Spain Tourist Visa from USA
The Spain Tourist Visa is designed for non-EU (European Union) and non-EEA (European Economic Area) citizens to visit the country for leisure purposes short-term. What’s more, it’s valid through all 27 Schengen member states – so your European vacation can take you all over.
For support in applying for a Spanish Tourist Visa, speak to an expert immigration lawyer at Total Law. Contact us online or call us today on +1 844 290 6312 for a free chat with no obligation.
Spanish Tourist Visa Overview
The Spanish Tourist Visa is a short-term travel permission allowing travellers entry to and stay in Spain for up to 90-days in a 180-day period.
However, as Spain is a member of the Schengen Zone, it also facilitates travel into any other Schengen member state within that time period – providing Spain is the entry point for the trip.
The Schengen area is made up of 27 countries and territories who allow their citizens visa-free travel through borders. Aside from Spain, the Schengen Territory includes all European Union members bar Ireland (so that’s Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden), as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Cyprus are a member of the European Union and are currently undergoing review for entry into the Schengen area but have not yet been fully confirmed as members.
Do I need a visa to visit Spain from USA?
If you are a US citizen and travelling to Spain as either:
- Your only destination in Schengen Territory
- The destination in which you intend to spend the longest in Schengen territory
- The entry destination to Schengen Territory; AND
- Will be staying in Spain or another Schengen Zone state for less than 90 days
You do NOT need to apply for a Spanish Tourist Visa. However, if you are:
- A citizen of a country other than the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Mexico travelling to Spain (even if directly from the US); OR
- Intend to stay in Spain or another Schengen Zone state for more than 90 days
You must apply for a visa to enter Spain.
If you are a US, Canadian, Australian, Brazilian or Mexican citizen and are intending on staying in Spain and/or another Schengen state for less than 90 days, you must register for an ETIAS (The European Travel Information and Authorisation System) visa waiver. This is done through the completion of a simple online form and the payment of a €7 registration fee.
Unsure if you need a visa or ETIAS registration? Call +1 844 290 6312 to clarify your requirements with Total Law.
Spanish Tourist Visa Requirements
In order to demonstrate eligibility for a Spanish Tourist Visa, visa applications must be supplied alongside evidential documentation from the applicant. For a Spanish Tourist Visa or other Schengen country Tourist Visa, this includes:
- A signed and completed visa application form
- A valid passport, not older than 10 years; not expiring sooner than three months beyond the date of leaving Spain or another Schengen country; with two blank pages
- A photograph of the applicant, to passport standards
- Proof of address – usually a driver’s license with address, voter registration card, student ID
- Proof of immigration status – if the applicant is resident in a country within which they are not currently a citizen, they must provide details of their current visa or permission (often a Green Card)
- Proof of valid health and travel insurance demonstrating cover to a minimum of €30,000 for medical emergencies; valid for the entire duration of the intended stay and throughout all Schengen area countries
- Travel reservations showing dates of entry and departure from the Schengen area as well as booked accommodation
- Proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself while in Spain and/or any other Schengen country
- A receipt for payment of the visa fee
If you need any advice on supporting documents or are unsure what can or cannot be supplied, Total Law’s solicitors are contactable on +1 844 290 6312 to guide you through the dos and don’ts.
Spain Tourist Visa Application Process
Visa applications from the US to Spain follow a fairly simple visa application process, which is usually as follows:
Collect relevant supporting required documents
The required documents, including your passport, details of medical insurance and health insurance, travel reservations and proof of sufficient funds should be compiled in advance of any visa application being made. It should be noted by applicants that the entry requirements between other European Union and Schengen countries may vary slightly, and this guide only refers to the Spanish tourist visa entry requirements.
Print off and complete visa application form
In the US, visa applications are managed on behalf of the Spanish government by a third party company called BLS International. Visa application forms can be printed from their website. It is recommended that two copies are made in case of error on the original, and applicants are advised that the visa application form must be completed wholly and truthfully to the best of their ability. Application forms must be signed by the applicant in order to be valid.
Attend visa application appointment
In the US, BLS International manage all visa application appointments on behalf of the government of Spain. A visa application appointment must be booked ahead of time – either at a Spanish Embassy, Spanish Consulate or specific VAC (Visa Application Centre).
It is the duty of the applicant to travel to and attend this appointment with all required documents and their printed and signed visa application form. If a passport, travel document or other document is presented and found to be invalid the application will not be processed.
If you’d like advice on whether your passport, travel document or other documentation must be valid and how to tell, call +1 844 290 6312 to speak to a Total Law immigration lawyer for guidance.
Pay visa fee
The Spanish Tourist Visa incurs a non-refundable application form to be paid at the time of application filing. This is €90 for applicants over 12, €45 for children aged 6-12 and free for anyone younger. It should be noted that any applicants aged under 18 must supply a notarised authorisation letter along with their parent or guardian’s signature as evidential documentation.
Await visa processing
Once the visa application appointment has been attended and the fee paid, Spanish authorities will work through the visa application and decide whether to approve or deny the request. The applicant leaves the visa application centre for this period and may return afterward to collect their visa and/or supporting documents or may have them posted to them.
Receive completed visa
If a visa application is successful, the applicant may receive their valid visa. If the application has been refused, any recourse to appeal may be detailed.
Travel to Spain
Once a valid visa has been received, the holder may legally enter Spain and/or any other Schengen states thereafter.
Spain Tourist Visa Application Fee and Processing Time
A non-refundable fee of €90 or €45 is payable to process a Spanish Tourist Visa application. It should be noted by applicants that even in the event of a visa refusal, this fee will not be reimbursed.
On average it takes less than three weeks to process a Spanish Tourist Visa application; however, it is not advised for applicants to leave it any less than 15 working days before their intended date of travel in case of delays or heavy demand. Applicants may apply for their Spanish Tourist Visa no sooner than 180 days before the intended date of travel.
Want to apply for your Schengen States Tourist Visa but feel it may be too soon? Confused on costs? Speak to an expert at Total Law on +1 844 290 6312.
How Can Total Law Help?
Applying for visas to travel can be a minefield, and really take the joy out of your vacation planning. That’s why at Total Law our team of immigration experts aim to ease the application and appeals processes for you by communicating jargon-free, guiding you with our unbeatable legal knowledge and utilizing our strategic partnerships in immigration authorities to manage more complex cases.
Call our office today on +1 844 290 6312 or fill out the online contact form to discuss your circumstances and let us get to work on making your vacation plans real. You may just be surprised at how easy it can be.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Tourist Visa is a short term visa allowing a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This includes time spent in any other country in the Schengen Area.
ETIAS is applied for online through its official website and costs €7. The system cross-references your application with several European security databases and will usually grant a valid travel document in just a few minutes. If your ETIAS is declined, speak to an immigration lawyer on +1 844 290 6312.
There is one Spanish Embassy and seven Spanish Consulate buildings in the US. The Embassy of Spain can be found at 2375 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20037, and the Consulates at:
- Boston, MA: 31 St James Avenue, Suite 905
- Chicago, IL: 180 North Michigan Bird, Suite 1500
- Houston, TX: 1800 Bering Drive, Suite 660
- Los Angeles, CA: 5055 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 860
- Miami, FL: 2655 Le Jeune Road, Suite 203
- New York, NY: 150 East 58th St., 30th floor
- San Francisco, CA: 1405 Sutter St.
Yes. A Spanish Tourist Visa permits a stay in the Schengen area providing that Spain is either the entry point to the area or is the country within which the traveller will be spending the most time.
It’s unlikely that standard American health insurance will cover a sufficient amount in the Schengen Zone for visa purposes, but any details on your individual policy can be determined by your provider.
Sufficient financial means for the purposes of a Tourist Visa is considered enough for the visa holder to support themselves in the country without relying on any state benefits or funding. This includes medical insurance with a minimum cover of €30,000 across all Schengen states, and then a minimum amount of money based on the duration of your stay:
- For stays of up to 10 days, you need to demonstrate that you have access to at least 90% of the Spanish minimum wage (€945 per month, approximately $1,052)
- For stays of more than 10 days, you need to demonstrate you have a minimum of €70.77 per day (approximately $78.75)
