Spain•Europe

Open

Researcher Visa

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

10 days

Estimated Cost

€80 EUR

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

1 year

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Living in Spain

Cost of Living

25% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary€24,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Visa for researchers and scientific staff conducting research at Spanish public or private research institutions, universities, or R&D centers.

The Spanish Researcher Visa, established under Law 14/2013, allows non-EU scientists, academics, and R&D staff to live and work in Spain via a dedicated fast-track route. Applicants need a hosting agreement or contract with a recognized Spanish university, research body, or R&D center — no labor market test required.

The visa is valid for 1 year, renewable annually; the host institution first secures a UGE fast-track residence authorization, then the consulate issues the visa within 10 days. Dependents can accompany the holder with independent work rights, and a pathway to permanent residency exists.

This visa is ideal for non-EU researchers and scientists with a confirmed hosting agreement at a Spanish university or R&D center who want a fast-track entry without a labor market test.

Curious about life in Spain?

Discover cost of living, salary benchmarks, tax rates, and quality of life — everything you need to know before you make the move.

Explore Guide

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Employee Work Visa (Visado de trabajo por cuenta ajena)

Spain

Employee Work Visa (Visado de trabajo por cuenta ajena)

Validity1 year

Processing3 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.

Must not be in an irregular immigration status in Spain.

Must have a clean criminal record in Spain and any country of residence for the past 2 years, plus a responsible declaration of no criminal records for the last 5 years.

Must have a valid contract, hosting agreement, or invitation from a recognized Spanish research organization, university, or R&D center.

Must hold a valid passport with at least 1 year of remaining validity and at least two blank pages.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

National visa application form.

Recent passport-size photograph.

Valid, unexpired passport with at least 1 year of validity (original and photocopy of biometric data page).

Residence permit issued by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE).

Criminal record check certificate for the past 2 years (legalized/apostilled and translated) and a responsible declaration of no criminal records for the last 5 years.

Proof of residence in the consular district.

Proof of representative's identity and capacity (if applicable).

For family members: Proof of relationship (birth/marriage certificates, etc., legalized/apostilled and translated).

Application Process

Host institution applies for residence permit: The Spanish research organization or university must obtain a residence permit authorization from the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE) in Spain.

Prepare visa documentation: Gather the approved UGE residence permit, passport, criminal record certificate, and other required documents.

Submit visa application: Apply in person (or via representative) at the Spanish Consulate or BLS application center.

Pay visa fee: Pay the consular visa fee (standard €80, reciprocity fees may apply).

Await decision: The consulate processes the application within 10 days.

Collect visa: Retrieve the passport with the researcher visa.

Application Forms

Researcher Visa Application

—

Verified Claims (19)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Host institution applies for residence permit: The Spanish research organization or university must …

euraxess.es

Dependent Visa

Dependents allowed

home-affairs.ec.europa.eu

Fee Breakdown

Consular visa fee: 80 EUR

exteriores.gob.es

Fees

EUR 80 (consular visa fee). Note: different fees may apply to certain nationalities (e.g., USA, Cana…

exteriores.gob.es

Forms

Researcher Visa Application

exteriores.gob.es

Included Nationalities

—

exteriores.gob.es

Job Offer Required

true

exteriores.gob.es

Official Info

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-para…

exteriores.gob.es

Official Information

Living in Spain

Cost of Living

25% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary€24,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Ready to see if the Researcher Visa is your visa path?

Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.

Start Visa Discovery

Overview

Visa for researchers and scientific staff conducting research at Spanish public or private research institutions, universities, or R&D centers.

This visa is ideal for non-EU researchers and scientists with a confirmed hosting agreement at a Spanish university or R&D center who want a fast-track entry without a labor market test.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.

Must not be in an irregular immigration status in Spain.

Must have a clean criminal record in Spain and any country of residence for the past 2 years, plus a responsible declaration of no criminal records for the last 5 years.

Must have a valid contract, hosting agreement, or invitation from a recognized Spanish research organization, university, or R&D center.

Must hold a valid passport with at least 1 year of remaining validity and at least two blank pages.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

National visa application form.

Recent passport-size photograph.

Valid, unexpired passport with at least 1 year of validity (original and photocopy of biometric data page).

Residence permit issued by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE).

Criminal record check certificate for the past 2 years (legalized/apostilled and translated) and a responsible declaration of no criminal records for the last 5 years.

Proof of residence in the consular district.

Proof of representative's identity and capacity (if applicable).

For family members: Proof of relationship (birth/marriage certificates, etc., legalized/apostilled and translated).

Application Process

Host institution applies for residence permit: The Spanish research organization or university must obtain a residence permit authorization from the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE) in Spain.