Entrepreneur visa

General Information

Visa for foreigners moving to Spain to carry out the procedures necessary to undertake an innovative, entrepreneurial activity of particular economic interest for Spain. 

The Consulate of Spain in Houston will consider applications for residents in this jurisdiction: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee or Texas.  

Required documents

Present original and photocopy of the following documents:

1.  National visa application form. Each applicant must complete and sign a visa application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of the parents must sign the application.
   
   
2. Photograph. It has to be glued to the application form. A recent, passport-size, 2x2 inches, with white background. The face should be clear and visible.
   
   
3. Valid unexpired Passport: Original and copy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity of 1 year and contain at least two blank pages, Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
   
   
4. Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction:   Notarized photocopy of:  State ID, Driver´s Licence or Student ID from one of the following States: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
   
   
5. Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non-US passport holders):  Must present one of the following documents:
   
   • ​​​ Notarized copy of Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)
     
     
   • Notarized copy of Valid US visa plus a copy of the I-20 document duly signed in the endorsement
     
     
   • Holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence
     
     
6. Favourable report on the Project issued by the Economic and Commercial Office Miami located in 2655 Le Jeune Road, Suite 1114, Coral Gables Miami 33134,  Email: miami@comercio.mineco.es or, by the Directorate-General for International Trade and Investments.
   

   ​The report must take into account:

   • ​​Especially, and as a priority, the creation of jobs in Spain.
     
     
   • The applicant's professional profile, their professional training and experience, as well as their involvement in the project.
     
     
   • The business plan detailing the project, product or service, the market analysis and the financing.
     
     
   • Added value for the Spanish economy, innovation or investment opportunities. 
   
   
7. Financial means: Documents proving that the entrepreneur has sufficient financial resources of their own, or accrediting that they have a regular source of income, for themselves and, where applicable, for the family members accompanying them. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of Spain's Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM).To this amount must be added 50% of the IPREM for each family member. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
   
   
8. Criminal record check certificate (valid for 6 months): stating that the applicant has no criminal records in the place/s where he has resided the last five years.
   
   

   ​​a. Applicants  over 18 must present original and copy of the criminal record check certificate issued by FBI and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC.
   
   

   b. The certificates must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator: American Translators Association   https://www.atanet.org/
   c. Local State background checks and Apostilles are not valid
   
   

   d. The applicant must present criminal record certificates from the countries of residence of the last 5 years.
   

   
   
9. Proof of Health insurance:  Certificate in Spanish issued by an Insurance Company authorized to operate in Spain.
   
   ​It must include all risks covered by the National Health System in Spain and for the entire intended period of stay in Spain

   o​   It must not have any deductible, copayment or coverage limit

   o   it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital and out-of-hospital expenses.

   o ​  Insurance cards will not be accepted as proof of coverage.

   o   Travel insurance will not be accepted.​
   

   
   
   

10. Visa fee. Money Order made out to the Consulate of Spain in Houston.
    
    APPLICANT                                      FROM 2026
    

    Americans                                                    $ 190
    Other Nationalities ​​​                                    $106
    ​

11. Only USPS (Express or Priority Mail) self-address prepaid envelope with tracking number.
    
    ​For nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, the United Kingdom and others, different rates are applied based on reciprocity. Please check the complete most recent visa fees
    
    

12. Postal delivery authorization

For representative (Attorney): copy of the identity document or passport of the representative and notarized power or document accrediting representation must be submitted. representation must be submitted. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.

Family members

The following family members of the entrepreneur may also obtain the visa: 

• ​ The spouse or unmarried partner.
  
  
• Children and adult children who are financially dependent on the worker and who have not created a family unit of their own.
  
  
• Relatives in the ascending line in the worker's care.

 For each family member accompanying the entrepreneur, the following must be submitted: 

•  ​​All the required documents specified in sections 1 to 5, 9 and 10. Where applicable, section 8 also.
  
  
• ​Children: Original and copy of birth certificate, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
  
  
• Spouse or partner: Original and copy of marriage certificate issued in the last 6 months, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator, or any other document proving the relationship (joint taxes/bank statements).
  
  
• Children over 18 must prove their financial dependence and civil status.
  
  
• Relatives in the ascending line: documents proving they are in the entrepreneur 's care as well as, original and copy of the entrepreneur's birth certificate, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.

 When necessary to assess the application, the Consular Office may request additional documents or data and may also ask the applicant to come in for a personal interview.

Procedure

 This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district. 

• ​ Who can apply for a visa: Visa applications must be submitted  by the applicant, or by one of their parents if the applicant is a minor. They may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative. 
  
  
• Place of submission: Applications must be submitted via postal mail to Consulate General of Spain in Houston- Visa Department (1800 Bering Dr. Suite 750 Houston, Texas, 77057).
  
  
• ​Proof of receipt: The Consular Office will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the application with a code that enables them to check the status of the dossier through the following link: https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Ho me.aspx 
  
  
• Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to submit any missing documents, or to provide additional documents or data that are necessary for a decision regarding the application. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview.
  
  
• ​ ​Decision period: The legal period for reaching a decision is 10 days as of the day after the submission date of the application, but this period may be extended when an interview or additional documents are requested. 
  
  
• ​ ​Collecting the visa: The Consular Office will inform the applicant regarding the procedure for the return of the passport and any other original documentation.
  
  
• Visa refusal: Visa refusals will always be notified in writing, setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted was based. 
  
  
• Appeals: If a visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to this Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal is received. An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within the 2-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.
  
  
• Validity period of the visa: The visa is valid for 1 year.

The visa accredits residence in Spain during its validity period, making it unnecessary for the entrepreneur to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card. However, the entrepreneur may apply for this card at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the corresponding Police Station.