GENERAL INFORMATION
Visa for highly qualified workers: Visa to carry out a work activity as an employee in Spain as a highly qualified professional, member of senior management personnel meeting certain criteria set forth in prevailing legislation, or as a graduate or post-graduate of a prestigious university and/or business school.
Visa for intra-company transfers: Visa to carry out a work activity as an employee in Spain as a member of senior management personnel, a specialist or a trainee, to perform a contract, or in respect of a professional relationship, when the transfer is made within the same company or group of companies.
The Consulate of Spain in Los Angeles will consider applications for residents in its jurisdiction: Southern California, Arizona, Colorado and Utah.
Applications are in person by a appointment only at BLS:
BLS International Office
5455 Wilshire Boulevard, suite 1011
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Required documents
1. 
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National visa application form. 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 present 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. Authorization of Initial Residence for Highly Qualified workers (Autorización de residencia inicial para trabajadores altamente cualificados) / Authorization of Initial Residence for Intra-Company Transfer (Autorización de residencia inicial para traslado intraempresarial), issued by Dirección General de Migraciones.
7. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants over 18 must submit both the original and a copy of the criminal record check certificate(s) issued by the FBI. The certificate cannot be older than 6 months from the date that it was issued 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.
8. Visa fee. For nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Canada, the United Kingdom and others, different rates are applied based on reciprocity. Please check 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: 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 applicaton. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, if necesary, submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
Family members
The following family members of the worker may also obtain the visa:
- The spouse or unmarried partner.
- Children.
- Relatives in the ascending line in the worker's care.
Family members with Authorization of Initial Residence (Autorización de residencia inicial para familiares), issued by Dirección General de Migraciones, must submit:
- All the required documents specified in sections from 1 to 8.
- Documents proving family relationship with the worker: birth or marriage certificates issued by the Civil Registry, certificate of registration as an unmarried couple or any other document proving that the relationship as an unregistered partnership. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
- Where applicable, those specified in 7 also. In the case of minors, the visa application must be signed by one of their parents or by a duly accredited representative.
- Children over 18 must prove their financial dependence and civil status.
- In the case of relatives in the ascending line, documents that prove they are in the worker's care. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
The Consular Office may request additional documents.
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 only 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 month from the day the favorable 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, or for the same period as the residence permit granted, provided that this is for less than 1 year.
The visa accredits residence in Spain during its validity period, making it unnecessary for the worker to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card. However, the worker may apply for this card at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the corresponding Police Station.