Spain Visa from Canada
Spain is a thriving European country with much to offer Canadians looking to move abroad. It offers a strong economy, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and a rich and vibrant culture. As such, many Canadians choose to relocate to Spain, whether for work, study, or to join family members already residing in the country.
Most Canadians looking to move to Spain will require a Spanish visa. However, the process of applying for a Spanish visa is often complicated. As such, many Canadian applicants choose to contact Total Law in order to make their application as smooth as possible. Contact us online today, or on +1 844 312 4979 to learn more about how we can help you on your immigration journey.
Do Canadians need a visa for spain?
If you are a Canadian citizen looking to move to Spain, it is likely that you will require a Spanish visa. The exact visa which is right for you will depend on your reasons for entering Spain in the first place. Depending on your reasons for visiting, you may require one of the following:
- Work visa
- Student visa
- Family Reunion visa
- Short Stay Schengen visa
- Long Stay National visa
- Golden visa (the Spanish government has announced that this route will soon be discontinued, however)
- Digital Nomad visa
- Non Lucrative Residence visa
- Retirement visa
Once you have lived legally in Spain for at least 5 years, you may be eligible for permanent residence. After 10 years, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship.
If you are a citizen of a country in the European Union (EU), you will not require a visa in order to live, work, or study in Spain.
To learn more about the route which is right for you, contact Total Law today on +1 844 312 4979. Our lawyers can help identify which visa is the right match for your specific circumstances.
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Types of Spain Visas
Spain offers a wide variety of Spanish visas. The main options are as follows:
Schengen Visa (Tourist Visa)
If you are a non-EU citizen looking to visit Spain for up to 90 days, it is likely that you will require a Schengen visa.
This visa is not specific to Spain, meaning it can also be used to visit other countries in the Schengen Area. A Schengen visa will likely be necessary if you are traveling as a non-EU tourist to any EU country.
This visa is also known as the Category C Short-Stay visa.
Note that, in cases where Spain is not your main EU destination, you should instead apply for your Schengen visa via the EU country in which you will be spending the majority of your trip.
If you enter Spain on a Schengen visa, you will not be eligible to work during your time in the country.
Transit Visa
If you need to pass through Spain as part of your journey to a further destination, you may need to apply for a Transit visa. This allows you to legally enter Spain, with the understanding that you are only entering in order to wait for a connecting flight.
Student Visas
If you are a Canadian citizen looking to move to Spain for study, it is likely that you will require a Student visa. In most cases, you will require a Type D visa. There are a number of paths for which a Student visa is the right fit, such as postgraduate studies, enrollment in an eligible higher education institution, or completing an eligible training or internship program.
Work Visas and Permits
Spain offers a variety of Work visas and the route which is right for you will depend on the exact work which you intend to perform. Some of the main routes are as follows:
- Highly Qualified Residence permit: This permit allows highly qualified applicants to live and work in Spain
- EU Blue Card: This visa also targets highly qualified applicants, but it is also available in other EU countries
- Seasonal Worker visa: This is likely to be the right fit if you are entering Spain for temporary seasonal work, such as during peak holiday times. This visa is only valid for up to 9 months
- Entrepreneur visa: This visa allows you to enter Spain in order to start an innovative business. You will need to prove that your business is viable and that it will contribute to the Spanish economy
- Self-Employment visa: This visa is similar to the Entrepreneur visa except for the fact that your business idea does not need to be innovative; in the case of the Self-Employment visa, the holder is authorized to start a business similar to one(s) which already exist(s) within the Spanish market
- Working Holiday visa: This visa is for applicants who wish to work while they travel within Spain. If you are Canadian, you are eligible for this program between the ages of 18 to 35. You will only be eligible to work for up to 6 months and cannot stay with the same employer for more than 3 months. Work should be your secondary reason for visiting; travel should be your primary reason
Family Reunion Visa
This visa allows non-Spanish residents of Spain to be joined by their close family members, such as their children, parents, or spouse.
Digital Nomad Visa
This visa allows you to live in Spain while working for a non-Spanish employer who is based outside of the country. In order to be eligible, you will have to satisfy a number of conditions, such as proving that your employer is based outside of Spain and that you meet the minimum income threshold.
Non-Lucrative Visa
This visa is likely to be a good fit if you wish to live in Spain but are already self-sufficient and so will not need to work when you arrive in the country. Your income could come from a range of sources, such as rental payment from non-Spanish properties which you own, royalties, or dividends from your investments.
Note that you will need to provide evidence that you satisfy the minimum income threshold. You may also still be required to pay tax upon residing in Spain for over 6 months, even though your income is not generated in Spain.
Golden Visa (Investor Visa)
This visa allows you to live in Spain through the route of investing in the country. This investment could take a variety of forms, such as investing in property or establishing a new business.
The discontinuation of this scheme has been announced by the Spanish government. However, it is still possible to apply until the scheme formally comes to an end.
Retirement Visa
Whilst Spain does not offer a specific Retirement visa, there are certain visa routes which offer a retirement option to those wishing to move to Spain during their retirement.
The main routes are the Golden visa and the Non Lucrative visa. As Spain is set to discontinue its Golden visa scheme, the Non Lucrative visa is likely to be the best path for those looking to retire in Spain, going forward.
Required Documents
There are a number of documents which you are likely to require when applying for a Spanish visa.
While the exact list is dependent on the visa for which you are applying, you are likely to require a range of the following:
- Passport
- Clean criminal record
- 2 biometric photos
- Medical certificate and health insurance
- Evidence that you are enrolled in an eligible educational institution, if applicable
- Proof of financial means to support yourself, if applicable
- Evidence of an offer of employment, if applicable
- Proof of investment in Spain, if applicable
- Proof of your familial relationship with any family member wishing to join you in Spain, if applicable
Your documents must be submitted in Spanish. Note that any translations should be done by an official translation service.
Getting Spanish Permanent Residence
If you are a Canadian citizen who wishes to settle permanently in Spain, it is likely that you will need to have legally lived in the country for at least 5 years. You will also be expected to provide further evidence on your circumstances, such as proof of accommodation and Spanish health insurance.
Note that Spanish permanent residence does not grant the same rights as Spanish citizenship. To learn more, contact Total Law today on +1 844 312 4979. Our lawyers will be happy to help.
Getting Spanish Citizenship
Spanish citizenship grants a wide range of benefits, such as the right to vote in Spanish elections, a Spanish passport, and the right to live, work, and study in the rest of the EU.
In order to gain Spanish citizenship through naturalization, you will generally need to have legally and continuously lived in Spain for at least 10 years.
Note that, if you have spent time in Spain on either a Student or Tourist visa, this will not count towards that 10-year period.
Why Seek Legal Assistance?
Spain is a fantastic choice of location for Canadians looking to relocate. It boasts beautiful beaches, a warm climate, excellent schools, and numerous professional opportunities.
However, the process of applying for a Spanish visa is often complicated. At Total Law, our legal experts excel at making your application process as smooth as possible. You can rest assured that you will receive legal advice of the highest quality, as well as assistance with any stage of the application.
Our lawyers are experts in providing bespoke legal advice, meaning that the assistance you receive will be tailored to your exact situation. We can help you with the full range of Spanish visas, in addition to helping you apply for Family Reunion visas for your close family members.
In addition, we help to reduce the stress of the application process by ensuring that you have access to high-quality advice and guidance throughout the entire process.
Furthermore, if you have already unsuccessfully applied for a Spanish visa, we can help you understand what went wrong the first time around and represent you throughout the entire appeal process.
To learn more about our services, contact us today on +1 844 312 4979.
Our Packages
At Total Law, we are able to help with every stage of Spanish visa applications. In addition, we also offer a number of tailored packages which focus on a specific aspect of the application in particular.
If you are looking for comprehensive legal advice, our Advice Package might be the best fit for you. We advise you on the application process and ensure that you are applying for the visa which is the right fit for your specific circumstances.
If you want help specifically with your application, our Application Package is likely to be the best fit. As part of this package, we help ensure that your application runs as smoothly as possible and guide you along each step of the way.
If you are looking to submit your application for a particular deadline, contact us about our Fast Track Package. This package offers a premium application service which ensures that your application is submitted as quickly as possible, on a timeline that suits you.
If you have already applied for a Spanish visa and have been unsuccessful, Total Law’s Appeal Package may be the best fit for your circumstances. As part of this package, we help you understand why your initial application was unsuccessful and represent you throughout the appeal process.
Contact Total Law today on +1 844 312 4979 to learn more about how we can help.
How Can Total Law Help?
Spain is a beautiful and thriving country with a strong economy, fantastic schools and universities, and numerous amazing areas in which to work and raise a family. If you are a Canadian looking to move abroad, Spain may be the right fit for you.
However, Spain offers a wide range of visa options and Spanish visa applications can often be complicated. At Total Law, we can help make the application process as smooth as possible. Contact us today on +1 844 312 4979 or message us online, to learn more about our full range of services and to receive bespoke immigration advice.
Advice Package
Get clear, expert advice on your visa options, eligibility and application before you commit to applying.
Application Package
Let our immigration lawyers prepare, check and manage your application so you can apply with confidence.
Fast Track Package
Need to apply quickly? Get priority handling by our immigration lawyers from preparation to submission.
Appeal Package
Been refused or received an unfavourable decision? Get expert legal help to challenge it or determine your next step.
The Advice Package
During this Advice Session, an immigration lawyer will assess your circumstances, explain your options and tell you what you need to do to make a strong application.
We review your circumstances, explain the relevant requirements, identify potential problems or refusal risks, and advise you on the evidence and next steps.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will assess your case, prepare your application, check your supporting documents and submit your forms on your behalf.
We check your application for missing information, inconsistencies and potential issues before submission, helping you avoid common mistakes that could affect your case.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package gives your case priority with our immigration lawyers, helping you get your application prepared, checked and submitted as quickly as possible.
Your case receives priority handling, including accelerated document reviews, application preparation, communication with your caseworker and submission support.
The Appeal Package
Our immigration lawyers will review the decision, explain why it was refused and advise on the strongest option available to you, including an appeal, review or fresh application where appropriate.
We will examine the reasons for refusal, identify weaknesses or errors, assess your available options and provide the legal support and representation your case requires.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The amount of time which it takes to process a Spanish visa application will depend on a range of factors, such as how many other applications are being processed at the same time and whether your application contains any errors.
At Total Law, we offer a Fast Track Package which helps you to submit your application as quickly as possible. Contact us today on +1 844 312 4979 to learn more.
The duration of stay for which you are authorized will depend on the type of visa in question. While some visas only allow short-term stays, such as the Schengen visa, others provide a potential route to eventual permanent settlement and citizenship, such as a number of Work visas.
In most cases, it will be necessary to visit a Spanish embassy or consulate. In Canada, these can be found in Montreal, Quebec, St-John’s (Newfoundland), Toronto, Vancouver (British Columbia), Edmonton (Alberta), and Winnipeg (Manitoba).
Once you have attended your appointment, your application will then be processed. If you are successful, you will then be granted a visa which will allow you to legally enter Spain.
