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.
- Processing time
- UGE-CE target 20 working days (often exceeded for complex cases).
- Government fees
- Variable.
- Typical duration
- Initial 3 years; renewable.
- Sponsor required
- No
- Leads to settlement
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Schengen Area
Consular processing: Applicable consular post in origin country
Tourist entry vs. this route
Chinese nationals require a visa for any entry into Kingdom of Spain. The Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
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.
Comparable routes in other destinations
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)?+
Applicable consular post in origin country. 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?+
Chinese nationals require a visa for any entry into Kingdom of Spain. The Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
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.