🌍 Expanding Your Team in Spain?
If you’re relocating staff from a foreign branch to Spain, the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa is the fastest and most reliable path for legal residence.
This visa allows non-EU employees of multinational companies to live and work in Spain under a fast-track scheme, without going through a labor market test.
🧳 What Is the ICT Visa?
Spain’s Intra-Company Transfer Visa is a residence and work authorization for:
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Executives
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Managers
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Specialists
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Interns
…being transferred from a foreign entity to a Spanish branch or subsidiary of the same company.
It’s processed through the UGE-CE, not through the standard Extranjería channels.
✅ Who Can Apply?
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| 🌍 Multinational structure | Applicant is transferring between related companies (parent, subsidiary, branch) |
| 👤 Role | Executive, managerial, technical expert, or intern |
| 📄 Contract | Assignment letter or contract confirming transfer and terms |
| 💼 Experience | At least 3 months employed by the sending company |
| 💶 Salary | Must be appropriate to the position and role |
| 🔍 Employer compliance | Company must be in good standing in Spain and abroad |
📝 Required Documents
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Proof of corporate relationship (parent-subsidiary agreement, group structure)
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Contract or assignment letter detailing the transfer
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Applicant’s CV and academic background
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Certificate of employment (min. 3 months)
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Social security documentation
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Passport, criminal record, and health insurance
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EX-09 form + NIE request
✅ All documents must be translated into Spanish and legalized or apostilled.
⚙️ Application Process
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Company prepares the documentation (with our help) |
| 2️⃣ | Submit application to UGE-CE online |
| 3️⃣ | Receive resolution in 20 working days |
| 4️⃣ | Apply for visa (if abroad) or TIE card (if in Spain) |
📌 You can apply while already in Spain on a tourist visa.
⏱️ Processing Time & Duration
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🕒 20 business days (UGE resolution)
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🪪 Initial residence permit for 2 years
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🔁 Renewable for up to 5 years (or until project ends)
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👨👩👧👦 Includes spouse and children
💼 Who Is This For?
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Large companies with global branches
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Tech firms opening new offices in Spain
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Startups relocating core talent
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Corporations rotating management across EU
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Foreign employees already working in HQ abroad
⚖️ Legal Advantages of the ICT Visa
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✅ No local labor market test
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✅ High-speed processing via UGE
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✅ Employee remains tied to home country’s labor contract
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✅ Works well with global mobility strategies
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✅ Dual taxation + social security strategies possible (case-dependent)
⚠️ Common Pitfalls
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No corporate link between sending and receiving entity
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Employee does not meet minimum 3-month work history
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Salary too low or position not clearly qualified
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Documents not properly translated or apostilled
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Trying to apply through the wrong agency (UGE vs consulate)
➡️ See Article 10 for how to avoid rejection.
👨⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Helps
We:
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Confirm company eligibility and structure
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Draft or review assignment letters and compliance documentation
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Handle UGE portal filing
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Legalize all required documents
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Support with NIE, TIE, and family reunification
📞 Move Your Employees to Spain — Fast and Legally
📅 Schedule a legal consultation to begin your ICT visa strategy and make your team expansion in Spain smooth and compliant.