How to Complete FBI Fingerprinting in Malaga for Digital Nomad Visa Applications

As the popularity of remote work continues to grow, Spain has become one of the most desirable destinations for professionals looking to live and work abroad. The Digital Nomad Visa allows American citizens and long-term U.S. residents to experience Spain’s vibrant lifestyle while working remotely.

One essential requirement for this visa is providing an FBI background check, which involves capturing and submitting your fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Fingerprinting is the core of any FBI background check. However, when you’re in Malaga, completing this process correctly can be challenging. That’s where Globeia comes in,  as an accredited company with offices in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Spain.

Globeia not only helps you complete your FBI fingerprinting but also manages related services such as apostille, legalization, and sworn translation - all in one place. This saves you from multiple appointments with different providers, reducing costs and delays while ensuring that all client data remains fully protected and confidential.

This guide explains everything you need to know about completing your FBI fingerprinting in Malaga, why it’s necessary the apostille and translation of the FBI check, and how Globeia ensures the process is smooth, secure, and fully compliant with U.S. and Spanish immigration requirements.

FBI fingerprinting involves capturing your unique biometric identifiers on an official FBI FD-258 fingerprint card. These fingerprints are used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to perform a comprehensive background check against national databases.

This type of fingerprint-based check is required for many official and legal purposes, including:

• U.S. Digital Nomad Visa and residency applications
• Immigration and work permits abroad
• Employment verification in regulated industries
• Adoption, licensing, and legal documentation
• Academic and government security clearances

Fingerprint-based checks are considered the most accurate way to confirm identity since fingerprints are unique to every individual.

For Americans applying for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa, the FBI background check serves as proof of good conduct and ensures that the applicant has no criminal history in the United States.

The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU citizens, including Americans, to live and work remotely from Spain. As part of the eligibility requirements, applicants must submit a criminal background check from their home country.

For U.S. citizens, this means obtaining an FBI Identity History Summary, also referred to as an FBI Police Certificate. This official document lists any recorded criminal history or confirms that none exists.

To get this certificate, you must first provide your fingerprints to the FBI. While you can complete this process from anywhere in the world, your fingerprints must be captured correctly. Poor-quality or improperly formatted prints can result in rejections and visa delays.

This is why many applicants in southern Spain prefer to complete their FBI fingerprinting in Malaga through an accredited agency such as Globeia. With their support, you can have your fingerprints taken locally, securely digitized, and transmitted to the FBI in the United States, all without having to travel back USA.

Step 1: Book Your Appointment

• Start by scheduling your appointment with Globeia Malaga Smart Portal. You can conveniently book online, choose your preferred date and time, and select between in-office or mobile fingerprinting services.
• Before your appointment, make sure you have: two valid forms of identification (a passport and a driver’s license are preferred). This preparation ensures that your session runs smoothly and efficiently.

Step 2: Fingerprinting Session

At your appointment, a trained Globeia technician will carefully capture your fingerprints using the official FBI FD-258 fingerprint card, via ink.

Each print is checked for clarity and accuracy to ensure compliance with FBI standards. This includes:

• Capturing all ten rolled and flat fingerprints
• Avoiding smudges or overlapping prints
• Ensuring proper alignment and labeling on the card

Because clarity is key, Globeia’s team takes great care to verify every print before submission. This helps prevent any delays or rejections once your fingerprints reach the FBI.

Step 3: Secure Submission to the FBI

Once your fingerprints are complete, Globeia sends these to our USA office, digitizes and securely transmits them to the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) in the United States.

This direct digital submission process provides several benefits:

• Faster turnaround time 
• Fully encrypted data transmission
• No need to mail physical fingerprint cards internationally

Compared to traditional mail submission, digital processing is faster, safer, and more reliable.

Step 4: Receiving Your FBI Background Report

After the FBI processes your fingerprints, you will receive your Identity History Summary, which serves as your official FBI background check.

You can choose to receive this report:

• Digitally via email, or
• As a printed copy delivered to your address in Malaga or anywhere worldwide

If you need this document for your Spanish visa or residency application, it must be apostilled or legalized. Globeia can take care of this process for you, making things easier and more convenient.

For your FBI background check to be officially accepted by Spanish authorities, it needs to be apostilled under the Hague Convention. This authentication confirms that your U.S. document is genuine and recognized internationally.

Globeia provides a seamless solution by managing every step of this process, including:

• Obtaining the FBI apostille
• Providing certified and sworn translations between English and Spanish
• Handling any additional legalization requirements for Spanish authorities

With Globeia’s complete service, your documents will be properly prepared for submission, ensuring they meet all official requirements.

Globeia is a globally recognized, accredited fingerprinting and document service provider with offices in Canada, the USA, the UK, and Spain. Their reputation is built on accuracy, efficiency, and trust.

Here’s what sets Globeia apart:

• Accredited and Reliable: Globeia follows strict FBI standards to ensure all fingerprint submissions are properly formatted, clear, and accepted without issue.

• Flexible and Mobile Services: Whether you visit their Malaga office or request mobile fingerprinting at your home or workplace, Globeia offers flexible scheduling to suit your needs.

• Complete Document Solutions: From fingerprinting and FBI submission to apostille and sworn translation, all services are available in one place.

• Smart Digital Platform: Globeia’s AI-powered Smart Portal allows clients to book, upload, and track their background checks easily and securely.

• Strong Data Protection: Your fingerprints and personal data are encrypted, handled confidentially, and destroyed after processing to ensure complete privacy.

In addition to FBI fingerprinting, Globeia also provides a wide range of international document and verification services, including:

• RCMP (Canada) fingerprinting and criminal background checks
• Apostille and document legalization for international use
• Sworn and certified translations for immigration or legal purposes
• Corporate fingerprinting for companies hiring internationally
• Multi-country background verification for global professionals

Globeia’s all-in-one approach makes it the preferred provider for expatriates, digital nomads, and global workers living in Malaga.

Completing your FBI fingerprinting in Malaga is a key step in your journey to obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa or any other official document requiring a background check. Accuracy, compliance, and reliability are essential, and Globeia ensures all three.

With their accredited technicians, secure digital submission, and comprehensive document services, Globeia makes the entire process smooth, fast, and worry-free. You can schedule your appointment, have your fingerprints captured locally, and receive your official FBI background check, all without traveling back to the U.S.

Whether you’re applying for a visa, work permit, or residency in Spain, Globeia provides the professional guidance and trusted expertise you need.

Book your FBI fingerprinting appointment in Malaga today with Globeia and take the first step toward your Digital Nomad Visa with confidence.