You will be informed today on How to Obtain a Tourist Visa for Spain. Spain is known for all things culture, rich and delectable food, sunny beaches, and an uplifting lifestyle including picturesque natural habitat that often lures people to visit the country annually.
In the advent that you want to enter the country on a short-term temporary basis but don’t know how to go about it, don’t fret as we have compiled all that you need to know in this informative piece.
Journey with us to learn more about the tourist visa for Spain application process and requirements.
How To Obtain A Tourist Visa For Spain (Step By Step Guide)
Spanish Schengen tourist visa is considered a category C short-stay visa approved for visitors traveling to Spain for holiday purposes such as tourism, and they are eligible to enter into and stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days over 180 days (the “90 days rule” in Spain).
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You are to apply for a Spain tourist visa if you are a foreign national or permanent resident from non-European countries or other countries that don’t have a visa-free arrangement with Spain.
In general, the need for a Spain Schengen visa depends on your “citizenship” and not your country of residence.
How To Apply For A Spanish Tourist Visa?
In most cases, applying for a Tourist Visa to visit Spain requires you to go to a Spanish embassy/consulate in your country of residence, because there are no individual tourist visas for Schengen countries. Therefore, visitors are required to obtain a Schengen Tourist Visa instead.
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The visa application process includes:
Step 1: Get and Fill Out the Visa Application Form.
Every country in the Schengen state has a common visa application form for all types of short-stay visas. You will need to complete this form, print it, and then sign it. Make sure you cross-check to correct any errors before you finally submit the form.
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Importantly, all information provided should tally across all documents provided to avoid suspicion of false information that can lead to cancellation of visa application.
Step 2 – Collect the Compulsory Documents
Once you’ve got the form and filled it out, the next step is to search and gather all relevant documents required for a Spain Tourist Visa.
Step 3 – Book an Appointment
You should fix an appointment date when you can visit the Spain embassy/consulate for the submission of your visa application file and also hold the interview with the consular officer at the embassy. Your appointment can be booked through the website of the authority responsible for your visa application or over the phone.
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Step 4 – Show up at the Appointment
Once you have booked your appointment, you should endeavor to appear on the set date because failure to show up can lead to the cancellation of the entire visa process.
Also, ensure you have all the required documents ready. On the interview day, you will meet with a consular officer who will ask you questions regarding your trip to Spain, and the purpose of the application for a visa, and will ask you to submit the required documents to her/him.
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Perhaps this is the first time in over 5 years that you are applying for your Schengen visa, you will have to provide your biometric data including your facial image and fingerprint.
Step 5 – Pay the Fees
Payment of the visa application fee is compulsory without which your visa application will not be done. You will need to pay the visa fee to apply for a Spain Tourist Visa. The fee paid will be used to cover the expenses of processing your visa application.
Requirements For a Spain Tourist Visa
Going further in our discourse on How to Obtain a Tourist Visa for Spain, we will be looking at the application requirements of a Tourist visa for Spain.
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There are required documents you must submit for your application to be processed.
We have provided you with a comprehensive list (best to our knowledge) of the basic mandatory documents (original and duplicate copy) that will be required of you when applying for a Tourist Visa for Spain.
However, bear in mind that supporting documents may be required depending on your circumstance. As such, the requirements are:
- Completed and signed the Spain visa application form
- Valid passport issued to you not more than 10 years, and its expiration date should be a minimum of three (3) months beyond the date of your scheduled departure from the Schengen area. The passport must have a minimum of 2 blank pages.
- One (1) passport-style photograph that meets the outlined specification
- Original and duplicate copy of proof of residence in your home country or country of residence such as driver’s license with current address, voter registration card, student ID, etc.
- Proof of immigration status (if necessary)
- An international health & travel insurance with a minimum of 30,000€ to cover your medical treatment in case of health emergencies.
- Proof of travel reservations including entry and departure date from the Schengen area.
- Proof of your social and professional status. You can present a signed letter of employment with salary, proof of self-employment or business ownership, proof of enrolment for students, etc.
- Proof of your financial status and latest credit card statement. You can present your recent bank statements carrying your official bank signature/stamp/seal, letters of sponsorship showing how much financial support you are receiving to support yourself during your entire stay in Spain.
- Proof of accommodation during your stay. These are:
- confirmed hotel reservations all throughout your stay in Spain with complete information (name, phone number, address, and email address).
- Original and duplicate copy of the Official letter of invitation issued by the Spanish authorities if you will be staying with friends or family already base in Spain.
- If you are traveling via cruise ship, booking confirmation by your travel agent with a complete itinerary and names of hotels reservation where you will stay.
- A notarized authorization letter for minors (under 18 years)
- Visa fee payment.
The Cost Of The Spanish Tourist Visa
Probably you have no idea how much the Tourist Visa for Spain costs. Well, we dimmed it fit to include in our discussion on How to Obtain A Visa for Spain the cost of the Spain tourist visa which is 80€ for visitors that are 12 years and older, and 40€ for children that are 6 to 12 years old.
The Visa fee is not applicable for children younger than 6 years old.
Payment of the visa fee is mandatory and can be done online or at the Spain embassy/consulate/visa application center where you apply.
When To Apply For Spanish Tourist Visa?
Planning is important in all endeavors likewise when you want to apply for a visa of any type.
Bear in mind that you won’t be able to apply for a Tourist Visa for Spain earlier than 180 days before your scheduled departure date.
We recommended that you submit your application at least 3 weeks in advance but it is best if you submit 30 days ahead because delays to issue the visa can vary, and in general, it can take about 15 working days to be issued.
Validity Of Spain Tourist Visa
It might interest you to know that the Spain Tourist Visa can be valid for a maximum period of three (3) months within half a year.
Nonetheless, it is the consular officer that approved your visa that will decide on the validity of your visa, based on the decision they reached.
Can I Extend my Spanish Tourist Visa Stay?
Yes, you can extend your Spanish tourist visa.
Remarkably, it is possible to extend your Spanish Tourist Visa if you have stayed less than 90 days in the Schengen area over the last 180 days.
Also, it is possible to extend your stay if your visa is still valid. But the circumstances surrounding a Schengen visa extension are very strict and the reasons you give must be serious and justified by unforeseen circumstances.
Conclusion.
I know you have been enlightened on How to Obtain a Tourist Visa for Spain having provided all the steps involved in the process as well as the required documents necessary for the process to be facilitated.
Also, ensure you make the payment or your application will not be processed. Above all, abide by this guide and your application will be approved except for unforeseen circumstances.
