W-2 Employee? You Can Get the Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Since 2025, US W-2 employees are being approved. Here's the exact process — including the CA3822 form, employer documentation, and whether to apply from Spain or the US.
Good news: As of 2025, confirmed W-2 approvals exist.
The process is more complex than for freelancers but absolutely doable. The key documents are a CA3822 form from the SSA and a written remote-work authorization from your employer.
Can W-2 Employees Qualify?
Yes — with specific conditions. The Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) was designed primarily with remote workers in mind, and US W-2 employees fit the framework as long as their employer is outside Spain and authorizes remote work.
You qualify if all of these are true:
Your employer is based outside Spain (e.g., a US company)
You have been employed at this company for at least 3 months
You have a Certificate of Coverage (Form CA3822) from the SSA, OR you agree to register with Spanish Social Security
Your employer provides written authorization for you to work remotely from Spain
Your gross income is at least €2,849/month (the 2026 threshold)
The CA3822 Form — The Key Document
The US and Spain have a Social Security totalization agreement. This means you can continue paying into US Social Security instead of Spain's system while working remotely in Spain. The Social Security Administration (SSA) issues Form CA3822 — a Certificate of Coverage — to prove this arrangement.
Without CA3822, you would need to register as self-employed or with your employer in Spain's Social Security system (Seguridad Social), which adds complexity and cost.
Some SSA offices refuse to issue CA3822 for digital nomads.
If your SSA office rejects the request, you have two options: appeal with documentation that your work is genuinely US-based, or register with Spanish Social Security. The latter is more straightforward but means paying into Spain's system (typically handled by your employer).
How to Request Form CA3822 from the SSA
Download Form SSA-2490
Request for Certificate of Coverage. Available at ssa.gov.
Have your employer complete their section
The employer certifies the employment relationship and that work is US-based.
Submit to your local SSA office
Mail or bring in person. Include a cover letter explaining you are relocating to Spain under the Digital Nomad Visa and need coverage under the totalization agreement.
Wait 4–8 weeks
Processing can be slow. Request early — ideally 2+ months before you need to submit your visa application.
Include CA3822 in your visa package
Submit the original certificate alongside your other documents to the UGE or Spanish Consulate.
What Your Employer Needs to Provide
This is where most W-2 applications succeed or fail. Your employer must provide specific documents — many US HR departments are unfamiliar with these requirements, so you may need to guide them.
Employer authorization letter for remote work from Spain
Must be signed by a senior HR or legal representative. Specify that you are authorized to work from Spain specifically.
Employment contract (minimum 3 months old)
The contract must show you are employed at a non-Spanish company and your employment predates your visa application by at least 3 months.
Last 3 months payslips showing €2,849+/month gross
The 2026 income threshold is €2,849/month. Payslips must show gross income, not net.
Company registration certificate (apostilled)
Proof that your employer is a legitimately registered company in their home country. Must be apostilled and translated.
CA3822 Certificate of Coverage OR declaration of Spanish SS registration
One of these two Social Security documents is required to demonstrate that SS obligations are covered.
Apply From Spain vs From the US Consulate
W-2 employees have two paths. The route you choose affects the initial permit length and the overall complexity.
Apply in Spain (Recommended)
- Enter Spain as a tourist (90-day Schengen window)
- Submit at UGE — faster processing (~20 working days)
- 3-year permit directly — no renewal needed until year 3
- Must complete within 90-day tourist window
Apply at US Consulate
- Apply before moving to Spain
- Longer processing (45–90 days)
- 1-year permit — must renew at UGE in Spain after year 1
- Consulate may have different document requirements
Our recommendation: Apply from within Spain as a tourist for the 3-year permit directly. The UGE process is faster and you bypass the US Consulate entirely. Plan your arrival to leave enough time to gather documents and submit before your 90-day tourist period ends.
Real Timeline for W-2 Approval
This is a realistic timeline for applying from within Spain as a tourist. The CA3822 request is often the longest step — start it first.
Gather documents + CA3822 request
Request Form CA3822 from the SSA, obtain employment authorization letter from your employer, and start collecting all required documents.
Apostilles and translations
Get your criminal record apostilled and all foreign documents translated by a sworn translator into Spanish.
Submit application to UGE
Book your UGE appointment and submit the complete application package. Double-check the document checklist before your appointment.
UGE review (20 working days by law)
The Unidad de Grandes Empresas reviews your application. They may request additional documents (requerimiento). Respond promptly.
TIE card appointment + collection
Once approved, book a fingerprinting appointment at a comisaría to collect your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE).
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