Note
a) Spain is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Since March 1995, a 'borderless' region known as the Schengen
area has been declared covering the following states: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland,
Spain, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain
and Sweden.
Schengen countries now issue standard Schengen visas, and
nationals holding visas issued by one of the Schengen countries
are, in principle, permitted to travel freely within the borders
of all 15. However, since Schengen states are still free to
decide their own visa requirements, entry regulations may
vary and nationals not requiring a visa for one Schengen country
may require one for other Schengen countries. This has various
practical implications; for example, travellers may be refused
entry to a Schengen country for which they do not require
a visa if holding onward tickets to a country for which they
do require a visa. Travellers should check with the authorities
of the country they intend to visit as to whether they require
a visa. If visiting more than one Schengen country, the traveller
should apply for the Schengen visa to the Embassy/Consulate
of the first or main country to be visited.
There are three types of Schengen visa:
Airport
Transit
Transit
Short-stay
visas. For stays of over three months, a long-stay
visa will be required, and will be valid only in the country
of issue.
PASSPORTS
Passport valid for at least three months including 90 days
beyond the planned stay required by all except the following:
1. nationals of the EU holding valid national ID cards for
stays of up to 90 days.
Note: The
requested validity and precise requirements of the passport
may vary according to nationality and these are subject to
change at short notice; please consult nearest Embassy/Consulate
for further details.
VISAS
Required by all except the following:
a. nationals of EU countries, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland
regardless of purpose and/or length of stay.
b. 2. other nationals referred to in the chart above for stays
of up to 90 days.
c. nationals of Andorra, Anguilla, Argentina, Bermuda, Bolivia,
Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands,
Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Falkland Islands, Guatemala,
Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Israel, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein,
Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Montserrat, New Zealand,
Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, St Helena, San Marino,
Singapore, Turks & Caicos Islands, Uruguay, Vatican City
and Venezuela for stays of up to 90 days.
d. holders of travel documents issued by the Geneva convention
of July 1951, by Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Iceland,
Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK for stays of up to 90
days. Please note that British passports that do not have
“European community” on the front page require
a visa.
e. crew members of airlines and merchant navy for stays of
up to 90 days.
f. nationals of any of the Schengen member states who hold
permanent residency are entitled to re-enter the Schengen
area without a visa, provided proof of residence and a valid
passport are submitted.
g. transit passengers continuing their journey by the same
or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward
or return documentation and not leaving the airport (except
nationals of Afghanistan*, Angola, Bangladesh*, Congo (Dem
Rep)*, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Eritrea*, Ethiopia*, Ghana*,
Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Iran*, Iraq*, Liberia, Mali,
Nigeria*, Pakistan*, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia*, Sri
Lanka*, Syrian Arab Republic and Togo who always require an
airport transit visa if not a permanent resident of Canada,
EU countries or the USA; nationals marked * must be permanent
residents of Andorra, Canada, Japan, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland
or the USA). As the preceding list is liable to change at
short notice, visitors are advised to check transit regulations
with the relevant Embassy or Consulate before travelling.
As the above list may change at short notice, visitors are
advised to check transit regulations with the relevant Consulate
or Embassy before travelling.
Types
of visa and cost
A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist,
business and private visits.
The administration fee for visas ranges from £16.80
to £23.50. This must be paid in advance on presentation
of the application and is non refundable. This applies even
if the visa is not issued.
There are 3 types of Schengen visa:
• Airport
transit and Transit: £6.90
• Short-stay
(for tourism, business and study purposes) for up to 30 days:
£17.25
• Short-stay (for tourism, business
and study purposes) for over 30 days: £24.15
• £34.50 for up to one year (multiple-entry)
Prices are approximate and subject to frequent changes due
to currency exchange rates. Visitors are advised to check
with the Embassy or Consulate before travelling.
Note
Children and Spouses of EU nationals (providing the spouse’s
passport and original marriage certificate is presented),
and the nationals of some other countries, receive their visas
free of charge (enquire at the relevant Embassy or Consulate
for details).
Validity
Short stay (single and multiple entry): valid for 6 months
from date of issue for stays of a maximum of 3 months per
entry.
Transit (single and multiple entry): valid for 5 days per
entry. This category of visa cannot be extended and therefore
a new application must be made each time.
Application
Applications should be made to the Consulate (or Consular
section at Embassy), see the Addressses Contact section in
person. Postal applications are not acceptable.
Applications may also be conducted through a travel agency
or visa agency that may come in person on behalf of the applicant.
Travellers visiting only one 1 Schengen country should apply
to the Consulate of that country.
Travellers visiting more than one Schengen country should
apply to either the Consulate of the country chosen as the
main destination or the country they will enter first (if
they have no main country destination).
Note
Applicants will be seen by appointment only. Please state
number of applicants (immediate family only: wife or husband
and descendants) when applying for an appointment. If applying
for a family, please send photocopies of passports, plus a
self-addressed envelope.
Application requirements
Tourist visa
a. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months longer than
the validity of the requested visa, with at least one blank
page to affix the visa.
b. Two completed application forms and in the case of minors,
the parent or legal guardian may sign.
c. Two passport-size photos (plus three photocopies), preferably
stapled to each page of application form, children also require
two passport-size photos, to be included in the parent’s
passport.
d. Fee, payable by cash or postal order only.
e. Proof of purpose of visit (official letter of invitation,
return tickets and hotel confirmation)
f. Proof of suitable accommodation.
g. Evidence of sufficient funds for stay which may be a recent
bank statement and photocopies.
h. Formal itinerary, supplied by travel agent or airline.
Business visa
a. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months longer than
the validity of the requested visa, with at least one blank
page to affix the visa.
b. Two completed application forms and in the case of minors,
the parent or legal guardian may sign.
c. Two passport-size photos (plus three photocopies), preferably
stapled to each page of application form, children also require
two passport-size photos, to be included in the parent’s
passport.
d. Fee, payable by cash or postal order only.
e. Proof of purpose of visit (official letter of invitation,
return tickets and hotel confirmation)
f. Proof of suitable accommodation.
g. Evidence of sufficient funds for stay which may be a recent
bank statement and photocopies.
h. Formal itinerary, supplied by travel agent or airline.
i. Letter from employer, or accountant, solicitor, bank manager
or Chamber of Commerce if self-employed.
j. Written invitation from company or organisation in Spain.
Student visa
a. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months longer than
the validity of the requested visa, with at least one blank
page to affix the visa.
b. Two completed application forms and in the case of minors,
the parent or legal guardian may sign.
c. Two passport-size photos (plus three photocopies), preferably
stapled to each page of application form, children also require
two passport-size photos, to be included in the parent’s
passport.
d. Fee, payable by cash or postal order only.
e. Proof of purpose of visit (official letter of invitation,
return tickets and hotel confirmation)
f. Proof of suitable accommodation.
g. Evidence of sufficient funds for stay which may be a recent
bank statement and photocopies.
h. Formal itinerary, supplied by travel agent or airline.
i. Letter from employer, or accountant, solicitor, bank manager
or Chamber of Commerce if self-employed.
j Legalised police certificate from country where applicant
has lived for five years or more, confirming the absence of
a police record, if studying in Spain for longer than six
months.
Note:
a. Evidence of medical insurance will be required.
b. Requirements for visas vary according to nationality, passport,
travel document used and the purpose and duration of the trip.
All documents must be submitted in their original form, plus
two photocopies (three for Business visas). For more information,
contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see
Contact Addresses section.
c. Minors included in parent's passport must be accompanied
by the parent. The child's right to travel on passport will
lapse depending on the age stipulated by the Embassy/Consulate
in the issuing country.
Working days required
An appointment to apply for a visa will be received by post
within 7 days of date of request. The processing time varies
and will depend on nationality and personal information. Applications
from nationals of the following countries will take two to
three weeks, and they should not buy tickets
prior to applying for and obtaining a visa: Afghanistan, Algeria,
Bahrain, Burundi, China (PR), Colombia, Congo (Dem Rep), Egypt,
Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Korea (Dem Rep), Kuwait, Lebanon,
Libya, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian National Authority, The
Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan,
Surinam, the Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and
Yemen. Once granted, visas may take only one working day to
be issued. All applications for all nationalities should be
lodged with the Embassy or Consulate several weeks before
the intended date of travel.
Temporary residence
Refer enquiries to Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy).
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