Chinese applicants · Kingdom of Spain
Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) for Chinese citizens
Residence permit for founders establishing an innovative business in Spain under the Entrepreneurs' Law.
This page covers the Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) specifically for Chinese applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to China. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 3 weeks – 2 months
- Government fees
- Variable.
- Typical duration
- Initial 3 years; renewable.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Schengen Area
Consular processing: a Kingdom of Spain consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Tourist entry vs. this route
Tourist-entry rules for Chinese nationals are set by Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
Key figures for Chinese applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
3 weeks – 2 months
20-working-day target in-country; 4–8 weeks consular. ENISA business-interest report is a pre-requisite.
Verified 1 June 2026 · UGE-CE — Entrepreneur residence →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival → permanent residence (5 years) → citizenship (10 years for most nationalities; 2 for Latin American).
Leads to Residencia de Larga Duración, then Spanish citizenship.
Visa overview
Spain's Entrepreneur Visa covers founders of innovative businesses. The application is evaluated against the "innovative and of special economic interest" standard by ENISA. The route is intended for businesses that create jobs, generate exports, or inject technology into the Spanish economy.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Innovative business concept with ENISA-style evaluation.
- ✓Evidence of financing and skills.
Common blockers
- !Business plan judged non-innovative by ENISA.
Typical evidence
- ·Business plan.
- ·ENISA evaluation report.
- ·Financial evidence.
Application pathway
Obtain favourable ENISA report
This is the defining step; without it, UGE-CE will refuse.
Submit to UGE-CE
Full package via Mercurio.
Visa/TIE
Consular or in-country depending on current location.
Other Kingdom of Spain routes covered for Chinese applicants
Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
Residence visa for financially self-sufficient non-EEA nationals not planning to work in Spain.
Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit
Residence permit for highly qualified workers with a Spanish employment contract, processed under the Law 14/2013 regime.
Family reunification (Spain)
Residence permit for family members of Spanish residents; arreigo (settled-status) routes also available.
Not sure Kingdom of Spain is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer entrepreneur routes that Chinese nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Chinese citizens eligible for the Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013)?+
Eligibility for the Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) is set by Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though Chinese applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Schengen Area. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Chinese applicants typically file the Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013)?+
a Kingdom of Spain consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Chinese applicants need a tourist visa for Kingdom of Spain as well?+
Tourist-entry rules for Chinese nationals are set by Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
How long does the Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) take to process from China?+
The typical published decision window is 3 weeks – 2 months. Chinese applicants usually file via a Kingdom of Spain consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence, and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: UGE-CE — Entrepreneur residence, verified 1 June 2026.
How long until permanent residence in Kingdom of Spain?+
Arrival → permanent residence (5 years) → citizenship (10 years for most nationalities; 2 for Latin American). The route leads to Residencia de Larga Duración, then Spanish citizenship. See Ministerio de Justicia — Nacionalidad española for the qualifying-residence rules.
What counts as innovative for the Spanish Entrepreneur Visa?+
ENISA evaluates innovation against the introduction of new products/services, use of technology, scalable models, and export potential. Traditional retail, hospitality, and me-too service businesses rarely meet the bar.