Visa Process and Timelines

The process to get to Spain is time consuming and specific. It's not a quick decision to make with minimal effort. It's definitely worth it, but not for someone looking for an easy way to move abroad.

So the visa process DOES take as long as CIEE says it will, if not longer. Due to understaffed offices, a surge of people looking to travel/obtain visas and the time of year, these circumstances make for a longer timeline than expected. Basically from March until the time you leave for Madrid there's something to be working on.

The first step to the process is getting your Federal background check done. This then needs to be sent to D.C. to be apostilled and sent back to you once it has been verified. This is supposed to take 6 weeks, but mine got lost in the mail and took 8 weeks to receive. This isn't a huge deal, but background checks expire after 90 days, so it's a strict timeline from the time that is done. 

While waiting for my apostle to come back, there were a few checklist items  to be done to apply for a visa. These included, a doctor's appointment, checking off vaccinations, obtaining passport sized photos, checking which documents needed to be translated in Spanish and filling out the visa application form.    

My consulate was the Los Angeles consulate, and while each consulate varies on requirements, LA required certain documents to be translated by a sworn Spanish translator. Once my apostilled  background check arrived, I had to find a sworn Spanish translator to send my background check too. Luckily, my doctor was able to sign my English and Spanish paperwork, but if not, I would have had to send that as well. 

Once all documents were translated, organized,  and filled out, a copy of each was required.  It's important to follow all directions exactly as stated to ensure the process goes smoothly.

I sent out my visa application July 10th and it took 7 weeks to receive back. In my opinion the waiting time is the most stressful considering there is no communication from the consulate until your visa is approved or denied. While it can be stressful, as long as everything is followed as directed you should have no problem being approved for a visa.

I have been in Madrid for 2 weeks and can say the process was definitely worth it. Now, it's time to apply for a TIE for a long term stay!