Procedures for Family Immigration

A tourist visa or business visa to enter Spain for a stay of less than 90 days is not required for a Mexican citizen; however, a Schengen Visa may be required to travel outside of Spain during your trip.

Family immigration from Mexico to Spain requires either a Residency Permit for Family Reunification or a Residence Visa for Reuniting Families. 

Residency Permit for Family Reunification

If you are married to, the dependent child of, or parent of a legal Spanish citizen, you will need to apply for a Residency Permit for Family Reunification.  Spain will not grant unmarried opposite-sex or same-sex partners visa status regardless of how long the couple has been together or if they have children together.

Spouse

You qualify as a spouse if you are married to your sponsor and your marriage is legal and valid.

• You MUST have a marriage certificate issued by the province or territory in which the marriage took place.

Same Sex Spouse

• The marriage must be legally recognized in the location where you were married as well as under Spanish law.
  

• The laws vary location to location; it is your responsibility to be sure your marriage was legally binding by the laws where the marriage occurred.
  

• You will also hold the responsibility of proving the marriage was legal.

Dependent Child

• A child qualifies as a dependent when:

  • Under the age of 18 and is not married.

  • Is financially dependent on you due to disability.

    • Can continue after age 18 but the disability/dependence must have occurred before the child turned 18.

Parents

Grandparents 

Other dependent relatives

• Relation to the aforementioned person(s) must be proven with a birth or marriage certificate.

Step by Step Procedures

• Visit the local Spanish Consulate in Mexico 8-12 weeks before your trip.  You will need to call your consulate and make an appointment at least seven days in advance. 

The Spanish Embassy and Consulate in Mexico
Galileo, 114. Colonia Polanco
11560 Mexico DF
+52 55 5282 /2974 /2271 /2459

• Fill out EX-07 Application for Residence Permit for Family Reunification. 

• Provide the following documents at the time of your scheduled appointment:

  • Your visa obtained from your home country.

  • Proof of your relation to your sponsor.  Such as, marriage certificate or birth record.

  • Proof of the financial means needed to support yourself and your family.

  • Proof that you do not have a criminal record.   This can be obtained from your local police department.

  • Original medical certificate typed on doctors’ stationary verifying that applicant is free from the following quarantined diseases: yellow fever, cholera, and the plague.  The certificate must also certify that the applicant is free from drug addictions and mental illness.

  • Medical insurance that will cover you while in Spain.  Held through a company located in Spain.

  • Passport.  Make sure there is at least 3 months before your passport is to expire.

  • Three passport sized photos.

  • Recent bank statement showing your income.

  • All documents must be submitted in original form plus two (2) photocopies.

Residence permits are issued by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.  You should carry your residence card with you at all times as it constitutes as a mandatory identity card for foreign residents in Spain.

Resident Visa for Family Reunification

If you are joining a family member who has lived in Spain for at least one (1) year and that has obtained permission to remain in Spain for at least one (1) more year, then you can apply for a Resident Visa for Family Reunification. 

• You can apply for a Resident Visa for Family Reunification if one of the following is true:

  • You are married to a Spanish citizen.   You MUST have a marriage certificate as proof that the marriage took place.

  • You have underage, dependent children that are Spanish citizens.  

  • You are a Spanish citizen that has lost their Spanish nationality.

  • Your home country is currently experiencing wars, political or ethical conflicts, or other conflicts.

These exemptions are decided on a case by case basis.  Visa application processing by Consulate varies, depending on nationality and personal information.  Once the application is approved, the visa will take one business day to be issued.  All applications should be submitted to the Consulate of Embassy several weeks before the intended date of travel to ensure no delays.

Spouse

You qualify as a spouse if you are married to your sponsor and your marriage is legal and valid.

• You MUST have a marriage certificate issued by the province or territory in which the marriage took place.

Same Sex Spouse

• The marriage must be legally recognized in the location where you were married as well as under Spanish law.

• The laws vary location to location; it is your responsibility to be sure your marriage was legally binding by the laws where the marriage occurred.

• You will also hold the responsibility of proving the marriage was legal.

Dependent Child

• A child qualifies as a dependent when:

  • Under the age of 18 and is not married.

  • Is financially dependent on you due to disability.

    • Can continue after age 18 but the disability/dependence must have occurred before the child turned 18.

Parents

Grandparents 

Other dependent relatives

• Relation to the aforementioned person(s) must be proven with a birth or marriage certificate.

Step by Step Procedures

• You must apply within one month of arriving in Spain at the Foreigner’s Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or to the National Police Station with a foreigner’s department closest to the city or town where you are going to live. 

  • Applications for Resident Visa for Family Reunification can only be obtained in person at the Foreigner’s Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or at the National Police Station with a foreigner’s department closest to the city or town where you are going to live.

• Your relative in Spain can sponsor you and get approval from the Delegación or Subdelegación del Gobierno. Copies of this authorization and the sponsoring resident’s passport, along with certified birth and marriage certificates and proof of funds, may also be needed.

• This process could take up to 3 visits to the Police Station and 1-2 months.  With this application you must submit the following documents:

  • Valid passport.

  • Current Residence Permit. 

  • Proof of previous residence in Spain, such as a long-term rental contract or rent receipts.

  • Proof that you do not have a criminal record. This should have been obtained from your home country police department.

  • Medical certificate, if this was not included with Residence Visa application.

  • Proof of the financial means needed to support yourself and your family.

  • Medical insurance that will cover you while in Spain. 

  • Marriage or divorce certificate or other papers relating to your marital status.