Question
I’m at the beginning of my working holiday in Spain visa application from Australia. My first step is to get the fingerprint checks as these take a while to get the results.
The police station I’ve called said I have to bring an envelope in with me with the address I will forward it to, but on the visa information form for applying, it says NOT to forward the actual prints to them.
They require the results of the police check against your name and fingerprints. So who do I forward the prints to once the police give them to me? Also does it matter if I get ink or digital prints?
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“I am also doing the same at the moment, the police at the station told me I need other documents to send off with the fingerprints but I am not sure which ones? They said they didn’t know but I am assuming perhaps passport pictures etc? Not too sure.”
“So you have a prepaid envelope with the address that the police will send to on your behalf. The address is somewhere in Canberra, then they will take a week or two to analyze the fingerprints and send you the results later. Please bear in mind you have to use ink fingerprints and not the laser-scanned ones and you also need the sides of your hands in these fingerprints.”
“I went into the station last night and they said it’s like a visa application document? I don’t know though, please let me know if you get yours sent off.”
“They also said they send it to someone because they can’t send it to me, but I am assuming the Spanish consulate?”
“I’m still waiting on my fingerprints. They said it can take up to 20 days, it’s been 13 or 14 I think so just waiting for that, but I have my appointment with the Spanish consulate tomorrow for my application.”
“They’ll probably reject me without the fingerprints, but hoping they will just let me send them to the consulate after.”
“So you figured out what to do with the fingerprints? It’s such a process and no clear instructions. The AFP finally took the money for them today, so I’m not sure how long I will need to wait for them to come back. How long did it take for you to get the appointment at the consulate once you requested it?”
Conclusion
According to Spainguru’s Facebook group members, the process of obtaining and submitting fingerprints for the working holiday visa in Spain is unclear and varies depending on the police station.
Some applicants have been told they need additional documents, while others have been advised that fingerprints cannot be sent directly to them.
Ink fingerprints, not digital scans, are required, and the application process can take weeks.
Many are experiencing delays, and some hope the consulate will allow them to submit their fingerprints after their appointment.
How to obtain a National Police Certificate (NPC) from the Australian Federal Police (AFP)
The fingerprints for the Working Holiday in Spain visa application need to be sent to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in Canberra, Australia. This is the standard procedure for Australian applicants who need a National Police Check with fingerprinting.
Where to Send the Fingerprints
If you are in Australia, you need to send your ink fingerprints along with the required application form to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for processing. The AFP is responsible for conducting background checks and issuing National Police Certificates that may be required for visa applications.
Official Address for AFP National Police Checks
Australian Federal Police
Criminal Records
Locked Bag 8550
Canberra City ACT 2601
Australia
Key Points to Keep in Mind
- Ink fingerprints are required, not digital or laser-scanned ones.
- Ensure that you include the correct application form (available on the AFP website).
- Processing times can take a week or two, but delays may occur.
- Some applicants may be required to include passport photos or other supporting documents.
- Once processed, the results are sent back to you—not directly to the Spanish consulate.
Next Steps
Once you receive the National Police Check certificate from the AFP, it must be apostilled by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and sworn translated by Spanish sworn translators before it can be submitted to the Spanish consulate for your Working Holiday in Spain visa application.
