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VISA

Everything you need to know before applying for your visa to Spain — simple guidance, clear steps and support whenever you need it.

Book a Visa Consultation

*You are considered the official visa applicant at all times

There are two types of Visa for Spain.

Short Term Visa (up to 90 days)

  • Tourist (Schengen C visa)
  • Business (Schengen C visa)
  • Airport Transit (Schengen A visa)

Long Term Visa (over 90 days)

  • Student Visa
  • Non-working Visa
  • Employee Visa
  • Familiar Reunification Visa

3 months valid passport from the date of applying for Spanish visa is mandatory.

6 months valid passport from the date of applying for Spanish visa is highly recommended.

These are the general requirements to apply for your visa.

Universal (short-term & long-term visas):

  • Original Passport issued within the last 10 years, two blank pages & valid for at least 3 months after the departure date (short-term) or for the entire duration of your stay (long-term).
  • Application Form duly completed (handwritten or typed) and signed by the applicant.
  • Photographs (two recent passport-sized photos (35x45 mm) with a white background and a clear view of the face).
  • Consular Fees (payment of the visa fee in the local currency or via the method specified by the consulate or BLS center).
  • Proof of Legal Residence (If you are applying from an African country other than your country of nationality, you must present a valid residence card).

Short-term:

  • Travel Medical Insurance (minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical expenses, emergencies, and repatriation, valid throughout the entire Schengen Area.
  • Transport Booking (round-trip flight tickets or a complete travel itinerary (it is recommended not to buy closed tickets until the visa is approved).
  • Proof of Accommodation (hotel reservation or rental agreement - official Letter of Invitation issued by the National Police in Spain (if staying with a relative or friend). Only need one proof.

  • Proof of Ties to Your Home Country (current employment contract and the last 3 payslips - official letter from your employer authorizing your vacation period - if you are a student, a school enrollment letter and the parents' bank statements - properties registered under your name (land or real estate) or family ties (marriage certificate/children's birth certificates). Provide as many as you can.

  • Financial Solvency (bank statements from the last 3 months proving you have at least €122 per day per person (with a global minimum of €1,099 per trip).

Long-term:

  • Criminal Record Certificate (issued by the authorities of your country of origin and any countries where you have resided over the past 5 years. It must be legalized/apostilled and translated into Spanish).
  • Official Medical Certificate (document certifying that you do not suffer from any diseases that could have serious public health implications in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.

  • Justification of the Purpose of the Trip (for studies: admission letter from the Spanish university or school, study plan, and comprehensive medical insurance with no copayments / for work: initial residence and work authorization issued by the immigration office in Spain on behalf of the employer).

  • Long-Term Financial Solvency (students: proof of funds covering 100% of the monthly IPREM (~€600 per month) through scholarships, personal funds, or a parental guarantee. / residency (non-lucrative): funds covering 400% of the monthly IPREM (~€2,400 per month) without the need to work in Spain.

Step 1: Determine the Visa Type

  • Identify whether you need a Short-Term Schengen Visa (under 90 days for tourism, business, or family visits) or a Long-Term National Visa (over 90 days for study, work, or residency).

Step 2: Locate Your Designated Application Center

  • Find the official Spanish Consulate in your country or its authorized external service provider (most commonly BLS International or VFS Global).
  • Note: You must apply in the country where you hold legal residence.

Step 3: Gather and Prepare Your Documents

  • Collect all universal and specific documents listed in the checklists above.
  • Crucial: Ensure all official local documents (like criminal records or birth certificates) are legalized or apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified sworn translator (traductor jurado).

Step 4: Book an Appointment

  • Schedule an appointment online through the official BLS International, VFS Global, or Consular portal.
  • Timing: Book your appointment at least 6 to 12 weeks before your intended travel date, as slots in African regions fill up quickly.

Step 5: Attend the Appointment and Submit Biometrics

  • Appear in person at the embassy or application center to submit your physical file.
  • Provide your biometric data (fingerprints and a live digital photograph) if you have not done so within the last 59 months.
  • Pay the non-refundable consular and service fees.

Step 6: Track and Wait for Resolution

  • Monitor your application status online using the reference number provided during your appointment.
  • Processing times generally vary between 15 days and 3 months, depending on background checks and the visa type.

Step 7: Passport Collection

  • Once a decision is reached, collect your passport in person or receive it via the secure courier service option if available at the center.

PRO TIPS

Avoid mistakes and ensure your visa application is successful.

The "Clean Account" Red Flag: Do not make large, sudden cash deposits into your bank account right before applying. Spanish visa officers look for a stable history of income over the last 3 to 6 months. Any unexplained spike in funds will likely trigger an immediate rejection for "unjustified funds".

Total Document Alignment: Ensure that every single date, name spelling, and detail matches perfectly across all documents. For example, the vacation dates on your employer’s letter must exactly match your flight itinerary and hotel bookings.

Beware of "Appointment Scalpers": Explicitly warn your users that booking appointments through third-party intermediaries or agents is a fraudulent practice. BLS International strictly enforces that appointments must be booked directly and for free on their official portal. Scalped appointments are often canceled at the center door.

The Golden 3-Month Rule: While regulations theoretically allow short-term applications up to 6 months in advance, long-term visas (especially student visas) generally require submission at least 2 to 3 months before the academic or travel start date. Do not book non-refundable tickets until the visa sticker is in your hand.

The "Originals" Folder: At the application center, you must present the original versions of your certificates (medical, criminal records, bank statements) alongside their official Spanish sworn translations. Presenting only photocopies of translations is a frequent reason for delays.

Local Legalization Priority: Remember that a document translated into Spanish is useless if it was not first legalized or apostilled by your home country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The chain must always be: Local Government Issuance ➔ Legalization/Apostille ➔ Sworn Spanish Translation.

FAQs

In this section, you can address common questions efficiently.


Processing times vary depending on the country and season.

No. Final decisions are made by the Spanish authorities.

No. We provide guidance and assistance, but applications must be submitted by the traveler.

You may be able to reapply depending on the reason for refusal.

Yes, travel insurance is generally required for Schengen visa applications.

It is recommended to start the process several weeks before your planned travel date.