₦airaland Forum

ask1509:
To God be the glory, I arrived in Madrid on Thursday, April 19. Before I get busy with work, let me keep my promise of updating the thread about the process I went through in getting my work permit.

Background: I had a bachelor's degree in statistics at a Nigerian university (second class upper) after which I got a scholarship from African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) for a master's degree in mathematical sciences at one of their centres, located in Cameroon. After that I started seeking a PhD position and I came across a research institute in Madrid who employs PhD students (as research assistants) and pays them while they register and do their PhD in a partner university close by. One of the profs (who is now my supervisor) posted an opening which I found on one of the scholarship websites while hunting for scholarships. Long story short, I applied, was interviewed 2 times and was given the position in July last year.

Process: Since the position is an employment, I needed a work/residence visa for research. First thing I had to do was legalise my bachelor's degree certificate and my master's degree certificate. Since my master's degree certificate was issued by a Cameroonian institution, I had to do the legalisation of my master's degree in Cameroon by first taking it to Cameroonian ministry of higher education for authentication, then Cameroonian ministry of foreign affairs, translate documents to Spanish and then legalise at the Spanish consulate in Yaounde. I had to tell someone to help with all of this process in Cameroon as I could not travel to Cameroon myself (this legalisation process in Cameroon cost me a lot of money transferred through Western Union, documents sent and received via DHL uncountable time etc. at a point, I became a regular customer at the DHL office in my neighborhood). While all that was going on, I faced the legalisation process of my bachelor's degree in Nigeria.

First I was told at the Spanish consulate that I must do investigation which I refused. Fortunately, I met a guy the first time I visited the consulate and he gave an inside info of what I should have done to avoid investigation. I should have gone to my university and requested that my official transcripts, signed copy of my certificate, and a letter of attestation stating that I am a graduate of the university be sent directly to the consulate from my university's registrar or any other office of appropriate jurisdiction. So I refused the investigation the first day, went back to my university and asked that all the stated documents be sent to the consulate. I waited like 2 weeks after which I sent the consulate an email asking if they've received them. I received a confirmation the next day that they've been received. I booked another appointment again and found my way to the consulate in Lagos. This time, my certificate and transcript were accepted for legalisation without investigation.

After legalising my certificates, I sent them (the legalised originals) to my research institute which they used in applying for a work permit for me. The work permit essentially consist of my labour contract with the institute and a document called favorable resolution. The favorable resolution states the number of years of the work permit and is also the proof that the Government of Madrid have approved your work permit. It took a bit more than 2 months from the time I sent my legalised certificates (to my institute) till the time the work permit application was successful. I was then sent the favorable resolution and labor contract which I used in applying for the visa at the Spanish consulate in Lagos.

The tricky part however, is that the favorable resolution expires in exactly 30 days and must be used within this period to apply for the visa. Sending the favourable resolution and labour contract from Madrid to me by courier took away approximately 6-7 days which left me about 23 days to use it. Within this 23 day period, I had to get the following documents to apply for the visa (in addition to the favorable resolution and the labour contract sent to me).

1. a police report in Nigeria, authenticated at foreign affairs in Abuja and legalised at the consulate.

2. A medical certificate/report stating that I am free from diseases according to 200....something health regulations. (This document does not need to be legalised). Thanks to obamd for helping out with this. I appreciate.

3. since I stayed like 11 months in Cameroon during my master's study, I also needed a police report from Cameroon. Thankfully, I knew of this earlier and it was part of the documents that was legalised for me Cameroon while I was legalising my Nigerian certificates here. My school in Cameroon helped me get a police report, I went to my local DHL office to go bring it from Cameroon for me so I can put my fingerprint on it, I sent it back through DHL so that it can be authenticated at the foreign affairs after which it was translated to Spanish and submitted at the consulate in Yaounde on my behalf. After it was legalised, the consulate did not release the legalised police report to my contact in Yaounde who submitted it for me. They asked him to go bring a power of attorney from me, and the power of attorney must be authenticated by the police in Nigeria. I had to do a power of attorney here with a notary public, I then wrote a letter to the commissioner of police in my state to authenticate it for me. I submitted both at the commissioner's office myself and was told to come back for it few days later. I went back after some few days, the commissioner had minuted on it and referred it to the police legal department where they put a stamp on it. So I sent the power of attorney to my contact in Cameroon which he used in collecting the legalised police report for me. I then requested my local DHL office to go bring it for me. Thankfully, I did all this process while I was legalising my Cameroonian certificates and it went on till during the time my institute was processing the work permit. So the legalised police report together with its translations were ready by the time the favourable resolution arrived as I couldn't have achieved all these within the 23 days window.

4. translation of my Nigerian police report and medical certificate. My institute handled this for me and sent them to me via UPS within the 23 days period. I scanned it to them and they sent me via email the translations after which they sent the original translations by courier. Since the original translations didn't arrive on time, I printed in colour the translations sent to me via email and used it for the visa app. Surprisingly, they were not rejected.

In summary, I applied for the visa exactly 1 day before the favourable resolution expired and I was called to come pick it up exactly 2 weeks after. I got my offer letter early July (first or send of July) and I got the visa March ending making the process almost 9 months worth of rigorous "paper work".

Phewwww that is the long process I had to pass through. Anyways, I hope someone will find this helpful.

Thanks again for the contributions on this thread, the process would have been much harder. Regards.

This is very inspiring as a fellow statistics graduate.
If you don't mind mentoring me, I have sent to a DM and you can drop your email or send me a message at olupentane at gmail dot com.

Thank you and congratulations.

talltim:
Hello Fellow Nairalanders,

I'm Timothy. First of all, I'd like to appreciate the initiator of this thread and everyone who has contributed positively over the years. I recently stumbled on this thread and read through all 20 pages. Clearly, this thread is still relevant 3 years down the line and considering the insufficient information available online with regards to the Spanish student visa, this thread is probably the best source of information for this topic. I went through the rigorous application process in Nigeria last year (gosh, i dont even want to think about it again), and by September 2017 I eventually arrived Barcelona for my masters degree program. Wish I knew about this nairaland thread much earlier, I would have avoided some errors I made last year during my study visa application process.


Tim.

Which University were you admitted to? I am looking for a Masters program.

congratulations!!

Djdimeji:
......As the norm here which is helping each other, would also like to add my vote of thanks to this honorable platform. Everyone here is simply amazing, cant possibly thank you guys enough.

In essence, landed safely here in Spain.........

Please, I would like to know if all legalized documents must stay for 2 months at Spanish embassy. I’m actually applying to legalized my bachelorhood documents.

oneitalia:
Please, I would like to know if all legalized documents must stay for 2 months at Spanish embassy. I’m actually applying to legalized my bachelorhood documents.

Ask your school to send your official transcript to the embassy. If you do this, you can overcome the delay that comes from verification

When going for a legalization appointment, you now have to print the legalization appointment letter in a certain way, if not, the security at the gate will send you to go and reprint it with those guys down the road from the embassy. After the form part of the mail, the heading "LEGALIZATION REQUIREMENTS" (in red) has to start on a new page, and also make sure the address of the embassy at the end of the email is all on the same page, not separated. To do this, you have to copy the mail into Microsoft Word and adjust this before printing. This doesn't make any sense and they never did this before, so I suspect collusion between the security guys that check you in at the door and the printers down the road who charge a non-negotiable N1,000 to do this for you. So, try to do this to save your change.

Djdimeji:
......As the norm here which is helping each other, would also like to add my vote of thanks to this honorable platform. Everyone here is simply amazing, cant possibly thank you guys enough.

In essence, landed safely here in Spain.........

Congratulations! Felicitaciones Enhorabuena!

Also if you need where to stay you can look here https://hotelfriend.com/ for a room.

Hi everyone!
This thread has been super helpful.
I submitted my documents + passport last week and I’d like to know how long it takes them to process the visa. School starts next week and I don’t want to book a ticket and have to move it several times..
please help! Thank you

OsatoA:
Hi everyone!
This thread has been super helpful.
I submitted my documents + passport last week and I’d like to know how long it takes them to process the visa. School starts next week and I don’t want to book a ticket and have to move it several times..
please help! Thank you

At most 21 working days

OsatoA:
Hi everyone!
This thread has been super helpful.
I submitted my documents + passport last week and I’d like to know how long it takes them to process the visa. School starts next week and I don’t want to book a ticket and have to move it several times..
please help! Thank you

please did you filled English Spanish form or both ?

efeturi3:
Thank you so much for your clearity. I have the following questions to ask :
1. Are we to send the originals of our documents to you via post or email?
2. If a document is stamp/legalised on the reverse side, are we to scan both side and send?
3. Apart from PayPal, which other Way can you be paid?
4. Drop ur email /postal address here.


Thanks and God bless you.

Hi

efeturi3:
At most 21 working days

Thank you! Took about 12 working days

miqos02:
please did you filled English Spanish form or both ?

Hello,

I filled both

OsatoA:
Hello,

I filled both

thank you for the feedback, I can't speak/write Spanish. How do I go about it

Hello everyone. This post has been super helpful. Thanks to everyone who has contributed. I have a quick question. I got my admission into UAB in March. I have stamped my documents already in ministry of EDU. Can I start my process in June? I’d like to talk to anyone who has completed this process privately - +2347031619290

miqos02:
thank you for the feedback, I can't speak/write Spanish. How do I go about it

I was told in the Embassy in Abuja that you fill both in English

Quincy07:
I was told in the Embassy in Abuja that you fill both in English

thank you, have you successfully tried it?

Please my case is totally different I got enrolled to a secondary school in Spain I'm 16 I just have my primary school testimonial and the school I enrolled into doesn't give receipts but they've sent a letter of proof of my payment ,I've legalized my birth certificate and primary school testimonial etc at foreign affairs and about the accommodation fees I have a family friend I'll be staying with so I don't know how to go about it , do I go on legalizing at the consulate then apply for visa , the letter for proof of payment from the school is with me and the application letter ,would the still ask for receipts ?

Hello all, I have just received my original admission letter. After getting all my documents legalized and translated can I apply for my visa in May or June when my resumption is first week of September?

Please assist with a response! Thank you

miqos02:
thank you, have you successfully tried it?

No I haven’t but I was told at the Embassy in Abuja when I went for enquiries. But you can ask others who have submitted.

Quincy07:
No I haven’t but I was told at the Embassy in Abuja when I went for enquiries. But you can ask others who have submitted.

Yes, fill both in English, it's the same form just in different languages. When you go to submit your visa application, they will most likely take the one Spanish with all the other documents, then stamp the one in English, and you will go with it, that is what you will show at the entrance when the visa is ready in order to go in.

Hello House, please a quick question. I have a birth Certificate from NPC and I was born before 1992. Do I need to still get attestation of Birth for legalization?

Secondly, I got the CTC stamp on a copy of my certificate from my school, is it that same copy that min of Education will authenticate?

Please assist thank you

Quincy07:
Hello House, please a quick question. I have a birth Certificate from NPC and I was born before 1992. Do I need to still get attestation of Birth for legalization?

Secondly, I got the CTC stamp on a copy of my certificate from my school, is it that same copy that min of Education will authenticate?

Please assist thank you

Birth certificate from NPC is OK, just have it authenticated at the Federal ministry of foreign affairs before going for legalization. It is the certificate with the CTC stamp that you should authenticate (consider having up to two copies with CTC cos you might be asked to submit your legalized certificate during enrolment in your new Uni). Best of luck in your application

enigma14:
Birth certificate from NPC is OK, just have it authenticated at the Federal ministry of foreign affairs before going for legalization. It is the certificate with the CTC stamp that you should authenticate (consider having up to two copies with CTC cos you might be asked to submit your legalized certificate during enrolment in your new Uni). Best of luck in your application

Thanks Enigma. I sent you a private chat. I hope to get a response.

So I just submitted my documents for legalization at the Spanish Embassy. Just for an update and benefit of those you are processing their student visas now...

It’s virtually the same requirements as we all have been talking about.

It still cost N3,000 per page.

Make sure your school sends your official transcripts, copy of certificate and a reference letter to avoid being investigated.

I used my NPC birth certificate and she only asked for my age and said she doesn’t need to investigate it. By the way I was born 1991. Just stamp it at Min of Foreign Affairs or you can get a CTC stamp from NPC Abuja and legalize that same copy in MFA.

WAEC Certificate doesn’t need legalization if your going for masters.

Make sure all your documents have the stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to avoid being sent back.

Also they don’t like it when you laminate your documents so if you have them laminated, you can try to peel off the back only before you get there.

I will post further updates when necessary. And I’ve been asked to pick up my documents in two days time. Start on time and be organized, you won’t have issues.

Good luck everyone

Seaborg how far.... Saw a mail from you.

Quincy07:
So I just submitted my documents for legalization at the Spanish Embassy. Just for an update and benefit of those you are processing their student visas now...

It’s virtually the same requirements as we all have been talking about.

It still cost N3,000 per page.

Make sure your school sends your official transcripts, copy of certificate and a reference letter to avoid being investigated.

I used my NPC birth certificate and she only asked for my age and said she doesn’t need to investigate it. By the way I was born 1991. Just stamp it at Min of Foreign Affairs or you can get a CTC stamp from NPC Abuja and legalize that same copy in MFA.

WAEC Certificate doesn’t need legalization if your going for masters.

Make sure all your documents have the stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to avoid being sent back.

Also they don’t like it when you laminate your documents so if you have them laminated, you can try to peel off the back only before you get there.

I will post further updates when necessary. And I’ve been asked to pick up my documents in two days time. Start on time and be organized, you won’t have issues.

Good luck everyone

Thanks for the update Quincy07.

Hi everyone thanks for you contribution on this thread, my question is I have a brother in Nigeria that I'm trying to help travel abroad for studies Spain to be precise as tuition fee is low compare to uk, my dad is a retired headmaster now, I currently reside in UK, I'm on Visa that needs renewing every 2.5 yrs while my husband is a British citizen, my question is can I, my husband and dad stand as his sponsor, as he's 24yrs old with nd certificate with no job, I'm not in a hurry to process the Visa yet I'm aiming for 2020 admission for him, I really want to start the process on time. Thanks you in advance for your reply

Hello,
Having more than one sponsor will only limit his chances of getting the visa. I suggest they all move funds to your account and as his sister, you can stand as his sponsor.

LadymrsB:
Hi everyone thanks for you contribution on this thread, my question is I have a brother in Nigeria that I'm trying to help travel abroad for studies Spain to be precise as tuition fee is low compare to uk, my dad is a retired headmaster now, I currently reside in UK, I'm on Visa that needs renewing every 2.5 yrs while my husband is a British citizen, my question is can I, my husband and dad stand as his sponsor, as he's 24yrs old with nd certificate with no job, I'm not in a hurry to process the Visa yet I'm aiming for 2020 admission for him, I really want to start the process on time. Thanks you in advance for your reply

Hello all,

I finally applied for my visa some days ago.

New update: you can apply for visa at least 3 months to the start of your program. To avoid confusion and visiting the embassy several times. Start early and follow the threads on this topic from page 1. It is very helpful.

Visa fee - N24,800 (make sure you go with the exact amount) they don’t usually have change in the embassy.

Concerning insurance... AIICO is not the only acceptable Insurance company. If you ask me, it’s a little too expensive. Allianz is quite cheap and the embassy accepts their insurance.

Will revert with any more updates.

Good luck