Spain business visa: requirements, fee and processing time
This page covers the Spain business visa — used for meetings, conferences, trade fairs and short professional assignments. Every field below is taken from our editor-verified country record and reflects what the Spain consular network publishes for applicants of any nationality. You apply in the country where you legally reside, so exact centres and service fees can differ locally.
Where to apply for a Spain business visa
BLS International centres in London, Manchester or Edinburgh acting for the Spanish Consulate. Apply where Spain is your main destination.
Required documents
- Valid passport (issued within last 10 years, 3 months validity beyond return, 2 blank pages)
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- Recent biometric photo
- Invitation letter from the Spanish company with dates, purpose and who covers costs
- Letter from your UK employer confirming role, salary and leave dates
- Company registration proof (both sides where requested)
- Travel medical insurance min. €30,000 covering the whole Schengen area
- Flight and hotel reservations
- Bank statements for the last 3 months
- Proof of UK immigration status
Turn this list into a tick-off checklist on the checklist page, which also flags which items are mandatory and which are only advisable.
Fees, reductions and exemptions
- Schengen business visa (standard)€90
- Children 6–11€45
- Children under 6Free
- Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizenFree— Directive 2004/38/EC — fee waived with proof of relationship.
- BLS service fee€17— £14.85 incl. VAT per applicant, mandatory for every category.
- Next-day courier passport return€34— £29.99 optional return by courier.
- SMS / email tracking€2— £1.95 optional.
- Premium in-centre service€115— £100 per applicant. Does not speed up the appointment or the decision.
- Premium lounge€200— From £175 per applicant (£160 each for groups of 5+).
The consular fee is collected in GBP at the consulate exchange rate. Business travellers can request a multi-entry visa with a longer validity if they have a good travel history.
Booking an appointment
Appointments are booked online with BLS International (London, Manchester, Edinburgh). Standard slots can be several weeks out in peak season. Paid extras (premium in-centre service £100, premium lounge from £175, next-day courier £29.99) add comfort but do not speed up the appointment or the decision.
Practical tips
Have the Spanish host company put the trip dates, purpose and cost coverage in the invitation on letterhead — vague invitations are the top reason for extra document requests.
What is unusual about the Spain process
Frequent business travellers with prior Schengen visas often receive multi-entry visas valid 1–5 years.
Official sources
If you are applying from the United Kingdom
- London — Spain Visa Application Centre – London20 St Andrew Street, London EC4A 3AGAll Schengen visa applications for Spain from UK residents are submitted at BLS, not at the consulate.
- Manchester — Spain Visa Application Centre – ManchesterUnit 1, 205 Chapel Street, Salford, Manchester M3 5PFServes the consular district of Manchester; submission usually 08:30–13:30.
- Edinburgh — Spain Visa Application Centre – EdinburghCentre serving Scotland; check the BLS site for the current address and opening hours.
Applying from somewhere else? Use the consulate that covers your country of legal residence — the requirements above still apply.
Updated today against official Spain consular sources. Requirements can change without notice — always confirm before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Spain business visa cost?
- For a Spain business visa, the consular fee is €90. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: Schengen business visa (standard) — €90; Children 6–11 — €45; Children under 6 — free; Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizen — free; BLS service fee — €17; Next-day courier passport return — €34; SMS / email tracking — €2; Premium in-centre service — €115; Premium lounge — €200. The consular fee is collected in GBP at the consulate exchange rate. Business travellers can request a multi-entry visa with a longer validity if they have a good travel history. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
- How long does a Spain business visa take to process?
- A decision on a Spain business visa typically takes around 15 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.
- Where do I apply for a Spain business visa?
- BLS International centres in London, Manchester or Edinburgh acting for the Spanish Consulate. Apply where Spain is your main destination. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
- What documents are required for a Spain business visa?
- The Spain consular network lists: Valid passport (issued within last 10 years, 3 months validity beyond return, 2 blank pages); Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; Recent biometric photo; Invitation letter from the Spanish company with dates, purpose and who covers costs; Letter from your UK employer confirming role, salary and leave dates; Company registration proof (both sides where requested); Travel medical insurance min. €30,000 covering the whole Schengen area; Flight and hotel reservations; Bank statements for the last 3 months; Proof of UK immigration status. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.
- How do appointments work for a Spain business visa?
- Appointment model: Online booking. Appointments are booked online with BLS International (London, Manchester, Edinburgh). Standard slots can be several weeks out in peak season. Paid extras (premium in-centre service £100, premium lounge from £175, next-day courier £29.99) add comfort but do not speed up the appointment or the decision.
- Can I apply for a Spain business visa from the United Kingdom?
- Yes. We list 3 submission points in the UK for Spain, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.
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