SpainFaster processing
Spain fast-track processing through the UGE
Fast processing by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE)
In short
Spain has no paid express visa service, but its talent routes under Law 14/2013 have a legal fast track: the UGE must decide within 20 days, and silence counts as approval. The consulate then has 10 working days to decide on the visa. It covers highly qualified workers and Blue Card holders, intra-company transfers, researchers, entrepreneurs and international teleworkers, with their families.
checked 25 October 2026
Key facts
- Validity
- Visa: one year or the authorisation's length if shorter. Highly qualified, entrepreneur and teleworker authorisations: up to three years, renewable for two.
- Fee
- No surcharge: the standard national visa fee of EUR 90 applies (a reciprocity amount for some nationalities), plus any external provider fee.
- Processing time
- UGE: 20 days with positive administrative silence; consulate: 10 working days, extendable if documents or an interview are requested.
- Family
- Spouse or partner, minor children, dependent adult children and dependent parents can apply with the main applicant or later.
- Where to apply
- UGE online, then the visa at the Spanish consulate responsible for your place of residence.
Which permits are covered
The UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos) handles the Law 14/2013 permits: highly qualified professionals including the EU Blue Card, intra-company transfers, researchers, entrepreneurs, international teleworkers and certain trainees. Ordinary employment and family reunification follow the general procedure without this deadline. Spanish missions offer no paid priority service; the speed comes from the legal time limits.
No premium fee
Standard fees apply: the national visa fee is EUR 90 under Order AUC/891/2024 (a reciprocity amount for some nationalities), plus any external provider fee. There is no surcharge for the UGE procedure.
Legal time limits
The company or the applicant files electronically with the UGE, which must resolve within 20 days; otherwise the authorisation is deemed granted. The visa is then lodged at the Spanish consulate responsible for your place of residence, and it decides within 10 working days unless it asks for documents or an interview. A receipt code lets you track the file online. Highly qualified permits run three years, renewals two years at a time.
Family members
Spouse or partner, minor children, dependent adult children and dependent parents can join the application or follow later. Each needs a UGE authorisation and relationship certificates issued within three months, translated into Spanish and apostilled.
Collection and refusals
Collect the visa within one month of the favourable notification; it is valid for one year or the authorisation's length. A refusal comes in writing with reasons and can be challenged at the consulate within one month or before the High Court of Justice of Madrid within two months.
Documents
Required documents
Identity
- Proof of legal residence in the consular district (for non-nationals, a residence permit of that country)
Travel
- Passport valid one year, issued within ten years, two blank pages
Money
- National visa fee (EUR 90 as standard) in the currency the consulate indicates
Work
- UGE residence authorisation, original and copy
Other
- Apostilled, translated criminal record for the last two years
How to apply, step by step
- Confirm your case falls under Law 14/2013.
- File the authorisation electronically with the UGE, including family members.
- After approval or 20 days of silence, book an appointment with the Spanish consulate responsible for your place of residence (or its external provider) and lodge the visa file.
- Collect the visa within one month of the favourable notification.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a paid VIP or priority service?
The Spanish missions do not offer an official paid priority service; the fast track is the UGE procedure.
What if the UGE does not answer in 20 days?
The authorisation is deemed granted by positive administrative silence.
Does ordinary employment qualify?
No, ordinary work and family reunification follow the general procedure.
Can my family use the fast track?
Yes, spouse, children and dependent parents can apply with you or later.
Official sources
- BOE – Law 14/2013 supporting entrepreneurs and their internationalisation (consolidated)
- Consulate General of Spain in Istanbul – visa for highly qualified workers and intra-company transfers
- Consulate General of Spain in Istanbul – researcher visa
- BOE – Orden AUC/891/2024, de 13 de agosto, visa fees (EUR 90 for types A, C and D)
Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.
Other visa types for Spain
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Family and friends visit visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Entrepreneur and start-up visa Validity: Visa one year; residence authorisation for entrepreneurs three years, renewable for two.
Study and training
- Student visa Processing time: Apply at least two months before studies start; once the stay authorisation is favourable, the visa is decided within one month.
- Researcher visa Validity: Visa: one year, or the authorisation's validity if shorter; the visa itself proves residence and the TIE is optional. Residence authorisations under Law 14/2013 are renewable for two years at a time.
Work
- Work visa Validity: Up to 180 days for authorisations of up to six months, otherwise 365 days; seasonal contracts up to 270 days.
- EU Blue Card Validity: Visa: one year, or the authorisation's validity if shorter; the visa itself proves residence and the TIE is optional. Residence authorisations under Law 14/2013 are renewable for two years at a time.
- Intra-company transfer visa Validity: Visa: one year, or the authorisation's validity if shorter; the visa itself proves residence and the TIE is optional. Residence authorisations under Law 14/2013 are renewable for two years at a time.
- Digital nomad visa Validity: Visa up to one year; then a residence authorisation of up to three years, renewable for two.
Family
- Family reunification visa Validity: Visa valid 365 days; TIE within one month of entry.
- Spouse and partner visa Validity: Visa valid 365 days.
Residence
- Retirement visa Validity: Visa valid for 365 days; apply for the TIE within one month of arrival; renewals are filed in the two months before expiry.
- Permanent residence Validity: The status is indefinite; the TIE card is first renewed after five years, then every five years until age 30 and every ten years after that.
Protection
- Asylum and international protection Processing time: Border: admission decision within four days; inside Spain: within one month; regular procedure: six months, after which silence counts as refusal.