Criminal Background Check for Spain Ending Soon
If you’re thinking for applying for a Spanish visa, time is of the essence with the Golden Visa program which is ending soon.
About Golden Visa Program
Spain’s Golden Visa program, which allows non-EU citizens to obtain a Spanish residency visa by making certain investments (usually property) in the country came into effect on September 28, 2013. The law was introduced to attract foreign investment to Spain following the financial crisis, offering residency permits to non-EU citizens who made qualifying investments in real estate, business, government bonds, or other eligible areas. The law was great for people seeking citizenship by providing that after ten years of legal residency, one could apply for Spanish citizenship. And it didn’t require you to live in Spain, just to visit Spain at least once per year.
But on January 3rd, 2025, Spain issued an official decree that it would phase out the Golden Visa Program on April 3rd, 2025.
Some of the key reasons for the phase out include:
1. Housing Market Inflation: A significant majority (94%) of Golden Visas were linked to real estate investments, particularly in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona. This influx of foreign investment contributed to rising property prices, making housing less affordable for local residents.
2. Speculative Investment Concerns: The program was seen as promoting speculative investments in housing, which the government believes is not the desired model for the country. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the need to ensure housing is a right, not merely a speculative business.
3. Limited Economic Benefits: Beyond real estate, other forms of investment under the Golden Visa program did not significantly impact the economy, leading to questions about the program’s overall effectiveness in attracting beneficial foreign capital.
Criminal Background Check for Spain
If you need to apply for a Spanish visa, a criminal background check for Spain is an essential requirement to demonstrate that you have no criminal record and are eligible for residency. Here’s what you need to know:
Steps for Obtaining a Criminal Background Check for Spain:
1. Obtain Your Background Check:
• Most applicants obtain both a FBI Criminal Background Check for Spain and California Background Check for Spain. You only need your ID to do so. Just call us to make an appointment.
The criminal background check must be issued within three months of submission to the Spanish authorities to be considered valid.
• If you have lived in multiple countries in the past several years, you may need to provide criminal background checks from each country of residence.
2. Authenticate Your Background Check:
• Your criminal background check for Spain must be authenticated with an Apostille granted by the Department of State under the Hague Apostille Convention to be recognized by Spanish authorities. We can handle that part as well.
• This ensures the document is valid for use internationally.
3. Certified Translation:
• The authenticated background check must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator who is authorized by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Your attorney should be able to provide this referral to you.
4. Submit the Background Check:
• Include the Apostilled and translated criminal background check with your visa application or during the residency process in Spain.
Professional Assistance
As a notaries public, fingerprint technicians, and certified apostille agents, Anshin Mobile Notary and Livescan can assist you in several ways:
• Fingerprinting Services: We provide professional and accurate fingerprinting services. We provide both in-office and mobile fingerprinting services.
• Apostille Services: We will ensure your background check is Apostilled quickly and correctly by the US Department of State and will have this couriered to you.
• Guidance on Document Preparation: We can help you understand the process and ensure all your documents are properly authenticated and translated.
Call us now to learn more!
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