TOURIST VISA

NOTICE TO VISA APPLICANTS SCHENGEN VISA
(Short stay tourist or business visa up to 90 days)

As of March 26th, 1995 a new type of visa -the Schengen visa- was introduced by the following European countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
A Schengen visa issued by a consulate of the above countries allows the holder to travel freely in all of these countries.

* There is no legal right to a visa.

The Consular Administration has full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. The latter is hereby informed that submitting the aforementioned documents does not guarantee automatic issuance of the visa.

* A later change to the purpose or the date of the visit is not admissible.


WHERE SHOULD I APPLY?

1. If you intended to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Consulate of that particular country.
2. If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Consulate of country, which is your main destination.
3. If you intend to visit several Schengen countries but do not have a main destination; you should apply for a visa at the Consulate of the country which is your first point of entry.
4. If you do not need a visa for the Schengen country, which is your main destination or first point of entry, please note that you may require a visa for other Schengen countries. You should then apply at the Consulate of the first Schengen country, which does require you to have a visa.

* Application should be made at the Consulate in the jurisdiction you reside.


WHAT SHOULD I SUBMIT?
The consular administration has full authority to evaluate, and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. The latter is hereby informed that submitting the aforementioned documents does NOT guarantee automatic issuance of the visa.

    Original and TWO PHOTOCOPIES of each of the following items must be presented; otherwise no visa will be process. Do not forget to make photocopies of your passport!!!
    Make 3 photocopies of the application form after you have filled it out.
    Visa applications are only accepted in person (easch family member applyin for a visa will have to come in person to apply for the visa). (Visa application form. Pdf, Instructions for completing a visa application form. Pdf)
    No visa will be processed by mail.

1. A passport or official travel document valid for a minimum of three months, counting from the expected date of return to the United States. Please make sure your passport has a blank page to affix the visa. We cannot accept the Refugee Travel Document.
2. One visa application form. Please fill out the application form completely and legibly in black ink. (Instructions for completing a visa application form. Pdf) Make 3 photocopies of the application form after you have filled it out.
3. US Resident Alien card or a valid U.S. long-term visa. Holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of residence or country of origin. Applicants holding student visas must also submit their I-20 with the endorsement on the back.
4. Four recent passport-size photographs.
5. A notarized invitation from a family member or friend who resides in Spain or hotel reservation. If you are part of a tour or cruise, please include a letter from your travel agent stating a complete itinerary of cities and hotels.
6. A major credit card with the latest Credit Card Statement or $50.00 US dollars per day of stay in Spain in travelers checks.
7. Your latest bank statement.
8. Letter from employer indicating type of job, length of time employed and annual salary. If you are going on business, the letter should also indicate the purpose of your trip and who will cover your expenses. If you are a self-employed or a dependent, you must submit your latest Income Tax Return.
9. Proof that you can continue your trip after your visit to the Schengen countries, i.e. round trip airline ticket. Very important: Airplane tickets should not be purchased prior to visa approval, unless specifically so instructed. Itineraries, however, will be requested.
10. Proof of travel health/accident insurance (a letter from your insurance company stating that you are covered abroad or travel insurance).
11. Applicants who are under 18 years of age must submit a notarized authorization letter from their parents or legal guardians.
12. If you would like to receive back your passport and visa by mail, please provide us with a prepaid U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Envelope with appropriate postage $17.85, and complete airbill. This is the only express delivery will accept, other express delivery services, certified or registered mail will not be accepted. 

* Be advised that additional requirements might be requested. 
* In some cases you must submit your latest Income Tax Return.

Transit and double transit:
If you need to travel to Spain in transit or double transit, you must only submit those documents referred to in points: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 12.

COST OF VISA
Please contact the appropriate Schengen Consulate for up-to-date consular fees.
Spanish Consulate:

      $33.50 for a stay up to 30 days and one entry.
      $40.20 for a stay up to 30 days and two entries.
      $46.90 for a stay up to 30 days and more than two entries.
 

    We only accept cash or money order. The processing fee will not be returned even if the visa is not granted or is cancelled.
    A Schengen visa is issued free of charge to the spouse and children of European Union nationals. The spouse should present two photocopies of the marriage certificate (duly translated into English when necessary) and the E.U. citizen's passport. The minor children should present a birth certificate.

VERY IMPORTANT

    Visas are requested to Europe, and they may take anywhere FROM 5 DAYS TO 4 WEEKS to process.
    US citizens with ordinary passports, valid for a minimum of 6 months, who wish to stay in Spain for tourist or business purposes for up to 90 days DO NOT NEED A VISA.
    Citizens of the following countries, with an ordinary passport valid for a minimum of 3 months, who wish to stay in Spain for tourist or business purposes for up to 90 days DO NOT NEED A VISA:
ANDORRA, ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, BOLIVIA, BULGARIA, BRAZIL, BRUNEI, CANADA, THE CHECK REPUBLIC, REPUBLIC OF SLOVAKIA, SOUTH KOREA, COSTA RICA, CHILE, CYPRUS, EL SALVADOR, ESTONIA, GUATEMALA, HOLLY SEE, HONDURAS, HUNGARY, ICELAND, ISRAEL, JAPAN, LATVIA, LIECHTENSTEIN, LITHUANIA, MALAYSIA, MALTA, MEXICO, MONACO, NICARAGUA, NORWAY, NEW ZEALAND, PANAMA, PARAGUAY, POLAND, REPUBLIC OF CROATIA, REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA, ROMANIA, SAN MARINO, SEYCHELLES, SINGAPORE, SWITZERLAND, UNITED STATES, URUGUAY, VENEZUELA, SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF HONK KONG (SAR), MACAO (EAR), and citizens from other countries of THE EUROPEAN UNION.




This information has been obtained from one of our consulates in May 2005. For up to date information, please visit the nearest consulate to your location. Find a list of spanish delegations abroad ("Embajadas y consulados").