Spain Visa requirements and what travellers need to know before visiting
If you want to live in Spain, including the Canary Islands, you will usually need a Spain visa UK. Get help with your application from an immigration solicitor like Immigration Advice Service by calling us today, or visit our website to learn more about our services. Read on to discover the types of Spanish visas, their requirements, and how you can make your application.
Types of Spanish Visa
The first stage of any visa application is to choose the visa type that most closely fits your circumstances. You will have several options to choose from, which are detailed below.
● Work visa: this allows you to legally work in Spain. Choose between an Employment and a Self-Employment Work visa.
● Spouse and Family visa: the visa for individuals coming to Spain to reunite with family members or who are Spanish citizens or legal residents.
● Schengen visas: this allows you to explore the whole Schengen area for a short time, although it won’t be needed by British citizens, who can travel to the area for 90 days visa-free.
● Student visas: the visa for those enrolled in a Spanish education institution, participating in an exchange or internship program, or completing research in Spain.
● Non-lucrative visa: necessary for individuals wanting to live in Spain while sustaining themselves from passive income rather than employment in Spain.
● Golden/Investor visas: this allows you to come to Spain to make a sizable investment in the nation’s business or financial sector.
● Digital Nomad visas: this allows self-employed and remote workers to live in Spain for an initial period of one year without conducting work for a Spanish company or client.
Requirements for a Family Reunification Visa
Each of the visa types listed above has different requirements. To illustrate the kinds of additional requirements you need to be aware of, this section looks more closely at the Family Reunification visa.
This visa type requires you to have one of three types of relationships with a legal resident in Spain. The first is that you are their spouse or partner, having legally entered and maintained a marriage or civil partnership. You must not have separated and must only be married to one person, as is recognised in Spain.
Another valid relationship is that your child under 18 is a legal resident of Spain. Adopted children who live in Spain will also make you qualify. They can also be over 18 in some cases, such as if they have a disability stopping them from supporting themselves.
Finally, you can apply if you have parents over 65 who live in Spain, especially if you will move there to provide care for them. Extenuating health circumstances could make you eligible if your parents are under 65. Other, more extended relations will only be eligible in exceptional circumstances, assessed on a case-by-case basis.
There are also requirements for your family member who is a resident of Spain. They usually need to have lived in the country for a year with a permit to remain in the country for at least one more year. Accommodation with enough room for you to move in will also be needed. Finally, your family member needs to be financially stable without relying on public funds.
Other visa types will have different requirements. Research them closely to understand what Spanish immigration authorities will expect from your application.
Requirements and Documentation for Spanish Visas
As each visa has slightly different requirements, they will also require you to provide different documentation. However, there is some documentation that will be needed in almost all cases. This includes the following:
● A passport with at least six months' validity beyond the date you intend to travel to Spain.
● A recent passport-style photograph.
● A completed, signed, and dated application form.
● Proof that you have arranged suitable accommodation in Spain. This could include a rental agreement.
● Proof that you have appropriate health or travel insurance.
● Proof that you are financially capable of supporting yourself in the country. For example, you could provide three months of bank statements or payslips.
Making Your Spanish Visa Application
Once you have confirmed which visa type is appropriate for your needs and eligibility, and gathered your required documentation, you will be ready to begin the application process. Begin by making a visa appointment at your nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate. This can be done over the phone, in person or online.
You will then need to gather the necessary documentation for your visa type and bring it to your appointment. You will also need to complete the application form at the Embassy or Consulate, which can be completed in English or Spanish, and answer questions from the consular officer. The appointment will end with you providing your biometric information, including your fingerprints and a digital photograph.
Then, you will need to pay the correct application fee for your visa to be processed. This will depend on your age and the type of visa you are applying for. Likewise, the type of visa will determine how long you need to wait for processing.
After the processing time has elapsed, you will be notified whether your application has been successful. You will then be able to collect your visa from the Spanish Embassy or Consulate.
If you make errors in your application or you apply for the wrong visa type, your application will be rejected. You may have a right of appeal, and should do so if you think errors have been made in processing your application. The two main appeal routes are Recurso de reposición (administrative reconsideration) and Recurso contencioso-administrativo (judicial review). It is advisable to get help from an Immigration service provider like IAS to help you navigate Spain’s complex legal system.
How Can Immigration Advice Service Help?
Securing a Spanish visa is a challenging process. You will need to select the right visa for your circumstances before using your application to demonstrate your eligibility. This will require gathering a great deal of documentation and arranging certified translations. Things get even more complicated if your visa is refused, delayed, or if Spanish visa authorities need additional information.
A leading immigration law firm like Immigration Advice Service can simplify the Spanish visa application process at every stage. Call us today to get started or use our website to learn more about our services.
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