Spain intra-corporate
transfer visa

Under the European Union’s Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) scheme, businesses or undertakings established outside the EU may second managers, specialists and trainees to subsidiaries/ branches within the EU for temporary assignments.

The ICT Card is always issued in the EU Member State in which the longest total residence for intra-corporate transfer is planned.

Before being transferred from a company branch located outside of the EU to a branch in Spain, you must have been employed by that company for at least 3 months, whether you are a manager, a specialist or a trainee.

Applicants must also have:

• A higher education qualification or equivalent or a minimum professional experience of 3 years.
• Proof of the existence of a previous and continuous employment or professional relationship of 3 months with one or more of the companies of the group.
• Company documentation proving the intra-corporate transfer.
• A valid passport and health insurance.

The host entity in Spain or an accredited representative of the company is responsible for submitting the ICT application. The application is submitted online to the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (Large Business and Strategic Groups Unit).

Once a decision on the application has been made, the transferee can then make an application for a visa to enter Spain at the Embassy or Consulate of Spain in their country of residence.

When applying for an EU ICT permit in Spain, the following government fees may apply:

• Resience permit application fee – It costs €73.26 to apply for the residence permit.
• Consular fee – The cost of the fee depends on the applicant’s nationality and the consulate. Sometimes the fee may be waived, but it is usually around €80.
• Residence card fee – The residence card application fee is €16.08.

Please note, government fees are subject to change at short notice. Please speak to Smith Stone Walters for the latest information on Spanish immigration fees.

Most applications for an ICT permit in Spain are processed within 20 working days. Please note, the actual processing time remains at the discretion of local authorities and may vary.

In Spain, an ICT permit is usually valid for at least two years or the duration of the transfer (whichever is shorter), and may be extended to a maximum of 3 years for managers and specialists and 1 year for trainee employees.