Entrepreneur visa

GENERAL INFORMATION

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 Consulate of Spain in Chicago will consider applications for residents in this jurisdiction: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

·         Applications are in person by appointment only. Follow these instructions:  

1.     Send an email with the appointment request to  cog.chicago.cit@maec.es

2.     Attach a PDF copy of the applicant`s ID (State ID, Driver's License, or Student ID)  

3.     Include this mandatory information:

• ·         Name and last name of the applicant (one email per family group))
• ·         Email address 
• ·         Phone number 
• ·         Type of visa  
• ·         Intended dates of travel 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

1.     National visa application form.  The applicant must complete and sign an official application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must sign the application

2.   Photo. Glued to the application form. An updated photo-paper picture, passport size,  facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face. Photographs of toddlers and babies must not show any part of the adult holding them

3.     Valid, unexpired passport. Original and photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity of 1 year and contain at least 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 submit 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.        Favorable report on the project issued by the Economic and Commercial Office in this consular district located in 500 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1500. Chicago, IL 60611, 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. 

7.       Financial means. 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 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 notarized and, where applicable, must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator. 

8.     Criminal record check certificate. Applicants over 18 must present an original and photocopy of the criminal record check certificate issued by FBI,  It cannot be older than 6 months from the issued date, and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC.  Local State Apostille is not valid.

• The applicant must present criminal record certificates from the countries of residence of the last 5 years
• The certificates must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator. American Translators Association   https://www.atanet.org/​

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

• Name of applicant.
• Start date of the coverage.
• The health insurance must not have a deductible, copayment, or coverage limit; it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital, and out-of-hospital expenses. The coverage has to be minimum $50.000 (30.000 Euros). 
• An Insurance card will NOT be accepted as proof of coverage.
• Travel insurance is not accepted. 

10.     Visa fee. For nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, the United Kingdom and others, different rates are applied based on reciprocity. Please check the complete most recent visa fees 2024​  

Present the payment the day of your appointment. Only money orders are accepted, payable to the Consulate of Spain. No cash, personal checks, nor credit cards. The processing fee will not be returned even if the visa is not granted or canceled.

11.     Pre-Paid Priority/Express mail envelope from the United States Postal Services (USPS) along with a tracking number. Once the visa is approved, the Consulate will return the applicant's passport inside that envelope.

12. Shipping Disclaimer form must be downloaded here.

For representative (Attorney):  Copy of the identity document or passport of the representative and notarized power or document accrediting representation must be submitted. The originals must be shown when submitting the application. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, if necessary, submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. ​

Required documents for family members  

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.

 For each family member accompanying the entrepreneur, the following must be submitted: 

•  All the required documents specified in sections 1 to 5, 9 and 10. Where applicable, section 8 also.
• Children: Original and copy of birth certificate, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
• Spouse or partner: Original and copy of marriage certificate issued in the last 6 months, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator, or any other document proving the relationship (joint taxes/bank statements)
• Children over 18 must prove their financial dependence and civil status.
• Relatives in the ascending line: documents proving they are in the entrepreneur 's care as well as, original and copy of the entrepreneur's birth certificate, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator

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 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. 

Address:

Consulate of Spain in Chicago

180 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1500

Chicago, IL 60601 

·        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 after the approval. Or, it will be sent in the prepaid envelope provided by the applicant.

·         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. 

​