How long does the Golden Visa process take?

Question

Accepted Answer

The Golden Visa timeline from start to finish typically takes 3-6 months, depending on property purchase speed and document preparation. Breakdown: 1) Property search and purchase — 4-12 weeks depending on your requirements and whether financing is needed. 2) Document preparation — 2-4 weeks to gather criminal records, apostilles, translations, and insurance. 3) Visa application processing — the law states 20 working days for a decision, but in practice it can take 1-2 months. 4) TIE card application — once in Spain, apply for your residence card, which takes 2-4 weeks to receive. Factors that can speed up the process: having all documents ready before the property completes, using experienced immigration lawyers, and applying at less busy consulates. Factors that can delay: criminal record checks from multiple countries, need for apostilles on documents, and high volumes at certain consulates. WOW-Estates coordinates the property purchase with the Golden Visa application timeline to ensure maximum efficiency.