Spain Business Visa - Definitive Guide

Also known as the Spain Schengen business visa, this is issued for people entering Spain for the purpose of engaging in business-related activities. The permit is issued for a maximum stay duration of 90 days in a 180-day period. The granted stay duration and validity depends on the decision of the consular officer processing your application. The permit can be issued as single-entry, double-entry, or even multiple-entries. 

The application for the Spain business visa from India is done offline via a VAC (Visa Application Center). Before starting the application, ensure that you check if you are eligible for the business category. After that, you may proceed with the application as follows - 

1. Obtain all the documents as per the business category document checklist. 
2. Visit the website of the VAC, or the Embassy/Consulate of Spain and download the Schengen application form. 
3. Fill in the form with all the details and print it. You may also print the form and then fill it with a blue ink pen. Ensure to mention the purpose of the visit as ‘business’. 
4. Proceed to book your visa appointment at the VAC as per the jurisdiction. For this, you can use the online portal provided by the VAC. 
5. Visit the respective VAC with the documents, completed Schengen application form, and the fees. You will also submit your biometrics here. 

Keep in mind that if you have submitted your biometrics for a Schengen permit in the past 5 years, you do not have to submit them again. In this case, you may send your application through a third party, provided that they possess a letter of authorization. 

Spain VAC has started a mobile application wherein you can apply for the visa from your house. The VAC will send officials to your house to take your biometrics and documents. For more information on this new process, you must contact the VAC. 

You must submit only original and genuine documents. Providing fake documents or false information can lead to a Schengen visa rejection. 

Note that the applications must be made at the VACs situated across India as per the jurisdiction. If your state of residence (resident of a state for the past 6 months) is one of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, or Pondicherry, your applications must be through a VAC located in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, or Ahmedabad. However, if your state of residence is one of the remaining states or UTs, you must apply through the VACs situated in Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata, or Jalandhar.

To be able to apply for the business permit, you must meet the following conditions - 

• You must be living in the country you are lodging the application. If you are residing in a residence permit in any foreign nation, you may apply it to the corresponding visa authority in that country.
• You must possess a valid passport meeting all the regulations.
• The sole purpose of your visit must be to take part in business-related activities such as meetings, conferences, etc in Spain.
• You must possess sufficient funds to cover all your expenses during the entire stay period in Spain.
• You must have been invited by a company/organisation in Spain, or you must possess entry tickets to any trade fairs/exhibitions, etc.
• You must apply for the permit only if Spain is-

• 1. Your only destination, or
  2. One of your multiple Schengen destinations, in which case you will be spending the majority of the time here, or,
  3. Your port of entry into the Schengen region.

As per the embassy requirements, the following are the list of documents you must produce to apply for a business permit. 

• A valid passport- 

• 1. It must contain at least 2 blank pages.
  2. It should not be older than 10 years.
  3. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
  4. Old passports, if any, are to be attached.
• Invitation letter from the Spanish organisation/company stating complete details of the visit.
• A covering letter from the sending Indian company - 
  1. This should include the visitor’s basic details and source of funds. 
  2. It should clearly state the purpose and duration of the visit.
  3. It must be on the company letterhead and must contain the seal. 
  4. It should be addressed to the Embassy of Spain.
• Proof of accommodation -  hotel bookings/invitation to stay/residence bookings, etc 
• Round flight trip bookings
• Medical travel insurance coverage up to at least 30000 Euros
• Proof of occupation - 

Proof of occupation such as employment letter, Copy of business license, etc.

• Financial documents -

Financial documents such as bank statements of the past 3 months, Passbook copy, ITR, etc.

• Dimensions: 35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription glasses
• Headgears - only for religious reasons
• Facial hair - permitted

The processing time for the Spanish business permit is dependent on the validity, the number of entries, the volume of visa applications at the embassy, as well as your previous travel history. Normally, you can expect a processing time of about 15 working days. However, it is possible that it can take up 30 days to 60 days in extreme cases. As a result, it is suggested that you apply well in advance. 

The application fees for the Spanish business visa is dependent upon the currency exchange rates, as well as the embassy decision. The embassy has the right to modify the fees without prior notice. Apart from the application fee, there are biometric charges, delivery charges, as well as any service charges levied by the VAC. As a result, you must check the exact amount before starting the application.

Once you have submitted the business visa application for Spain at one of the VACs, it is then forwarded to the Embassy of Spain in New Delhi or the Consulate of Spain in Mumbai for processing. Note that even though you have submitted the application at a VAC, the processing is in the hands of the mission alone. The VAC has no influence on the processing. 

If your visa has been approved, you can collect the passport directly from the VAC in person, or have it delivered to you for an additional charge

You can track your Spanish business visa application by clicking here and entering your reference number and date of birth. You may also check your status by contacting your travel agency and have the track it for you. 

Once you have been issued with the business permit, you must keep in mind the following points to ensure that you have a hassle-free experience - 

• Check the expiry date, the duration of stay, as well as the number of entries mentioned on the Schengen visa sticker. You must strictly follow these during your visit.
• Ensure that you carry all your travel documents while travelling. You will be denied entry into Spain without this. 
• Ensure that you travel to Spain within 6 months of the visa issue date, or as mentioned in the Schengen sticker. After this date, your permit will become void and you will not be able to enter the country. 
• While you are travelling within the country, ensure that you always carry a copy of your travel documents with you. 
• While you are under the business category, you cannot take part in paid work for a Spanish company or establishment. You may, however, be allowed to do unpaid voluntary work.  
• You will not be able to extend the business visa under any normal conditions.
• You can move freely within the Schengen zone with the business permit.