Spain is a beautiful Mediterranean country in Europe renowned for its amazing culture, footfall, geography, beaches, and bullfights. In addition, the vibrant attractions, energetic festivals, delightful cuisines, and iconic destinations further enhance its position on the global tourist map. Right from the energetic La Tomatina festival to the vivacious Flamenco Sangria, Spain continues to woo the audiences with its fun and entertainment activities that match the taste and preference of every global traveler. The Spain Schengen visa plays a key role in the planning required for planning a rejuvenating Spain holiday.
All Schengen member state nationals are entitled to a visa-free stay in Spain per the Schengen member agreement. In addition, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand citizens can stay in Spain for up to ninety days. All other travelers should apply for a Spain Schengen visa before they arrive in Spain. There are two main categories you can opt for while applying for a Spain Schengen visa – short-term & long-term visas. A short-term visa permits travelers to stay in Spain for up to ninety days within six months. In contrast, long-term visas permit travelers to stay in Spain for up to a year. Let us take you through various visa types that fall under the above two categories:
Your nature and purpose of travel determine the type of visa you should opt for in your visa application form.
Transit visaThis visa is issued to travelers who need to transit through one of the Spanish airports to reach their final destination country, which is beyond the Schengen region. This visa has a validity of only 24 hours. As part of the visa application process, the applicant needs to present the following additionally:
All travelers traveling to Spain to visit their family or friends residing in Spain can apply for this visa type. This short-term visa is applicable based on the local host's invitation. All travelers applying for a visitor visa should share the following additional documentation as part of their visa application process:
This short-term visa is issued to travelers who are planning to visit Spain for holidays, tourism, leisure, and visiting family or friends residing in Spain. This short-term visa entitles travelers to a stay of up to ninety days within six months. It is one of the most popular visa categories applied by tourists and visitors traveling to Spain.
Business visaThis short-term visa is issued to travelers planning to visit Spain to attend business-related engagements. This visa permits travelers to stay in Spain for up to ninety days within six months. All travelers who are applying for a Business visa should share the following additional documentation as part of their visa application process:
This short-term visa is issued to travelers planning to visit Spain as an official delegate team member. This visa permits the official delegate team members to stay up to ninety days within six months.
Medical visaThis visa is issued to travelers seeking medical assistance, therapy, treatment, or consultation in Spain. This short-term visa permits applicants to stay for up to ninety days within six months. All travelers who are applying for a medical visa should share the following additional documentation as part of their visa application process:
This visa is issued to travelers seeking a Spanish university or school course. This short-term visa permits the applicants to stay for up to ninety days within six months. All travelers who are applying for a study visa should share the following additional documentation as part of their visa application process:
This short-term visa is issued to travelers who intend to attend or participate in an event hosted in Spain. This visa permits travelers to stay up to ninety days within six months. All travelers who applied for a Spain sports/cultural/religious events visa should share the following additional documentation as part of their visa application process:
You can apply for this short-term visa if married to a Spanish national. You should share the following additional documentation as part of the Spouse visa application process:
All minors who are applying for a Spain Schengen visa would need to share the following additional documentation as part of their visa application process:
The Spanish immigration officials have set the below-mentioned criteria or documentation as part of the visa application process:
Visa application formCompleted in all aspects and signed by the applicant without any missed or inaccurate fields.
Passport-size photographTwo passport-size photographs meet the visa photo specifications outlined by the Spanish immigration authorities.
PassportA passport has a minimum validity of three months from the departure date from Spain and has been issued in the last ten years. Entry and exit visa stamps require two blank pages on your passport. Copies of previous passports and visas, if applicable.
Travel health insuranceValid health insurance provides a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros and is valid during your Spain visit.
Confirmed round ticket flightsPresent the document that displays your name, travel dates, flight details, and other relevant details for confirmed round-ticket flights.
Proof of financial capabilityPresent your financial capability to cover your daily expenses during your stay in Spain through a six-month bank statement or your salary slips.
Proof of accommodationA confirmed hotel reservation that mentions your name, travel dates, hotel name, and address, along with other reservation details. Suppose you are staying with a local, then present ID/passport copies of the local along with an invitation letter.
Cover letterA cover letter addressed to the Spanish embassy summarizes your Spanish visit, including your purpose and travel duration, places of interest, and other relevant details.
Civil statusProof of Spouse's civil status must be presented through a marriage certificate, Spouse's death certificate, or children's birth certificate.
For completing the Spain Schengen visa process, you need to follow the below-mentioned process:
It would take approximately 15 calendar days to process your Spain visa. This timeline can increase depending on various parameters, such as the embassy or consulate's backlog. If you apply on time, you can look to accommodate these unforeseen delays in some form.
Adult travelers pay 80 Euros per applicant for a short-term Spain Schengen visa. In comparison, minors between six and twelve years pay 40 Euros per applicant. No visa fees are charged for minors less than six years.
Extension of your Spain Schengen visaThe immigration officials may or may not extend your short-term Schengen visa, depending on the nature of your extension. Extension is provided only in genuine cases such as war, force majeure, humanitarian, or political instability in your country.
Revoking your Spanish visaSuppose the conditions or circumstances on which your Spanish visa was issued are no longer valid or applicable. In that case, your Spanish Schengen visa can be revoked. In these cases, you will be asked to vacate Spain in a couple of days. If you do not vacate as per the requested duration, you will be deported and denied for future travel requirements.
ConclusionSpain's amazing culture, vibrant lifestyle, delightful cuisines, rich cultural heritage, and modern indulgences make holidays in Spain special. In fact, it has etched endless memorable moments in the travel diary of every global traveler. Get your Spain visa today to enjoy a refreshing Spanish holiday.