Long Stay Visa Spain (National Visa)
If you plan to stay in Spain for over three months, as a non-EU citizen from the Philippines, you will need to apply for a Long Stay visa.
Total Law is an affordable immigration law firm comprising a team of experienced lawyers who can advise and guide you in selecting the right visa for your personal situation, address any of your immigration queries, and even manage your visa application on your behalf. Call us today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375, or contact us online, to hear about our range of services.
Overview of a Long Stay National Visa Spain
Each visa has different eligibility requirements and restrictions, and the type you apply for will depend on your needs and reasons for staying in Spain.
These visas are eligible routes to apply for a Long Term Residence Permit, once you have been in Spain for five consecutive years, and eventually, Spanish citizenship after ten consecutive years.
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Types of Long Stay Visa Spain
Spain offers several Long Stay visa options to cover a range of activities. Unless specified otherwise, all visas are valid for one year and are eligible for renewal, provided your situation is unchanged. If your situation does change, it is possible to apply for a different visa.
Student Visa
The Spanish Student visa allows international students to study at a Spanish educational institution for more than three months. For this visa, you will have to be accepted for and enrolled in a university or accredited programme.
Typically, your visa will be eligible for the duration of your course, though it can be renewed for longer programmes, and at the end of the course you may be able to switch to a Work visa if you receive a job offer from a Spanish employer.
Work Visa
If you have received a job offer from an employer in Spain, you will need to apply for a Work visa. For this visa route, there is an additional step; once you receive an offer for work, the employer must apply for and obtain a Work permit on your behalf. Once they have been granted a Work permit, you will be able to apply for a Work visa.
Family Visa
If a member of your immediate family is a resident or citizen of Spain, you can apply for a Family visa. This includes spouses, partners, dependent children and dependent parents. In some extenuating cases, non-immediate family members may be eligible.
When submitting your application, you will have to provide proof of your relationship to them and also the source of any financial support required during your stay in Spain.
Au Pair Visa
If you receive a job offer to work as an au pair in Spain, you can apply for an Au Pair visa. For this visa, you will need to stay with the host family, undertake typical au pair activities (such as childcare and housework), have a legitimate au pair contract, and enrol in Spanish language classes for at least 20 hours per week.
Retiree Visa and Non-Lucrative Residence Visa
Many people choose to retire in another country or move to another country and do not wish to work. As you will not be working, you must prove to the Spanish authorities that you have the financial means to support yourself during your retirement or stay in Spain.
Typically, you must demonstrate that you have 400% of the Spanish index of minimum income.
Golden Visa
Spain offers a specific visa with additional perks for those who will be investing large sums of money into the country.
The investment minimum for this visa is €500,000, and will grant a successful applicant benefits such as:
- A two-year Residence permit (instead of the usual one-year)
- The option to bring their family to Spain with them
- Free travel between countries in the Schengen zone
Entrepreneur Visa
As a rapidly growing economy, Spain is a popular location to start a new business or expand an existing business. This visa is particularly challenging to apply for; first, you must submit a business plan to a separate Spanish authority, next, they will provide a decision on whether your business is viable and contributes to Spanish economic activities, and finally, the immigration authorities will assess their report as part of your application.
Working Holiday Visa
The Working Holiday visa provides an option for people aged 18-30 years old to travel and work in Spain for up to one year.
This visa is not renewable and only allows for temporary work in Spain during this year.
Documents Required to Apply for a Long Stay Visa Spain
The documents required for your application will depend on the visa you are applying for. Generally, for every visa, you will need documents such as a valid passport, two passport photos, and a criminal record certificate to show you have a clean criminal record.
Depending on your visa, you may also need to provide documents such as:
- Proof of financial means to show that you can support yourself for the duration of your stay in Spain
- A private medical insurance certificate from an authorised Spanish healthcare company
- A doctor-issued medical certificate
- Proof of enrolment at a university in Spain
- Work authorisation or employment contract from a Spanish employer
Application Process for the Long Stay Visa
After assessing which visa is appropriate for you, you must collate all the necessary documents and ensure you meet any pre-application requirements, for example, if you are applying for a Work visa, has your new employer applied for your work permit?
Once you have met all the requirements for your chosen visa, you will need to complete an application form and submit it either at your local Spanish consulate or Spanish visa application centre in the Philippines. We advise that you submit your application with plenty of time to spare, up to three months, before departing for Spain.
Once you have submitted your application, you will need to make a visa appointment; this appointment will either be made online or through calling the Spanish consulate. This visa interview will only be short and if your biometrics (photo and fingerprints) are not already registered, you will provide them on the day of your interview.
Visa Fees and Processing Time
Your visa fee will depend on the type of Long Stay visa you apply for and will likely be paid at the Spanish consulate or the visa application centre. Current fees are as follows:
- Work permit: €90-€200
- Student visa: €90
- Self-Employed Work visa: €219.10
Typically, your visa can take up to a month to be processed; however, in some situations, this time can be extended. To avoid long delays in processing time, it is essential that your visa application meets all the requirements and contains all the correct supporting documents.
Upon Arrival in Spain
If you are staying in Spain for fewer than 180 days, you do not need to take any further action once you arrive in Spain.
If your visa allows you to stay in Spain for over 180 days, you will need to apply for a Foreign Identity Card within one month of your arrival. This can be done at the Foreigners Office and you will need to provide your passport, visa, and three photos.
Long Term Residence Permit in Spain
Once you have applied for and been approved for one of the Long Stay visas, you will have to apply for a Long Term Residence permit, typically once you have arrived in Spain.
This permit can last for up to five years, is valid for continuous stay in the country, and can be renewed. Once you have stayed in Spain for five continuous years on a Long Term Residence permit, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence.
After accruing a total of ten years of continuous residence in Spain under a Long Term and then Permanent Residence permit, you will be able to take the citizenship tests and apply for Spanish citizenship.
How Can Total Law Help?
When planning a long-term stay in a foreign country, it can be a stressful process to ensure you have made all the correct travel plans and are prepared to apply for all required visas and permits.
At Total Law, our immigration experts offer a range of services to individuals to support them in applying for all necessary visas and residence permits to allow them to legally travel from the Philippines and stay in Spain. We are able to assess your application and supporting documents and provide comprehensive advice to ensure you feel confident that you have ticked all the necessary legal travel boxes.
For more information about our services and how we can help you with your visa application, please call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or submit an online contact form.
Advice Package
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Application Package
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Fast Track Package
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Appeal Package
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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.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
After accruing five continuous years in Spain with a Temporary Residence permit, you will be eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence permit.
Yes, though this depends on the type of visa you have been granted. For example, the Student visa only allows part-time work, and the Non-Lucrative visa does not allow any work.
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