Seasonal Work Visa — Spain

The Spain seasonal work visa lets you work in Spain temporarily in specific industries for a limited period. It’s regulated by the State Secretariat for Migration (Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones, SEM) and issued through Spanish consulates abroad.

What this permit covers

This permit authorizes temporary, seasonal employment in Spain. It applies only to work that is seasonal in nature, not permanent or open-ended roles.

You can use this visa if your job is tied to a specific season or short-term cycle. Your employer must need workers for a defined, limited period.

The work must fall within approved seasonal sectors such as agriculture or tourism. The permit is not a general work authorization.

It does not replace a National Work Visa, Highly Qualified Professional Visa, Self-Employment Visa (Autónomo), Trainee/Internship Visa, or Au Pair Visa. Each of those categories has different requirements and purposes.

The application is based on an official SEM form titled Seasonal Work Visa. You must apply from outside Spain through the appropriate Spanish consulate.

SEM sets policy, and consulates issue the visa.

Who typically uses it

You use this visa if you have a confirmed short-term job offer in a seasonal sector.

Most applicants are agricultural workers hired for harvest or planting cycles. Others are tourism workers hired for peak travel periods.

Your employer must need extra staff for a specific season, not a permanent role. This visa doesn’t cover long-term contracts or indefinite employment.

If your role involves advanced qualifications, corporate transfers, or independent business activity, you’ll need a different permit.

Choose this visa only if your job is clearly seasonal and time-limited.

Duration and sectors

This visa allows you to work in Spain for a maximum of 9 months.

You can’t use it for employment beyond that limit. The authorization is temporary and linked to the seasonal nature of your job.

The main sectors covered are agriculture and tourism. These sectors rely on short-term labor during peak periods.

The visa aligns your legal stay with that defined work cycle. Your authorization ends once the approved seasonal period concludes or when you reach the 9-month limit.

SEM sets the framework, Spanish consulates issue the visa abroad, and the National Police handle identity documentation in Spain if required.

You must pay a government fee and plan for a defined processing window before you can travel. Costs and timelines depend on the visa category and where you submit your application.

Application fee

The standard government fee for a Spain seasonal work visa is €

1. You pay this fee when you submit your application through the competent Spanish consulate abroad.

The consulate issues the visa, while the State Secretariat for Migration (Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones, SEM) oversees immigration policy.

This fee covers visa processing only. It does not include costs related to document translation, legalization, travel, or your residence card (TIE) issued later by the National Police in Spain.

If you apply under a different category—such as the National Work Visa, Highly Qualified Professional Visa, Self-Employment Visa (Autónomo), Trainee/Internship Visa, or Au Pair Visa—you must confirm the correct fee with the Spanish consulate or SEM.

Typical processing windows

Under the standard procedure, seasonal work visa applications take 15 to 30 days to process.

This timeframe applies once you properly submit a complete application. Incomplete files or missing documents delay a decision.

Apply early enough to account for scheduling your consular appointment and gathering required documents. The consulate makes the visa decision, but Spanish immigration authorities review the underlying work authorization.

Variations by category/location

processing times vary depending on the visa category, the country and specific Spanish consulate where you apply, and the workload at the time of submission.

A seasonal work application filed at one consulate may move faster or slower than the same application filed elsewhere.

If you apply under another category—such as the Highly Qualified Professional Visa, Self-Employment Visa (Autónomo), or Trainee/Internship Visa—expect different internal review steps. Authorizations linked to employer filings or specific forms, such as Form EX-06, may also affect timing.

SEM sets policy, Spanish consulates issue visas abroad, and the National Police handle your residence card after arrival.

You complete this process in two coordinated stages: your employer secures authorization in Spain, and you apply for the visa abroad. Use the correct form, follow the State Secretariat for Migration (Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones, SEM) instructions, and submit your application through the appropriate Spanish consulate.

Dual steps: employer + applicant

A Spain seasonal work visa requires prior authorization before you apply for a visa.

Employer step (in Spain)

Your employer files the work authorization with the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

You cannot apply for the visa until SEM authorizes the work permit.

Applicant step (abroad)

After approval, you apply for a work and residence visa at the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.

This visa allows you to enter Spain to carry out the authorized seasonal work.

Don’t confuse this process with other categories. Seasonal work is distinct from:

Each category has separate eligibility rules and forms. Check the correct classification before proceeding.

Filling and submitting the form

You must complete the current seasonal work form used for filings with SEM. Download the most recent version and instructions directly from SEM.

Review the instructions for your specific eligibility category. Complete every required section accurately.

Sign the form where required. Submit the form with all required supporting evidence.

Incomplete forms delay processing. Missing signatures or documents can result in rejection.

Use clear and consistent information across all documents. Make sure your personal details match your passport and employer authorization exactly.

If you see references to forms such as Form EX-06, confirm through SEM whether it applies to your situation before submission. Don’t assume that forms used for other visa types apply to seasonal work.

Where to get official instructions

Rely only on official government sources.

For immigration policy and work authorization rules, consult the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). SEM publishes the official seasonal work form and instructions.

For visa issuance abroad, contact your local Spanish Embassy or Consulate. They handle the work and residence visa application after SEM approval.

For identity documentation in Spain, the National Police manage NIE or TIE issuance once you enter Spain, if required.

Verify requirements directly with SEM or your consulate before filing. Requirements vary by visa category, and using outdated instructions can invalidate your application.

Most issues with seasonal work visas trace back to avoidable filing mistakes.

You can reduce these risks by submitting complete, accurate details and following instructions from the State Secretariat for Migration (Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones) (SEM).

Frequent reasons for delays

Incomplete or incorrect information is the top reason for delays.

Leaving fields blank, giving inconsistent details, or missing documents stops authorities from processing your file.

Applicants sometimes confuse the Spain Seasonal Work Visa with other visas, such as the National Work Visa, Highly Qualified Professional Visa, Self-Employment Visa (Autónomo), Trainee/Internship Visa, or Au Pair Visa.

Each has unique requirements, and using the wrong criteria leads to rejection or requests for correction.

Submitting an outdated or incorrectly filled Form EX-06 form can also cause problems.

Even small mismatches between your form and supporting documents can trigger extra review.

How to avoid common mistakes

Check every entry before you submit.

Don't assume requirements are the same as other visa types.

Follow these steps:

1. Complete every field on the EX-06 form as instructed.

2. Match all information exactly across your passport and supporting documents.

3. Include every required document listed in the official instructions for the seasonal category.

4. Verify the correct visa type before preparing your file.

Use the official guidance from SEM and the relevant Spanish consulate to confirm document requirements.

Careful preparation helps avoid interruptions and repeat submissions.