Guide to Spanish family reunification visa

According to the Spanish visa regulations, the close family members of a foreign citizen who have legally resided in Spain for 1 year and with authorization to reside for at least another year can apply for a residence visa for family reunification. If you are an expat currently in Spain and want to bring your family with you, you should check if you and your family members fulfill all the requirements. Then you should first start the residence authorization for the family reunification process.

Only the moment that the residence authorization is approved can your family start the visa application process in the country of origin. Your family members will have 2 months (starting from the moment the visa is approved) to request the visa at the local consulate offices.

1. What basic documents should my family member present?

2. What additional documents should be presented for each case?

3. How to make an appointment at the consulate?

4. How long will the whole process take?

1. What basic documents should my family member present?

Note that each consulate might have slightly different requirements for the visa application. You should check the requirements of your consulate or embassies.

• Original passport and a full copy of your family member that applies for the visa. The passports should have a minimum validity of 4 months
• National visa application form, duly completed and signed
• Current passport-size photograph, with a white background, pasted on the application form. (Photographs taken with a hat, scarf, cap, glasses, or of any other size or color will not be accepted.)
• Resolution and simple copy of the residence authorization for family reunification issued by the corresponding Immigration Office:
  • The notification date should be stated in the residence authorization
  • If the residence permit does not have a stamp with the date of notification, ask for certification at the office where it was issued
• Copy of relevant pages of your passport and a full copy of your residence card (TIE card) to sponsor the application of your family member
• Copy of the identity card (issued in their home country) of your family member
• Original document and copy of the medical certificate proving that the applicant does not suffer from any of the infectious-contagious diseases
• Original document and copy of the criminal record certificate. The document must be legalized and apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Original certificate of your registration of empadronamiento issued within the last 6 months
• Proof of private insurance for your family member if you are not entitled to social security. Our expat insurance fulfills all the requirements of visa application for family reunification.

2. What additional documents should be presented for each case?

In addition, according to the person to be re-grouped, they must provide the following documentation:

• In the case of your spouse/partner:
  • Original document and copy of the full birth certificate of your spouse. The document should be issued within the last 6 months, legalized, and apostilled.
  • Original document and copy of the complete marriage certificate or other legal accreditations issued for you and your spouse, legalized and apostilled.
• In the case of your children:
  • Original document and copy of the complete birth certificates of the regrouped children, original document should be issued within the last 6 months, legalized, and apostilled.
• In the case of your parents:
  • Original document and copy of your complete birth certificate issued within the last 6 months, legalized and apostilled

3. How to make an appointment at the consulate?

Remember that you have 2 months starting from the resolution date of your residence authorization to submit your visa application. Therefore, you need to make an appointment as soon as you receive the residence authorization.

On the official website of all embassies and consulates mentioned above, you will find easily the email of the consulate to which you belong.

4. How long will the whole process take?

If everything goes well, you can expect the whole process (starting from the application of residence authorization till the issuance of the visa) to be around 6 months.

Do you qualify for the family reunification visa? If this isn´t for you, maybe see if one of these visas better fits your needs:

• Digital Nomad Visa
• Non-lucrative Visa
• Family reunification visa
• Working holiday visa
• Student Visa
• How to apply for a Golden visa/investor visa in Spain?
• Guide to Spanish family reunification visa
• Requirements for the application of family reunion residence authorization and visa

Our content will be updated according to the most recent legislation. Last update: 20/07/2023