Types of Spanish Visas

There are two types of visas:

Short Stay (Schengen visa)

Long Stay

SHORT STAY VISA (Schengen VISA)

The Schengen Agreement establishes a unified type of visa for short stays (up to 90 days) for the participant European countries (GERMANY, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, DENMARK, SPAIN, FINLAND, FRANCE, GREECE, THE NETHERLANDS, ICELAND, ITALY, LUXEMBOURG, NORWAY, PORTUGAL AND SWEDEN).

A Schengen Visa issued by an Embassy or Consulate of the aforementioned countries allows the holder to travel freely in all these countries and it will be issued by the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your main destination, the one where you will spend the longer period of time.

This Visa will be stamped on your passport before you leave the United States and must be presented to Immigration Control upon first entry into a Schengen country.

The following documents must be submitted to apply for an Airport Transit Visa:

• 2 Schengen Application forms dully filled out and signed.
• Passport valid for a minimum of three months after the expected visa stay.
• 2 photos passport size with a white background.
• Ticket reservation.
• "Money-Order" to pay the non-refundable visa fees (no personal checks or cash accepted).

Documents you must submit to apply for a schengen tourist or business visa:
THIS TYPE OF VISA MUST BE SUBMITED WITH A MINIMUM OF 15 DAYS IN ADVANCE.

• 2 Schengen Application forms dully filled out and signed.
• 2 photos passport size with a white background.
• Passport valid for a minimum of three months after the expected visa stay.
• Confirmed reservation of your airline ticket (Round-Trip).Just a Flight RESERVATION is required. It is highly recommended no to confirm the reservation or buy the tickets until you get your visa. 
• Hotel reservations or notarized invitation issued by the "Policía Nacional" in Spain.
• Proof of financial status, i.e. a major Credit Card along with the 3 latest statements as well as your latest 3 bank statements.
• Travel medical insurance document for Spain with a minimum coverage of €30,000 Euros. An Insurance card will NOT be accepted as proof of coverage. 
• For professional or business trips you must submit an invitation from a company based in Spain, organization to participate in a meeting, convention, fair or congress, etc.
• Letter from employer stating your job title, length of time employed and annual salary or other proof of ties.  If you are economically dependent, the last Income Tax Return. If you are self-employed, a Good Standing Certificate issued by the Tax Office.
•  If you are student, a letter from your school or college. 
• "Money-Order" to pay the non-refundable visa fees (no personal checks or cash accepted).
• When the applicant is under 18 years, notarized authorization letter to apply for a visa from the parents or custodians is required.

Applicants must submit originals and 1 copy of the above mentioned documents. If your documents are accepted to process the visa they will not be returned.
•ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS MAY APPLY

LONG STAY VISA

• Residence visa to retire in Spain
• Residence visa to work in Spain as an employee
• Residence visa for investors or self-employment
• Residence visa to reunite a family member with a legal resident in Spain
• Residence visa to reunite a family member with a citizen of Spain or a EU member
• Student visa

Residence Visa to retire in Spain

This visa allows you to reside in Spain without working or doing any lucrative activities

• 2 Schengen Application forms dully filled out and signed.
• 2 photos passport size with a white background.
• Passport valid for a minimum of one year.
• Documents that prove family ties translated into spanish.
• Police Records Certificate from the country of origin or place of you residence for the last five years bearing the "Apostille of the Hague Convention" or if the country issuing such document is not part of the "Hague Convention" such documents must be dully legalized and translated into spanish.
• Original medical certificate typed on doctor’s stationary verifying that the applicant is free from any contagious diseases; this certificate must also certify specifically that the applicant is free of drug addictions, mental illnesses or any kind of illnesses which could lead to Public Health repercussions according to the International Sanitary Regulations translated into spanish.
• Proof/s that you have sufficient financial means for you (and your accompanying family) during the stay in Spain without the need to work translated into spanish.
• "Money-Order" to pay the non-refundable visa fees (no personal checks or cash accepted).

Applicants must submit originals and 2 copies of the above mentioned documents. If your documents are accepted to process the visa they will not be returned.

Resolution time for this type of visa is three months, without counting the time used to consult your case with "Delegación o Subdelegación del Gobierno" of the city where you are planning to reside in Spain. After that time your application could be considered dismissed.

If the visa is approved, the foreigner has one month (from the approval notice day) to appear in person to pick up the visa. Failure to pick up your visa within one month will be considered as a refusal of the visa and your application will be filed.

This visa will be valid only for Spain but allows up to five days for transit in the Schengen area before entering Spain.

Once you pick up your visa, you must enter Spain within the period the visa is valid for and your entry must be stamped on your passport or travel document, after that you must appear in person to apply for your residency card within one month.

•ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS MAY APPLY•

Residence visa: To work in Spain as an employee

This visa allows a foreigner, sixteen years and older, to work in Spain as an employee.

Along with the 2 Schengen Application forms dully filled out and signed you must submit the following documents:

• Letter from the Immigration Office in Spain ("Extranjería") addressed to the company or employer in Spain notifying of the approval for the working permit and residency visa. (This must be done by the company or employer before your visa's application).
• Passport valid for a minimum of four months.
• 2 photos passport size with a white background.
• Police Records Certificate from the country of origin or place of you residence for the last five years bearing the "Apostille of the Hague Convention" or if the country issuing such document is not part of the "Hague Convention" such documents must be dully legalized.
• Original medical certificate typed on doctor’s stationary verifying that the applicant is free from any contagious diseases; this certificate must also certify that the applicant is free of drug addictions, mental illnesses or any kind of illnesses which could lead to Public Health repercussions according to the International Sanitary Regulations.
• "Money-Order" to pay the non-refundable visa fees (no personal checks or cash accepted).

Applicants must submit originals and 1 copy of the above mentioned documents. If your documents are accepted to process the visa they will not be returned.

If the visa is approved, the foreigner has one month (from the approval notice day) to appear in person to pick up the visa.

Failure to pick up your visa within one month will be considered as a refusal of the visa and your application will be filed.

This visa will be valid only for Spain but allows up to five days for transit in the Schengen area before entering Spain.

Once you pick up your visa, you must enter Spain within the period the visa is valid for and your entry must be stamped on your passport or travel document, after that you must appear in person to apply for your residency card within one month.

Once you enter Spain, you can start working and you must register with the Social Security System as established by law.

•ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS MAY APPLY•

Residence visa for investors or self-employment

This visa allows a foreigner to reside in Spain as an investor or self-employed person.

Along with the2 Schengen Application forms dully filled out and signed you must submit the following documents:

• Passport valid for a minimum of four months.
• 2 photos passport size with a white background.
• Official form EX01 requesting authorization for residence and self-employment which the Consulate will forward to the proper local authorities in Spain ("Delegación o Subdelegación de Gobierno de la provincia correspondiente").
• Police Records Certificate from the country of origin or place of you residence for the last five years bearing the "Apostille of the Hague Convention" or if the country issuing such document is not part of the "Hague Convention" such documents must be dully legalized and translated into spanish.
• Original medical certificate typed on doctor’s stationary verifying that the applicant is free from any contagious diseases; this certificate must also certify that the applicant is free of drug addictions, mental illnesses or any kind of illnesses which could lead to Public Health repercussions according to the International Sanitary Regulations and translation into spanish.
• If needed proper Academic Title or Degree required in your line of work. (The Title or Degree must be dully legalized for Spain) and translated into spanish.
• Documentation that shows that you are financially sound or letter/s from the Bank/s regarding that matter and translated into spanish. 
• Work or Investment Project that shows the kind and/or type of business to conduct as well as the projected financial gains and, if applicable, any work positions to be created by such project and translated into spanish.
• List of the required authorizations and/or permits required to open or conduct your future business along with the status of such permits and /or licenses already obtained if any from the proper authorities.
• "Money-Order" to pay the non-refundable visa fees (no personal checks or cash accepted).

Applicants must submit originals and 2 fotocopies of the above mentioned documents. If your documents are accepted to process the visa they will not be returned.

This visa will be valid only for Spain but allows up to five days for transit in the Schengen area before entering Spain. Once you pick up your visa, you must enter Spain within the period the visa is valid for and your entry must be stamped on your passport or travel document, after that you must appear in person to apply for your residency card within one month.

Once you enter Spain, you can start working and you must register with the Social Security System as established by law.

•ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS MAY APPLY•

Residence visa to reunite a family member with a legal resident in Spain

The foreigner, who has been a legal resident in Spain for one year and had its residency permit renewed for another year can reunite the following family members:

1. Spouse. If they are not legally separated.
2. Their children or their spouse's, who are not married and are under 18 years of age or incapacitated and are not married.
3. Minors (under 18 years old) or incapacitated that are under his/her legal custody.
4. Parents, or from the spouse's, if they are dependents and there are proven reasons for them to justify their need for residency in Spain.

The following requirements must be submitted:

• 2 Schengen Application forms dully filled out and signed.
• Passport valid for a minimum of four months.
• Copy of the residency permit authorization notified to the foreign resident that wants to reunite a member of his family. This process is done in Spain by the resident that wants to reunite a member of his family mentioned above and it must obtain the proper resolution from the "Delegación o Subdelegación del Gobierno".
• 2 photos passport size with a white background.
• Documents proving the family ties and if applicable the legal ones.
• Birth certificate or Marriage certificate bearing the "Apostille of the Hague Convention" or if the country issuing such document is not part of the "Hague Convention" such documents must be dully legalized. 
• Copy of the passport from the foreigner residing Spain.
• Police Records Certificate from the country of origin or place of you residence where you have lived at least 6 months in the past five years bearing the "Apostille of the Hague Convention" or if the country issuing such document is not part of the "Hague Convention" such documents must be dully legalized.
• Original medical certificate typed on doctor’s stationary verifying that the applicant is free from any contagious diseases; this certificate must also certify that the applicant is free of drug addictions, mental illnesses or any kind of illnesses which could lead to Public Health repercussions according to the International Sanitary Regulations.
• "Money-Order" to pay the non-refundable visa fees (no personal checks or cash accepted).

Applicants must submit originals and 1 copy of the above mentioned documents. If your documents are accepted to process the visa they will not be returned.

This visa will be valid only for Spain but allows up to five days for transit in the Schengen area before entering Spain. Once you pick up your visa, you must enter Spain within the period the visa is valid for and your entry must be stamped on your passport or travel document, after that you must appear in person to apply for your residency card within one month.

•ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS MAY APPLY•

Residence visa to reunite a family member with a citizen of Spain or an EU member

It must be obtained by all nationals that are not EU citizens or they are from the countries that require visas to travel to the Schengen countries  to reunite for residence in Spain with a Spaniard or an EU citizen including Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland with whom they have the following family ties:
1. Spouse. If you are not legally separated.
2. Their children or their spouse's, who are not married and are under 21 years of age or incapacitated and are not married.
3. Minors (under 21 years old) or incapacitated that are under the resident's legal custody.
4. Parents, or from the spouse's, if they are dependents and there are proven reasons for them to justify their need for residency in Spain

American citizens and those of nationalities that do not require visa according the above mentioned list (Anejo 1 ICC) do not require a residence visa and must apply for their residence card once they arrive in Spain.

Nationals of the countries that require a visa to enter Spain must submit the following requirements:

• 2 Schengen Application forms dully filled out and signed.
• Valid passport
• 2 photos passport size with a white background.
• Documents proving the family ties.
• Spain's "Libro de Familia" or Birth certificate or Marriage certificate bearing the "Apostille of the Hague Convention" or if the country issuing such document is not part of the "Hague Convention" such documents must be dully legalized. 
• For descendants or ascendants older that 21 years of age documents that prove that the citizen of the EU residing in Spain is their financial supporter.
• Copy of the passport from the Spaniard or EU member residing in Spain.
• "Empadronamiento" from the person residing in Spain.
• "Money-Order" to pay the non-refundable visa fees (no personal checks or cash accepted).

Applicants must submit originals and 1 copy of the above mentioned documents. If your documents are accepted to process the visa they will not be returned.

If approved this visa must be picked up in person within two months from the approval date notice. Failure to pick up your visa within two months will be considered as a refusal of the visa and your application will be filed.

This visa will be valid for all of the Schengen countries.

This visa will be valid for One entry and three months. Once you pick up your visa, you must enter Spain within the period the visa is valid for and your entry must be stamped on your passport or travel document, after that you must appear in person to apply for your residency card within one month.

The holder of this type of visa has the same working privileges as any citizen of Spain or EU member.

•ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS MAY APPLY•

Student Visa

This type of visa allows you to study or do research work in Spain for periods exceeding 3 months.

This visa must be obtained for studies under 3 months by all nationals that are not EU citizens or they are from the countries that require visas to travel to the Schengen countries

The application must be submitted in person by you or through an authorized representative (it must have a notarized authorization).

By submitting your student visa application you can also apply for the visa for your spouse and children under 18 years of age.

Documents you must submit in order to apply for a Student Visa:

• 2 Schengen Application forms dully filled out and signed.
• Passport. The passport must be valid for the intended period of your stay in Spain with at least one blank page to affix the visa. Also provide either of the following: US drivers license, US State ID card, current student ID.
• 2 recent photos passport size with a white background. Staple one photo on each of the application forms.
• Letter of acceptance as a full time student from Spain's University/School: name, address and registration number of the school with Spain's Department of Education; (Ministerio de Educación de España) full payment of tuition, duration of the program, subjects of the study and hours of study per week which must be no less than 20.
• Health Insurance (original form): International insurance coverage for health/accident with a minimum coverage equal to €30,000 during the planning period of stay in Spain (or its equivalency in dollars).
• Proofs of financial means during your stay: Please provide one of the following:

1. Letter from the University or School in Spain or in your country assuming full financial responsibility during your stay (this is often included into the acceptance letter)
2. Proof of financial aid or scholarship for at least $1,000 per month for room and board.
3. Notarized letter from your parents or legal guardians assuming full financial responsibility for at least $1,000 per month for room and board. Suggested wording: “I hereby certify that I'm the (father/mother/other) of (...), will support him/her with a monthly allowance of at least $1,000 while he/she is in Spain and that I'm financially responsible for any emergency that may arise".
4. Personal bank account statements showing at least $1,000 per month of stay.

• "Money-Order" to pay the non-refundable visa fees (no personal checks or cash accepted).
• Certificate of Absence of Police Records (Only for stays of more than 180 days) issued by the Police Department from the city/cities where you have resided more than six months in the past five years. This Certificate must bear the "Apostille of The Hague Convention" (Contact the Secretary of State of the issuing state). If the Certificate is issued outside the USA it must be duly legalized by the corresponding Consulate of Spain plus 1 copy.
• Medical Certificate (for periods longer than 180 days): Doctor's statement on a doctor or medical center letterhead, indicating that  the student has been examined and found in good physical and mental health to travel to study abroad and is free of contagious diseases or any other illnesses which could lead to Public Health repercussions according to the International Sanitary Regulations plus 1 copy.
• Notarized authorization letter to apply for a visa from the parents or custodians (only if the applicant is under 18 years of age).

•ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS & TIME MAY APPLY•