Family Reunification Visa Spain
Where a Canadian national holds an appropriate and valid residency permit in Spain, or has obtained Spanish citizenship, they may apply for family members to join them and live with them long term.
Need guidance with applying for a Family Reunification Visa? Total Law has a great track record for helping families. Call +1 844 290 6312 now, or contact us online to start your journey to togetherness again.
What is the Family Reunification Visa in Spain?
The purpose of the Family Reunification Visa in Spain is to reunite foreign nationals who have gained legal residency in the country with their immediate family members for the duration of their stay.
In order to be eligible, the existing party resident in Spain must have kept to their visa conditions and have held legal residency in the country for at least a period of one year.
They must also have the right to renew their residency permit and must be able to demonstrate through the provision of original documents that they have the financial resources to support each family member through their stay in Spain.
Page Contents
- What is the Family Reunification Visa in Spain?
- Benefits of obtaining a Family Reunification Visa
- Eligibility criteria for applicants
- Step-by-step guide on bringing family members to Spain
- Processing time and cost for a Family Reunification Visa application
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions

Benefits of obtaining a Family Reunification Visa
Being apart from family is stressful, and there’s over 7,000km and six time zones between Canada and Spain – so you can really feel the pinch. Obtaining a Family Visa allows for the family members of a legal resident to all obtain residency for the duration of their stay; creating a better family life for all.
In many cases, any family members aged 16+ will be automatically granted the right to work in Spain during their stay; helping contribute to the income of the family and easing settlement.
There are circumstances within which a Spanish resident does not need to wait a full year before they may apply for a Family Visa. These include:
- If the foreign resident has lived in an EU (European Union) country before moving to Spain and still holds a long-term residence permit from that country
- If the foreign resident holds an EU Blue Card
- If the foreign resident holds a Spanish Researcher Visa
- If the foreign resident holds a Spanish Student Visa
Call +1 844 290 6312 to talk a Total Law immigration lawyers through your situation and learn more on when and how you can apply for your family to join you.
Eligibility criteria for applicants
In order to successfully apply for a Spanish Family Reunification Visa, applicants must submit original documentation to demonstrate that they fit the requirements for a right to family reunification in Spain. This includes all of the following:
Demonstration of eligible family relationship
Not all family members are eligible for legal resident status in Spain under a Family Visa. To obtain a Family Reunification Visa in Spain, the family member must be demonstrably one of the following:
- The spouse or partner of the Spanish resident, demonstrable through the presentation of a marriage certificate or proof of a joint address for residency
- Children of either the Spanish resident or the spouse or partner, demonstrable through the presentation of a birth certificate
- Children aged 18 or under of either the Spanish resident or the spouse or partner, or children who remain dependent past minor age due to disability, demonstrable through the presentation of a birth certificate and/or public health and/or private medical insurance documents and/or a medical certificate
- Adopted children of either the Spanish resident or the spouse or partner, demonstrable through the presentation of valid adoption records
- A first-degree ascendant (a parent) of the Spanish resident where they hold EU long-term residency, along with their spouse or partner, demonstrable through the presentation of a birth certificate and of a marriage certificate or proof of a joint address for residency
Extended family members may apply for Spanish legal resident status whereby their family member with existing residency has obtained either Spanish citizenship or the citizenship of another EU member country, and they remain financially dependent on the existing resident. These family members include:
- Siblings
- Nieces and nephews
- Uncles and aunties
- Unregistered partners
- Blood relatives with a severe disability
- Another family member who relies on the Spanish resident for humanitarian protection reasons
To enquire as to the eligibility of family members under the Family Visa, speak to Total Law on +1 844 290 6312 for clarification.
Demonstration of financial dependency on the Spanish resident
Where children under 18 are concerned, they are considered automatically eligible for the Family Reunification Visa as they are assumed to be financially dependent on the Spanish resident or spouse/partner.
However, for other relations, they must be financially dependent on that person in both their country of origin and Spain.
This may be demonstrated through:
- Proof of consistent money transfers to the applicant or the sponsorship of living expenses from the Spanish resident and/or partner/spouse’s bank account for at least a period of one year; AND
- When calculated over a oneyear period, the financial responsibility or transferred funds must be equivalent to a minimum of 51% of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) for the country of origin. For Canada, this was calculated in 2022 to be $54,197.66; for which 51% is £27,641
Demonstration of the validity of the existing residence permit
Family members must be directly dependent on or hold a relevant family relationship to a Spanish resident and/or their spouse/partner in order to be eligible for a Family Reunification Visa.
The primary applicant (the resident) must be able to provide a valid copy of their Spanish residence permit and, if appropriate, their Spanish foreigner identification card.
A failure to provide proof of the current valid residence permit will result in immediate visa refusal for any family member.
Step-by-step guide on bringing family members to Spain
The process for applying for a Family Reunification Visa is to be initiated by the family member resident in Spain, and is as follows:
Collate and translate all evidential documentation
All supporting documents must be collated and supplied with an authorised Spanish translation if not already in the Spanish language. This includes any relevant birth certificate, marriage certificate, financial records, residence and work permit info, private health insurance details and any other documents. Need advice on obtaining an authorised translation from English or French? Call +1 844 290 6312 to discuss with Total Law.
Complete the EX-02 model form
The EX-02 form should be downloaded from the Spanish authorities website. This should be printed and completed wholly and accurately before being signed by the applicant that holds resident status in Spain.
Book and attend an appointment at the immigration office
The applicant should book and attend a Family Reunification Visa application appointment at their local immigration office. Dependent on where they are in Spain, this may be at an Embassy, consular office, local police station or other specified authority office. The EX-02 form and all supporting documents must be presented.
Pay fee and await result
Once the EX-02 form and all documents have been submitted, a Family Reunion Visa fee must be paid and the application will be processed. Once the consulate has made a decision on the Family Reunification Visa application, they will contact the applicant with a decision.
Processing time and cost for a Family Reunification Visa application
It should take no longer than three months from the date of application for a Family Reunion Visa to be processed.
If the applicant has not received a decision within three months, they can consider this to be a de factor visa refusal. Call +1 844 290 6312 if you find yourself in this position to talk through your options with an immigration lawyer.
The standard processing fee for a Spanish Family Reunification Visa is €80; however, this varies for Canadian citizens. Call +1 844 290 6312 to find out how much you can expect to pay.

How Can Total Law Help?
Reuniting family members can be hugely important in an individual’s travel plans, and doing so can help balance their working life for the better. Total Law understand the gravity of family reunification, and that’s why our expert team work around the clock every day to help families get back together and live successfully abroad.
Take advantage of our unrivalled immigration experience and knowledge and ease your visa application journey today. Call the Total Law team now on +1 844 290 6312 or fill out the online contact form.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re a Canadian citizen wanting to visit a family member resident in Spain for less than 90 days in a 180-day period, you can do so through applying for a Schengen Short Stay Tourist Visa. For any longer duration of stay, you will require a valid visa.
If your parents have been financially dependent on you for over a year, and you are able to demonstrate both your family relationship and your own residence permit validity, you are able to file a Family Reunification Visa application for them.
A Spanish foreigner identity card is known as a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). This is a credit-card sized ID card that verifies the legal right of residence for non-EU citizens in Spain. It is granted to everyone with a valid visa for a duration of over six months in Spain.
