How to validate a diploma in Spain: Irina Rudy's experience

Introduction

The author of this material is Irina Rud, who currently works as an administrator at a real estateagency called Espanatour. She has been living in Spain for almost four years and has witnessed various processes related to professional integration in a new country.

Relocation and education

I moved to this country two years ago, after which Irina became interested in the opportunity to continue her career in a bank in Spain. She has a wide range of educational knowledge, including two degrees from Donetsk National University named after V. Stus, obtained through her studies in undergraduate and graduate programs in finance.

Searching for information on diploma recognition

Upon entering university, Irina was informed that diplomas obtained at our universities could be recognized abroad, but that certain procedures had to be followed. This prompted her to start searching for information on how to confirm her diplomas.

The research began with an internet search, where she entered queries like "diploma verification in Spain." The most popular results referred to the phone numbers of various organizations. When she contacted two of them, Irina found that the operators spoke in Russian.

Contact with consulting services

One of them voiced the cost of the service at 800 euros, while the other offered a simple consultation for 30 euros, for a more detailed solution to her issue.

Problems and opportunities

Over time, Irina realized that in Spain there are many people ready to take advantage of the ambiguity and uncertainty of others. There are also many official organizations in the country that offer a variety of services, including:

• Assistance in obtaining documents for diploma verification;
• Business Establishment;
• Advice on other matters.

However, at that time, Irina was unaware of such possibilities and decided to explore Spanish-language internet resources on her own. Given her initial language skills, it was not easy to understand the complex information, although it became possible with the help of online translators.

Immersion in the diploma recognition process

Diving deeper into the topic, she learned that it was possible to get a job in Spain both with a diploma from a local educational institution and with a foreign document, if it was officially recognized. As a result, Irina decided to try to go through the process of having her diploma recognized.

All the necessary information was available on the official website of the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports of Spain. After reviewing the materials on the platform, Irina discovered several ways to validate diplomas.

Options for diploma verification

One approach is tohomologation- a process whereby a foreign diploma is equated with a Spanish one. This method is suitable for all regulated and unregulated professions that require registration with professional associations.

Another type of diploma verification is calledequivalenceThis process also involves equating the diploma to the Spanish one; however, it is applied exclusively to unregulated professions.

Conclusion

The procedures for recognizing educational qualifications in Spain are quite extensive, and successfully completing all stages will require time and effort. This involves carefully studying the requirements and gathering all necessary documents, which will significantly simplify the process.

Ultimately, in the Spanish educational system it is possible not only to validate your knowledge, but also to significantly expand your career horizons, which for many professionals is crucial in their working lives.

The process of diploma validation

The diploma validation process plays an important role in the educational system of Spain, allowing for the recognition of prior education and courses, which in turn significantly simplifies the path to obtaining a diploma. This can greatly save the time needed to complete the educational process.

However, it is important to note that for some professions, not only a diploma confirmation may be required, but also a document that certifies the appropriate level of proficiency in the Spanish language. To obtain all the necessary information regarding categories and requirements, it is advisable to consult specialized online resources.

My experience learning the Spanish language

Personally, I encountered a situation where my course of study did not require additional language certificates, so I continued learning Spanish and started to put together the packages of documents required for validation. For those interested in immigration, real estate and investments, I would recommend subscribing to our Telegram channel where you can find valuable information.

Documents for submitting an application for validation

To apply for diploma validation, you need to gather a number of documents:

• Statement of intent to validate(the form can be found on the Ministry of Education's website).
• Identification card.I had my temporary red card in hand at the time of application. I will need a copy and the original document.
• Copy of the diploma,which needs to be validated, with an apostille and a notarized translation.
• A copy of the diploma supplement,which indicates the courses taken and the number of hours, also with an apostille and a notarized translation.

Apostille and translation of documents

It is important to understand that the apostille can only be issued in the country where the diploma was issued. In Ukraine, this can be done by one of three ministries:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• Ministry of Education,
• Ministry of Justice.

These agencies are responsible for affixing the seal that confirms the legitimacy of the document.

Translations of the diploma

Translations of the diploma must be done either by a certified translator in Spain or at the Spanish consulate located in other countries. If there are two separate diplomas — one for the bachelor's degree and one for the master's degree, both documents and their attachments must be submitted.

Payment of the fee

• Don't forget about the receipt for the paid fee.The form can be downloaded from the Ministry of Education's website. In 2016, I paid 160 euros, and now the amount is 163.22 euros.
• A document certifying the level of proficiency in the Spanish language.It is only necessary for professional validation, where confirmation of knowledge is required (some professions require a B2 level, while others require C1), according to Section IV, Article 17.

Formalized validation process

The validation procedure is very formalized, so it's better to provide the entire package of necessary documents right away. Even if the system accepts an incomplete set of documents, you will receive a notification about the missing materials in a year. This will be a waste of time.

The employee responsible for receiving the documents will not be able to delve into their verification and will only provide general information available on the Ministry of Education's website. A more thorough check takes place in Madrid. I collected the documents carefully and without haste to minimize the likelihood of errors.

The process of apostille.

In particular, the process of obtaining an apostille took me a month and a half, and I stayed in Spain the entire time. I sent the originals of my diplomas and transcripts through regular mail to a Ukrainian notary. There are many companies in the country that specialize in apostilling educational documents. The prices for their services vary: the faster the completion is required, the higher the cost. The minimum processing time is three business days, while the maximum can reach thirty, not including shipping time. I chose the most economical, but lengthy option.

The life of Russian-speaking emigrants in Spain

It should be noted that the life of Russian-speaking emigrants in Spain has its own peculiarities. When it comes to job searching, many factors influence salary levels and employment opportunities. In particular, my personal experience of immigrating to Barcelona relates to issues of job searching and adapting to a new reality.

Appeal to the Ministry of Education

In April 2016, I visited the Ministry of Education office in Alicante. An appointment was not required, and my documents were accepted quickly. I was given a copy of the application with a registration stamp. However, I was immediately warned that the processing of documents would take anywhere from eight months to two years.

Waiting for a response

Eight months have passed, and I received a letter, but not by email, rather through regular mail. The letter stated that the translation of my diploma and transcript was incorrect.

Sending documents

Recently, I sent the necessary documents to Madrid instead of Alicante, as I had done before. This advice I received in a letter turned out to be very important. It makes perfect sense, as all the documents being reviewed are processed at the central office in Madrid.

Receiving a notification

Two weeks later, I received a new message stating that my case had been accepted for review and assigned a unique number. This number is necessary for tracking the status of my request on the official website of the Ministry of Education. Registration on the portal is not required: you just need to enter the document's identification number in the specified field, and you will be able to access all the necessary information.

Checking the status of the application

I periodically visited the website and each time saw that my application was still under review with the note: "documentation received, file pending decision." After eight months, my curiosity prompted me to find out what was happening with my request. In the end, I wrote an email to the Ministry of Education in Alicante.

Response from the ministry

The response surprised me with its informal tone: "What do you mean, it's only been eight months!" It felt as if I had asked the question half an hour after submitting the documents.

Duration of the process

It should be noted that the diploma verification process can take anywhere from eight months to two years, and the countdown starts from the moment you receive the acceptance letter. At the end of October 2018, I was delighted to learn that my diploma was recognized as valid. This time, the notification came not via email, but through traditional mail, which is often the practice in Spain.

Obtaining a diploma

In the letter, I was offered to collect my diploma at the Ministry of Education in Madrid or to authorize someone else with a power of attorney. Thus, I was informed that the maximum deadline for responses had expired, and I only received a reply after two years.

Understanding Spanish realities

It's important to understand that the process in Spain can take a long time. In some government offices, they may only serve one or two clients in a single working day, especially if there isn't a rush. There are clear regulations and deadlines that are strictly adhered to there.

Addressing in Alicante

I decided to check with the Ministry of Education whether it was possible to obtain a diploma in Alicante, as it would be much more convenient. The response was positive, but they pointed out that it could take several months. Understanding how timelines are handled in Spain, I concluded that it would be easier to go to Madrid. This should speed up the process.

Visit to the ministry

Upon arriving in Madrid, I noticed that the Ministry of Education occupies a substantial area. First, I went through security, and then I headed to a spacious hall. At the reception, I was given a ticket for the electronic queue. After waiting for my turn, the manager handed me an A4 sheet without any unnecessary formalities.

Obtaining diploma confirmation

This document stated that my diploma was issued by a specific university and that I obtained a master's degree in finance. It also mentioned that my diploma underwent the validation process according to Spanish standards.

Conclusion

In the process of preparing this article, I realized how important it is to understand the local education system and the ways to validate a diploma abroad. Every step I took not only helped me advance in my career but also enriched my experience of adapting to life in Spain.

My time in this amazing country has given me not only professional challenges but also personal growth. I faced numerous difficulties, from finding information about diploma validation to the process of learning Spanish. These trials have shown me thatpersistenceanddesire to learn— the key to success. I felt like a part of this community, mastering the local conditions and immersing myself in the challenging yet fascinating bureaucracy.

Moreover, I realized that it's important to be careful when choosing help and services. Many companies and individuals offer their services, and not all of them are reliable. It's essential to thoroughly check the information and rely onofficial sourcessuch as the Ministry of Education.

Lessons and conclusions

• PersistenceAnd the desire to learn is the key to success.
• Try to verify information fromofficial sources.
• Be careful in choosing services and assistance.
• Adaptation is a journey full of challenges and opportunities.

My experience has driven me not only to study Spanish legislation in the field of higher education but also to seek the power and opportunities that the Spanish system offers to foreigners. The validation of my diploma has become not just a formal step for career advancement but also a symbol of my desire to integrate into a new society.

I am sure that this process can be long and complicated, but for anyone who is willing to work on their development, it will become a wonderful opportunity.broaden horizonsIn the end, adapting to another country is not just about the challenges, but also about those...blessings...that she brings in the form of new knowledge, experience, and connections. I hope that my article will be useful to everyone who is at the beginning of such a challenging yet interesting journey.