€100 per day, with a minimum of €900 per person regardless of the intended duration of the stay)

The visa typically costs €80 for adults and €40 for children who are 6-12 years old. However, the fees can vary depending on other factors such as the purpose of the visit and your nationality. The authorities typically respond to the visa application within 15 days. Contact the Spanish embassy or consulate in your own country to apply.

Who does not require a short-term visa 

On the other hand, many nationalities can enter Spain without a visa for periods of up to 90 days. These include the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, and Japan. However, you must still apply for a long-term residence visa to stay longer than three months. After the end of 2022, citizens of countries who can currently enter Spain without a visa will need to obtain an ETIAS Visa Waiver which will be similar to the ESTA used in the United States.

If you are a citizen of another EU country, your non-EU core family members (non-EU spouse, children, dependent parents, or dependent grandparents) have the right to visit you in Spain. You can use information from the EU to determine if they need a visa. 

Some rules for entering Spain may have changed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is a good idea to check with official information from the Spanish authorities before booking your travel. 

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Family visas to join refugees or asylum seekers in Spain

The right to family unity is established in the Asylum Act. Under the law, refugees and asylum seekers can request either an “extension” of their international protection status to his or her family (Extensión familiar del derecho de asilo o de la protección subsidiaria) or “Family reunification” (Reagrupación familiar). If the family members have a different nationality than the applicant, a family reunification visa is the only option.

The Family “extension” applies to:

• Parents and full siblings who are dependent on the applicant in Spain
• Descendants who are minors
• Spouse or person who is linked by cohabitation
• Any other adult who is responsible for the beneficiary of international protection in accordance with current Spanish legislation, when the beneficiary is an unmarried minor
• Other dependent family members of the applicant in Spain

If you apply for asylum in Spain you should be very clear about your relatives and family members during your interview process. This record will help when you apply for your family to be reunited with you in Spain. Learn more about the reunion process for family members. Asylum seekers are generally eligible for free legal help in Spain.