The checklist below covers what you need to submit a Spanish long-stay visa application from Canada. Most documents are common to every application. Where a document applies only to a specific visa or set of visas, that is noted in brackets.

Identity and Travel Documents

• Valid Canadian passport (minimum six months validity beyond your intended stay, with at least two blank pages).
• Photocopy of all passport pages.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs meeting Spanish consulate specifications.

Application Forms

• Completed national visa application form (available from the Spanish consulate in your jurisdiction).
• Completed EX-01 form (residency application, required for most long-stay categories).

Financial Proof

• Recent bank statements (last three to six months).
• Proof of pension, investment income, dividends, or rental income (NLV, Job Search Visa).
• Employment contract or letter from employer confirming remote work and salary (DNV, Work Visa, Highly Skilled Professional Visa).
• Business plan with financial projections and proof of startup capital (Self-Employment Visa).
• Scholarship documentation or parental financial support letter, if applicable (Student Visa).
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses without working (Job Search Visa).

Health Insurance

• Private health insurance policy with a Spanish-approved provider.
• Policy must provide comprehensive coverage with no co-payments and be valid for the full visa duration.
• Required for all categories except Work Visa and Highly Skilled Professional Visa, where employer-provided coverage through Spanish Social Security applies.

Criminal Record Checks

• RCMP criminal record check (apostilled).
• Provincial criminal record check for each Canadian province of residence in the past five years (apostilled).
• Required for all categories.

Medical Certificate

• Medical certificate from a licensed physician confirming you do not have any conditions that pose a public health risk under international health regulations.
• Required for NLV, DNV, Self-Employment Visa, Job Search Visa.

Employment and Professional Documents

• Signed employment contract from a Spanish employer, minimum one year full-time. (Work Visa, Highly Skilled Professional Visa)
• Employer authorisation letter confirming remote work arrangement and that the company is registered outside Spain (DNV).
• Proof of employment history or professional portfolio (Job Search Visa).
• Employer's Social Security registration and tax compliance confirmation (Work Visa -  provided by employer).

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• University degrees or professional certifications, apostilled and translated into Spanish
• Required for Highly Skilled Professional Visa, Job Search Visa; recommended for DNV and Self-Employment Visa.

Student-Specific Documents

• Official letter of acceptance from a recognised Spanish educational institution.
• Proof of tuition payment or payment plan.
• Required for Student Visa only.

Business Documents

• Detailed business plan including market analysis, financial projections, and operational structure (Self-Employment / Entrepreneur Visa).
• Relevant professional licences or sector-specific authorisations, where applicable (Self-Employment / Entrepreneur Visa).

Family Reunification Documents

• Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption papers - apostilled).
• Sponsor's current Spanish residence permit and NIE documentation.
• Proof of sponsor's financial means to support the applicant.
• Proof of dependency for adult children or parents, where applicable.
• For Family Reunification Visa only.

Apostille and Translation Requirements

• All official documents issued in Canada must carry an apostille stamp from the relevant Canadian provincial or federal authority.
• All apostilled documents must be accompanied by a certified Spanish translation completed by a sworn translator (traductor jurado).

Additional Notes

• Document requirements can vary slightly between the Spanish consulates in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Always download the current checklist directly from the consulate with jurisdiction over your province before preparing your application.
• Originals and photocopies are required for each document - confirm the exact number of copies required with your consulate.
• Documents should not be older than three months at the time of submission unless otherwise specified (criminal checks, medical certificates, bank statements).