Next Day Appointmentarrow icon

Differences Between a Tourist Spain Visa and a Business Spain Visa

When planning a trip to Spain, it’s important to understand the different types of visas available and their specific purposes. Two common types of visas are the Tourist Spain Visa and the Business Spain Visa. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you determine which visa suits your needs.

1. Purpose of the Visa

  • Tourist Visa:
    • Intended for individuals visiting Spain for leisure, sightseeing, or personal reasons.
    • Suitable for those traveling for vacations, family visits, or exploring the country.
  • Business Visa:
    • Designed for individuals traveling to Spain for business purposes.
    • Includes attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, or establishing business connections.

2. Duration of Stay

  • Tourist Visa:
    • Typically valid for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
    • Primarily for short-term visits and tourism-related activities.
  • Business Visa:
    • Generally allows for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
    • Can sometimes be extended based on the nature of the business activities.

3. Required Documentation

  • Tourist Visa:
    • Valid passport with at least two blank pages.
    • Completed visa application form.
    • Recent passport-sized photos.
    • Proof of accommodation (e.g., hotel reservations).
    • Travel itinerary including flight bookings.
    • Proof of sufficient financial means for the stay.
    • Travel insurance covering medical expenses.
  • Business Visa:
    • Valid passport with at least two blank pages.
    • Completed visa application form.
    • Recent passport-sized photos.
    • Invitation letter from a Spanish company or organization detailing the purpose of the visit.
    • Proof of accommodation (e.g., hotel reservations or business host).
    • Travel itinerary including flight bookings.
    • Proof of sufficient financial means to cover the stay.
    • Business travel insurance covering medical and other travel-related expenses.

4. Application Process

  • Tourist Visa:
  • Business Visa:
    • Apply through our website.
    • Submit a business invitation letter and additional documentation related to your business activities.

5. Visa Fee

  • Tourist Visa:
    • Typically less expensive compared to a business visa.
    • Fee is generally fixed and paid at the time of application.
  • Business Visa:
    • May be more expensive due to additional processing requirements and documentation.
    • Fee varies based on the length of stay and type of visa requested.

6. Activities Allowed

  • Tourist Visa:
    • Permits sightseeing, visiting friends or family, and participating in cultural or leisure activities.
    • Not intended for engaging in paid work or business activities.
  • Business Visa:
    • Allows participation in business meetings, conferences, and negotiations.
    • Does not permit direct employment or conducting business operations in Spain.

7. Extension and Modification

  • Tourist Visa:
    • Generally, cannot be extended beyond the initial 90 days.
    • Any extension requests must be justified with valid reasons.
  • Business Visa:
    • Extensions may be possible based on the nature of business activities and the supporting documents provided.
    • Modification requests (e.g., changing the purpose of the visit) should be well-supported and justified.

8. Eligibility Criteria

  • Tourist Visa:
    • Open to all individuals planning a short-term visit for leisure purposes.
    • Requires proof of return to the home country after the visit.
  • Business Visa:
    • Requires an invitation from a Spanish company or organization.
    • Must demonstrate the purpose of the business trip and its relevance to the applicant’s professional activities.

Understanding these differences will help you choose the right visa for your trip to Spain, ensuring that your visit aligns with your intended activities and complies with Spanish immigration regulations.