Work Visa Application - What to Expect

[andrewsheehan]

Couple questions for you pros...

Here is my situation.  I've just gotten an internship with a company in Madrid, they sponsor my work visa but I have to do all of the leg work.  I should be getting the paperwork in the mail from them within the next week or two.

Here's my question, what should I expect that I will have to do...

They already mentioned a trip to my local police station to get a crime report on myself, and I know I'll have to go my local spanish consulate to get the work visa added to my passport.  I want to get my Spanish Social Security number before I head over to Europe (I'm planning to go over in early May)  How much time does this process take?  What other steps am I missing...

Thanks!

Andrew

[RebeccaG]

Hi Andrew,

Geeze, I went to high school (many moons ago) with a guy named Andrew Sheehan. Small world! Congrats on the internship. You will be the envy of many.

I recommend that you pose these questions at your local Spanish consulate. The immigration regulations and issues are constantly changing so it will be tough to get an accurate answer here. Anything related to immigration will take a while so best to start ASAP.

It is most probable that you won't be able to get your NIE (número de identidad de extranjero) until you get here to Spain. Instead of getting a local crime report, I would cover all your bases and get a full FBI criminal history clearance.

These three pages ought to help you get started:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1201.html
http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/teaching/cwp/view.asp?a=13&q=32413

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

-R

[andrewsheehan]

Thanks for the quick reply and all the suggestions.  I've been checking the mailbox daily for the documentation to arrive.  Another question, as a person in Spain on a Work Visa would also be able to receive a National ID of some sort, I've read that it is illegal to not be carrying some form of proper ID and I hate carrying my passport around.


I can't wait to get back to Spain!

Thanks Again,


Andrew

[rosnjust]

Wow Andrew! Congrats....can you give me some tips on how to get an Internship?


Good Luck!

[serendipity]

Hi Andrew

How are things going in Spain for you? What internship are you doing and could you share how you obtained it?

I am doing the Auxiliar program in a few months, and I would like to pursue doing internships alongside the program.

Thank you!