Legal procedure for foreign professors

Visiting researchers and professors who are not from a European Union member state (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden or the United Kingdom) or from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland may apply for one of the following:

1.- Residence permit and work permit exemption

2.- Study or research visa

3.- Work permit

1.- Residence permit and work permit exemption

Visiting researchers and professors who have been invited or hired by a Spanish university may be exempt. This is the case of those foreign lecturers who, being in possession of the appropriate academic qualifications, are invited or hired by a Spanish university to give lectures or participate in a technical, scientific or general academic programme.

In the event that the visiting researcher or professor is not legally resident in Spain he/she will need to obtain a residence permit and a work permit exemption from the Spanish Consulate in his/her country of origin or that in which he/she is legally resident. The UB must submit the signed contract or letter of invitation. The Spanish Consulate or Embassy of the country in question can be located via the website of Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

If the visiting researcher or professor is legally resident in Spain (for example, he/she has a temporary residence permit and is self-employed) the Office of Mobility and International Programs at the UB can obtain the exemption via the corresponding government office in Catalonia.

For any enquiries regarding the process please contact:

Office of Mobility and International Programs
Pavelló Rosa, 1a planta
Recinte Maternitat
Travessera de les Corts, 131-159
08028 Barcelona

Tel. (34) 93 403 55 62
Fax: (34) 93 403 53 87
e-mail: aromero@ub.edu

OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 1 pm

Renewing permits
The initial permit is valid for one year. The second permit will be valid for a further two years, as will the subsequent one provided there is no change in the circumstances required for the exemption to be granted.
The work permit exemption can be renewed by the applicant in any official office of the Ministry of Public Administration or Generalitat de Catalunya.

Application Form

Procedure and documentation

Where to present the renewal application

2.-Study or research visa

In those cases where there is no contractual relationship between the University of Barcelona and the researcher, we recommend obtaining a study or research visa.

EU citizens

Visiting researchers and professors from a European Union member state (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden or the United Kingdom) or from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland have the right to free circulation and residence in Spain.

However, in many cases visiting researchers and professors from EU countries will need a NIE for practical reasons (for example, to open an account at a Spanish bank, or to receive payment at their place of work. Those registered in the city of Barcelona should apply for the NIE at the police station (Rambla Guipúscoa, 74). Those registered outside Barcelona should apply at their local police station.

Non-EU citizens

Visiting researchers and professors who are not from a European Union member state (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden or the United Kingdom) or from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland who wish to stay for a period of six months or more must obtain a study or research visa.

The visa can be obtained from the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s country of origin or that where he/she is legally resident. The Embassy or Consulate can provide information about the documents which must be presented in order to obtain the visa. The Spanish Consulate or Embassy of the country in question can be located via the website of Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Obviously, a letter of acceptance from the university will be required. The visa is valid for 90 days and once in Barcelona the researcher has 30 days from the date of entering the country in which to obtain a researcher’s identity card (NIE), which formalizes his/her legal status for a period of one year. This card may be renewed provided that any research is ongoing.

Once in Spain researchers must present themselves at the police station during the first 30 days of their stay in order to obtain the researcher’s identity card.

Application Form

Documentation

Map of the police station

Renewing the visa
The study or research visa is valid for one year and can be renewed provided that any research is ongoing. Foreign citizens wishing to renew their visa must apply to our office prior to the card’s expiry date. Visas can be renewed up to 60 days prior to their expiry date.

Application Form

Procedure and documentation

3.-Work permit

Foreign citizens in possession of a study or research visa may receive authorisation to undertake paid employment in public institutions or private organisations when the application for a work permit is made by the contracting institution or organisation.

Contracts must be formally drawn up in writing and in accordance with the criteria for part-time contracts. In the event of full-time employment being offered, this may last no more than three months, and must not coincide with academic periods.

The work permit will be valid for the duration of the employment contract and the holder must also be in possession of a valid study or research visa throughout; expiry of this visa will automatically annul the work permit.

Application for work permits must be made directly to the corresponding government office in Catalonia, and in person by the company director or the company’s legal representative.

The Office of Mobility and International Programs is authorized to make work permit applications to the corresponding government office on behalf of the UB.

Procedure