The Mediterranean climate, vibrant culture, and ancient architecture all make Spain deserving of being the second most popular tourist destination in the world. Not only does the country provide a diverse range of experiences and cuisines, but it’s also brimming with history and stories to fuel the imagination. Before you travel to Spain, you’ll need to know the country’s visa requirements. We’ve compiled a guide to acquiring a Spanish visa to prepare you for your next trip.
Spain belongs to the Schengen Area – a group of 26 European countries that pledged to do away with their internal borders. This elimination of internal borders – between most EU countries – allows for unrestricted free movement between the different member countries. Spain, therefore, does not have a specific short-term Spain Tourist Visa. To tour Spain for less than 90 days, you may need a Schengen Visa. This visa will allow you access to Spain and any other member countries.
Note: Although you won’t need a visa to enter Spain if you’re from a visa-exempt country, there is a new Spain travel requirement. From 2024 onwards, Americans traveling to Spain – and other visa-exempt citizens – will be required to fill out an online ETIAS form. The ETIAS is a visa waiver form that takes about 10 minutes to fill out and requires a small fee.
Be sure to have the following ready before applying for an ETIAS visa waiver:
The type of visa you apply for will depend on the intention and duration of your visit to Spain. There are both long-term and short-term Spanish visas:
Visitors who intend on staying in Spain for less than 90 days within a 180-day term need to apply for the Uniform Schengen Visa (USV). You will have to specify your purpose of travel on the Schengen Visa Form.
A Spanish tourist visa is the most commonly applied for visa. If you wish to visit Spain for tourism and sightseeing for less than 90 days, you will need a Schengen tourist visa.
This visa applies to anyone who wishes to travel to Spain to visit family or friends. You will need the following extra documentation when preparing for your visa Application:
A Spain long-stay visa allows you to remain in the country for more than 90 Days. These visas are often for work or study opportunities, and each has different limitations and requirements.
Non-EU/EEU citizens who intend to work and live in Spain need to apply for a Spanish work visa. If you are a highly-skilled person from outside the EU, the job you are applying for needs to be listed as a “Shortage Occupation.” Additionally, you will need proof of professional qualification and a work contract before applying for this visa.
If you have received employment in Spain, your employer has to send a work authorization request on your behalf to the Spanish Ministry of Labor. You will need to provide evidence of a clear criminal record in the past five years and apply for a Spain work license.
The type of student visa you apply for will depend on the length of your study program. You will need a student visa if you plan to study at a recognized teaching institution, perform research, or participate in an exchange program in Spain.
If you’re taking a course in Spain that lasts less than three months and your country is on the visa-free access list, you do not need a student visa.
If your country isn’t on the visa-free access list and/ or your study program is longer than 90 days, you need to apply for a Schengen student visa.
You will need to gather the following documents for your Spain Visa Application.
The visa application process usually takes about 3-4 weeks. There may be visa processing delays if your local Spanish embassy is experiencing high volumes of visa applications. So it is best to apply for your visa as soon as possible.
While it may all seem very intimidating and complicated, our best advice is to start your Spain visa application early. Ensure you have all your documents ready before your Visa interview to avoid delays.
In the meantime, you’ll want to have a look at this Spain packing list while you wait for your Visa application to be processed.
