Best Dependent Visa Lawyers in Villares de la Reina

About Dependent Visa Law in Villares de la Reina, Spain

A dependent visa in Spain generally refers to the legal routes that allow family members to join or accompany a primary resident or citizen. In Villares de la Reina, as in the rest of Spain, there are two main frameworks. First is family reunification under the general immigration regime for non EU nationals who already hold Spanish residence. Second is the EU family member route for relatives of Spanish citizens and other EU or EEA or Swiss citizens residing in Spain. There are also specific provisions for family of students, researchers, highly qualified professionals, and entrepreneurs.

Under the general regime, a resident in Spain can reunify a spouse or registered partner, minor or dependent children, and in limited cases dependent parents, provided income, housing, and other legal requirements are met. Under the EU regime, qualifying family members of an EU or Spanish citizen can obtain a residence card as an EU family member with a simplified set of requirements focused on the genuineness of the relationship and the EU citizen’s activity or resources. While applications are based on national law, the practical steps in Villares de la Reina are handled locally through offices in Salamanca province.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Spanish immigration rules are detailed and proof heavy. Applicants often seek a lawyer’s help to avoid delays, understand evidence requirements, and respond to requests or denials. Common situations include uncertainty about income thresholds tied to IPREM, proving a stable and sufficient relationship for spouses or registered partners, demonstrating dependency for adult children or parents, gathering a valid housing report, and coordinating documents that require legalization or apostille and sworn translations.

Legal assistance is also helpful when timing matters, for example choosing the correct route between the general regime, the EU family member route, or the special regime for students and highly qualified workers. A lawyer can manage deadlines, file appeals against a refusal, correct prior overstays or status gaps, and prepare you for interviews at the Extranjería or consulate. If you live in Villares de la Reina, a local practitioner will also know the practices of the Salamanca Foreigners Office and Police regarding appointments and document formats.

Local Laws Overview

Key laws and rules include Organic Law 4 or 2000 on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain, its Regulation approved by Royal Decree 557 or 2011 for family reunification under the general regime, Royal Decree 240 or 2007 for family members of EU citizens, and Law 14 or 2013 for entrepreneurs and international mobility covering highly qualified professionals, researchers, and their families. Family reunification under the general regime usually requires that the sponsor has resided legally in Spain for at least one year and holds authorization to reside for at least one more year. Some categories such as researchers or highly qualified professionals can sponsor family immediately upon their own authorization.

Who may be reunited depends on the route. Under the general regime, eligible relatives usually include a spouse or registered partner not separated, the sponsor’s or partner’s children under 18 or adult children with disabilities, and in specific cases parents over 65 who are financially dependent and where humanitarian reasons exist. EU or Spanish citizens can sponsor a spouse or registered partner, children under 21 or dependent, and dependent ascendants, with a focus on real dependency and genuine family life.

Income requirements are benchmarked to the IPREM, which is updated yearly. For general regime reunification, authorities commonly assess a minimum of around 150 percent of IPREM for the sponsor plus one family member and an additional 50 percent of IPREM per extra family member. EU regime cases require sufficient resources and health coverage but do not set a fixed nationwide amount, though local offices often use IPREM as guidance. Adequate housing must be proven in general regime cases through a housing adequacy report, typically issued by the local town hall or the autonomous community administration.

The process normally has two stages for general regime cases. First, the sponsor in Spain applies for the family reunification residence authorization at the Oficina de Extranjería in Salamanca. After approval, the family member applies for the visa at the Spanish consulate in their country of residence and then travels to Spain. Upon arrival, the foreign national must register their address in Villares de la Reina for padrón and apply for the foreigner identity card TIE at the Policía Nacional in Salamanca within one month of entry or approval, depending on the route. EU family members generally apply in Spain for their residence card within three months of arrival. Appointments are often required at each stage.

Processing times vary. As a guide, the Extranjería has a target of around 45 days to decide a general regime reunification authorization, and consulates may take several weeks to issue a visa after approval. EU family cards can take up to three months to resolve. Fees are paid using official forms such as Modelo 790 codes 052 and 012. Documents from abroad usually must be legalized or apostilled and translated by a sworn translator recognized in Spain. Local practice in Salamanca province includes interacting with the Subdelegación del Gobierno for extranjería matters, the Comisaría Provincial de Policía Nacional in Salamanca for TIE procedures, and the Ayuntamiento de Villares de la Reina for padrón and sometimes the housing report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who counts as a dependent under Spanish law

Under the general regime for non EU residents, eligible relatives include your spouse or registered partner, your or your partner’s children under 18 or adult children with disabilities, and in limited cases your or your partner’s parents in the first degree who are financially dependent and usually over 65 with humanitarian reasons. Under the EU family route for Spanish or EU citizens, spouses or registered partners, children under 21 or dependent, and dependent ascendants can qualify, provided the relationship is genuine and dependency is proven where required.

Do I need to have lived in Spain for one year before I can sponsor my family

For the general regime, yes in most cases you must have lived legally in Spain for at least one year and hold authorization for at least one additional year at the time of applying. Certain categories such as EU Blue Card holders, researchers, and some permits under Law 14 or 2013 can reunify family immediately. If you are an EU or Spanish citizen, the EU family route applies and the one year rule does not.

What income do I need to prove

Authorities use IPREM based thresholds. A common benchmark under the general regime is roughly 150 percent of IPREM for the sponsor plus one family member and an additional 50 percent of IPREM for each extra family member. Evidence can include employment contracts, payroll, tax returns, bank statements, and proof of stable income. EU route cases require sufficient resources and comprehensive health cover without a fixed national figure, but offices often use IPREM as a guide.

What documents will I need

Expect passports and copies, proof of your legal residence in Spain, criminal record certificates for adult applicants from countries of residence, marriage or partnership certificates, birth certificates for children, proof of dependency for parents or adult children, proof of income and employment, health insurance if applicable, housing adequacy report for general regime reunification, padrón registration, and passport photos. Foreign documents usually need legalization or apostille and sworn translation into Spanish.

Where do I apply in Villares de la Reina and Salamanca

For general regime reunification, the sponsor files the residence authorization at the Oficina de Extranjería of the Subdelegación del Gobierno in Salamanca. After approval, the family member applies for the visa at the relevant Spanish consulate abroad. After arrival in Spain, TIE fingerprinting and card pickup are done at the Comisaría Provincial de Policía Nacional in Salamanca. Padrón registration and, in many cases, the housing report are handled through the Ayuntamiento de Villares de la Reina. For EU family members, the residence card application is submitted in Salamanca after arrival.

How long does the process take

Time frames vary by workload. As an orientation, the Extranjería decision on a reunification authorization often takes up to about 45 days. The consular visa stage may take several weeks to a couple of months. After entry, getting a TIE appointment and card can take a few more weeks. EU family cards can take up to three months to resolve after filing. A lawyer can help you sequence steps to reduce idle time.

Can my spouse or adult child work in Spain as a reunited family member

Under the general regime, a reunited spouse and children of working age typically acquire the right to work without needing a separate work permit once they obtain their residence card. Parents reunited under dependency do not gain work rights by default. Under the EU family route, work is authorized for the cardholder. Family of students may have different conditions depending on the primary student’s status.

Can I bring my parents to live with me

It is possible but strictly assessed. Under the general regime, parents must usually be over 65, financially dependent on you, and there must be humanitarian reasons. Younger parents may be considered only in exceptional circumstances. Under the EU route, you must prove real and continuous financial dependency. Evidence includes regular remittances, lack of income, and medical or care needs.

I am an EU citizen living in Villares de la Reina - how is my family member’s process different

Your family member will normally follow the EU regime. If they need a visa to enter Spain, they apply at the Spanish consulate in their country as an EU family member. After arrival, they apply within three months for the tarjeta de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión in Salamanca. You must prove your EU citizenship, that you are working or self employed in Spain or have sufficient resources and comprehensive health insurance, and the family relationship. The housing report and IPREM thresholds used in the general regime do not apply in the same way.

What happens if my application is refused and can I appeal

You can generally file an administrative appeal called recurso de reposición within one month of notification, or go directly to court with a judicial appeal within two months. Visa refusals at consulates have similar deadlines. Appeals should address the specific reasons for refusal, such as alleged insufficient income, missing legalization, doubts about the relationship, or lack of dependency. A lawyer can help assemble corrective evidence and represent you through the appeal process.

Additional Resources

Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration - Immigration and Foreigners Offices information.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation - Consular services for visas.

Subdelegación del Gobierno en Salamanca - Oficina de Extranjería.

Comisaría Provincial de Policía Nacional en Salamanca - TIE appointments and issuance.

Ayuntamiento de Villares de la Reina - Padrón registration and, where applicable, housing adequacy report.

Junta de Castilla y León - Regional services that may issue housing reports and social assessments.

Official State Gazette BOE - Legal texts and updates to IPREM and immigration rules.

Nonprofit organizations that assist migrants, such as Cruz Roja Española, ACCEM, and CEAR.

Next Steps

Define your route. Confirm whether you are applying under the general regime, as a family member of an EU or Spanish citizen, or under the special regime for students, researchers, or highly qualified professionals. The route determines documents, deadlines, and offices.

Assess eligibility and income. Verify that you meet the residence duration if needed, that your family relationship is recognized in Spain, and that your income and housing meet the applicable standards. If you need a housing adequacy report, contact the Ayuntamiento or the competent regional body early.

Prepare documents. Obtain recent civil status certificates and criminal record certificates, legalize or apostille them as required, and arrange sworn translations into Spanish. Gather proof of income and employment, health insurance where applicable, and evidence of dependency for parents or adult children.

Plan the filings. For the general regime, the sponsor files at the Oficina de Extranjería in Salamanca and, after approval, the family member applies at the consulate abroad. For EU family members, enter Spain lawfully and file for the EU family card in Salamanca within three months. Book appointments in advance and keep copies of everything you submit.

Complete local formalities. Upon arrival or approval, register on the padrón in Villares de la Reina and request the TIE at the Policía Nacional in Salamanca within the applicable time limit. Pay the required fees using the official forms and bring proof of payment to your appointment.

Seek legal help if needed. If your case has complexities such as prior visa refusals, non standard relationships or dependency, criminal records, or tight deadlines, consult an immigration lawyer familiar with Salamanca province procedures. They can help you avoid common pitfalls and handle appeals if necessary.

Monitor your timelines. Track decision deadlines, appeal windows, visa validity to enter Spain, and the one month limit to request your TIE after entry or approval. Missing a deadline can force you to repeat steps or harm your legal status.