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Spain Intra-Company Transfer Visa
If you want to move to Spain for work and you’re employed by an international company with a base in Spain you may be eligible for an Intra-Company Transfer Visa (Traslado Intraempresarial).
For all the information you need about the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa, including potential eligibility, the application process, and advice that takes into account your individual situation, contact our legal advisers here at IAS today. Call us on (+44) 333 4149244, or contact us online.
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At IAS we strategise, advise and apply on behalf of companies transferring employees and workforces in multiple countries. Our immigration and relocation services provide end-to-end coverage for your team in the EU and beyond.
Our Spain and EU immigration lawyers are here to help you transfer your team to a branch in Spain, the EU and internationally. We’re here when you need expert immigration legal advice and relocation services in the following countries.
What is the Intra-Company Transfer Visa for Spain?
If you work for a company that is part of a group of companies with a location in Spain, you might be able to get a transfer to work there. In order to do so, you’ll need to apply for and obtain authorisation for an Intra Company Transfer Visa (autorización de residencia por traslado intraempresarial). That will involve obtaining residence authorisation too.
These visas are also known as Intra Corporate Transfer Visas (Traslado Intraempresarial), and they can allow your family members to move with you. You have to apply for a permit followed by this specific visa, which will allow you to live and work in Spain for a specific company.
The purpose of these visas is to allow businesses to move workers to Spain when there’s a specific reason for them to be there. Maybe a company has a non-EU headquarters and another in Spain. In that case, the Intra Company Visa will allow that company to relocate its employees (who must be foreigners without EU residency) for specific projects that demand the skills possessed by those individuals.
Applicants must be employed by the company they’ll be working for while in Spain already.
Intra-Company Transfer Visa: Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa name | Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa / Autorización de residencia por traslado intraempresarial |
| Purpose | To allow a non-EU/EEA/Swiss employee of a company (or group) to live and work in Spain, when transferred to a Spanish branch/subsidiary. |
| Who can apply | Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) already working for the company/group and transferred to Spain. |
| Duration | Up to 3 years for managers/specialists (ICT-EU) or up to 1 year for trainees. |
| Family members allowed | Yes – spouse/unmarried partner, children (including adult dependent), and dependent ascending relatives. |
| Decision period | Residence authorisation: around 20 working days; Visa: around 10 working days. |
| Fee* | Approx. €80 for the visa, plus ~€73.26 for the residence permit. |
| Bi-national mobility / EU mobility | With the ICT-EU permit, mobility within other EU member states may be possible. (Portal PRIE) |
Who Can Qualify for the Residence Permit, Work Permit & Visa Alongside the Primary Applicant?
A Spouse or Unmarried Partner
One of the appealing things about the Visa For Intra Company Transfers is that it permits you to bring your spouse or unmarried partner with you when you relocate to Spain.
They can qualify for a work and residence permit alongside you. With residence authorization secured, they’ll be able to make the move with you.
Children and Financially Dependent Adult Children
It is also possible for one or more of your children to come with you when you relocate, including any financially dependent adult children you might have.
Relatives in the Applicant’s Care
If you can show that you have other relatives, such as parents or the parents of your partner, who are dependent on your care, you might also be able to bring them with you. This is possible under the eligibility criteria of this type of visa.
Eligibility Criteria for Intra Company Transfer Visa Applicants
Demonstrate There IS Genuine Business Activity
Within the framework of this Visa For Intra Company Transfers, you must be moving to Spain to carry out genuine business activity. There should be a real need for your employer to relocate you, and the authorities will expect you to provide proof.
Proof That the Transfer is Within the Same Business Group
You also must be able to show that there’s a real and authentic employment relationship between yourself and the company you’re claiming to work for in order to comply with the ICT visa.
You’re allowed to carry out training while working in the headquarters of companies established in Spain too, or you may solely receive training rather than working for a company.
In short, you’ll have to work for the same company or group both before and after the move.
Education Requirements
In order to qualify for an Intra Company Or Intra Corporate Transfer Visa, the worker must have a university degree (bachelor’s or higher). In some circumstances, relevant professional experience might be able to compensate for a lack of a degree.
Three Years of Professional Experience
If you don’t have a degree from a university, you’ll need to be able to show three years of professional experience instead.
Evidence You’ve Been Working for the Employer for More than Three Months
As well as the above, you have to have been working for the company or group of companies you’re employed by for more than three months. Without that, you won’t be able to obtain a residence permit for Intra company work (Autorización de residencia por traslado intraempresarial).
You may have been working for that group of companies established outside of the country for any length of time in another country, as long as it’s not less than three months.
Eligibility criteria summary
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Genuine business activity | Employer must show a real business need to relocate the applicant. |
| Same company/group employment | Applicant must be employed by the company or group before and after transfer. |
| Education / experience | Applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) OR at least 3 years’ professional experience if no degree. |
| Prior employment period | Applicant must have been working for the employer/group for at least 3 months before transfer. |
| Modalities | Two main types: ICT-EU (managers/specialists/trainees) vs national authorisation for other types. |
Required Documents for the ICT Visa
A Completed Application Form
You’ll be required to fill out a Spanish National Visa application form. This is a form that requires you to fill out all of the basic information relevant to your application, and anyone applying for any type of Spanish Visa must fill one out.
A Valid Passport and a Recent Passport Photo
You’ll be required to provide a valid passport from your existing country of residence. If it’s expired or about to expire, it’ll likely be rejected. You’ll also need to provide recent passport photos.
A Criminal Record Check Certificate
Anyone looking to secure Spanish residence needs to first go through a criminal record check in the country or countries where they’ve been living for the past five years.
You must be able to show the certificate you receive when the criminal record check has been completed.
Required Documents for Dependents
Each of the Documents Above
The documents you need to provide, as listed above, also must be provided by the relatives who you want to bring with you. So ensure each of the documents mentioned above should be submitted.
Documents Proving a Family Relationship with the Applicant
It’s also necessary to provide evidence of the relationship between the applicant and the family members coming with them.
Birth certificates for children and a marriage certificate for a partner will be valid. Other supporting evidence may be accepted too though.
If Relevant, Documents Showing Financial Dependence
If you’re looking to bring a family member with you who qualifies on account of them being financially dependent on you, you’ll have to provide documentation that proves that financial dependence.
Medical Insurance Certificate
They must be able to provide their own medical insurance to ensure they’re able to receive medical care should they need to when living in Spain. You can arrange this for them if they’re minors.
Documents checklist for the main applicant
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Completed national visa application form | Must fill all sections; signature required. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
| Valid passport | Minimum validity 1 year, at least two blank pages. |
| Recent passport-size photograph | Clear background, no dark glasses, etc. |
| Criminal record certificate | Covering last 5 years, apostilled/legalised if outside Spain. |
| Educational qualification OR professional experience | Bachelor’s degree or equivalent OR 3 years’ experience. |
| Employment evidence (3 months prior) | Documented relationship with employer/group. |
| Medical certificate / health insurance | Covering Spain, may be required. |
| Authorisation of residence (Autorización) | Must obtain before the visa/alongside. |
What You Should Expect from the Application Process
Submitting the Required Documents
First of all, you’ll be required to prepare and submit each of the examples of documentation mentioned above. The Spanish authorities will provide you with confirmation of their receipt once you’ve done so.
If they find that any documents are missing or they want more supporting evidence or documentation, they’ll contact you to ask for that.
The Decision Period
There’ll be a period of time in which the Spanish authorities assess your application and decide whether or not you meet the criteria outlined.
How long this takes will depend on whether they need more documents from you or require you to come in for an interview with them.
Application process steps and timelines
| Step | Action | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Employer/Entity applies for residence authorisation | The host Spanish company/group applies to the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE-CE) on behalf of the applicant. | Decision: ~ 20 working days |
| Step 2: Applicant submits visa application | Once residence authorisation granted (or if applicant is outside Spain); at Spanish consulate or via appropriate channel. | Decision: ~ 10 working days |
| Step 3: Entry and commencement of work | After visa is granted, the applicant enters Spain and the work/residence permission becomes active. (Barcelona.cat) | Must enter within 3 months of visa issuance in some cases. (Barcelona.cat) |
| Step 4: Renewal / extension | If the transfer requires staying beyond the initial term, applicant may apply for renewal before expiry. | See duration section below |
Refusals and Appeals
It’s possible that they might refuse your application for residence under the intra-company transfer ICT EU.
In the case of a refusal, you’ll have an opportunity to lodge an appeal if you feel it was incorrect or unfair. You have one month from the date of the refusal to do that.
How can IAS help with Intra-Company Transfer Visa?
Many people want to move to Spain for work reasons each year. Most of those applications for intra-company transfer visas are successful, but not all.
Applications can fail and be refused if the relevant evidence is not provided or if the Spanish authorities don’t believe there’s a genuine business reason for the Intra-Company Transfer to take place.
You must be able to prove to the Spanish authorities that the transfer is important for the company and that the business activity involved is genuine and real.
As difficult as this may sound, you don’t have to go it alone. IAS can assist you throughout these processes and ensure you approach the application in the right way.
We are professional, experienced, and understanding immigration advisers, and we have vast experience working with applicants looking to secure a Spanish intra-company transfer visa.
For more information about the services we offer, how we can help you with securing an Intra-Company Transfer Visa, and how to make the application, reach out to us at (+44) 333 4149244, or contact us online.
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Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The maximum duration of the transfer that comes with this visa will be two years before renewal is necessary. Although this can be less if the reason for the transfer doesn’t require you to be based in Spain for that long.
If you’re required to be located in Spain for longer than two years, you can apply for the visa to be renewed.
Even then, for managers and specialists, you can stay in the country for a maximum duration of three years, and one year for those who are in training.
Your permit application for residency should be either approved or refused within twenty working days. The visa can then be applied for and there should be a decision within 10 working days. Although this may be longer in some instances.
The visa costs the equivalent of €80, but this can vary depending on the country from which the application is being submitted. The charge will be higher for some countries.
The permit for Spanish residency, which you need to obtain before applying for the visa, costs another €73.26.
These costs will not be refunded in the event of your application being refused.
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