Residence/Working Visa in Spain?

Question

I have heard that it is possible to obtain a residence visa in Spain simply by owning property and having evidence od means to support yourself...Is this true and if someone has a visa based on these requirements, can they work as well?

Answer 1

There are several categories of long-term visas for Spain (i.e., Schengen): A resident visa for family reunification; a resident visa for work, which allows foreigners to develop professional activities in Spain; a resident visa for professionals such as university professors, scientists and artists; and a non-lucrative resident visa, which is given to a foreign pensioner who can prove his intention of not working in Spain.

Period of Stay in Spain: An initial visa is usually granted for one year and it may be renewed for an additional two years. After the deadline has expired, an applicant may apply for permanent residency, which must be renewed every five years.

Requirements & How to Apply: A visa application must be submitted to a Spanish Consulate in the applicant's home country. The following documentation is needed: A passport or travel title recognized by Spain; a certificate of a clean criminal record issued by the appropriate authorities in the applicant's place of residence for the past five years; and a sanitary certificate. A personal interview may also be required to determine the applicant's identity, the validity of the documentation submitted, the usual residence of the applicant, the applicant's professional, academic and economic status, the benefits that the applicant may provide to Spain and the likelihood that the applicant can adapt to Spanish society. Specific documentation is required for each class of resident visas.

In addition, you may want to consider a student visa.