ALL U.S. Fulbright Researchers must follow the instructions below to obtain residence permits for themselves and their families.

Staying Legally in Spain During Your Fulbright Grant

One of the most common concerns among incoming Fulbright researchers is how to remain legally in Spain throughout the duration of their grant.

The Fulbright Commission in Spain will guide you through the entire immigration process and will submit the required residence authorization applications on behalf of you and your eligible dependents. We will provide detailed instructions, review your documentation, and assist you throughout each stage of the process.

A New Procedure for Researchers

Spanish immigration regulations changed in 2025, introducing a new procedure for researchers and scholars coming to Spain.

Unlike previous years, researchers no longer need to obtain a visa from a Spanish Consulate before traveling to Spain. Instead, U.S. citizens enter Spain without a visa and, after arrival, the Fulbright Commission submits an application for an Autorización de Residencia Inicial para Investigación Nacional (Initial Residence Authorization for National Research) through the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE).

The Commission acts as the sponsoring institution during your official grant period and manages this process on your behalf.

Important: Do not schedule a visa appointment or apply for a Spanish visa unless specifically instructed to do so by the Fulbright Commission.

DOCUMENTS TO PREPARE BEFORE ARRIVAL

To ensure that your residence authorization application can be submitted promptly after arrival, please begin gathering the following documents as early as possible.

Criminal Record Documentation

All researchers must provide:

• FBI Identity History Summary (FBI Background Check).
• Apostille attached to the FBI Background Check.
• Official sworn translation into Spanish (traducción jurada) of both documents.

If you have resided in another country for more than six months, you may also be required to provide a police clearance certificate from that country, together with the corresponding Apostille or legalization and sworn Spanish translation.

Researchers accompanied by dependents aged 18 or older must obtain the same criminal record documentation for each adult dependent.

Why Start Early?

The FBI Background Check is usually issued quickly, especially when using the electronic fingerprinting option. However, obtaining the Apostille from the U.S. Department of State can take several weeks and is often the longest step in the process.

For detailed instructions on obtaining the FBI Background Check, Apostille, and sworn translation, consult:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KUVPufLaE432V9cC0TRbcBvZZQqZhWvqiuddZ0YptNs/edit?usp=sharing

Once you have mailed your FBI Background Check to the U.S. Department of State for Apostille processing, please provide the Fulbright Commission with the outgoing and return-envelope tracking numbers so that we can help monitor the progress of your documentation.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/INFORMATION REQUIRED FROM RESEARCHERS

• Complete copy of your passport, including every page (blank pages included).
• Full legal names of both parents.
• Previously-obtained NIE number, if you have lived in Spain before.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY EXTRANJERÍA FOR RESEARCHERS, PROVIDED BY THE COMMISSION

• Signed Grant Authorization and Terms & Conditions.
• Signed Residence Authorization Certificate.
• ASISA health insurance certificate 

Additional Documents Required for Dependents

Depending on your family situation, the following documents/information may also be required:

Adult dependents (18 years or older), Spouse or registered partner

• FBI Background Check with Apostille and sworn Spanish translation.
• Complete passport copy.

• Marriage or civil union certificate (where applicable) with Apostille and Sworn Spanish translation.
• Full legal names of both parents
• Previously-obtained NIE number, if dependent has lived in Spain before

Dependent children

• Birth certificate with Apostille and Sworn Spanish translation.
• Complete passport copy
• Full legal names of both parents
• Previously-obtained NIE number, if dependent has lived in Spain before.

All documents should be uploaded to the Fulbright Spain Portal according to the instructions provided by the Commission.

AFTER YOU ARRIVE IN SPAIN

Before you depart for Spain, the Fulbright Commission will review your documentation to ensure it is ready to be submitted to Extranjería. After you arrive in Spain, the Commission will submit the residence authorization applications for you and your eligible dependents.

Upon receiving your residence authorization approval, you will receive the authorization document from the Commission. This document also contains your NIE (número de identidad de extranjero). Your dependents will also receive their own residence authorization document and their own NIE once their approval is granted.

 If your grant is for more than 6 months, you will receive guidance on obtaining your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) for you and your dependents, if applicable. Please note that it is not necessary or even possible to acquire a TIE if you have a grant of less than 6 months.

Our goal is to make your transition to Spain as smooth as possible and to support you throughout your Fulbright experience.