Spain Visa - Everything You Need To Know - (Indian Passport Holders)

The Spanish visa lets you enter Spain and stay there for a specific period. Based on your purpose of visit, there are various types of permits to suit your needs. Being a Schengen country, the permit issued by the Spanish embassy will also let you visit other Schengen nations.

The Embassy of Spain has outsourced the application for the Schengen Spain visa from India to Spain VAC (Visa Application Center) situated across India. As a result, you must make your Spain visa application through them. The application, however, is done offline as there is no online visa application for Spain from India. Before starting the application, ensure that you must check if you are eligible for the particular category you are applying for. After that, you may proceed with the application as follows - 

1. Obtain all the documents as per the document checklist for the individual category. 
2. Visit the website of the VAC, or the Embassy/Consulate of Spain and download the application form. 
3. Fill in the form and print it, or print the form and then fill it with a blue ink pen. 
4. Proceed to book your visa appointment at the VAC as per the jurisdiction. For this, you can use the online portal provided by the VAC. 
5. Visit the respective VAC with the documents, completed application form, and the fees. You will also submit your biometrics here. 

Note that the applications for the long term National Spanish visa have to be done directly to the Embassy. The VAC has no authority for this category. 

Keep in mind that if you have submitted your biometrics for a Schengen permit in the past 5 years, you do not have to submit them again. In this case, you may send your application through a third party, provided that they possess a letter of authorization. 

Spain VAC has started a mobile application wherein you can apply for the permit from your house. The VAC will send officials to your house to take your biometrics and documents. For more information on this, you must contact the VAC. 

You must submit only original and genuine documents. Providing fake documents or false information can lead to a Schengen visa rejection. 

Based on the main purpose of the visit, and the total allowed stay duration, the Spanish visas can be classified into the following - 

• Airport Transit - This permit is issued for a duration of only a few days and is used if you have a flight stop in Spain on your journey to another destination.
• Spain Schengen visa - Also known as the short term permit, this is the Schengen C category, and is issued for a maximum stay duration of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Based on the purpose of visit, these can further be divided into - 
• Tourist - These are issued to people who are visiting Spain for the sole purpose of taking part in tourism-related activities 
• Business - This specific type is issued for businessmen who are travelling to Spain for engaging in business activities such as meetings, conferences, trade fairs, etc.
• Visitor - This category is for people entering the Kingdom of Spain for the purpose of visiting their family members or friends residing in the country.
• Cultural/Religious/Events - This category lets individuals enter the country and take part in cultural, religious, or sporting event in Spain. 
• Study - These are issued for individuals entering the country for taking part in short term studies that last fewer than 90 days. 
• Spain national visa - Also known as the long term D category, these are required when your stay duration is for more than 90 days. Based on the purpose of the visit, these can be divided into the following types.
• Study - This type is issued for individuals engaging in studies in Spain lasting longer than 90 days. 
• Work - Issued for taking part in work and other employment activities in Espana.
• Family reunification - This is issued for people who are visiting Spain to reunite with their family members in the country for a long duration. 

The following are the list of general documents you will have to possess for the Spanish visa application. Based on the exact type of permit, there are additional documents to be produced. 

• A valid passport- 

• 1. It must contain at least 2 blank pages.
  2. It should not be older than 10 years.
  3. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
  4. Old passports, if any, are to be attached.
• A covering letter - 
  1. This must include the applicant's details.
  2. It should clearly mention the source of funds.
  3. It should clearly state the purpose and duration of the visit.
  4. It should be signed by the applicant and addressed to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain.
• Flight reservation for round trip
• Proof of accommodation - hotel bookings/invitation to stay/residence bookings, etc 
• Medical travel insurance coverage up to at least 30000 Euros
• Proof of occupation - 

Proof of occupation such as employment letter, Copy of business license, etc

• Financial documents -

Financial documents such as bank statements of the past 3 months, Passbook copy, ITR, etc.

• Dimensions: 35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription glasses
• Headgears - only for religious reasons
• Facial hair - permitted

The time for the processing of the Spanish permit is dependent on the exact type of the permit, the validity of the visa, the volume of applications at the embassy, as well as your previous travel history. Normally it takes around 15 working days from the date of application to process the application. However, this can even take 30 days or even 60 days in certain extreme cases. As a result, you must apply for it well in advance. 

The Spain Schengen visa fees for Indian citizens depends on several factors such as the exact type of the visa, the embassy decision, as well as the foreign exchange rates. Apart from the application fees, you will also be required to pay the biometric charges, service charges by the VAC, as well as any delivery charges. As a result, you must check the exact amount before starting the application.

You can do the Spain visa status check online by clicking here an entering your reference number and date of birth. You may also check your Spain visa application status by contacting your travel agency and have the track it for you. 

The application for the short term category must be made at the VACs situated across India. However, this must be done by checking the jurisdiction. If your state of residence (resident of a state for the past 6 months) is Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, or Pondicherry, your applications must be through a VAC located in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, or Ahmedabad. However, if your state of residence is one of the remaining states or UTs, you must apply through the VACs situated in Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata, or Jalandhar.

The applications for the National Spain visa must be done directly at the Embassy of Spain in New Delhi, or Consulate of Spain in Mumbai as per the jurisdiction.