Applying for Visa Outside the United States

[Future Diplomat]

Hello!!

I am currently living in Japan (working as an ESL teacher) and was wondering if anyone has applied for their visa while outside the United States.

I am not talking about mailing a passport and papers to a Spanish consulate in the United States, but applying through a Spanish embassy/consulate in the country where you currently reside.

Although I am from Cleveland, Ohio, I am a legal resident of Japan (currently on a three year working visa), if that helps. I have not lived in Cleveland since heading off to college in 2003. Has anyone been in this position?

I contacted the program director, and despite his enthusiasm, he couldn't offer much help. I will also contact the Spanish embassy in Tokyo in order to figure it out, but will be appreciative to anyone who may be able to offer sound advice.

I am applying for the 2011-2012 program, so I have some time to figure this all out.

Thanks again!

[Future Diplomat]

This was the reply from the Chicago consulate:


If you live in Tokyo for more than 6 months that would be considered your permanent residency. Please contact the Embassy or Consulate of your jurisdiction.

I suppose it would be the same for other countries as well.

I will write again, once I get the response from the Spanish embassy here in Japan.

 

[SRedw]

Thanks for this update. It'll help many others in your same situation.

Suerte,

Shawn

[Future Diplomat]

Thanks, Shawn.

I was a little hesitant about applying for the program, because I will not fly back to the United States in order to process a visa. Getting the message from the Chicago consulate was perhaps what helped me partially decide on whether to apply for this program or the program in France (as I knew I would be able to apply for my French visa here in Japan).

I hope I can help other people who are in similar situations, as it is extremely difficult getting information from any bureaucratic entity.

 

[TifaStrife16]

Thank you so much for your input on this.  I am in the same situation from you - I am actually also from Cleveland, Ohio, but am currently living in Argentina but am interested in doing the auxiliares program in Spain, but was really worried about the visa issue!  I have written an e-mail to the chicago consulate - I am interested to see if I receive the same response as you did.  I would love to know if a 3-month trip back to the US will be necessary in order to apply for my visa!

[Future Diplomat]

Wow, Tifa! I have noticed many Ohioans/Clevelanders on the boards!

I hope you get the same reply as I. I also sent a message to the Spanish embassy in Japan. I will see what they say. If I must go back to the United States, then I will pass on the Spanish program and just apply for the French program. There is no way I am flying 13 hours at 1200 USD back to the US in order to pick up a passport!

By the way, where are you from in Cleveland? Did you go to school there? Why are you in Argentina? I visited Argentina many times when I used to live in Chile.

[Future Diplomat]

Hello all!

I received the response from the Spanish embassy here in Tokyo. I've pasted it below with my own translation.

I have also been in contact with another girl on the site, who is applying for a visa from Argentina. She basically said they told her the same thing. So, I think that it is safe to say that perhaps many other countries might allow this as well. Still, it would be safe to ask.

Below is the response:

Si vive en Japón con un visado legal de residencia puede solicitar el visado de larga duración para España aquí en Japón (Si se encuentra en Japón en calidad de "estudiante" no puede solicitar el visado de larga duración).
 
Embajada de España
----------------------------------

If you live in Japan under a legal residence visa, you can apply for a long-term visa for Spain here in Japan (If you are here in Japan under a "student" visa, then you cannot apply for a long-term visa).

Spanish Embassy

I really hope this helps anyone who was in my same situation!

M

[halawson]

Hi,

Does anyone know how applying for a Visa would work if I am out of the country from May to the end of August?  I am still a legal resident of North Carolina, just would be on a long vacation all summer. 

Thanks!

[usfbull]

I was really glad to see this topic. I've been living in Italy since 2006 and I'm planning on applying for the 2011-2012 program. Needless to say I don't want to go to the States (Florida) just to apply for a visa. The thing is I entered Italy with a student visa and my residence permit makes it clear that I am here to study. I also remember reading some newsletter from the program website where it said that we must apply for the visa in our home country (USA or Canada). My question to mdechelle is: Are you living in Japan with a working visa? and the same question goes to the other person living in Argentina. I'm going to go to the Spanish consulate in the city I live in Italy and I'll post back as soon as I find something out.

[Farmgirl]

Does anyone know when the 2011-2012 application opens?  It just says "Opens December 2011" on the website.  Wondering if anyone has any more information.

[SRedw]

Go by what the website says.

Shawn