Quincy07:
Hello House, please a quick question. I have a birth Certificate from NPC and I was born before 1992. Do I need to still get attestation of Birth for legalization?

Secondly, I got the CTC stamp on a copy of my certificate from my school, is it that same copy that min of Education will authenticate?

Please assist thank you

Birth certificate from NPC is OK, just have it authenticated at the Federal ministry of foreign affairs before going for legalization. It is the certificate with the CTC stamp that you should authenticate (consider having up to two copies with CTC cos you might be asked to submit your legalized certificate during enrolment in your new Uni). Best of luck in your application

Yes. It is the final step

efeturi3:
Accommodation in Barcelona is given me issues. Kindly assist with a cheap student accommodation in Barcelona. UPC on my mind.

Try uniplaces.com or idealista.com. Uniplaces has always worked for me.

Djdimeji:
Hello Guys,

For your translation into Spanish (she does French translations as well), please I highly recommend Vivian. She has an excellent sense of humor and very understanding, like very very!
She's Nigerian who leaves abroad which explains why she's understanding and also affordable.

You don't need PayPal or bank draft or anything of such as she uses a local account where you can transfer into without worries.

For translation, just snap the documents (all the pages you choose to translate), make sure it's super clear and clean and you're good to go.

Djdimeji:
Hello Guys,

For your translation into Spanish (she does French translations as well), please I highly recommend Vivian. She has an excellent sense of humor and very understanding, like very very!
She's Nigerian who leaves abroad which explains why she's understanding and also affordable.

You don't need PayPal or bank draft or anything of such as she uses a local account where you can transfer into without worries.

For translation, just snap the documents (all the pages you choose to translate), make sure it's super clear and clean and you're good to go.

Vivian is very nice and highly efficient. She did my translations 3 years ago and yet again this year. Djdimeji failed to mention that the cost could be reduced if she were to translate for more people at the same time, you get to share the postage fees as this is what makes these translations kinda expensive. I highly recommend her.

Thanks to Ask1509 for this valuable Information:

CHECKLIST FOR SPANISH WORK/RESIDENCE VISA
What to Submit

ORIGINAL and One PHOTOCOPY of each of the following items must be presented:

1. National visa application form: The application forms must be signed and filled out in print.
2. Original Passport: Valid passport for a minimum of 1 year, with at least one blank page to affix the visa.
3. Two Passport sized photos: (White background, 2x2in) One per application form
4. Notification of work and residence permit approval: (COMMUNICACION DE CONCESION DE AUTORIZACION DE TRABAJO Y RESIDENCIA) stamped by the mInistry of Labor (Ministerio de Trabajo e Inmigracion) in Spain and OFICINA DE EXTRANJERIA. This document cannot be older than 30 days.
5. Application of residence and work permit (Solicitud de permiso de residencia y permiso de trabajo y residencia) Stamped by the Ministry of Labor (Ministerio de Trabajo e Inmigracion) in Spain.
6. Police Character Certificate (with fingerprints) issued and legalised by all the countries where the applicant has been living for the last 5 years. It must be translated into Spanish and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja and, subsequently, by the Consulate General of Spain in Lagos.
7. Medical Certificate with a certified translation in Spanish, which should be a doctor’s recent statement (not older than 3 monthsin doctor’s or medical center’s letterhead) indicating that ‘the patient has been examined and found free of any contagious diseases according to the International Health Regulation 2005’. Must be signed by a M.D.

ask1509:
To God be the glory, I arrived in Madrid on Thursday, April 19. Before I get busy with work, let me keep my promise of updating the thread about the process I went through in getting my work permit.

Background: I had a bachelor's degree in statistics at a Nigerian university (second class upper) after which I got a scholarship from African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) for a master's degree in mathematical sciences at one of their centres, located in Cameroon. After that I started seeking a PhD position and I came across a research institute in Madrid who employs PhD students (as research assistants) and pays them while they register and do their PhD in a partner university close by. One of the profs (who is now my supervisor) posted an opening which I found on one of the scholarship websites while hunting for scholarships. Long story short, I applied, was interviewed 2 times and was given the position in July last year.

Process: Since the position is an employment, I needed a work/residence visa for research. First thing I had to do was legalise my bachelor's degree certificate and my master's degree certificate. Since my master's degree certificate was issued by a Cameroonian institution, I had to do the legalisation of my master's degree in Cameroon by first taking it to Cameroonian ministry of higher education for authentication, then Cameroonian ministry of foreign affairs, translate documents to Spanish and then legalise at the Spanish consulate in Yaounde. I had to tell someone to help with all of this process in Cameroon as I could not travel to Cameroon myself (this legalisation process in Cameroon cost me a lot of money transferred through Western Union, documents sent and received via DHL uncountable time etc. at a point, I became a regular customer at the DHL office in my neighborhood). While all that was going on, I faced the legalisation process of my bachelor's degree in Nigeria.

First I was told at the Spanish consulate that I must do investigation which I refused. Fortunately, I met a guy the first time I visited the consulate and he gave an inside info of what I should have done to avoid investigation. I should have gone to my university and requested that my official transcripts, signed copy of my certificate, and a letter of attestation stating that I am a graduate of the university be sent directly to the consulate from my university's registrar or any other office of appropriate jurisdiction. So I refused the investigation the first day, went back to my university and asked that all the stated documents be sent to the consulate. I waited like 2 weeks after which I sent the consulate an email asking if they've received them. I received a confirmation the next day that they've been received. I booked another appointment again and found my way to the consulate in Lagos. This time, my certificate and transcript were accepted for legalisation without investigation.

After legalising my certificates, I sent them (the legalised originals) to my research institute which they used in applying for a work permit for me. The work permit essentially consist of my labour contract with the institute and a document called favorable resolution. The favorable resolution states the number of years of the work permit and is also the proof that the Government of Madrid have approved your work permit. It took a bit more than 2 months from the time I sent my legalised certificates (to my institute) till the time the work permit application was successful. I was then sent the favorable resolution and labor contract which I used in applying for the visa at the Spanish consulate in Lagos.

The tricky part however, is that the favorable resolution expires in exactly 30 days and must be used within this period to apply for the visa. Sending the favourable resolution and labour contract from Madrid to me by courier took away approximately 6-7 days which left me about 23 days to use it. Within this 23 day period, I had to get the following documents to apply for the visa (in addition to the favorable resolution and the labour contract sent to me).

1. a police report in Nigeria, authenticated at foreign affairs in Abuja and legalised at the consulate.

2. A medical certificate/report stating that I am free from diseases according to 200....something health regulations. (This document does not need to be legalised). Thanks to obamd for helping out with this. I appreciate.

3. since I stayed like 11 months in Cameroon during my master's study, I also needed a police report from Cameroon. Thankfully, I knew of this earlier and it was part of the documents that was legalised for me Cameroon while I was legalising my Nigerian certificates here. My school in Cameroon helped me get a police report, I went to my local DHL office to go bring it from Cameroon for me so I can put my fingerprint on it, I sent it back through DHL so that it can be authenticated at the foreign affairs after which it was translated to Spanish and submitted at the consulate in Yaounde on my behalf. After it was legalised, the consulate did not release the legalised police report to my contact in Yaounde who submitted it for me. They asked him to go bring a power of attorney from me, and the power of attorney must be authenticated by the police in Nigeria. I had to do a power of attorney here with a notary public, I then wrote a letter to the commissioner of police in my state to authenticate it for me. I submitted both at the commissioner's office myself and was told to come back for it few days later. I went back after some few days, the commissioner had minuted on it and referred it to the police legal department where they put a stamp on it. So I sent the power of attorney to my contact in Cameroon which he used in collecting the legalised police report for me. I then requested my local DHL office to go bring it for me. Thankfully, I did all this process while I was legalising my Cameroonian certificates and it went on till during the time my institute was processing the work permit. So the legalised police report together with its translations were ready by the time the favourable resolution arrived as I couldn't have achieved all these within the 23 days window.

4. translation of my Nigerian police report and medical certificate. My institute handled this for me and sent them to me via UPS within the 23 days period. I scanned it to them and they sent me via email the translations after which they sent the original translations by courier. Since the original translations didn't arrive on time, I printed in colour the translations sent to me via email and used it for the visa app. Surprisingly, they were not rejected.

In summary, I applied for the visa exactly 1 day before the favourable resolution expired and I was called to come pick it up exactly 2 weeks after. I got my offer letter early July (first or send of July) and I got the visa March ending making the process almost 9 months worth of rigorous "paper work".

Phewwww that is the long process I had to pass through. Anyways, I hope someone will find this helpful.

Thanks again for the contributions on this thread, the process would have been much harder. Regards.

Thanks for this. I can't believe that I will be back to this thread we birthed 3 years ago. I have completed my Erasmus Masters in Forensic science with mobilities in Spain, Portugal, and the UK. Now heading to Barcelona for la Caixa INPhINIT PhD fellowship at Irsi caixa Badalona. Still waiting for my Work permit before I could initiate the Visa application.

I don't really know the full requirements for the Work visa as no guideline/requirement was made on the Spanish Consulate's website. I will appreciate any assistance with the document checklist for Work visa applications. I am still in doubt if I will have to present my academic documents since I won't be applying for a student visa. If I were to provide such, then am screwed with regards to the legalization hassles of my MSc certificate which was issued by a UK university - Any ideas guys?

Thanks guys for keeping this thread alive and providing valuable information for other applicants.
Cheers
Ifeanyi

Hello pals. I hope all is well. Wish us successful visa application.

To the Glory of the Lord, I collected my Spanish visa yesterday without any qualms. It took 13days to process the visa. I pray that all of us will get ours. Don't give up, no matter what! Adios!

Kudie:


Thanks Geniuzio
It took about two (2) weeks.

Two weeks for spanish visa processing? I pray same will be done for us, as I don't wish to cancel or reschedule my flight. Besides am already running late for school, lol! Congrats bro. See you in Spain.
Universidad de Cordoba

mstuapha:
I need a translator. ASAP. To be done this week.

You can use Vivian. She does a fast translation and delivery @ a relatively cheap rate when compared with other translators.

I guess I will have to go for a new legalized BSc cert to be on the safe side. Will have to confirm either way when I go in for d submission of my outstanding docs on Tuesday. Tnx pals

1andonly:


It goes without saying that they'd return our originals to us. I don't think that's the info enigma14 is expecting.

To save my life I can't say if they'd return that legalized copy to you. However, if you're running late I think you can get someone process it for you.

I presume you've submitted your visa then enigma14?

My school asked me to legalize my Degree certificate. But am confused if the embassy will still return the legalized photocopy that was submitted during the visa application? If the answer is no, then one must make provision for another legalized photocopy of BSc certificate considering that the Original certificate is not legalized @ d embassy. Am not so sure about this. Pls am open to your suggestions pals. Congrats to 1andonly, its not an easy feat!

@ last, I have collected my legalized docs. 1andonly painted a beautiful fairytale about what happens on the collection day. Gosh, it was a Royal rumble(not a pay-per view). Do well to be fully kitted on that day. If u are there on time with a tally that falls within 1-30 u are good to go; if not, its gonna b things fall apart sometime around 9am. All the best guys. Special grtns to our 1andonly Spanish Visa class rep.

Legalization day @ last. @Seunbumi, I am at d consulate. Blue shirt with orange-coloured framed spectacles. All the best 2day!

1andonly:


Don't make that mistake. Use DHL. To be sure and with all sense of modesty 80% of the urgent questions asked most times have already been treated. If you are speaking with Rodrigo don't use NIPOST is my advise.

The one I arranged with him is yet to get to me. I spoke with nothing less than 10 NIPOST staff. They all had one retort it hadn't come in. I spoke with Rodrigo he was dead certain it had left spain which on evidence of the tracking number I could see. He even went further to state that in Spain they have several problems but their postal agency wasn't one. I curiously believed him and doubted those NIPOST guys. Look at it this way. They Spanish postal service processes it puts it on a plane (nothing could be more simple) from Madrid to Lagos and bam it gets into Nigeria. Make no mistakes, I have posted stuffs out of Nigeria via NIPOST and I can bet top dollar that they are efficient on that score; but for stuff coming to Nigeria, I can vouchsafe for them. I had to rearrange with Rodrigo to send it again via DHL which of cause meant more money with me ruing my misadventure.

I still check the tracker because Rodrigo asked me to so we can know if it will eventually come in. Trust me it still returns blank up till now.

You can still hazard it if you have the nerves.

Tnx @1andonly. I will use DHL. I hope your legalization of docs was successful? Have you submitted your visa application and docs? Pls any heads up on what comesa after the Legalization process? All the best bro!

muztapha:


You've taken your documents to Spain for translation? I'm doing mine in Lagos. :\ Where's that 1nadn1 guy?

Ya. Just be sure that your translation was done by a Sworn Spanish translator (certified by the Spanish Min of Foreign affairs). I don't wanna take chances @ all as any mistake on my part is very risky.

muztapha:


Quick question, how long did they say it would take to translate yours?

3-4days for translation. But the big issue is the delivery as DHL and Fedex which are d fastest (1-2days) are quite expensivr @ 80-100euros. While EMS via NIPOST is cheap @ 37 Euros but has its pitfall of an indefinite delivery period.

Pls pals who has ever used EMS postal service for an international delivery? Pls how reliable is it? How fast can they deliver a package from Spain to Nigeria? Pls I need your response ASAP. Tnx

Seunbunmi:
@enigma... well, I think that applies to those that have Birth Affidavits instead of the Birth Certificate. So if you are born before 1992 and you have a certificate issued by the National Population Commission and authenticated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I believe you are good to go.

My Legalization is also on the 14th of July!

Cheers.

Thats great! we will definitely see there. I am still in Abuja, will have to authenticate the Declaration of age tomorrow at the Min of foreign affairs just to be on the safe side. hope to enter lagos on monday. @Seunbunmi: have you gotten your translated docs? Still working on it. Best of luck.

muztapha:


Any idea how long the actual visa takes to process?

No idea at all. all I know is abt the legalization process (1week). I think the visa application takes 6weeks as mentioned by 1andonly.

muztapha:


In the email they sent me:

"Only original documents or photocopies certified by the institutions that issued the certificates will be legalized.
PLEASE NOTICE THAT AS FROM 12 AUGUST 2014 THERE IS NO NEED TO BRING TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENTS FOR LEGALIZATION"

:/

What they meant was that there is no need to bring your translated documents during the legalization process, thus making the legalization simpler. However, you will need the translated docs at the time of the submission of your documents for the visa application which must come after the legalization process.

muztapha:


What sort of wahala is this visa abeg?

No be small matter o! Pls 1andonly, Geniuzio please comment. I am really stuck here. As it is I don't know if I am to authenticate(Ministry of foreign affairs) and translate the Age declaration too as I did with my Birth attestation issued to me by the National population commission?

I am very glad for your various inputs. I have been scheduled for legalization by the consulate on the 14th of July. Please i need more clarification about the Birth certificate requirement as stipulated in the email for legalization sent to me by the consulate. Yes, I was born before 1992, hence the birth certificate is not applicable to me.

4. AFFIDAVITS

For citizens born before 1992, a Declaration of Age sworn at the High Court of Justice of the place of birth by either parents or, in their absence: 1st grandparents; 2nd brothers/sisters from the same parents for citizens born before 1992. These affidavits must be endorsed by a letter from the NATIONAL POPULATION COMMISION
The deponent of the affidavit must come personally with photograph and signature ID (passport, ID card, etc)

That was from the email I got. Please could anyone who is in same category with me that has scaled this hurdle advice me please on this. I have both the Affidavit and Attestation of birth by the National Population Commission, my issue is how to drag my Dad who is the Deponent of the Affidavit to the consulate. Won't His picture and ID card be enough for the Consulate?

Tnx a lot pals. I would have made a mistake translating a whole 5pages of my transcript all for nothing. Don't know how it skipped my mind to translate my Medical certificate. So, I am gonna translate 5pages: BSc certificate,medical certificate,Birth certificate and police character certificate. Gracias Amigos!

[quote author=Seunbunmi post=35442883][/quote]

@ Seunbunmi: BSc certificate(1page),Birth Certificate(1page), Transcript(5pages),Police character certificate(2pages)=9pages. Don't know if I missed any other document at all for translation? @1andonly:Rodrigo gave me a better offer of €210(translation+transport).

1andonly:


Hi Bro,

Would have responded yesterday but I was banned for posting e-mail addresses. I escalated the issue and thankfully I was unbanned. You need to act quickly and swiftly. Legalization takes quite a while. Look through the thread, you'd find either my direction or from some other comrade (we're comrades in this) send that e-mail today to be on the safe side.

For the translation my post above does justice to that.

Tnx @ 1andonly: just wanna b sure that am on d right track. So far so good, d best translation deal I have got is 5000naira per page and DHL is 8000 naira(quotation from Vivian). I have 10pages to translate.Pls wots ur take on dis? And also do I need to do the translation b4 going for d legalization I.e are d translated docs one of d requirement for d legalization process?

@1andonly: pls can you post the list of certified translators approved by the Spanish embassy? I want to confirm if the Translator recommended by my Erasmus co-ordintor in Spain is on that list or not. pls it is urgent. Thanks

monex:
Hello house. I am at the ministry of education and they insist on authenticating the original of my degree certificate rather than the certified true copy. Can anyone confirm if he had to do same (authenticate original degree certificate )?

I was @ d Min of Education today. They really need to sight ur original doc b4 they can endorse ur photocopies. Still waiting for my Police character certificate, gonna take it along with my certificates and birth cert to d Min of Foreign Affairs tomorrow. I heard that one can take his Medical certificate to the Federal ministry of Health for authentication(don't know how true or relevant that could be). Best of luck bro.

@1andonly: wish u a successful legalization and submission of docs @ d consulate this week. I pray d Good Lord to bless u this much as u have been of a tremendous assistance to spanish visa novices like me.

geniuzio:
Good morning bro. When my friend got to the consulate for the legalization, he told them he had already requested for his O-level (NECO) result to be sent to them. But they said they hadn't received it. Then they told him it wasn't even necessary since he was going for a masters.

Ok. Tnx bro. Pls did u confirm from the Embassy about d medical tests to be included in d medical certificate, or perhaps if d embassy has a specific hospital one must visit for the medicals or could it be done in any University teaching hospital?

geniuzio:
According to a friend who did his legalization at the consulate yesterday, it seems WAEC/O-level result is not a requirement for those going for MASTERS afterall.

Ya right, I thought as much cos its logical to ask MSc applicaÑts to present their most recent qualifications I.e. BSc as they asked d PhD applicants for their MSc certificate(pls refer to d Spanish student visa requirement no3). Pls Geniuzo pls can U confirm dis tentatively. Tnx and God bless

geniuzio:
Bro, follow @1andonly's instructions so you won't make mistakes like me. Lagos should be your first port of call. Get your police character certificate at Alagbon CID, close to Obalende. Then you can go to Abuja for the authentication. Please read the steps 1andonly gave on page 1 of this thread and follow them religiously.

Ok. Tnx alot