Hi

I am from the UK and live in Spain.

My non EU wife in Colombia has just recieved her 3 month Residence Visa for Family Reunification. The date on the visa is from the 20th Novemver until the 20th Febuary. She would like to come to Spain about the 1st January as she has to work her notice in her job e.t.c She can go to Spain between the dates on the visa.

First Question: Does her 3 months to reside in Spain commence on the date of entry into Spain or from the date on the start date on the visa - 20th November

When she arrives we will start the process of a residence permit for her which can take several weeks and I am wondering that it may be a problem if her Residence Visa for Family Reunification expires while waiting for her residence permit.

Second question: If her Residence Visa for Family Reunification does expire, is she then illegal in spain while waiting for her residence permit?

I have scoured this site and the internet for hours but cannot find the answers to these questions. I have found something to suggest that she is not illegal in Spain if her Residence Visa for Family Reunification does expire because we have started the resident permit process and are waiting for it.

Help!

Hello.

I had same 3 month entry visa for Family eunification. In that 3 month on her Visa you need to apply your wife’s residency card in Foreigne Office (officina de comunitario) SPAIN. and I think she can stay in spain after visa expire until she get residency card. that was what i did and there was no problems.

Joanne

Hi Joanne

You are correct. I managed to speak to someone on the phone at the Foreign Office (officina de comunitario) in Alicante just after I posted on this site and they said that when I apply for my wifes residency card, she will be given a paper that states that she is waiting for her residency card and the visa will not expire. That is good news. She also said that the residency card may take 3 months.

Cheers

Paul

Hi Paul,

Im in almost the same situation as you. I am British and my husband is Mexican. I am a resident in Spain and we want to go and work and live there.
With our situation the spanish embassy in mexico is useless, they say they dont issue any entry visas, or family reunification visas there, and that my husband just has to go as a tourist and do everything while in Spain.

How long did the visa take for your wife to be issued, what papers did you have to provide?

Joanne has been very helpful with all my questions.

Do you have the phone number for the oficina de extranjeros that you called in Alicante, and the name of someone you spoke to? I just want to ask them a few questions and its so hard getting hold of the one in Almeria!

Joanne=do you know if you know if you can apply for your NIE number while waiting for the resident card??

Karen