Moving from Spain to the UK, US or another non-EU country

Key rules

• Visa first: Secure the visa or entry permission for a non-EU destination before cancelling your Spanish status.
• Keep your status: Hold on to your residence permit and padrón registration until the visa is approved.
• Documents: The destination government publishes its own document list for your visa category, so check it before you order anything.
• Visits: A visit to the UK or US on an entry authorisation does not allow you to work or settle.

Get the visa first, then cancel your Spanish status

Secure the visa or entry permission for a non-EU destination before cancelling your Spanish status. Many countries expect you to apply from the country where you legally live. Your Spanish residence permit and padrón registration are what give you that standing at the local embassy or consulate.

If you cancel first, you may lose the right to apply in Spain. You could also end up staying without legal status, and a refusal then leaves you in a hard spot. Spanish permits can also lapse if you are away for long periods, so keep your dates in mind.

Keep your residence permit and padrón registration until the visa is approved. The checklist below puts this in order.

Where to apply from Spain

• US: Applicants living in Spain are processed at the US Embassy in Madrid. Immigrant visa interviews are held in Madrid. The Barcelona consulate handles only some non-immigrant cases.
• UK: You apply online, then give your biometrics at a UK visa application centre in Spain.

Rules differ by destination and visa type, so start with the destination government's own list for your category.

The UK

The UK has no free movement for EU citizens now. You need a route such as Skilled Worker (a sponsored job), Global Talent, Health and Care Worker, Student, Graduate, a family route, Innovator Founder or High Potential Individual.

As an EU citizen you can visit for up to 6 months without a visa, but you need an Electronic Travel Authorisation. A visit does not allow you to work. Non-EU nationals need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation, depending on nationality.

The US

Most routes start with a petition filed by an employer or relative. The main ones are:

• employment-based immigrant visas
• work visas such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-1 and E-2
• TN, for Canadians and Mexicans only
• family-based immigrant visas
• the diversity lottery
• student visas (F-1)

Travelling on ESTA does not let you work or settle.

Spanish documents the destination may ask for

Which documents you need depends on your visa category. Typical ones are:

• Spanish criminal record certificate, usually apostilled
• birth, marriage and divorce certificates, apostilled or legalised and translated
• padrón certificate, if residence history is asked for
• informe de vida laboral, if work history is asked for
• tax residence certificate and tax returns
• school or medical records, in some cases

The documents block below has the full list.

The criminal record certificate and apostille

The Ministry of Justice issues the certificate. You can request it online with a digital certificate or Cl@ve, in person after booking an appointment, or by post. From abroad, use a Spanish consulate or the post. The fee is small, around 3.74 euros. In person it is typically immediate. Online or by post, allow from a few days to about 10 working days.

Then send the certificate to the Ministry of Justice's apostille unit. This is often free. The destination may still ask for a certified translation, so check before you pay for one.

Do these steps early, because they can take weeks and you will want them ready when the visa office asks.

Timeline and deadlines

• Request your Spanish criminal record certificate: as soon as you decide to move; in person it can be immediate, online or by post up to about 10 working days

• Send the certificate for its apostille: right after you receive the certificate

• Apply for your UK or other visa while still registered in Spain: before you cancel any Spanish status

• Visit the UK only as a visitor, with an Electronic Travel Authorisation, if you are an EU citizen: stays of up to 6 months, with no work allowed

Documents you need

• Spanish criminal record certificate (certificado de antecedentes penales), issued by the Ministry of Justice. Many destinations want it apostilled, and some also want a certified translation.

• Birth, marriage and divorce certificates from the Registro Civil, if the visa category asks for them. They are usually apostilled or legalised and translated.

• Padrón certificate showing where you have lived, if the destination asks for residence history.

• Social Security work-life report (informe de vida laboral), if the destination asks for your work history.

• Tax residence certificate and tax returns, if the destination asks for proof of your tax position in Spain.

• Valid Spanish residence permit and padrón registration, which you need to file at the local embassy or consulate.

Checklist

• Check the destination government's list of documents for your visa category.

• Apply for your visa or entry permission before you cancel your Spanish status.

• Request your Spanish criminal record certificate from the Ministry of Justice.

• Ask for the apostille on the certificate and check whether you also need a certified translation.

• Gather civil records such as birth, marriage or divorce certificates if your visa asks for them.

• Book your visa interview at the right office, such as the US Embassy in Madrid or a UK visa application centre.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for a US immigrant visa while I still live in Spain?

Yes, if you live in Spain, immigrant visas are processed at the US Embassy in Madrid, and the interview is held there. Most routes start with a petition filed in the US by an employer or relative. Keep your Spanish residence in place until the visa is approved.

Can I work in the UK on a visit as an EU citizen?

No, a visit to the UK does not allow work, even though EU citizens can visit visa-free for up to 6 months. You need an Electronic Travel Authorisation for the visit. To work, you need a points-based route such as a Skilled Worker visa with a sponsored job.

Do I still need a certified translation of my apostilled criminal record certificate?

Possibly yes, because the destination may still ask for a certified translation even after the apostille is added. The apostille is free for this document in many cases. Check the destination's own document list before paying for a translation.

Can I request my Spanish criminal record certificate from abroad?

Yes, you can request it from abroad at a Spanish consulate, or by post with a copy of your passport or NIE. Online or postal requests can take up to about 10 working days, so ask before you leave.