A Schengen visa for Spain is one of the most sought-after travel documents for foreigners planning to visit the Western European country. Spain is a pleasant and welcoming country with a rich, vibrant culture. The country is part of the European Union and has been a Schengen nation for over two decades, having joined the Schengen area in 1995. This allows the Spanish authorities to issue two types of visas; the national visa and the Schengen visa.
The Schengen Visa
A Schengen Spain visa is a single or multi-entry visa issued by 26 member states of the Schengen region. The visa is valid for 180 days and allows the holder to stay in any of the member countries for up to 90 days. Unlike other national visas that confine the holder solely to the issuing country, this visa is a multi-border visa; this means that anyone with a Schengen visa issued by Spain or any other member state for that matter, can use it to enter one or more countries in the union as long as the Schengen visas are valid.
The only requirement is that the visa must first be used to enter the issuing country before the holder can travel to other countries.
Who Needs A Schengen Visa For Spain?
The visa is designed for citizens from third-world countries or countries that are not currently on Spain’s visa-free list. Citizens from other member countries enjoy free entry and exit benefits within the region; citizens from other visa-free countries don’t need a visa to enter Spain unless they wish to stay for more than 90 days. Common examples are citizens of Mexico, Canada, and the US who don’t require visas for short-term visits.
So if your country doesn’t fall under any of these categories, you need a Schengen visa.
Online Visa Authorization For Spain
Based on the new notice published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, citizens from visa-exempt countries must apply for online travel authorization. To apply for travel authorization, visit VisaHQ and complete the process
Log onto VisaHQ
Select Spain as your destination
Select your country of citizenship
Choose the Travel Authorization
Fill out the visa application form
Attach the required documents
Pay the application fee
Submit for processing
The travel authorization takes 24 hours but not more than three days to be approved and will be forwarded to your registered email.
How To Apply For This Schengen Visa For Spain
Those who do not qualify for online travel authorization or who are not from other Schengen countries must apply for this Spain Schengen visas at the nearest Spanish consulate or embassy. The application process is outsourced to licensed agents in countries with no consulates. Whether it is an embassy, consulate, or center, you must book an appointment with them.
A date will be set for the interview, which you must attend with all your documents, including photocopies. The visa officer will review each document and ask questions about the trip, such as your purpose, place of interest, the palace you plan to stay, and the duration of your stay. Make sure you provide honest answers during the interview.
After the interview, the photocopies, including your passport, will be retained for processing. In due time you will be asked to return to the embassy or center to collect your visa if your application is successful.
Documents For Spanish Schengen Visa
The following documents must be submitted and a duly signed and completed application form. Only valid documents translated into English or Spanish will be accepted.
Passport: A Passport valid for at least six months from the entry date. The passport must not be older than ten years and must have at least two blank pages for visa stickers.
Photo: Two recent passport photographs that meet all Schengen photo requirements.
Cover Letter: A cover letter explaining your reasons for wanting to visit Spain, including information about the arrival date, information about your trip, and any other relevant information.
Travel Insurance: A travel insurance medical certificate issued by a Shenghen-recognized insurance company. The policy must have at least €30,000 worth of cover to foot any medical expenses you might incur during your time in the country.
Itinerary: Copies of reservations for round-trip flight tickets and hotel reservations. Both copies must possess time stamps.
Proof of funds: You may need to submit a bank statement for three months to prove that you have the financial capacity to cover your expenses during your visit
Other supporting documents may be required.
You need to submit these documents for a Schengen visa for Spain. Ensure that all documents submitted are valid and in compliance with the requirements for visa applications.