Spain Spain Visa & Residency Options: Eligibility and Application Steps

Requirements

• Qualifying job offer from a Spanish employer in a highly skilled role
• Salary meeting threshold: approx. EUR 40,000/year (general/academic-scientific) or approx. EUR 54,000/year (managerial)
• University degree and/or proof of at least 3 years specialized experience
• Health insurance / Social Security enrollment
• Legalized criminal record certificate

Required Documents

• HQP residence authorization filed in Spain by the employer via UGE-CE required
• Valid passport + National Visa Application form + photos required
• Legalized criminal record certificate required
• Health insurance / Social Security enrollment required
• University degree and/or proof of at least 3 years specialized experience; job contract required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Secure job offer

   Secure a qualifying job offer.

2. 2

   Employer files authorization

   Spanish employer files the HQP authorization (UGE-CE).

3. 3

   Authorization approved

   Authorization approved in approximately 20 working days.

4. 4

   File visa

   Applicant files the visa at the consulate within 1 month.

5. 5

   Visa issued

   Visa issued in approximately 10 working days.

6. 6

   Enter and register

   Enter Spain, register Social Security, obtain TIE within 1 month.

Official Sources

• Official Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (UGE-CE highly qualified professional authorizations) · Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration

Requirements

• Valid job offer or employment contract for a position requiring high qualifications, minimum 6 months duration
• Higher education qualification of at least 3 years (EQF Level 6+) OR at least 5 years of relevant professional experience (3 years for ICT professionals)
• Annual gross salary of at least €41,356 (2026, based on INE May 2026 data) or €33,085 under reduced threshold for shortage occupations or recent graduates
• Valid passport or travel document
• Health insurance (public or private)
• No criminal record in Spain or in any country of previous residence (past 5 years)
• Not subject to entry ban in Spain or flagged as inadmissible in Schengen Information System

Required Documents

• Completed official visa application form required
• Valid passport (minimum 1 year validity, at least 2 blank pages) required
• UGE-CE authorization resolution for EU Blue Card required
• Employment contract or firm job offer (minimum 6 months, signed by employer) required
• Proof of higher education qualifications (degree certificate, apostilled and translated) required
• Proof of professional experience (for experience-based route: min. 5 years, or 3 years for ICT)
• Health insurance certificate covering Spain required
• Criminal record certificate from home country and any country of residence in past 5 years (apostilled, translated) required
• Passport-size photographs required
• Proof of accommodation in Spain

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Employer files at UGE-CE

   The employer (or the applicant if applying directly) submits the EU Blue Card authorization request to the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE-CE) in Spain with all supporting documents including the employment contract and proof of qualifications.

2. 2

   Authorization decision

   UGE-CE reviews the application. The standard resolution period is approximately 20 working days. Administrative silence is deemed a rejection for this route.

3. 3

   Apply for visa at consulate

   Once the authorization is granted, the applicant has 1 month to apply for the Blue Card visa at the Spanish diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in their country of residence.

4. 4

   Enter Spain and register

   After visa issuance, the applicant has 3 months to enter Spain. Within 1 month of arrival, they must register with the Social Security system and collect the Tarjeta Azul-UE residence card from the provincial foreigners office (Oficina de Extranjería).

5. 5

   Renew or convert

   The Blue Card is renewable. After 12 months in Spain, the holder acquires EU mobility rights and may apply for long-term residence in another EU member state under simplified procedures.

Official Sources

• Official Orden PJC/44/2026 — EU Blue Card salary threshold (BOE-A-2026-2142) · Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE)
• Official Hoja 66 — EU Blue Card and HQP initial authorization (Ministerio de Inclusión) · Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones

Requirements

• Official acceptance/enrolment letter from an accredited institution (full-time program)
• Proof of financial means: 100% of IPREM (approx. EUR 600/month)
• Health insurance with full coverage in Spain
• Criminal record certificate (for programs over 6 months), apostilled + sworn translation
• Medical certificate (for programs over 6 months)
• Proof of accommodation

Required Documents

• National Visa Application form + photo + valid passport (at least 1 year validity) required
• Official acceptance/enrolment letter from accredited institution (full-time program) required
• Proof of financial means: 100% of IPREM (approx. EUR 600/month) required
• Health insurance with full coverage in Spain required
• Criminal record certificate (for programs over 6 months), apostilled + sworn translation
• Medical certificate (for programs over 6 months)
• Proof of accommodation required
• Foreign documents with sworn Spanish translation + apostille/legalization required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Get admission letter

   Get official admission letter from the institution.

2. 2

   Prepare documents

   Gather, apostille and translate documents.

3. 3

   Book appointment

   Book a consular appointment (via BLS portal where applicable).

4. 4

   Submit

   Submit the application in person.

5. 5

   Await decision

   Await decision.

6. 6

   Collect visa

   Collect the visa.

7. 7

   Obtain TIE

   If staying over 6 months, obtain TIE within 1 month of arrival.

Official Sources

• Official Student visa - Consulate General of Spain in San Francisco · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation

Requirements

• Not available: no new investor visa applications accepted since 3 April 2025
• Transitional renewal rights preserved only for those who applied before 3 April 2025

Official Sources

• Official Investor visa (abolition notice) - Consulate General of Spain in New York · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation

Requirements

• Sponsor must hold valid Spanish residence authorization (not merely a visa)
• Sponsor must have resided legally in Spain for at least 1 year
• Sponsor's authorization must be renewed for at least 1 additional year
• Adequate accommodation for the family (certificate of habitability or equivalent)
• Sponsor's income: 150% IPREM/month (€900/month in 2026) for the first family member, plus 50% IPREM for each additional member
• Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) — apostilled and officially translated
• Criminal record certificate for each applicant over 18 (apostilled, translated)
• Medical certificate (within 3 months of application)
• For parent reunification: proof of financial dependency (sponsor transferred funds equal to at least 51% of per capita GDP of parent's country in prior year)

Required Documents

• Completed official visa application form (EX-02 for the initial authorization; national visa form for the consulate stage) required
• Valid passport of the family member (minimum 4 months validity, at least 2 blank pages) required
• Initial family reunification authorization (Autorización de residencia por reagrupación familiar inicial) from Delegación del Gobierno in Spain required
• Sponsor's valid Foreigners Identification Card (TIE) required
• Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate — apostilled and translated into Spanish) required
• Proof of adequate accommodation in Spain required
• Criminal record certificate (FBI or equivalent for the country of residence, within 6 months, apostilled, translated) required
• Medical certificate (within 3 months) required
• Proof of financial dependency (for parent reunification only)
• Proof of enrollment in education and income below 50% IPREM (for children aged 18–26 under RD 1155/2024)

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Sponsor applies for initial authorization

   The resident sponsor files the reunification authorization request at the provincial Oficina de Extranjería or Delegación del Gobierno in Spain, including proof of income, accommodation, and family relationship documents.

2. 2

   Authorization decision

   The immigration office reviews the application. The resolution period is up to 3 months. If no response is received within the deadline, the application is deemed rejected (silencio administrativo negativo).

3. 3

   Family member applies for visa at consulate

   Once the authorization is granted, the family member must apply for the family reunification visa at the Spanish consulate in their country within 2 months of notification. The visa is valid for 1 year.

4. 4

   Enter Spain

   The family member enters Spain within the visa validity period (maximum 3 months from issuance).

5. 5

   Register and obtain residence card

   Within 1 month of arrival, the family member registers at the provincial Oficina de Extranjería to obtain their TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) residence card.

Official Sources

• Official Family Reunification Visa (General Scheme) — Spanish Embassy Washington DC · Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación

Requirements

• Remote work for a company located outside Spain (self-employed may do up to 20% with Spanish firms)
• University degree from a recognized institution OR at least 3 years of professional experience
• At least 3 months of prior employment with the company and company authorization to work remotely
• Income meeting the threshold (approx. EUR 2,368/month solo on 2025 basis)
• NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) obtained beforehand
• Spanish Social Security registration OR authorized Spanish health insurance
• Clean criminal record

Required Documents

• National Visa Application form (signed) + photo + valid passport (original + copy of biometric pages, 2 blank pages) required
• NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) certificate required
• Company certificate proving at least 3 months employment, salary, and authorization to work remotely, plus company registration certificate (apostilled + Spanish translation) required
• Proof of income meeting the threshold required
• University degree OR proof of at least 3 years professional experience (apostilled + sworn Spanish translation) required
• FBI/national criminal record check issued within last 6 months, apostilled + Spanish translation required
• Responsible declaration on criminal records + Social Security compliance declaration required
• Spanish Social Security registration proof OR authorized Spanish health insurance required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Obtain NIE and documents

   Obtain NIE and gather all required documents.

2. 2

   Email application

   Email scanned numbered documents to the consulate (subject: APPOINTMENT REQUEST. TELEWORK VISA. [Name]).

3. 3

   Schedule appointment

   Consulate confirms and schedules an in-person appointment.

4. 4

   Submit

   Submit the application in person.

5. 5

   Track

   Track via https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspx

6. 6

   Receive decision

   Receive decision in approximately 10 days.

7. 7

   Collect visa

   Collect the visa within 1 month of approval.

8. 8

   Register and obtain TIE

   On arrival, register and obtain the TIE.

Official Sources

• Official Telework visa - Consular Section, Embassy of Spain in Washington DC · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation

Requirements

• Sufficient passive income/savings: 400% of IPREM (approx. EUR 28,800/year) for main applicant; +100% IPREM (approx. EUR 7,200/year) per dependent
• No work or professional activity in Spain (including remote work)
• Private or public health insurance with full coverage in Spain (no copay, no deductible, no waiting period, 1-year validity)
• Clean criminal record covering the last 5 years
• Medical certificate issued within 90 days
• Legal residence in the consular district at time of application

Required Documents

• National Visa Application form (signed) + recent color passport photo (white background) required
• Valid passport (original + copy, at least 1 year validity, 2 blank pages) required
• Form EX-01 (residence authorization request) + Form 790-052 (permit fee form) required
• Proof of legal residence in the consular district required
• Proof of financial means: bank statements (3 months), bank certificates, tax return/income documentation required
• Private or public health insurance authorized in Spain with full coverage, no copay/deductible/waiting period, 1-year validity required
• Medical certificate issued within 90 days required
• Criminal background check covering last 5 years, Hague Apostille + sworn Spanish translation required
• Notarized affidavit of non-work commitment + Spain address required

Official fees

Process Steps

1. 1

   Confirm jurisdiction

   Confirm you live in the consulate's jurisdiction.

2. 2

   Prepare documents

   Gather and apostille/translate documents.

3. 3

   Book appointment

   Book an appointment (e.g., via BLS center where applicable).

4. 4

   Submit

   Submit the application in person.

5. 5

   Await decision

   Await decision (SMS notification).

6. 6

   Collect visa

   Collect the visa in person.

7. 7

   Enter Spain

   Enter Spain within 1 year (365-day entry window, in force since 2025).

8. 8

   Obtain TIE

   Apply for the TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) within 1 month of arrival.

Official Sources

• Official Non-lucrative residence visa - Consular Section, Embassy of Spain in Washington DC · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation