The Auxiliares Process (Chicago Consulate Based)

​So you're applying to be a cultural ambassador/conversation assistant in Spain! Hooray! Here are a few tips based on my own experience with the process:

January: Apply to the program via Profex. The following links will help with that process and explain everything:

• https://www.mecd.gob.es/eeuu/convocatorias-programas/convocatorias-eeuu/auxiliares-conversacion-eeuu.html
• https://www.mecd.gob.es/eeuu/dms/consejerias-exteriores/eeuu/auxiliaresusa/APPLICATION_GUIDELINES_2017.pdf
• https://www.mecd.gob.es/eeuu/dms/consejerias-exteriores/eeuu/auxiliaresusa/CHECKLIST_2018.pdf
• http://www.thequirkypineapple.com/blog/2016/01/12/apply-auxiliares-de-conversacion-program-spain/

February-April: The Waiting Game (you will go in order from inscrita, registrada, admitida, adjudicado, to finally, aceptada)
April-June: Wait for regional placement email and then city/town placement email.
June-July: Receive carta de nombramiento from your assigned region

Go to Spain! Er… wait…back it up a bit...
 
Okay, unfortunately it’s not that easy--- you have to deal with both US and Spanish bureaucracy to complete the oh so wonderful visa process and drop a $160 Money Order. But don’t worry, as long as you have everything you need and follow all the instructions on the consulate website, the auxiliaries website, and blogs like mine- you’ll be fine.

​Here is my guide to the visa process through the Consulate General of Spain in Chicago. (This is based on my own experience in 2018, with a Basque Country placement-- please be aware that visa requirements and gov't processes are subject to change at any time) 
 
Before you even think about the visa appointment itself there are a few things you need to get done. Make sure you start these early, but remember they cannot be more than 3 months old by the time of your visa appointment- so plan accordingly. 

1. Fingerprints and State or FBI Background Check
   1. Get your fingerprints done at your local police station.
   2. If you live in a state that will do a criminal background check using fingerprints: Congrats! You can go the State route.
      • Check your states background check website and figure out how to send in your fingerprints.
   3. However if you’re a resident of a state that does NOT use fingerprints for background checks (Ex: Iowa) you’ll need to go the FBI route.
      • Use this link to complete the process electronically--you still have to send in your fingerprints, but the process takes way less time: https://www.edo.cjis.gov/ (This way you won’t have to use a channeler or wait 12 weeks.)
   4. Receive background check form State or FBI in the mail and send it to the Secretary of State’s office with the proper paperwork to get it Apostilled (send it either to your local state SOS for the State route or to the US Secretary of State for the FBI route).
   5. Receive Apostilled background check in the mail- safeguard this for the visa appointment.
   6. Side note: I also got my background check and Apostille translated by a certified translator (the visa doesn’t require this, but you may need the translation in Spain when you apply for the NIE)
2. Medical Certificate
   • Print out the form from the consulate website and take it into your doctor to have them fill out (make sure they do it on their own letterhead). The doctor’s signature must be notarized! My doctor’s office had it’s own resident notary and they just did it there. http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/CHICAGO/es/ServiciosConsulares/Serviciosconsularesenchicago/Documents/documentosvisados/medicalcertificate.pdf
   • If you use the consulate’s template, the form will already be translated- so you’re good to go.

 
Make your visa appointment at the consulate several months ahead of time because summer is like rush hour for consulates and appointments go like hotcakes. ;) Make the appointment here: https://app.timetrade.com/tc/login.do?url=spainconsulchicago
 
Visa Requirements for auxiliaries (besides the two documents listed above): http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/CHICAGO/es/ServiciosConsulares/Serviciosconsularesenchicago/Documents/documentosvisados/auxiliaresconversacion.pdf
--Also don't forget to double check everything, make copies of everything (color), and keep documents from getting damaged or crumpled in any way. 

1. Passport and Driver’s License
2. Visa Fee: $160 money order (you can get it at the post office)
3. Carta de nombramiento/Acceptance Letter
   1. This will arrive either by email, mail, or both. You will need this for the visa appointment. Don’t lose it! This will also be something, along with your medical certificate and original background check/Apostille, which you will need in Spain to apply for your NIE.
4. The National Visa Application
   1. Fill it our and print it here: http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/OTTAWA/Documents/Solicitud%20de%20visado%20nacional%20-%20Espa%C3%B1ol.pdf
   2. Follow these instructions in the Visa Instructions PDF on the auxiliaries webpage: https://www.mecd.gob.es/eeuu/dms/consejerias-exteriores/eeuu/auxiliaresusa/VISA_general-_INSTRUCTIONS_FOR_US_2018-19/VISA_general%20_INSTRUCTIONS_FOR_US_2018-19.pdf
5. 2x2 Passport Photos (I got four just in case- one will be attached to your visa application)
6. Visa Appointment email printed
7. Self addressed/paid USPS express envelope for them to return your passport and visa to you (unless you want to pick up your visa/passport in person).

Here is the Consulate’s visa webpage:
http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/CHICAGO/en/ServiciosConsulares/consularservicesinchicago/visas/Pages/inicio.aspx
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Consulate's Webpage

Consulate Appointment

Applying to be an Auxiliar

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National Visa Application

Visa Instructions

Medical Certificate

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FBI Background Check

Auxiliares Visa Requirements

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Auxiliares