Investor visa

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Before applying for a investor visa, it is necessary to obtain a N.I.E.  (Número de Identidad de Extranjero / Foreigner Identity Number). ​

Short-stay or residence visa for foreigners making a significant capital investment, understood as: 

• An initial investment of at least 2 million euros in Spanish public debt securities, or 1 million euros in stocks or shares in Spanish companies undertaking actual business activities, or in investment or venture capital funds incorporated in Spain, or in bank deposits in Spanish financial institutions. 

• The purchase of unencumbered real estate for a minimum of 500,000 euros, (if the investment is made by a couple married in community of property, one of the spouses may obtain an investor visa, and the other spouse, a visa as a family member of the investor).
   
• A business project in Spain considered to be of general interest, as regards the creation of jobs, the significant socio-economic impact on the geographical area in which the project is to be carried out, or its significant contribution to scientific or technological innovation. In this case, the visa may be obtained by a representative designated by the investor to manage the project. 

Investments made by legal persons will be accepted, provided that the legal person is not based in a tax haven, and that the investor holds, directly or indirectly, majority voting rights and the power to appoint or dismiss the majority of the members of the board of directors. 

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

• The spouse or unmarried partner. 

• Children and adult children who are financially dependent on the investor and who have not created a family unit of their own.
   
• Relatives in the ascending line in the investor's care. 

Required documents for the investor ​​

1. Visa Application form 2024.pdf​​. Each applicant, or their representative, must complete and sign a visa application form, filling in each of its sections. 

2. Photograph.pdf​. 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. Otherwise, we will not initiate the process. While your application is being processed, you will not be able to travel with your passport.Important note: To apply for the visa you must be in the USA and wait in the USA for approval of your visa.​​   ​ 

4. Documents accrediting the investment. Original and a copy of the following documents:

5. Financial means. Original and a copy of the documents proving sufficient own financial means, or accrediting a regular source of income for the investor and, where applicable, for the family members accompanying them. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 400% of Spain's Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM). To this amount must be added 100% 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 over 18 must present original and copy of the criminal record certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 5 years.The Criminal record check certificate cannot be issued more than 6 months preceding the submission of the visa application.

Residents in the US:​

- Certificate must be based on fingerprins and issued by FBI and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC and translated via an official Translators - Sworn Interpreters (exteriores.gob.es)

- FBI BACKGROUND CHECK:  https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

- APOSTILLE: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/authenticate-your-document/apostille-requirements.html

- Translations: Translators - Sworn Interpreters (exteriores.gob.es)

Applicant(s) that has lived outside the United States during the past 5 years must provide an additional criminal background check from every country where he/she has lived, authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish, with a notarized copy of both documents.

If the country in which the applicant has lived in the past 5 years does not subscribe to The Hague Convention of 1961, the background check must by authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and then by the Consulate of Spain in said country.

Note: Criminal record check certificates issued by US Local/State authorities will not be accepted. Applicant will be informed in the cases when they can be required in addition to the FBI records.

Apostilles are required: Contact Official Apostille authorities to get an estimate on processing times before submitting your visa application.​​

6.1.Additionally, a CRIMINAL RECORD RESPONSIBLE DECLARATION.pdf of the absence of criminal records (original and a photocopy) of the absence of criminal records in the countries where you have resided during the previous 5 years.

7. Health insurance/Proof of public or private health insurance:  Certificate in Spanish issued by an Insurance Company operating in Spain specifying:

8. Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction:  State ID, Driver´s License, or Student ID. 

10. 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. 

11. Payment of the visa fee. 

Required documents for family members​ 

For each family member accompanying the investor, 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 section 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 investor: 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 proving they are in the investor'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 district. 

• Who can apply for a permit: Visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant, or by one of their parents if they are a minor. They may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative. 
  
  
• Visa application period: 1 year as of the capital investment. This period is not applicable to investments in real estate, but investments made before 29 September 2013 will not be eligible. 
  
  
• 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 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. 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 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 to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card. However, this card may be applied for at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the corresponding Police Station. 

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