Colombian applicants · Kingdom of Spain
Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) for Colombian 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
- Spanish ancestry eligibility
Consular processing: Bogotá
Tourist entry vs. this route
Yes — Colombian nationals can enter Kingdom of Spain without a visa for short tourism (typically up to 90 days), but tourist entry does not authorise the activity covered by the Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013).
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 Colombian applicants
Digital Nomad Visa (Spain)
Residence permit for remote workers and international freelancers under the Startup Law (Ley de Startups).
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.
Comparable routes in other destinations
Frequently asked questions
Are Colombian 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 Colombian applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Schengen Area, Spanish ancestry eligibility. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Colombian applicants typically file the Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013)?+
Bogotá. 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 Colombian applicants need a tourist visa for Kingdom of Spain as well?+
Yes — Colombian nationals can enter Kingdom of Spain without a visa for short tourism (typically up to 90 days), but tourist entry does not authorise the activity covered by the Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013).
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.