So many people from parts of Africa, like South Africa, continue to immigrate to Spain because of employment opportunities, its favourable climate and the low cost of living. Whether you’re planning a short-term stay in the country or looking to lay down long-term roots, the bureaucracy to be handled in advance and the Spain visa medical requirements imposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can often seem daunting. South African applicants must fulfil several requirements before applying for a long-stay or permanent visa in Spain, which requires presenting a medical certificate. Spain must confirm that you are in excellent health while visiting, which is why a medical certificate is one of the conditions for obtaining a visa. Here is everything you need to know about medical certificate requirements for Spanish visa applications in South Africa.
1. The Physical Medical Certificate for Spain Visa Application
A certified medical certificate is compulsory when applying for a long-stay visa application from South Africa. Meaning, if you’re planning to study, work or reside in Spain there are various steps to be followed when it comes to health certificates. First things first, you will need to undergo a medical examination in South Africa during which a certified doctor registered with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) will examine your overall health condition via two tests: a standard blood test and a chest X-ray. These two tests screen you for any serious diseases that could have serious repercussions on Spanish public health. In the event that you are free of any serious diseases and are in a good state of health, the certified HPCSA physician will issue a Medical Certificate of Good Health. The medical certificate must state that the applicant does not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions following what is stipulated by the International Health Regulations (IHR) of 2005. The IHR is a legally binding agreement of 196 countries to build the capability to detect and report potential public health emergencies. Therefore, an original copy of a medical certificate signed by a medical professional registered by the HPCSA must be submitted when applying for a long-stay visa. This certificate must have been issued within the 3 months prior to your move to Spain. Have a look at an example of the medical certificate published by the Spanish Department of Foreign Affairs.
2. Medical Certificate Apostille for Spain Visa Application
In general, all foreign public documents to be used for visa applications must be legalized to be valid in Spain, unless a specific rule provides exemption by the embassy of Spain in South Africa. So, it is mandatory to have the medical certificate legalized with an Apostille certificate before submission at the embassy.
Simply explained, Apostille is a certificate attached to your document that has the same purpose as legalization and is used between the member states of the Convention of 5 October 1961. Spain is a signatory of the Apostille Convention and the general purpose of this convention is to abolish outdated legalisation requirements, replacing the time-consuming and costly legalisation process with the issuance of a single apostille certificate.
Apostille is issued by designated authorities in each country, which are the Department of International Relations (DIRCO) and the High Court in South Africa. The Spanish embassy accepts apostille from both entities, so you can choose to get your apostille certificate either from Dirco or from High Court. The Apostille certificate has no expiry date, but if the document has a time-limited validity, that of the legalization or apostille shall be equally limited.
3. Sworn Translation for Spain Visa Application
A sworn translator is required to translate your medical certificate for your visa application. There are five official languages in Spain, but the most common language is Spanish currently spoken by 94% of the population as their first or second language. South Africa has 11 official languages, but public documents are issued in English. As a result, a medical certificate will likely be issued in English or another South African official language. If the medical certificate for visa application is not in Spanish, a sworn translator must translate the medical certificate. A sworn translator is someone who has taken an oath in front of the High Court, granting them the right to practise and the right to stamp translated documents with their seal, signature, and particular case number. This implies that they are competent in translating official certificates like medical records. Accordingly, the long-term Spanish visa requires the medical certificate translation by a sworn Spanish translator.
Finally, moving to another country is undoubtedly a daring decision, but the difficulties associated with obtaining a visa can occasionally serve as a hindrance. Just remember that research is key – enquire with the local Spanish consulate whether in Pretoria, Durban or Cape Town and do your homework on the Spain visa medical requirements. In short, if you’re only planning to travel around the country for less than 90 days, in terms of Spain’s medical visa requirements, all you’ll need will be travel and medical insurance. However, if you’re planning on settling in vibrant Spain, you will be required to not only submit proof of your health insurance, but also a Medical Certificate of Good Health that will be issued by a certified physician who performs your medical exam. Prepare everything in advance and the process will hopefully be less drawn out, and you’ll be free to settle in España in no time. Good luck!!!!
About Frenchside Visa Translation Services
Frenchside’s sworn and accredited translators will help you translate your travel and official documents from English to Spanish for Spanish visa applications in South Africa. Our certified translations are accepted by Spanish Embassies, the Department of Justice, the department of the Interior, local authorities and courts. Allow us to fervently and diligently legalise your documents for international use. We provide certified translations of legal documents, birth certificates, college transcripts and medical certificates. You can submit your documents in PDF, JPG, PNG, and Word. We offer fast turnaround, competitive prices and excellent customer service. Contact us at 012 348 3134 or e-mail us at info@frenchside.co.za and we’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
