Question
My partner and I are starting the steps to get a Spain Non Lucrative Visa to move to Spain, We both live in Toronto at the moment. We are wondering what is the process for the criminal background check is it exclusively through the RCMP or can it be done through local police services? We are also inquiring about the Apostille for documents i.e criminal background check.
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“I did my RCMP check at Ink Digital Fingerprinting on Spadina and Bloor in Toronto. Make an appointment first. The apostille you get it either through Global Affairs in Canada only (it takes up to 5 months to get it done) or a Canadian Embassy abroad (it takes aprox 2 weeks in Madrid for example).
I got mine at the Canadian Embassy in Madrid. I sent my RCMP check to a friend of mine who lives in Madrid and he sent it to the Embassy there, then they delivered it back to my friend and my friend mailed it to me here in Canada.”
“RCMP ONLY and needs to go to Global Affairs (4 months) – ‘All applications must be submitted unfolded and must include photocopies of the following original documents (if required in your application): Passport, RCMP Criminal records check with fingerprints and photo, medical certificate, birth certificate, marriage certificate and notarized documents).
Please note that if you do not send the photocopies, the Consulate will keep the original copies. Criminal Record Certificate no more than five months before the application date (Legalized with the Hague Apostille Certification issued by Global Affairs Canada only and translated into Spanish).'”
“The Spanish Consulate in Toronto only accepts apostilles through Global Affairs in Canada (it’s on the Consulate’s website) and it takes 4 – 5 months to get it done or you can get the apostille at the Canadian Embassy in Madrid even if you don’t live there.
If you know someone who lives in Spain and can mail your RCMP check to the Embassy in Madrid is fine. You don’t need to authorize that person to do it on your behalf.”
“You can send the Background check to the Canadian Consulate in Washington as well, just email them first. Takes about 2 weeks as well, you need to include a pre-paid return envelope, I used UPS for that.”
Conclusion
The process for obtaining a criminal background check for the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa as a Canadian typically involves the RCMP, and the Apostille must be obtained through Global Affairs Canada or at a Canadian Embassy abroad, such as in Madrid.
The process can take several months when done through Global Affairs Canada, but there are faster alternatives abroad if you have contacts who can assist.
It’s important for applicants to plan accordingly given the extended timelines and to ensure all documents are properly prepared and submitted to meet the requirements of the Spanish authorities.
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