Author Topic: Questions from new arrivals (2009-2010) to alumni (Read 12491 times)

wanderlust · « **on:** May 08, 2009, 04:18:02 PM »

Hi All -

The application process seems somewhat slow / unorganized so there are various questions I have.. if anyone could help out with them it would be much appreciated!

- Since Culture & Language Assistants are granted a student visa, and not legally allowed to work, how do you supplement your 700 euro income? It seems pretty small compared to the cost of living in Europe.
- How did you find housing? Any suggestions on good apartments (I'm going to Madrid..) and would you recommend home-stays with families? How would that be set up?
- About how many hours per week do you work?

To all newbies, feel free to post up more questions as well!
Sharing is caring! Kthxbye!

lahabibi · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2009, 06:34:02 PM »

If you need help finding a place in Madrid, I may be able to be of some assistance!

I lived there last summer and can at least tell you which neighborhoods to avoid, (such as Lavapies!).

sepi · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2009, 07:07:18 PM »

Hello,

I participated in the program 2006-2007 in Cordoba but have been living in Madrid the past year and half teaching English in an academy. I believe those who work in Madrid will be receiving more than 700 euros a month to adjust to the cost of living in the capital. I think it was around 900 euros last year for Madrid participants. I disagree with lahabibi about Lavapies, its the neighborhood I live in and I absolutely love it. It's the immigrants barrio. I live with 2 Spaniards, we have a pretty big place, with a balcony (lovely extra when the weather perfect) and I pay 325 euros a month in rent plus about 30 euros in gastos (expenses). I think you can manage to live off what they pay you but you'd be more comfortable with some extra income. True you are not legally allowed to work but that doesn't stop anyone from paying you to give their kids private classes after school.

I've lived in 3 different apts. in Madrid and found them all on madrid.loquo.com. It's like craigslist, and can be used for all major cities in Spain, cordoba.loquo.com, seville.loquo.com...etc.

A homestay is up to your preference. I enjoy the freedom I have of living with other people my age opposed to living with a family - their home, their rules.

I would try to live near a metro/bus/renfe line that give easy access to where your school is located.

I've been out of the program for a bit and my experience was in Andalucia so I would probably better at answering any questions about Madrid.

Congrats on your placement!!

lahabibi · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2009, 08:01:36 PM »

Well if you say it's ok then I'll take your word for it.

It's just that when I was looking for an apartment before, that was the area the locals advised me to avoid at night. :S

wanderlust · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2009, 08:18:12 PM »

Thanks sepi! those suggestions are really helpful. I didn't know that housing could be that cheap in the city, and an increase in monthly stipend definitely makes a difference.

smiller · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2009, 11:07:09 PM »

Sepi,
It's good to hear that some people decide to make their permanent residence in Spain after the fairly short program. How did you find work at an academy and how difficult is it to get a work visa?

I got placed in Madrid and would love to live with Spaniards too (or at least Spanish speakers as opposed to Americans)...how hard was it for you to find your roommates, seeing as most people in their twenties still live at home?

Do you plan to stay in Madrid for a while? I studied abroad there for a semester and can't wait to be back! I left my heart there!!!

Thanks for the help!!!

kurtgar · « **Reply #6 on:** May 09, 2009, 07:24:58 AM »

How long is the student Visa good for? Can you stay in Europe after the the school year is over until August?. I want to know about peoples experiences in Castilla La Mancha? Are people liberal or conservative? I want to be placed in a large city since my I am gay and my husband and I have a 4 yr old son and we are also vegan vegetarians and we know we would be accepted easier in there. I have never had a problem in Spain before but I have travel to mainly large cities in Spain. I want my family to feel safe and have a wonderful time in Spain but being placed in a small city concerns me a little bit.

Thank you for assisting us newbies,

Kurt

kurtgar · « **Reply #7 on:** May 09, 2009, 07:27:34 AM »

Does anyone know if you can change your email address on Proflex after you have submitted your application?

sepi · « **Reply #8 on:** May 09, 2009, 05:35:57 PM »

Wanderlust- housing prices vary, I've always lived in the center and my current place of 325 is the cheapest place I've lived, the other two places I paid 400 and 425, without gastos, but then I only lived with 1 other person and now I live with 2. Unfortunately you all will probably come to Spain at the end of September and that is the worst time to find a place. A lot of students are also looking for housing and it can be very competitive, it took me 3 weeks to find a place once! I would maybe suggest placing an ad on loquo.com a few days before you come to Madrid once you know which area you would like to live and speed up the piso finding process by having people contact you.

Smiller- Well I was actually going to do the program again in 2007-2008 in Madrid instead of Cordoba but had issues with my visa and upon arrival was told I couldn't be in the program. So I made a choice to either go back home or try to make it work in Spain, living without papers and finding a decent job. I got lucky and found an academy that didn't care about my lack of papers. There are quite a few illegal Americans here and they make it work. It's difficult to get a visa sponsorship, so I would suggest staying in this program for another year if you can and want to stay in Spain longer.

It wasn't hard at all to find a place living with Spaniards. I've only lived with Spaniards in all 3 apts I've had. True people tend to live at home a lot longer but Madrid has an abundance of people from all over Spain and Latin America so you'll find plenty of people living on their own. In Cordoba it was a bit different, there were Spaniards who lived on their own but not many.

Yes I plan to stay awhile. After a year with the program in Cordoba and a year as a sinpa (sin papeles

) in Madrid, I decided I wanted to stay but under legal conditions so I have decided to study. I'm here at the moment hanging out waiting for school to start in October and hope to find a legit job and someone to sponsor my visa after I graduate. Fingers crossed.

Kurtgar- Not sure how long the visa is good for, I think its jut good until the program ends or maybe a few months after, but I can't remember. Don't know much about Castilla La Mancha, people are pretty liberal in general in Spain so I wouldn't be concerned. You might wanna see if on facebook there is a group for people in Castilla La Mancha from last year and ask them.

outofhabit · « **Reply #9 on:** May 09, 2009, 05:38:42 PM »

I heard that the cost of living in Catalunya is comparable to that in Madrid...does anyone know if Catalunya also offers something more in monthly stipends? Or is Madrid the only place that does so? Thanks!

wanderlust · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2009, 08:04:52 AM »

the job description says 12 - 16 class periods per week.. about how many hours is that? does the assistant get assigned to only one school?

sepi · « **Reply #11 on:** May 10, 2009, 12:39:38 PM »

In my case in Cordoba I only worked 12 hours a week, 3 days a week, Tues-Thurs! An amazing schedule. I worked 5 hours in the actual classroom with the kids, 5 hours one to one English classes with the staff, and 2 free hours to prep for my classes. My schedule was compact so I never had any wait time; I was only there for my 12 hours and then went home. You will only work in 1 school, although I have heard of a girl who split her schedule b/t 2 but that sounded like a rare case. The amount of hours you work, the amount of days you work, and your role in the classroom will just depend on your school.

tryniti26 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2009, 03:01:58 AM »

Hello,

New to this forum but have been accepted to Madrid - yay!

I was wondering if one or some of the alumni could give a rough timeline of the things we need to do between now and september. I'm so excited to finally find out but now feel like there are so many things to do to prepare and not sure where to start. It would be great to know when you bought your plane ticket, completed visa stuff, started apartment search, etc. and in what order things happened.

Thanks for the help!

Lindsay

caitaluna · « **Reply #13 on:** May 11, 2009, 03:44:32 AM »

Hi!

Did anyone apply for their visa at the New York office? I've heard that they just have you walk through but I wanted to hear it from someone who has actually done it.

I was accepted to the Balearic Islands so anyone who is/was there let me know too

Caity

chikita · « **Reply #14 on:** May 11, 2009, 02:21:52 PM »

Hi Caitaluna - I applied for a visa through the NY office in 2007 when I was going to study abroad. Back in 2007, they didn't have appointments so it was a little hectic. Now, all you must do is make an appointment and bring all the necesary documentation - they are somewhat of a checklist on their website under "long-stay" visa. I would start soon - as you will need to have an updated physical and a Record of Good Conduct (issued from the town/city of your permanent residence) with a Hague Apostille (which you have to file for through snail mail AFTER you even get your Recod - this alone takes approx. 3 weeks). But, besides the letter from Madrid (stating your purpose and location) you can start compiling everything now. You can even print the app. offline. I would even make your appointment soon. Once you have all that paperwork (and a $100 money order) - you just show up with your docs. and it takes bout 15 minutes. Then you just wait approx. 7 weeks - and they notify you your visa has been processed and you can go pick it up. If you choose not to pick it up during your original appt. bring a pre-paid certified mail envelope - and they will mail it to your permanent address.

Hope this info helps!

bri10s · « **Reply #15 on:** May 12, 2009, 08:22:12 PM »

to caitaluna and anyone else applying for a visa in new york...

yes, you need to make an appointment there now. like laurensita said, it used to be a walk-in deal, but now its appointment only. and from what i remember from reading last year, there was a huuuuge back up in terms of making them (those who go to boston wont have a problem

).

so, i suggest making an appointment soon, but make it for the second half of july. that will give you time on both ends. to receive your letter from the ministry (i didnt get my papers with my assignment until july 8th or something last year) and also enough time to process the visa.

congrats!

also....start the hague process... its kinda a witch

gacella · « **Reply #16 on:** May 13, 2009, 07:35:24 PM »

Hi, I asked at my police station and they said they could provide a letter of good standing only for the city I live in. Is that what i need? I read somewhere it has to be a criminal background check. Also Can it and the letter from the doctor be in English or do I need it in Spanish as well? I'll probably need to call the consulate but I've heard they tend not to be very helpful so if anyone can shed some light it would really help. I have to go to the Houston Consulate if that makes a difference.
Thanks

Luna2 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 13, 2009, 07:45:42 PM »

I also have the same question... does our medical certificate and police conduct report need to be translated into Spanish by an official translator in order to obtain a visa? I have to go to the LA consulate. Thanks guys!

Beckett · « **Reply #18 on:** May 13, 2009, 10:05:38 PM »

For the visa application, the medical certificate and the police certificate of good conduct can both be in English. You don't need to get them translated into Spanish.

Have you guys been able to accept the job via Profex yet? It's still not working on my end.

esimons324 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 13, 2009, 10:08:55 PM »

Beckett,

I still can't accept either...

gacella · « **Reply #20 on:** May 13, 2009, 10:51:57 PM »

good to know. I can't accept either but today I got an email from the coordinator of my region Cantabria and I accepted via e-mail. She also asked for a preference in the age group of the students.

dsr1700 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 14, 2009, 03:57:15 PM »

Hi all,

Could anyone share pointers about getting your visa at the Miami consulate? I looked at their website and they have an appointment system. Should I go ahead and make an appointment for mid-late July?

Venga_vamos_porfin! · « **Reply #22 on:** May 17, 2009, 01:32:39 AM »

hey all,
so i studied abroad for a year last year in Madrid...and now i'm going back!! does this mean that i need to get a police record from the spanish authorities as well, given that i was there for a year? or no, because I wasn't a permanent resident?
any help would be much appreciated!!
Thanks!!
todd

chikita · « **Reply #23 on:** May 17, 2009, 04:44:18 PM »

Venga -- I am pretty sure that you need the letter from your "permanent residence". (about 99% positive - because they asked for your address, etc.)

SarahKjrsten · « **Reply #24 on:** May 18, 2009, 12:09:57 AM »

I'm heading to Madrid as well.

How difficult is it to find a place to stay? What steps did people take to find an apartment? Where did you stay while you were looking for an apartment?

losemymouth · « **Reply #25 on:** May 18, 2009, 10:12:04 AM »

Really, really, really concerned about money. I am going to school here in Canada and am finding it impossible to find part time work for the summer while going to school. How much money did you guys go down with? If I head down with about $2000 Canadian, will that be enough?

SRedw · « **Reply #26 on:** May 18, 2009, 10:24:21 AM »

Quote from: SarahKjrsten on May 18, 2009, 12:09:57 AM

I'm heading to Madrid as well.

How difficult is it to find a place to stay? What steps did people take to find an apartment? Where did you stay while you were looking for an apartment?

Sarah,

It depends on when you look. September is the worst month to look for a place because you will be fighting with students who want to get a room or an apartment as well. August, things are pretty much dead, but you can still find a place. It all depends on when you want to come to Madrid.

Good luck in your search,

Shawn

Beckett · « **Reply #27 on:** May 18, 2009, 12:19:59 PM »

Quote from: losemymouth on May 18, 2009, 10:12:04 AM

Really, really, really concerned about money. I am going to school here in Canada and am finding it impossible to find part time work for the summer while going to school. How much money did you guys go down with? If I head down with about $2000 Canadian, will that be enough?

At the current exchange rate, $2000 Canadian is roughly 1268 euros. Yes, that should be enough to get by for two months, if you spend wisely and stick to a budget. Obviously, if you can come to Spain with more money in your pocket the better, because you never know what sort of unexpected expenses are going to pop up.

Also, be aware that you won't get your first pay check until the end of October or the first week of November, depending on the school and how organized the school secretary is. The first paycheck can sometimes be delayed so make sure you've got enough cash on hand just in case.

w_adams · « **Reply #28 on:** May 19, 2009, 01:11:41 AM »

if you are assigned your first regional choice from Profex, does that also mean that you'll likely get into a larger city within that region? For example, I chose Castilla y Leon and would love to be in Salamanca or Segovia...is this at all realistic?

BrandinhoGaucho · « **Reply #29 on:** May 21, 2009, 06:49:46 AM »

Is it true that we may be able to influence our final destination if we send an email to the right person? As long as you're not pegged back for being high maintenance then I'll be sending out a few emails pretty soon. Any experience with this???

ps - I know that the site says no, but people have been making posts that suggest otherwise. Getting Vigo instead of Ferrol or Lugo is a huge difference to me, so if I can influence it at all then I will.

smiller · « **Reply #30 on:** May 26, 2009, 07:31:41 PM »

So, I'm a bit confused as to what the Apostille of the Hague actually is....

Do we have to send in every Visa document we have to our office (I'm in Louisiana) and get them to "clear" it?

Can someone help??

dsr1700 · « **Reply #31 on:** May 26, 2009, 07:58:52 PM »

Quote from: smiller on May 26, 2009, 07:31:41 PM

So, I'm a bit confused as to what the Apostille of the Hague actually is....

Do we have to send in every Visa document we have to our office (I'm in Louisiana) and get them to "clear" it?

Can someone help??

Hi Smiler, So this website has a good explanation of what the Apostille is: http://www.in.gov/sos/business/apostille/
It's just a stamp of authentication on a document signed by a public official that is considered valid by certain foreign countries. Some states don't refer to it as the Apostille of the Hague and instead call it simply "authentication" or something like that. The Secretary of State office of each state handles the apostilles. Generally all you do is mail the form you want to have an apostille stamp put on (the police report in this case) with a cover letter and the fee required. You'll have to find the website for your state to know exactly what to send and what the fee is. Hope that helps!

mereR · « **Reply #32 on:** May 26, 2009, 08:30:05 PM »

Hi everyone! Thanks for all the information so far. I am new to this discussion board, and I have a few questions about getting a visa and NIE...

1. I am going to the DC Consulate for the visa. Does anyone know if my police record and medical certificate need to be translated into Spanish?

2. Once we arrive in Spain, do we need the police record and medical certificate to get an NIE? Do these documents need to be in Spanish? Or do we just need our visa and passport and photographs?

Can anyone tell me if an NIE is the same thing as a Residence Card? Will I need to get both of these once I arrive in Spain? What about an empadronamiento?

Thanks!!

mereR · « **Reply #33 on:** May 26, 2009, 11:17:18 PM »

Also, does anyone know the contact information for the Andalucia representative?

chikita · « **Reply #34 on:** May 27, 2009, 01:26:42 AM »

For all alums --- It seems that the people assigned to larger (or smaller) regions are starting to get notifications (or at least word on Profex of their assignments). From past experience, when did other regions (such as people assigned to Catalunya) receive information??

outofhabit · « **Reply #35 on:** June 06, 2009, 07:55:55 AM »

Does anyone have any advice on how much money we should take to start off with? I heard that we get our first paycheck at the end of October, so I'm guessing that we should cover at least that first month?
I know it depends on the city, but roughly how much do people outside of big cities like madrid or barcelona spend monthly?

Simca24 · « **Reply #36 on:** June 06, 2009, 12:52:22 PM »

Hello, I'm Simona (Canadian) and I'm a bit confused with the visa process. I've looked into this Schengen visa that we need, but it says that Canadians and Americans don't need it, I've also contacted the Spanish embassy in Riyadh (where I'm currently teaching), and they have also confirmed it. Can any alumnis help out with this? I don't plan on returning to Canada before the start of my contract in Spain, I'm going to finish my contract in Riyadh and then travel, will this be a problem in getting the Spanish visa? Any input appreciated. Thanks

Simona

gacella · « **Reply #37 on:** June 06, 2009, 04:15:46 PM »

Hi Simona, I'm from the US so things might be a bit different for you but you do need a schengen Visa. You don't need one if you are there for less than 90days but for longer you need one. It's a long-stay student Visa. Make sure that when you call the Spanish embassy you tell them the duration of the program. Hope that helps : )

chikita · « **Reply #38 on:** June 06, 2009, 05:34:14 PM »

so we are applying for a "long-stay" visa -- right?? also, have people started making NIE appts. i tried calling last Friday but no one answered and there are a lot of offices of extranjeros (in Barcelona) were I am applying. I am arriving into Barcelona on Sept. 9 so I wanted to make my appt for the first week of October right after orientation . . . and I am just not sure what office to use. . . anyone know if it makes a difference if you go to one oficina de extranjeros as opposed to another?

Simca24 · « **Reply #39 on:** June 08, 2009, 01:01:25 PM »

Ok, I just spoke to the Spanish embassy in Riyadh again, and they are saying that I have to have lived in Saudi for 5 years for them to issue me the schengen long term visa here, which clearly isn't the case. I know that we can get the short term Schengen visa, that allows you to stay up to 3 months, on arrival. Can I just get that and leave for a weekend every 3 months? Do I need an NIE number? Can I get one with the shrot term visa? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Simona

AnnaMad1 · « **Reply #40 on:** June 08, 2009, 05:22:34 PM »

schengen student visa is not the same thing as the schengen tourist visa (the three month thing you're referring to)

sepi · « **Reply #41 on:** June 08, 2009, 07:50:48 PM »

HI All,

I'm American and was in this program in 2006-2007. For Americans, and I assume Canadians as well, you can only obtain your visa back in your home country. I was abroad and was unable to process my visa application abroad, I had return to the US. My embassy allowed my mother to being the process for me with a copy of my passport but I had to go in person to pick it up.

You must get the 90 day visa to be in this program, once you arrive in Spain you will have to go to the police station with that visa to get your NIE, which is permission to be in Spain longer than 90 days. There is no way around any of this. If you don't have the visa you can't be in the program. I ran into this problem the following year 2007-2008 and arrived to Spain with the incomplete paperwork and was unable to participate in the program.

Beckett · « **Reply #42 on:** June 11, 2009, 01:08:14 AM »

Quote from: outofhabit on June 06, 2009, 07:55:55 AM

Does anyone have any advice on how much money we should take to start off with? I heard that we get our first paycheck at the end of October, so I'm guessing that we should cover at least that first month?
I know it depends on the city, but roughly how much do people outside of big cities like madrid or barcelona spend monthly?

How much money depends on your lifestyle and when you plan to arrive in Spain. I'd say one should have at least 1000 euros (roughly $1400) when they arrive in Spain, although 1200 euros would be better.

And yes, you're right, you won't receive your first paycheck until the last week of Oct or first week of November, depending on the school's secretary and how efficient/inefficient she is.

Madrid and Barcelona are more expensive than the smaller cities in Spain. Here's an extremely rough guide for expenses that obviously will vary per person:

400 to 500 euros for rent/utlilties
40 euros for cell phone/internet, if not included in apt.
150 euros for food
30 to 50 euros for transportation

So you're going to want to have at least 700 euros to cover your basic expenses the first month and that's not including apt hunting expenses if you need to stay in a hostal and going out on the weekend expenses. Also, you never know what kind of unexpected expenses might pop up during your first month, so you need to be sure to have a little money set aside (or have a way to quickly access money) to cover those things.

Beckett · « **Reply #43 on:** June 11, 2009, 01:09:44 AM »

Quote from: smiller on May 26, 2009, 07:31:41 PM

So, I'm a bit confused as to what the Apostille of the Hague actually is....

Do we have to send in every Visa document we have to our office (I'm in Louisiana) and get them to "clear" it?

Can someone help??

You only need the Apostille stamp for your police record certificate (the certificate of good conduct). The other documents for your visa application don't need the Apostille.

Beckett · « **Reply #44 on:** June 11, 2009, 01:20:04 AM »

Quote from: Simca24 on June 08, 2009, 01:01:25 PM

Ok, I just spoke to the Spanish embassy in Riyadh again, and they are saying that I have to have lived in Saudi for 5 years for them to issue me the schengen long term visa here, which clearly isn't the case. I know that we can get the short term Schengen visa, that allows you to stay up to 3 months, on arrival. Can I just get that and leave for a weekend every 3 months? Do I need an NIE number? Can I get one with the shrot term visa? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
Simona

If you are Canadian, the visa requirements are the same as for the U.S. An official letter or official email should be arriving soon with details on the specific visa requirements, but based on past experience, people in the program need a STUDENT visa and it should be a short-term one good for 90 days. If the Spanish consulate gives you a long-term student visa this will cause problems in Spain when it is time to apply for the NIE. Be sure the Spanish consulate does not give you a 6-month visa.

Anyone accepted into this program who does not have a Spanish passport, i.e. (British, Canadian, Australian, U.S., New Zealand, South African, etc.) must apply for a NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) once they arrive in Spain with a VALID visa. If you do not get a NIE you will not be allowed to work in the program. No NIE, no job. No exceptions. Leaving the country every 3 months will not be permitted. If you show up in Spain without a valid visa, the school you have been assigned to will not allow you to work for them.

If you have lived in Canada at any point in the last 5 years, you must request a certificate of good conduct (police record) from the Canadian cities you've lived. If you have lived overseas for the last 5 years, you must get a certificate of good conduct from the cities where you have lived and get those translated into English or Spanish. Additionally, those certificates of good conduct must be notarized or get that Apostille seal if it is a country that abides by the Hague conventions.

Beckett · « **Reply #45 on:** June 11, 2009, 01:28:29 AM »

Quote from: laurensita on June 06, 2009, 05:34:14 PM

so we are applying for a "long-stay" visa -- right?? also, have people started making NIE appts. i tried calling last Friday but no one answered and there are a lot of offices of extranjeros (in Barcelona) were I am applying. I am arriving into Barcelona on Sept. 9 so I wanted to make my appt for the first week of October right after orientation . . . and I am just not sure what office to use. . . anyone know if it makes a difference if you go to one oficina de extranjeros as opposed to another?

You will not be able to make an appointment for the NIE until you have a valid visa in hand. The contact for your region should be able to tell you which police office you need to go to get it.

Beckett · « **Reply #46 on:** June 11, 2009, 01:30:12 AM »

Quote from: kurtgar on May 09, 2009, 07:27:34 AM

Does anyone know if you can change your email address on Proflex after you have submitted your application?

Yes, there is an edit function in Profex. Just be sure to change your address across all categories, including your CV and the "Gestión" category.

Beckett · « **Reply #47 on:** June 11, 2009, 01:33:49 AM »

Quote from: mereR on May 26, 2009, 11:17:18 PM

Also, does anyone know the contact information for the Andalucia representative?

Programa de Auxiliares de Conversación extranjeros
Consejería de Educación, Junta de Andalucía
Dirección General de Ordenación y Evaluación Educativa
(A la atención de Ricardo Viñuelas)
Calle Juan Antonio de Vizarrón, s/n
Edificio Torretriana
41071 Sevilla

Correo-e de contacto: ricardo.vinuelas.ext@juntadeandalucia.es

Beckett · « **Reply #48 on:** June 11, 2009, 01:39:58 AM »

Quote from: mereR on May 26, 2009, 08:30:05 PM

Hi everyone! Thanks for all the information so far. I am new to this discussion board, and I have a few questions about getting a visa and NIE...

1. I am going to the DC Consulate for the visa. Does anyone know if my police record and medical certificate need to be translated into Spanish?

2. Once we arrive in Spain, do we need the police record and medical certificate to get an NIE? Do these documents need to be in Spanish? Or do we just need our visa and passport and photographs?

Can anyone tell me if an NIE is the same thing as a Residence Card? Will I need to get both of these once I arrive in Spain? What about an empadronamiento?

Thanks!!

Answer 1: No. Documents can be in English. Just make sure you have that Apostille seal for your police record.

Answer 2: You just need your valid visa, passport and passport photos. However, I recommend traveling to Spain with all of your documents, just to have easy access to them.

One important thing to note: The size of passport photos (or at least the size used for the NIE) is different from the U.S. passport photo size. Have your NIE photos taken in Spain. It won't cost you a lot. The first time I applied for a NIE I thought I was being smart and efficient by coming to Spain with an extra set of passport photos. Well, they were too big and I didn't know this until I had waited in line and got up to the counter and the woman turned me away because the size of the photos were too big. I then had to leave, find a passport photo place and then return to stand in line again to turn in my paperwork.

dsr1700 · « **Reply #49 on:** June 11, 2009, 03:36:13 AM »

Quote from: Beckett on June 11, 2009, 01:39:58 AM

Answer 2: You just need your valid visa, passport and passport photos. However, I recommend traveling to Spain with all of your documents, just to have easy access to them.

Beckett, are you saying that we should make an extra copy for ourselves of the apostilled police reports and the medical certificate before we send them off with our visa application so that we can bring these to Spain with us? I know we won't get any of the original documents sent in with our visa application back...

News:

Author Topic: Questions from new arrivals (2009-2010) to alumni (Read 12491 times)