Entrepreneur visa

CONSULATE GENERAL OF SPAIN IN MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA)

HOW TO APPLY FOR VISAS

THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE IN FORCE AS FROM 24th JULY 2025

PLEASE REFER TO OUR OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION REGARDING VISAS AND TO DOWNLOAD THE REQUESTED VISA FORMS:

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/melbourne/es/Paginas/index.aspx

PLEASE NOTE THAT NO INFORMATION ABOUT VISAS WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE COUNTER OR VIA EMAIL.

THE ISSUE OF VISAS REQUIRES THREE DIFFERENT STAGES:

1.REQUEST FOR AN APPOINTMENT. ALL APPLICANTS, INCLUDING MINORS, MUST APPLY FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO SUBMIT THE VISA APPLICATION. THE APPOINTMENT REQUESTS MUST BE SENT EXCLUSIVELY TO THE ADRESS cog.melbourne.visappt@maec.es.IN YOUR E-MAIL PLEASE MENTION: FULL NAME, NATIONALITY, PHONE NUMBER AND TYPE OF VISA REQUESTED (Schengen, studies in Spain, national visa, etc.). THE APPOINTMENTS WILL BE ALLOCATED ON A FIRST COME-FIRST SERVED BASIS, AS WE DO NOT OFFER ANY PRIORITY SERVICE. APPOINTMENTS SHOULD BE REQUESTED WITH A MINIMUM PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED START OF THE TRIP FOR SCHENGEN VISAS, OR THREE MONTHS FOR NATIONAL VISAS.

2.PRESENTATION OF THE VISA APPLICATION. ONCE THE REQUEST IS RECEIVED, THIS CONSULAR OFFICE WILL GIVE AN APPOINTMENT TO THE APPLICANT. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN PERSON TO:

Consulate General of Spain

Level 7, 564 St. Kilda road

MELBOURNE VIC 3004

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPOINTMENTS WILL BE GIVEN ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FOR SCHENGEN VISAS, AND ON FRIDAYS FOR NATIONAL VISAS, IN BOTH CASES BETWEEN 10.00 AND 13.00 HOURS.  DO NOT COME TO THIS GENERAL CONSULATE FOR VISA PURPOSES IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PREVIOUS APPOINTMENT. MAKE SURE YOU COME TO THE APPOINTMENT WITH ALL THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING THE VISA FEE (only cash and money order). IN CASE WE REQUEST THE APPPLICANT TO PROVIDE MORE DOCUMENTS, THIS CONSULAR OFFICE WILL GIVE HIM/HER ANOTHER APPOINTMENT.

PLEASE ENSURE TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR PROCESSING. THE PROCESSING TIME MAY BE EXTENDED FOR NATIONAL VISAS, AS THEY WILL ONLY BE ISSUED ONCE APPROVAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY THE RELEVANT SPANISH AUTHORITIES.

3.COLLECTION OF THE PASSPORT. IF THE VISA IS GRANTED OR REFUSED, OR THE APPLICATION SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE APPLICANT WITHOUT BEING PROCESSED, PASSPORTS OR APPLICATIONS MUST BE COLLECTED BY THE APPLICANT OR AUTHORISED PERSON, SINCE THIS CONSULAR OFFICE DOES NOT RETURN THEM BY MAIL. COLLECTION TIMES ARE TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FOR SCHENGEN VISAS AND FRIDAYS FOR NATIONAL VISAS, IN BOTH CASES BETWEEN 10.00 AND 13.00 HOURS, WITHOUT APPOINTMENT.

VISA APPLICATIONS SENT BY POST ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING.​

ENTREPRENEUR VISA

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 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 form. Each applicant, or their representative, must complete and sign a visa application form, filling in each of its sections. 

2. Photograph. A recent, passport-size, colour photograph, taken against a light 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. Favourable report on the project. Original and a copy of the favourable 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. 

5. 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). 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. 

6. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants of legal age must submit both the original and a copy of the criminal record check certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 5 years. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

7. Health insurance. Original and a copy of the certificate accrediting the public or private health insurance contracted with an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain. 

8. Proof of residence in the consular district. 

9. Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the visa application is submitted through a representative, a copy of the identity document or passport of the representative and of the 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, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

10. Payment of the visa fee. The visa fee is of an amount equivalent to 80 euros. For nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, the United States of America and the United Kingdom different rates are applied for reasons of reciprocity. In these cases, the amount of the fee must be consulted with the Consular Office.

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, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 10. Where applicable, those specified in 9 also. In the case of minors, the visa application must be signed by one of their parents or by a duly accredited representative.  

• 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, where 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, where 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, where 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 jurisdiction: Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. 

• 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 at the Consular Office. An appointment is necessary. 

• 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 reques​ted. 

• 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. 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. 

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