Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Spain

Spain
Kingdom of Spain

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 12 Months
B-1 None Multiple 120 Months
B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 120 Months
C-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
CW-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 120 Months
E-1 2 $204.00 Multiple 60 Months
E-2 2 $124.00 Multiple 60 Months
E-2C 12 None Multiple 24 Months
F-1 None Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 12 Months
H-1B None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2A None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2B None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2R None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
I None Multiple 60 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 60 Months
L-2 None Multiple 60 Months
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 60 Months
N-9 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO 1-6 10 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO-7 1 None Multiple 12 Months
O-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 15 Months 3
R-1 $78.00 Multiple 60 Months
R-2 $78.00 Multiple 60 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
TD 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 60 Months
V-2 None Multiple 60 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 60 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

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General Documents

All public records are issued under the signature and seal of the competent authority, and usually bear stamps.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees: Check the web page mjusticia.gob.es.

Document Name: Certificado de Nacimiento

Issuing Authority: The Civil Registry (Registro Civil) on behalf of the Justice Ministry (Ministerio de Justicia)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: It certifies the birth: date, place, gender and names of the parents.

Digital birth certificates can also be issued with a digital stamp from the Department of Registers and Notaries based on the data found in the central database of people registered in the Civil Registers. They can be verified in the Justice Ministry web page with the verification code.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Issued by the Registrar or Acting Registrar of the corresponding Civil Registry or Consular Register.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: Visit mjusticia.gob.es for instructions about how to obtain a birth certificate.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: There are two different kinds of birth certificates from the Civil Registry - “Extracto” and “Literal”; both are valid as both contain the required information.

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: Check the web page mjusticia.gob.es.

Document Name: Certificado de defunción

Issuing Authority: The Civil Registry (Registro Civil) on behalf of the Justice Ministry (Ministerio de Justicia)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The death certificate is the official document that certifies the death of an individual.

Digital death certificates can also be issued with a digital stamp from the Department of Registers and Notaries based on the data found in the central database of people registered in the Civil Registers. They can be verified in the Justice Ministry web page with the verification code.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Issued by the Registrar or Acting Registrar of the corresponding Civil Registry or Consular Register.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: It must be requested in the Civil Registry. Visit mjusticia.gob.es for instructions about how to obtain a death certificate.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: There are two different kinds of death certificates from the Civil Registry – “Extracto” and “Literal”; both are valid as both contain the required information.

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available

Fees: Check the web page mjusticia.gob.es.

Document Name: Certificado de Matrimonio

Issuing Authority: The Civil Registry (Registro Civil) on behalf of the Justice Ministry (Ministerio de Justicia)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: It certifies the act of marriage and the date, time, and place it occurred. Digital marriage certificates can be issued with a digital stamp from the Department of Registers and Notaries based on the data found in the central database of people registered in the Civil Registers. They can be verified in the Justice Ministry web page with the verification code.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Issued by the Registrar or Acting Registrar of the corresponding Civil Registry or Consular Register.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: Visit mjusticia.gob.es for instructions about how to obtain a marriage certificate.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in Spain since July 3, 2005.

There are two different kinds of marriage certificates from the Civil Registry - “Extracto” and “Literal”; both are valid as both contain the required information.

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees: Check the web page mjusticia.gob.es.

 Document Name: Certificado de Divorcio

Issuing Authority: The Civil Registry (Registro Civil) on behalf of the Justice Ministry (Ministerio de Justicia)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The Civil Registry where the marriage and, afterward the divorce, were registered. Digital marriage certificates can be issued with a digital stamp from the Department of Registers and Notaries based on the data found in the central database of people registered in the Civil Registers. They can be verified in the Justice Ministry web page.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Issued by the Registrar or acting Registrar of the corresponding Civil Registry or Consular Register.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: Visit mjusticia.gob.es for instructions about how to obtain a marriage certificate with the divorce annotated.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: Final divorce sentences from the Court are also valid as proof of divorce.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Same as the marriage certificate.

Adoption Certificates

Available

Fees: Check with the Issuing Authority.

Document Name: Sentencia de reconocimiento judicial de adopción

Issuing Authority: Civil court ruling

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A sealed copy of the final adoption order provided by the civil court ruling

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil court (Tribunal Civil)

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: In the Civil Court where the order was dictated.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: Birth certificate from the Civil Registry where an annotation was included at the margin.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Identity Card

Available

Fees: Visit the web page interior.gob.es.

Document Name: Documento Nacional de Identidad (DNI)

Issuing Authority: General Police Directorate (Dirección General de la Policía). National Police Corp (Cuerpo Nacional de Policía) on behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Ministerio de Asuntos Interiores).

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: It is a plastic card with a chip and the photo scanned in it.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: General Police Directorate

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: Visit the web page interior.gob.es.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: Passport

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Certificates

Available - Any individual over 18 years old can request a Spanish police certificate.

Fees: Visit the web page mjusticia.gob.es.

Document Name: Certificado de Antecedentes Penales

Issuing Authority: Central Registry of Convicts (Registro Central de Penados) on behalf of the Justice Ministry (Ministerio de Justicia)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Page with name and passport or DNI number of requesting person, indicating if there are “antecedentes penales” for that person. It can have a stamp, but now almost all of them have an electronic signature that must be validated in the web page mjusticia.gob.es with the validation code.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  Central Registry of Convicts (Registro Central de Penados) on behalf of the Justice Ministry (Ministerio de Justicia)

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: For information about how to request the” Certificado de Antecedentes Penales” you can visit the following web page mjusticia.gob.es.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Court Records/Prison Records

Available

Fees: Contact the issuing authority for information.

Document Name: Sentencia Judicial firme

Issuing Authority: The court that passed the sentence

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Judicial sentence

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The court that passed the sentence

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: Contact the Court that passed the sentence.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Military Records

Available: Not requested by post, as military service is not mandatory in Spain.

Fees: Contact the issuing authority for information.

Document Name: Libreta Militar (Military Booklet)

Issuing Authority: Issued by the Mayor’s Office (Alcaldia) of the persons’ place of residence.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: It can be a booklet or a letter explaining the time and grade of the person requesting the document.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Mayor’s Office (Alcaldia) on behalf of the Defense Ministry (Ministerio de Defensa).

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: Every person who has performed military service should be in possession of a Libreta Militar (Military booklet). Male applicants who are not in possession of the Libreta Militar may obtain evidence that their military status is in proper order in the form of a certificate from the Chief of the Recruiting Zone (Capitania General of the Jefe de la Zona de Reclutamiento) or the Mayor’s Office (Alcaldia) of the place of residence of the applicant or from any other competent military authority.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: Certificado de Servicio en las Fuerzas Armadas (certificate of having served in the armed forces). Issued by the Defese Delegation of the Province (Delegacion de Defensa de la Provincia) where the person served.

Exceptions: As military service is not mandatory in Spain post does not request this document.

Comments: None

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available: Ordinario, colectivo, diplomático y ordinario o de servicio

Fees: Visit the web page interior.gob.es.

Document Name: Passport

Issuing Government Authority:

  • In Spain: Superior police Stations and Local police Station (Jefaturas Superiores and Comisarías de Policía), they belong to the Ministry of Home Affairs (Ministerio del Interior).
  • Abroad: Spanish Embassies and Consulates.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Cover is dark red and you can read “Unión Europea ESPAÑA”

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: General Police Directorate (Dirección General de la Policía)

Registration Criteria: N/A

Procedure for Obtaining: Visit the web page interior.gob.es.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Beginning April 10, 2000, the Spanish Government began issuing machine readable passports. Previously issued non-machine readable passports will remain valid until their expiration date.

Other Documents Available: There are no other documents available.

Other Records

Civil Status Certificates

Available only to persons who are registered in a census (empadronamiento).

Fees: Contact the issuing authority for information.

Document Name: Certificado de Fe de Vida y Estado

Issuing Authority: Civil registry (Registro Civil) of the applicant's domicile on behalf of the Justice Ministry (Ministerio de Justicia)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Page with a stamp indicating the civil status of the person applying for the document.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Civil Registry (Registro Civil)

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: Personally in the Civil Registry of the applicant’s domicile.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comment: Post usually does not require this document, unless there is any doubt about the applicant’s declaration.

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title:  U.S. Embassy Madrid, Spain

Mailing Address:
APO AE 09642-8500

Street Address:
Serrano 75 Madrid

Tel: (34) (91) 587-2200
Fax: (34) (91) 587-2303

Visa Services

All Visa categories for Spain and Andorra.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.