Institution/Support Centre:

Interior Ministry of Spain
www.mir.es/SGACAVT/extranje/
tel. 900 150 000 general information

www.mir.es/SGACAVT/extranje/directorio.html ( Directory of Spanish foreign offices)
Tel. 900 150 000

 

Who must complete this process and why? Article 41 of Organic Law 4/2000, of 11 January, describes the foreign nationals exempted from the requirement to obtain a work permit in order to be able to exercise a profitmaking, contractual or professional activity, provided these comply with the requirements of Article 68 of Royal Decree 2393/2004.

"a) Foreign technical experts, researchers and scientists, ivited to Spain by the General State Administration, the Autonomous Communities, universities, local authorities or bodies having as their mission the promotion and development of research projects in which a majority interest is held by the above.

Such foreigners shall include professionals with particular scientific knowledge, specialisms, experience or expertise, invited to Spain or contracted by any of the bodies listed above for the purpose of developing a technical, scientific or general interest activity or programme.

This circumstance shall be accredited by the presentation of an invitation or employment contract, signed by the legal representative of the body in question and describing both the project and the profile of the professional required to implement the project.

b) Foreign lecturers, technical experts, researchers and scientists invited to or employed by a Spanish university. This includes foreign academics who have received an invitation or an employment contract from a Spanish university with a view to performing teaching and other academic functions.

This circumstance shall be accredited by the presentation of an invitation or employment contract for the performance of academic functions, signed by the legal representative of the Spanish university in question.

c) Foreign management personnel or academics, irrespective of whether they belong to a cultural or academic institution dependent on another State or to a private cultural or academic institution, of accredited prestige that is, moreover, recognised in Spain, who implement cultural and academic programmes in relation to their country of origin in Spain, and provided they restrict their activities to the implementation of these programmes. Foreigners meeting with the following requirements may benefit from the exemption:

1. Foreigners holding management, academic or research posts in foreign cultural or academic institutions located in Spain.

2. Cultural and academic institutions dependent on other States shall implement their activities in Spain in such a way that the study courses and programmes offered and the certificates and diplomas issued are recognised in the countries on which they depend.

3. Foreign private institutions shall be accredited as prestigious when the body and its activities have been officially recognised and authorised by the competent authorities and provided the certificates and diplomas issued are recognised in the countries on which they depend.

These circumstances shall be accredited by presentation of documentation that justifies, in the country of origin, the validity of certificates and diplomas issued in Spain, of the employment contract or formal appointment to assume management or academic activities, and in addition, for private bodies, documentation accrediting official recognition in Spain"

What is the procedure for obtaining authorisation?

Non-resident foreign nationals in Spain

Resident foreign nationals in Spain

 

Non-resident foreign nationals in Spain

Procedures to be implemented in the country of origin/legal residence

When should the application be made? Before travelling to Catalonia.

What do I need to do? Apply for a residence permit.

Where should I apply? Through the Spanish consular office corresponding to your legal place of reisdence or to your country of origin.

What documentation is required? Apart from any specific documentation required by the consular office,

the documentation required in accordance with the specific kind of exemption being applied for as described in Article 68 of Royal Decree 2393/2004:  

4 forms with 4 photographs (attached to each form)

Passport issued at least 4 months previously Original and 3 photocopies of the passport photo page and of any pages containing annotations to the passport (but not visas or travel stamps).

Record of convictions issued by the police authorities of the country of origin (apostilled original and 3 photographs).

Medical certificate issued in your country of origin by a medical centre authorised by the Spanish consular office (original and 2 photocopies).

In regard to Article 68 a), in addition to the above requirements and depending on the activity, the application should be accompanied by (original and 2 photocopies):

Invitation or employment contract, signed by the legal representative of the issuing body.

In regard to Article 68 b), in addition to the above requirements and depending on the activity, the application should be accompanied by (original and 2 photocopies):

Invitation or employment contract for the performance of academic activities, signed by the legal representative of the issuing Spanish university.

In regard to Article 68 c), in addition to the above requirements and depending on the activity, the application should be accompanied by (original and 2 photocopies):

Documentation that justifies the validity, in the country of origin, of certificates and diplomas issued in Spain, of the employment contract or formal appointment to assume management or academic activities, and in addition, for private bodies, documentation accrediting official recognition in Spain.

The consular office will verify the exemption and will issue a residence visa in accordance with Article 35. This visa will indicate a right to residence with a work exemption which will enter into force as of your date of entry to Spain, and will in no case be greater than 3 months from the date indicated in the visa, passport or travel document.

What to do once in Catalonia

What should I do once in Catalonia? Apply in person for a foreigner identity card (NIE), within 1 month of entry to Catalonia.

Where should I apply? To your local police station.

 

Resident foreign nationals in Spain

What to do once in Catalonia

What should I do once in Catalonia? You will need to request acknowledgement of the work exemption and allege that you fulfil the established conditions.

Where should I apply? At the Central Government Delegation or Sub-Delegation for the province where your workplace is located. You will need to provide documentation that accredits its location in this province.

Barcelona.
To apply for a residence permit you will need to make an appointment by phoning 93 520 95 30 or by emailing citaprevia@oue.barcelona.map.es.
You will be given an appointment for the Immigration Office at No. 2, Avenida Marqués d'Argentera, Barcelona.
For further information, phone 93 482 05 44.

Tarragona.
You will need to make an appointment with the Central Government Sub-Delegation in Tarragona by phoning 977 99 91 32. You will be given an appointment for the office at No. 3, Plaça Imperial Tarraco, Tarragona. You will also be asked to bring the relevant documentation.

If you wish the Rovira i Virgili University to make the application on your behalf, send an email requesting an appointment with the Central Government Sub-Delegation to the Human Resources and Organisation Department at fina.cabre@urv.net. You will be given an appointment for the office at No. 3, Plaça Imperial Tarraco, Tarragona. You will also be asked to bring the relevant documentation.

Lleida.
To apply for a residence permit you will need to make an appointment by phoning 973 23 78 50.
You will be given an appointment for the Immigration Office at No. 36, Prat de la Riba, Lleida. Tel: 973 95 92 30).
For further information, phone 973 95 92 46/ 973 95 92 30 or visit the Central Government Sub-Delegation at No. 1, Plaça de la Pau, Lleida. Tel: 973 95 90 00. Fax 973 95 91 28.

Girona.
There is no need to make a previous appointment.
Visit the office in person (or send a representative with a written, signed authorisation).
The address is No. 14 Plaça Josep Pla, Girona. For further information, phone 972 06 93 30.

Renewing a residence permit and work exemption permit

Who must complete this process and why? The validity period for the exemption will be adapted to the duration of the corresponding activity or programme up to a limit of one year for the initial approved application, two years for the first renewal, and a further two years for the second renewal, and provided the circumstances in which the permit was granted remain the same.  

Where should I apply? Requests for renewals can be made in person. Should a third party represent you, the printed application form will need to be accompanied by a document of authorisation. A copy of the printed application will be returned, with the corresponding stamps, for you to keep as your record of the application.

Barcelona.
There is no need to request an appointment. Go to any of the Registration Offices of the State General Administration in Catalonia, of the Generalitat de Catalunya, or of town or local councils that have signed the corresponding agreement.  

Click on the links below to obtain addresses and information on opening times:  

1)www.map.es/ministerio/directorio/informacion.html for the State General Administration and town or local councils.  

2) www10.gencat.net/sac/AppJava/registre.jspt for the Catalan Government.

Tarragona.
You will need to make an appointment with the Central Government Sub-Delegation in Tarragona by phoning 977 99 91 32. You will be given an appointment for the office at No. 3, Plaça Imperial Tarraco, Tarragona. You will also be asked to bring the relevant documentation.

If you wish the Rovira i Virgili University to make the application on your behalf, send an email requesting an appointment with the Central Government Sub-Delegation to the Human Resources and Organisation Department atfina.cabre@urv.net. You will be given an appointment for the office at No. 3, Plaça Imperial Tarraco, Tarragona. You will also be asked to bring the relevant documentation.

Lleida.
To apply for a residence permit you will need to make an appointment by phoning 973 23 78 50.
You will be given an appointment for the Immigration Office at No. 36, Prat de la Riba, Lleida. Tel: 973 95 92 30).
For further information, phone 973 95 92 46/ 973 95 92 30 or visit the Central Government Sub-Delegation at No. 1, Plaça de la Pau, Lleida. Tel: 973 95 90 00. Fax 973 95 91 28.

Girona.
There is no need to make a previous appointment.
Visit the office in person (or send a representative with a written, signed authorisation).
The address is No. 14 Plaça Josep Pla, Girona. For further information, phone 972 06 93 30.

 

When should I apply? You will need to apply in the 60 days before your existing permit expires. Under no circumstances will a residence permit be renewed once it is out-of-date by 3 months or more.

What documentation is required?

You will need the following documents (originals and photocopies):

Application form EX-02 ( Autorización de residencia y de excepción de autorización EX-02)).
A valid passport, registration certificate or travel document.
Previous residence permit and work exemption permit.
Documentary proof of public or private medical insurance cover.
Documentary evidence of circumstances covered by any of the provisions of Article 68 of Royal Decree 2393/2004.

Updated May 2007