Visa for applicants over 18 years of age who intend to carry out a self-employed activity in Spain.
Required documents: submitting the visa application also entails submitting the application for the residence authorization.
All foreign documents must be submitted legalised or apostilled and, if drafted in a language other than Spanish, must be accompanied by the corresponding translation.
Documents related to the visa
· National visa application form. Each applicant must complete all sections and sign the visa application form.
· Photograph. One recent passport-size colour photograph, on a light background, taken from the front, without dark glasses, reflections, or garments that conceal the oval of the face.
· Valid passport. Original and a photocopy of the page(s) containing the passport's biometric data. The passport must be valid for at least one year and have two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted.
· Criminal record certificate. Applicants must submit the original and a copy of the criminal record certificate issued by the country or countries of residence over the last 5 years.
· Medical certificate. Original and a copy of a medical certificate stating that the applicant does not suffer from any disease that could have serious public health repercussions, in accordance with the 2005 International Health Regulations.
· Proof of residence within the consular district.
· Payment of the visa fee.
· Additional requirements (if applicable). When necessary to assess the application, the Consular Office may request additional documents or data and may also summon the applicant for a personal interview.
Documents related to the application for the residence authorization
· Application form for initial residence and self-employed work authorization. Each applicant must complete all sections and sign two copies of the application form (form EX-07).
· Passport. Photocopy of all pages of the valid and current passport or travel document.
· Activity permits and licenses. List of the authorizations or licenses required for the installation, opening or operation of the planned activity or for practising the profession, indicating the status of the procedures to obtain them. Certificates of application to the relevant bodies must be attached.
· Professional training and qualifications. Original and a copy of the documents proving the applicant has the required training and, where applicable, the legally required professional qualification to practise the profession.
· Plan for the establishment or activity. Project for the establishment or activity to be carried out, indicating the planned investment, expected profitability and, where applicable, the jobs expected to be created.
· Financial means. Original and a copy of documents proving the applicant has sufficient financial means to make the planned investment, or a commitment of support from financial institutions or others.
· Payment of fees. To pay the fees at the Consular Office, you must complete all fields and sign two copies of form 790 code 052, section 2.1 (initial temporary residence authorization) and form 790 code 062, section 1.5 (self-employed work authorizations).
· Online payment. Fees can also be paid online via the links to forms 790-052 and 790-062. In that case, attach the proof of payment obtained on the same website.
· Catalonia (Autonomous Community) cases. When a work authorization is requested in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, the fees must be paid directly to that Autonomous Community and proof of payment must be provided: https://treball.gencat.cat/es/ambits/estrangeria/cerca_tramits/tramits/autoritzacions_compte_propi/aut02b/
· Fee exemption. Nationals of Ibero-American countries, the Philippines, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea; Sephardic Jews; children of Spaniards by origin; and foreigners born in Spain are exempt from paying this fee.
Procedure
· Eligible applicant. Applications for the visa and for the initial residence and self-employed work authorization must be submitted in person by the applicant.
· Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person at the Consular Office. An appointment is necessary.
· Proof of submission. The Consular Office will provide the applicant with a copy of the application forms and of the fee payment receipts. The residence and self-employed work application file will be sent to the competent Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería). It has a period of 3 months to decide, counted from the day following the date of receipt of the application. If no reply is received within that period, the application will be deemed rejected. As regards the visa application, the Consular Office will provide a receipt with a code that allows the applicant to check the status of the file through the following link: https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspx
· Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to submit missing documents or to provide additional documents or data necessary to decide on the application. It may also summon the applicant for a personal interview.
· Decision period: The legal period to take a decision is 1 month from receipt of the decision on the initial residence and self-employed work authorization. The Consular Office will also notify the applicant of the decision issued by the competent Government Delegation or Sub-delegation.
· Visa collection: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their legal representative (if the applicant is a minor), without the need for an appointment.
· Visa refusal: If applicable, the refusal of the visa will always be notified in writing, stating the reasons on which the decision is based.
· Appeals: In the event of visa refusal, the applicant may file an administrative reconsideration appeal (recurso de reposición) with this Consular Office within 1 month from the day following the date on which they receive the refusal notification. They may also file a contentious-administrative appeal before the High Court of Justice of Madrid within 2 months from the day following the date on which they receive the notification of visa refusal or the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.
· Validity period of the visa: The visa will be valid for 365 days. Once in Spain, the worker must register with Social Security within 3 months and before starting the work activity, and must apply for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) at the competent Police Station within 1 month from registration with Social Security.