The type of visa depends on several factors like nationality, length of stay or activity.

In case you are from the European Union (EU), the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland, you can work and live in Spain with your ID or valid passport; but if the stay is longer than 90 days, once in Spain you must register at the Registro Central de Extranjeros (Central Immigration Office).

Advice:  Obtain the European Health Insurance Card or a Private Health Insurance

In case you are not from the European Union (EU), the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland, you will likely need to apply for a visa, which authorizes you to remain in Spain for the duration of your stay.

VISA: The Visa is a legal document (attached to the passport) than enables the holder to enter Spain.  Depending on your personal and professional circumstances you will need to apply for a specific type of visa.

Masters Students:

Before arriving to Spain, students from countries outside the European Union, the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland, must obtain the student visa ("visado de estancia por estudios") from the Spanish consulate in the country of origin.

Each Spanish Embassy/Consulate in every country has its own procedures and requirements. The list of the Spanish Consulates and Embassies can be found on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Delays and administrative issues when applying for a student visa are not uncommon, so we recommend that you start the procedure as soon as possible. The entire procedure usually takes around 3 months and the academic year starts in September.

PhD Students:

Before applying , please check you have been admitted to the DTIC PhD program.
Please note: as a result of legislation changes, before you start any VISA  procedure please contact  International DTIC office at  [email protected] .

PhD Students with a UPF pre-doctoral contract:

PhD students will need an invitation letter and admission letter to obtain the work permit authorization, which allows to work in Spain for the duration of the contract.

In order to work in Spain it is obligatory to apply for an specific permission: the authorization is called "Exceptuación de la Autorización de Trabajo y Autorización de Residencia". The process of it is established at art. 117 and 118 of the REAL DECRETO 557/2011, of 2nd of April.

As the Real Decreto requires, the process starts at the Spanish embassy/consulate of the country or residence. The embassy/consulate will ask to bring some documents to obtain a special work visa to enter and work in Spain.  

Each Spanish embassy or consulate has its own procedures and requirements and it's possible to find some delays or administrative difficulties, so we strongly recommend to start with all procedure as soon as possible. Find the consulate on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Researchers and lecturers: 

Will need an invitation letter from UPF Human Resources regarding to the future contract with their Department. This letter is essential to obtain the visa in a spanish embassy or consulate of the country of origen. Each Spanish embassy or consulate has its own procedures and requirements and it's possible to find some delays or administrative difficulties, so we strongly recommend  to start with all procedure as soon as possible. Find the consulate on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

In order to work in Spain it is obligatory to apply for an specific permission for professors and researchers. The name of this authorization is called "Exceptuación de la Autorización de Trabajo y Autorización de Residencia". The process of it is established at art. 117 and 118 of the REAL DECRETO 557/2011, of 2nd of April.

As the Real Decreto requires, the process starts at the Spanish embassy/consulate of the country or residence. The embassy/consulate will ask to bring some documents to obtain a special work visa to enter and work in Spain.  

 

More information about type of visa

What is NIE

NIE is the Foreign Identification Number displayed on the Foreigner Identification Card issued by National Police. This document identifies foreigner person in order to establish their legal situation in Spain. It is a requirement by law that every individual possess an NIE number. Once issued an NIE number, it will never change, irrelevant of marital status, name changes or residence status.

Rmember you have 30 days to apply for your NIE number personally at the Registro Central de Extranjeros (Central Immigration Office) in Barcelona once you enter to Spain. But we strongly advise you to do it as soon as possible to speed up all following paperwork.

Before you apply: registration certificate

Before you apply for NIE you need to get a registration certificate = empadronament.This is to record the place of your residence.

Where to get it: in any Citizen Attention Office ("Oficina d'Atenció Ciutadana").

How to get it: present your passport and a rental contract or other proof of your residency. For more information click here.

Get your NIE

If you are Researcher, Lecturer or PhD student:

First step       • INDICATE  in our google calendar your arrival to Spain. 

Second step   • International DTIC will ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT for you in the police

Third step      • GET the CENSUS REGISTRATION. How? Check here 

Fourth step    • International DTIC will PREPARE YOU all documents you will need to submit

Fifth step       • Get your NIE

Renew it with a Work Permit

In case you stay working more than a year and you need to renew your NIE, we recommend you to let us know two months before it expires!

The International DTIC office will make an appointment for you and also help you to prepare all documentation.

Renew it with a Student Visa

In case you stay studing more than a year and you need to renew your NIE.  Click the link below to access information about renewing your NIE card as non-EU student: https://www.upf.edu/barcelona

The OMA, Mobility and Reception Office ([email protected]) will advise you. You must do so before it expires!!!

Contact your Department secretariat to obtain the documents needed for the renewal.

Invitation letters

Many international staff would like family members or friends (from outside EU) to visit them. To proceed with the VISA, one of the documents  required will be a letter of invitation.  A letter of invitation does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.  Send us an e-mail in case you need advice of the procedures to  [email protected] .

Short Stay Visa Application

IDTIC has prepared a new form to help you to get an official UPF document for Visa Application for congress attendance or short stay abroad, if you travel out of the Schengen Area*.

Please remember that if your NIE has expired, you must apply for a Return permit that allows you to re-enter to the country.

Always contact, before leaving, the embassy or consulate of the country you are travelling to!
* The Schengen Area is the representative of the 26 European countries that have mutually decided to eliminate passport and immigration controls at their joint borders. Within the Schengen area, concurrently, the citizens of these 26 European countries are free to travel in and out of this zone as one single country sharing equal international travel rights. The Schengen Area members state: Austria-Belgium-Czech republic-Denmark-Estonia-Finland-France-Germany-Greece-Hungary-Iceland-Italy-Latvia-Lithuania-Luxembourg-Malta-Netherlands-Norway-Poland-Portugal-Slovakia-Slovenia-Spain-Sweden-Switzerland-Liechtenstein