Hello everybody!! Hope you're staying dry and warm where ever you are ...I'm doing all right considering the amount of rain we've been receiving here in the U.S.-

I have a few questions about receiving your spanish papers a.s.a.p-

My father wants to move permantly to spain; I heard that for a person to gain access into the country they need an invitation from a spanish citizen and a job offer... Is this true; if not what else do you need?

You see my fathers sister/niece are spanish citizens and they own a small business, so I would imagine that the invitation and Job offer are all set but what else am I missing?

Any help please would be very much appreciated

A site that has been helpful for me is http://www.spain-visas.com/ I would recommend paying a lawyer to help through the complicated and bureaucratic process. If his sister is a spanish citizen maybe he can request residency through her. (like familiar repatriation) Or through the job offer too. Good luck!
Janelle

Wow! I'd LOVE to hear if there really are any easy ways to get Spanish citizenship! I believe it takes years for that even if you marry a Spaniard (1+ year of paperwork + 1 year of residency after marriage). Even if your father gets a work permit (very unlikely except in unusual circumstances) he won't get citizenship from that but would eventually get residency. There's a thread somewhere here about a Spanish prospective spouse (male) possibly hiring the prospective spouse (female) but I don't think that's very easy either.

Good luck to your father! Saludos, MadridMan

Well, I still have to talk to my aunt about the small details but I was informed this way was another altervative instead of getting married...

I'll have to see...but I'll keep you guys posted!

Two days ago I just had my US passport stamped with the Spanish Resident Schengen visa from the Spanish consulate in Miami. I applied for the easiest one which is for Jubilados o Pensionistas or retired pensioneer. The most difficult requirement for this visa (you can be of any age) is that you must prove a lifetime pension or income of US$10,000 per year minimum ... could be Social Security, stocks, bonds or probably rental income. The second catch is you must show solvency such as a few thousand dollars in a bank acct. Thirdly, you must give a private or residential address where you will reside. If you have family of friend in Spain, you may give that address and they may or may not ask for letter of invitation. In my case they did not. The other requirements are quite simple such as Police, Medical certificates, health insurance, $100, etc. The Resident visa is valid for 90 days within which you must travel to Spain and present yourself to the Comisaria General de Extranjeria y Documentacion within 30 days of the stamped date of entry.I look forward to traveling between February and March.
Buena Suerte!
carmencitav