Question! Can't help on the residence but could some kind soul tell me how I can get hold of the � font on my PC. I only just found out that I can get a � by hitting ALT GR + 4. Us Brits are pretty slow on the acceptance of the � , you see.
I have a standard Western Font displayed on Windows 98.
Sorry to butt in like this. But I saw reference to Nina and Nino but can't do the �!!
Nige
PS I copied the � in case you are saying - but he has just done that!

Nige, the ASCII code for the � is Alt 164

Boca-
I'm a half and half. One Spanish parent, one American. So far its been 5 months and counting... but that's because of the new law- I've actually been working on this for about 10 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (LOOOOOONG story- and unfortunately due to lots of misinformation!) But its almost over!

And I'm not getting a residence permit- I went the whold 9 yards! I'm becoming a citizen!

If you apply for a residence permit you won't get a spanish passport- the resdence permit is like a visa and would be put in your passport- then you'd get a residents ID card (different from reg. spanish ID) so you wouldn't have to carry your passport around all the time and its proof you're a legal long term resident.

Espe3,

I�m waiting but maybe you should be the one to pay up for those calamares! Ha..ha..

I hope you get it soon coz that�s a big problem don�t you think? Getting the letter is one thing but on the other hand swearing-in is the other.

Good luck!

BAS

Bas,
Nope! Piece of cake! The letter I got was the biggest part of it- this is what REALLY gets the ball rolling!
I'm crossing my fingers that it won't be long now!
I'll keep you posted!

Espe3,
Congratulations on getting your letter, Espe3.

Espe, since you are our local immigration expert and definitely know more than the misguided information I have been recieving at the embassies, let me ask you a question.

Both my parents are Spaniards and I have copies of their birth certificates and of my four grandparents , as well. I want to retire for a few years in Spain, will my being the child and grandchild of Spaniards allow me to retire there for a few years without the hassle of visas and leaving the country and returning? Or, do I have to apply for citizenship? I hesitate doing that because I do not want to give up my American citizenship.

Booklady-
If you don't want to give up your Am. citizenship and want to retire in Spain for a few years- you will have to go through the regular process of getting a residence visa- a special one for retirement regardtheless if your parents and grandparents were Spanish.

Here is the info you need on the retirement visa. Its not really a big deal- even the paperwork is simple- as anything it takes time- that's all- but it still would if you decided to apply for citizenship. Now, your parents were(or are) Spanish- but were they born there. That makes a difference if you decide to apply for citizenship- let me know and I can give you the info for that option also. The spainconsul-ny.org website is the best one in the US for getting information as far as what will be required- but ultimately you'll always have to go through the consulate in charge of your region, which in your case is Miami.

Here is the info from the website.

This visa allows a foreigner to reside in Spain as a retiree without working.

To apply for this visa the following requirements must be submitted in person:

Passport valid for a minimum of six months and three photocopies of the personal information and photo page.
4 recent pictures, passport size.
Original marriage certificate *.
Original certificate of good conduct issued by the police department of the city or cities where the applicant has spent 6 months or more in the last 5 years, with a translation into Spanish .
Original medical certificate typed on doctor�s stationary verifying that the applicant is free from the following quarantine diseases: yellow fever, cholera, and the plague. The certificate must also certify that the applicant is free of drug addictions and mental illness, with a translation into Spanish .
Original Medical Insurance that will cover you in Spain.
Original certificate of a public or private institution certifying that you receive a pension, specifying its monthly amount.
Proof of any other source of income and/or properties in Spain (The anual minimum is $10,000 increased by $1,700 for each dependant).
If you own any propety in Spain you must bring Original proof of ownership.
If you are not a U.S. Citizen, bring your green card.

It is also necessary to submit two (2) photocopies of all the documents.

*Documents must have the Apostille of the Hague Convenction

The resolution of your application might take up to 6 weeks. Be advised that special conditions for certain cases may apply.


Let me know if you want more information or info regarding the option you have as per getting Spanish nationality.

Well how long did they tell ya! Another six months? Just kidding, but when everything is over and you come to Spain as a citizen then fine. At the moment we will live it as it is. Good luck!

A "compatriot" in the waiting.

BAS

Espe2, a thousand thanks!

The Ministerio should hire you to help us! I like the idea of a retirement visa better. I will only be staying in spain for a few years before I go gaga.

Yes, my parents, who are alive, thank God, were both born in Spain, and left as children before the War. That's why my birth was not recorded. That will be helpful if I, or, my son decide to change citizenship. Or, have to

:cheers:

Bas-I wouldn't be surprised! But I'm hoping for the best and at the most, I've estimated (and this being generous on my behalf) that it should all be done in 3 months- if it takes the time it really should- 2 months but we'll see! Then we'll see how many arms I'll have to twist to get my passport done within a day! - I'll jump that hurdle when it gets here- but they have 3 days- even if I have to take time off work and camp in front of the office! And to celebrate I'm thinking champagne- LOTS of it! This of course is after I've had my calamares!

Booklady- no problem and thanks! Funny enough, I have thought about trying for the oposiciones to work for extranjeria in Spain... but who knows! I figure since I've been through it, and researched it so that I already know half of the material that would be on the test- studying the other half would be cake! Either that- or who knows, I could end up working back in the US at one of the consulates! Wouldn't THAT be ironic!

As for your son. Because you never know- you should get inscribed into your parents Libro de Familia- at the consulate from where they married- or if they married in spain- the consulate where you were born (they wouldn't do it in Spain if you were born in the US). Not only like you said it would be helpful- but it would be one of the REQUIREMENTS for you go opt for Spanish nationality is to have your birth recorded- as you will have to also be inscribed in your family book. When you get inscribed they will give you a Spanish 'literal birth certificate'-its not the same as a birth certificate- but does the same job. This and the family book would have to be taken care of before even applying for Spanish citizenship. This could prove to be challenging if your parents married here and never registered with the Spanish consulate- but challenging does not mean not possible! I'm just trying to prepare you for the patience and work it will require.

As per your son. Even with the new law- it gives a person the right to opt for Spanish nationality WITHOUT skipping generations. So- because you are not a Spanish national- he falls under a slightly different category- where he'd be stuck in the catch 22. Because his grandparents were Spanish- he could apply for Spanish nationality after living there legally for one year (people without any Spanish ties have to go 10 years before being able to apply unless they too marry a Spaniard- then it gets bumped to 1 year also). Student visas don't count for this requirement (I tried! It could change- but I seriously doubt it, since then it would be TOO easy!) He would have to be there with a work visa, married to a Spaniard or start his own business- and the last option seems the least possible of the 3 since you pratically have to be independently wealthy to meet the requirements to start up a business! I've been down THAT road before also- until the latest change in the Civil Code. So if he wants to do this... you may have to do some jumping through hoops... or just have him start preparing to get a job with a Spanish company and over time could get transferred to Spain. (or keep sending him to Spain until he falls in love and actually does get married!)

Bas,
Where are you? Get ready to pay up! Spoke with the German consulate... its on its way back! I'm thinking leaving in September- are you going to around?

mmmmm I can smell the calamares now!

THIS JUST IN.......................
I am going NEXT WEEK TO GET MY PASSPORT!
Get ready Spain I'M COMING HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More obnixious and happy posts when I return and when I actually get it! Let's just see if I'll get it in a day, or if I'll have to go back to pick it up!

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Three cheers for espe3!!!

You earned it!!!

Saludos,
jer...

Espe3,

It's about time we got an update, girl!!! Can't wait to meet you and finally put a name with a face.

I am so happy for you.

Besitos,

Shawn

Thanks Jer and Shawn!

Shawn, how's the apt hunt going?!

Bas, get ready to pay up! I'm now a national and NO RESIDENCY!