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 Los Angeles will consider applications for residents in its jurisdiction: Southern California, Arizona, Colorado and Utah.

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.

Required documents for the entrepreneur​​ 

1. National visa application.pdf. The applicant must complete and sign a visa application form, filling in each of its sections. 

2. Photograph. Glued to the application form. A recent color photo-paper picture, passport-size, taken against a white background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face.

3. Valid, unexpired passport. Original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity period of 1 year and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.  

4. Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction: State ID, Driver's License or student ID.

5. Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non-Americans). Must submit one of the following documents: 

• Original and copy of permanent Resident Card​ (Green card)
  
• Valid US long-term visa
  
• Holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence.
  

6. Favorable report on the project. Original and a copy of the favorable report issued by the corresponding Economic and Commercial Office in this consular district 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. Original and a copy of the 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.pdf). 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 translated into Spanish by a certified translator.

8. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants over 18 must submit both the original and a copy of the criminal record check certificate issued by the FBI. It can not be older than 6 months from the issued date, and it has to be legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington D.C. A Local Apostille is not valid.

The certificate must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator.

• ​The applicant must present criminal record certificates from the countries of residence of the last 5 years. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 
  

9. Health insurance. Certificate in Spanish issued by an Insurance Company authorized to operate in Spain, specifying: 

• Name of applicant
• Star date of the coverage.
• the health insurance must not have a deductible, copayment, coverage limit or waiting period. It must cover 100% of the medical, hospital and out-of-hospital expenses. Te coverage has to be minimum $50,000 (30.00 Euros).
• An insurance card will NOT be accepted as proof of coverage. 
• Travel insurance is not accepted.​

10 Visa fee. For nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Canada, the United Kingdom and others, different rates are aplied based on reciprocity. Pleasecheck the complete most recent Visa fees.pdf.

Fees must be paid by money order on the day of your appointment. The visa fee is non-refundable even if the visa is not granted or cancelled.

                        APPLICANT                                      FROM JANUARY 1ST 2026

                       US Citizens                                                 $ 190.00

                       Other nationalities                                   $ 106.00

For representatives: If the visa application is submitted through a representative, a copy of the identity document or passport of the representative and notarized power of attorney or document accrediting representation must be submitted. The originals must be shown when submitting the application. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, if necessary, submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

Required documents for family members​ 

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. When applicable, section 8 also.  

• Documents proving family relationship with the entrepreneur: birth or marriage certificates issued by the civil registry, certificate of registration as an unmarried couple or any other document proving that the relationship is an unregistered partnership. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, when applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

• In the case of adult children, documents proving their financial dependence and civil status. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, when applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
   
• In the case of relatives in the ascending line, documents that prove they are in the entrepreneur's care. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, when applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

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 in person 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 in person by appointment at BLS International Office, 5455 Wilshire Boulevard, suite 1011. Los Angeles, CA 90036.​ 

• Proof of receipt: BLS will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the application. 

• 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 visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative within a maximum period of 1 month, counted as of the day after the date on which the favourable decision is notified.  

• 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. 

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