first of all, thanks for all the ideas. this is what I understand. Sounds like I will have to leave the EU on or before april 7 when my 3 months expire as it is next to impossible to get a visa extension. Then I will have to go to the US after the wedding in July, to apply for residency and then come back to Spain and hope that I am granted before another 3 months expire. Is this right? If so, que pesado!

maraslattery --
That is more or less what I did. It was a little costly, but was able to snag great prices back to the US and both trips coincided with family affairs stateside.

Maybe there is some sort of equivalent to a fiance� visa here in Spain. In the States, if you marry someone from outside the country (and intend to remain in the States) you need to apply for a fiance� visa which will allow your fiance� to stay in the States longer than the standard tourist visa to get through all the festivities and residency processing. Perhaps Spain has something similar which you can apply for since you are already here (I think!)...

Good luck!

HELP!!!!!!! I just read through this thread and while it was VERY helpful, I need some specific advice from you immigration/residency experts out there.
OK, I am very close to getting an offer for my DREAM JOB in Spain. The woman who I spoke with today asked me to contact the US embassy and find out how long it would take for me to get working papers. I called but no one could help me (they were all busy--everytime I tried to ask them my question, they got another call and I was put on hold for 10 minutes--very frustrating). So I am hoping that someone out there in multimadrid world can lend me a hand here...

I am married to a Spanish national, have been for 2 years. We have not registered our marriage at the Spanish consulate here in Boston yet. (kicking myself right about now)

I am VERY detail-oriented and organized so I am convinced that I can have all my paperwork together in a matter of days, but I wonder how long will the Consulate actually take to process my papers? Can someone help me put the process into steps so I know exactly what to do?

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am so nervous about the possible move to Spain and this incredible job offer that I can hardly BREATHE!!!!!!!

GRACIAS A TODOS!! :l:

Sarita

First of all, congratulations!

It shouldn't take long- and not having registered your marriage with the Spanish Consulate earlier isn't a big deal- they'll see your US marriage cert and that's the date that will say you were married that's all that matters. As far as how long it'll take... That depends on the consulate, how busy they are, and I can tell you right now that with the new change in the Civil Code all of the consulates have their hands full! If you can't get help over the phone- Salem isn't THAT far away from boston (nothing compared to the 6 hour drive I have to mine! ) take a day off, go in person, get the paperwork and get cracking! They'll be able to give you a better idea of how long it will take- and you can explain the sit. to them to see if they can do anything to make it quicker- although there are no guarentees. Also, the Boston consulate has a link from the NY Spain consulate website- if you go there first you'll at least know all of the papers they'll ask you for- meaning one less trip- and actually being able to show up and drop things off and start to get things rolling.

Espe,
Thanks so much for easing my mind a bit. I think I�ll be patient and try to get them on the phone again tomorrow and make sure I have everything I need and THEN take a day (or morning) off to go in to drop off the paperwork. According to the website, they require appts for all visa applications so I guess I�ll ask if I can go ahead and book an appt for sometime soon. I need some time to get another certified copy of our marriage certificate (I couldn�t find it tonight--so stressful!) and also to get it certified by the Apostille, whatever that entails.
I hope I can get it processed quickly. Does anyone know--once it is processed and I make the move to Spain--is there another waiting period for my DNI (or NIE as it may be) before I can legally work?

GRACIAS DE NUEVO!

Sarita

P.S. Once this whole job offer thing is a little more solid, I�ll be back to give you guys all the details about my dream job in SPAIN!!!!!!!!

:jeje: :jeje: :jeje:

Sarita, still disbelieving that this whole thing is actually happening.......

Sarita,
Right-o. Once you've processed everything State side, you'll have a whole nother slew of paperwork waiting for you to do. And yes, another waiting period. Don't let it overwhelm you, get organized- if someone is telling you what you need, get it in writing (one sure fire way to make sure they're getting you the right information!) and take it ONE STEP AT THE TIME! One suggestion- try to go to a smaller town to get it processed (like for ex. if you're not going to live in Madrid center, but one of the outlaying towns- it won't take as long- or depending on where you're going to live, Sevilla- I know people from Chipiona who have had things done MUCH faster than in the bigger cities.)

Also, for the real details you need (make the appt.- but appt. or no its still first come first serve even if you do have an appt. because they usually throw it out the window and you STILL will have to wait- which is why I suggest gathering all the info/paperwork you need and show up in person.)

Also, appt. for VISA sure, but BEFORE you apply for the visa you need to get your marriage registered and a Libro de Familia processed!

Back to the info:
- go the the NY spain consulate website- the Spanish version (it gives more details- as it assumes that if you're looking for english- you aren't spanish and therefore won't need certain services- so the english side doesn't give you as much info.) You're going to have to have your husband get his Literal cert. of birth from the Registro civil where he was born. This can be requested on-line, but he'll need a Spanish address and card to charge/send it to, unless of course he already has one on hand (which he should!) And you'll need yours also- an original- the consulate can legalize that and any copies of it (but you'll need the original). The apostille seal is a bit of a pain- more than anything else because its time consuming. However, unless you're also going to register in spain- this you shouldn't need (you would if you were trying to do all of this in Spain- but not from the states). But if that's what they said- again ask for it in writing (you'll have to send a note to them asking for it in writing) and remember to get the name of the person you're speaking to! (if there is any confusion later this comes in handy!)

As for your marriage this is what they say:
Inscripci�n de Matrimonios
Los matrimonios civiles y can�nicos se inscriben en el Registro Civil Consular en la demarcaci�n que corresponda al lugar del matrimonio.

La celebraci�n del matrimonio civil en el extranjero puede hacerse bien en la forma establecida por la ley del pais donde se celebre el matrimonio, ante las autoridades civiles o religiosas (no cat�licas) autorizadas para ello, o ante el C�nsul espa�ol. En el segundo caso el matrimonio es v�lido si al menos uno de los contrayentes es espa�ol.

Los documentos a presentar para la inscripci�n de matrimonios en el Registro Civil de este Consulado General son los siguientes:

Certificado literal del acta de nacimiento del c�nyuge espa�ol. Dicho documento debe haber sido expedido con fecha no mayor a seis meses de anterioridad.
Si uno de los c�nyuges es extranjero presentar� el certificado de nacimiento
Pasaporte vigente de ambos c�nyuges
Tarjeta de residencia, visado o sello de entrada del c�nyuge espa�ol
Certificado original local de matrimonio, o licencia matrimonial, o, en el caso de matrimonios can�nicos, el certificado de la Iglesia.
Ser� adem�s necesario cubrir la declaraci�n de datos que le ser� suministrada en este Consulado General y declarar el estado civil de cada c�nyuge por separado.
Aquellos c�nyuges que tenian estado civil "viudo" anterior al actual matrimonio, deber�n presentar el certificado de matrimonio anterior y el certificado de defunci�n del c�nyuge fallecido.
Aquellos c�nyuges que hayan obtenido el divorcio en Espa�a, o tengan matrimonios anulados, deber�n aquellos aportar el certificado literal de matrimonio cancelado por divorcio o nulidad; y si el divorcio fu� en el extranjero deber�n probar que ya obtuvieron el exequatur expedido por el Tribunal Supremo en Espa�a.
Una vez inscrito el matrimonio, el C�nsul expedir� el correspondiente libro de familia.

Then you'll need the libro de familia (which they'll process automatically once you've inscribed your marriage):

Libro de Familia

Una vez inscrito un matrimonio, el c�nsul expedir� el correspondiente libro de familia.

Tambien se entregar� libro de familia a los progenitores de un hijo no matrimonial o a la persona o personas de nacionalidad espa�ola que adopten a un menor.

Last but not least the visa you'll need:

Visado de residencia por reagrupaci�n familiar con ciudadano espa�ol o ciudadano europeo.

SIGA ESTE ENLACE PARA OBTENER LA SOLICITUD DE VISADO

Este visado puede ser solicitado por los c�nyuges, hijos menores de 18 a�os, y padres que dependan econ�micamente de un espa�ol o un europeo residente permanente en Espa�a, que vivan o regresen a vivir en Espa�a.

Los siguientes requisitos deber�n ser presentados en persona:

Pasaporte de cada solicitante, v�lido por un m�nimo de 6 meses.
Pasaporte del ciudadano espa�ol o europeo residente en Espa�a y 1 fotocopia
4 fotograf�as recientes por persona, tama�o pasaporte.
Si es residente de los EE.UU., presente su tarjeta de residencia.
Certificado original de matrimonio, o en el caso de c�nyuges de un ciudadano espa�ol, libro de familia original.
Para los hijos menores de 18 a�os, certificado original de nacimiento, o en el caso de hijos de un ciudadano espa�ol, libro de familia original.
Para los padres, certificado de nacimiento del ciudadano espa�ol o extranjero residente en Espa�a, en el que se espec�fique el nombre completo del solicitante.
Si el solicitante es hijo, c�nyuge, padre o madre de un ciudadano espa�ol, deber� presentarse un certificado de empadronamiento en Espa�a, o certificado de traslado de residencia correspondiente al ciudadano espa�ol expedido por el Consulado de Espa�a .
Si el solicitante es hijo, c�nyuge, padre o madre de un ciudadano comunitario residente permanente en Espa�a, deber� presentarse la tarjeta de residencia en Espa�a o una fotocopia legalizada ante Notario de la misma, y un certificado oficial de estar residiendo en Espa�a.

Deber�n presentarse los originales de todos los requisitos mencionados junto con dos (2) fotocopias de los mismos.

En caso de no presentar alg�n original las fotocopias presentadas deber�n estar compulsadas ante Notario en Espa�a.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coste del visado
Tenga en cuenta que existen condiciones especiales para ciertos casos.
Si desea m�s informaci�n, pres�ntese en este Consulado General.

Your reagrupacion familiar visa is free of charge The website has the application you have to fill out (I don't know how to link so you'll have to dig it up).

The consulates are open from 9 am to 3 and attend the public from 9 - 1 its usually easiest to get through very early, or from 1-3 when they don't have the public to deal with anymore. If you're calling in and get the dept you need (registro civil- then visados) there should be no reason for them to keep putting you on hold- but then again... I'm not going to get on my soap box- its too easy! Good luck! Let us know how long it takes!

Yes, details on the Dream job! I'm going to be going shortly (keeping the fingers crossed) and am starting to look at jobs- but since its still going to be awhile i don't want to get too ahead of myself! But who knows maybe you'll give me ideas! I recently saw one with Proctor and Gamble that I'd give my right arm for! Oh well...

Wow, Espe, thanks! I saw all that on the Spain consulate website but I'm sure it will be helpful to others that you posted it here. I called them today and finally got through to a very helpful lady. This is what she told me:

*Get marriage certificate legalized (sealed by the Apostille). (I called that office--the Secretary of State's Public Records division--and they said I can go in any time and they do it on the spot.)
*Bring legalized marriage certificate, my and his passports, my and his birth certificates, his US and Spain residency cards and a notarized letter saying that I was free to marry (single) before we were married along with passport size photos of each of us (4 each) and that will get us our Libro de Familia. This we can do walking into the Consulate and they will give it to us that day.
*I made an appointment on the phone today for my residency visa application for 10am on July 3rd. They asked when I was planning on travelling and since I am estimating sometime in August, they said that date would work. They said the visa they give me (they turn it around in 2 weeks tops) will give me 3 month residency permission in Spain. Then I have to apply for working papers once in Spain at the Labor Administration office with my job offer in hand. They couldn't tell me how long that would take and they couldn't give me any resources to go to for that information. Anyone go through that piece of it who can tell me how long it will take? I will definitely take your advice, Espe, and go to a small town to process the paperwork. Without divuling too much information on my dream job (*yet*) let's just say that it's not exactly in Sevilla....

Whew..........this is so much information! Moving to the country of your dreams to work in the job of your dreams shouldn't be this difficult!

Another weird thing I encountered today was that while I was talking to the helpful woman, as soon as she found out that we did not yet have a Libro de Familia but have been married for 2 years, she all of a sudden got very short with me and said that my husband would have to call to continue the conversation. So he did! But I thought that was strange. Like I was trying to fraud myself into Spanish residency or something!

Any way..........thanks again Espe and I'll keep you all posted on how things turn out with this whole situation!

Sarita

Sarita,

Thanks for coming back and letting us know how your situation is progressing. By writing on this board, you are preparing someone else to do the same thing.

Keep up the work. It may seem frustrating at times, but it is worth it at the end.

Shawn

Sarita you're right, it shouldn't take that long to realize one's dreams, but if you only knew!

I would be cautious of one thing though- and aside from personal experience, I also work in the airline industry and have had more than one person with a sob story about their visas not being on time and if we could just have pity and change their date on the nonrefundable often times non changable (for the ones that are changable- they don't want to pay the fees!) because the consulate said...(at which time I tell them I understand- BOY do I! but just because of that very fact, we (the airline) would NEVER suggest to someone to purchase a ticket without having their papers in order.)

Its a hard call to make. If you're going to purchase a ticket sometime soon- even if it means paying a bit more- get something that gives you some flexibility just in case you have to change it. Again, what the consulates say- and the time they actually take to do things are two VERY different stories. Not to say it won't happen within the time they told you- but beware.

As far as the lady getting short with you... it is strange- but I guess since more and more people are doing strange (and not necessarily legal)things to go to Spain... well if its for the both of you and it is his country- you'd think that if not on top of it, he'd be the one getting the necessary information. Maybe she wanted to be sure... I don't know- but oh well! They still have to do everything and you're on your way!

Sarita writes:

quote:

I made an appointment on the phone today for my residency visa application for 10am on July 3rd. They asked when I was planning on travelling and since I am estimating sometime in August, they said that date would work. They said the visa they give me (they turn it around in 2 weeks tops) will give me 3 month residency permission in Spain.

I wouldn�t worry too much about not getting the residency visa on time. If the date that you are due to depart gets too close for comfort and you still don�t have your visa, a little bit of firm, but polite pressure on the Consulate will be effective. I actually got my visa in a 4-hour turn around time. We called the NYC Consulate from Spain, my husband spoke with the funcionario firmly but politely to explain that the purpose of my trip was explicitly to process my visa application and we needed it immediately. I flew to the States for a 4-day weekend, took a day trip to NYC with a couple of friends, submitted the materials, did a little shopping, had lunch and then picked up the Visa in the afternoon...

Just so you know that it is not impossible to have the visa turned around in the same day.

Good luck and keep us posted about your job!

Chica--Thanks for the comfort. I�m sure I will get the visa from the consulate in a short amount of time. What about once I land in Spain and apply for my working permit at the Labor Administration office? How long did it take for you?

Espe--Thanks for the advice on travelling. I figure we won�t leave until the end of August so making the appt on July 3rd is more than safe. If I have to move it up, I�ll make sure there�s plenty of time to get my visa!

Mil gracias a todos,
Sarita

Sarita -- I did my application for residency and work permit at the same time rather than going through two separate processes. That is what the woman at Extranjer�a in Segovia "recommended" that I do at the time. In order to do so, I had to present a letter from the company "interested" in hiring me that stated that they were intending to hire me given that my residency was approved.

Of course, I didn�t have a job offer at the time. She didn�t come out and say that I had to hand in a letter of "oferta de empleo" but because she was Spanish, and my husband Spanish, she spoke such a manner that my husband, reading between the lines, understood that the letter would make my life much easier. She said that the letter did not represent any obligation for the company writing the letter, it was just to show that there would be possible employment for me, and to fulfill the bureaucratic process.

Perhaps if this dream job is fairly solid, the HR department will write the letter for you. I am sure that they are familiar with the process. That way you can process both applications at the same time. Maybe if you explain this to the HR department, they will help you (and themselves) and write the letter to get you through the process faster to get you working for them sooner.

Good luck!

A comisar�a in Madrid which seems to be quite helpful and efficient is the new one on C/General Pardi�as (Metro: Diego de Le�n or N��ez de Balboa). This is my own experience, and someone else�s too.

It�s between C/Juan Bravo and C/Maldonado, they�re open 09-14 (hours) for all comers (and in the evening for Comunitarios only, I think).

You should approach the official at the entrance first in case you don�t need to join the long queue (however the queue moves quite fast).
Stephen

Well, here's an update on my "dream job" in Espa�a. I got a very nice email from the HR Director today telling me that they have decided to go with an internal candidate who was willing to relocate for the position. Makes perfect sense to me as on-the-job training will be a breeze for this person. Plus it wasn't looking like I would be able to start as quickly as I thought with all the paperwork, filing and waiting I was faced with!
So now that I DO NOT have the job and no longer have to be secretive about it......here are the details.....
The job was for an HR Manager at the new Marriott timeshare resort in Estepona called Playa Andaluza (Anchovy: hence all my questioning about life in Estepona!! You can save your time emailing me back now.......but gracias de todas formas!)
So I'll admit it, I'm a little bummed. But to be honest, part of me is happy that I don't have to run around with my head chopped off getting all this paperwork filed to be there ASAP not to mention selling our condo, cars and most of our belongings! Now we can do this the right way---with some careful planning and a bigger bank account. Plus now I will be around for my sister's wedding next summer. The plan now is to keep looking, but save money and plan on moving with or without jobs by the end of the summer 2004. I can live with that! Plus at least we have one leg up on all the paperwork---we've already filed for the libro de familia and I know that once we decide to move it will only be 2 weeks for the consulate to turn around my residency visa.

So.....that's my story, sad but true. I'll continue to keep you all updated!

Saludos,
Sarita :l: