Overview of Spain
Spain, located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, is renowned for its vibrant culture, rich history, and diverse landscapes. With a population of approximately 47 million, Spanish is the official language, and the country is celebrated for its art, cuisine, and festive traditions. The capital, Madrid, and other major cities like Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia offer a blend of modernity and historic charm. Spain has been a member of the Schengen Area since 1995, facilitating smooth travel across European borders.
Spain Schengen Visa Eligibility
Schengen visa eligibility for Spain includes third country nationals from the following states, who are excluded from visa-free to Spain/the Schengen area, and are therefore eligible to apply for a Schengen visa to Spain:
| 1. AFGHANISTAN | 53. LAOS |
| 2. ALGERIA | 54. LEBANON |
| 3. ANGOLA | 55. LESOTHO |
| 4. ARMENIA | 56. LIBERIA |
| 5. AZERBAIJAN | 57. LIBYA |
| 6. BAHRAIN | 58. MADAGASCAR |
| 7. BANGLADESH | 59. MALAWI |
| 8. BELARUS | 60. MALDIVES |
| 9. BELIZE | 61. MALI |
| 10. BENIN | 62. MAURITANIA |
| 11. BHUTAN | 63. MONGOLIA |
| 12. BOLIVIA | 64. MOROCCO |
| 13. BOTSWANA | 65. MOZAMBIQUE |
| 14. BURKINA FASO | 66. NAMIBIA |
| 15. BURMA/MYANMAR | 67. NAURU |
| 16. BURUNDI | 68. NEPAL |
| 17. CAMBODIA | 69. NIGER |
| 18. CAMEROON | 70. NIGERIA |
| 19. CAPE VERDE | 71. NORTH KOREA |
| 20. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC | 72. OMAN |
| 21. CHAD | 73. PAKISTAN |
| 22. CHINA | 74. PAPUA NEW GUINEA |
| 23. COMOROS | 75. PHILIPPINES |
| 24. CONGO | 76. QATAR |
| 25. COTE D’IVOIRE | 77. RUSSIA |
| 26. CUBA | 78. RWANDA |
| 27. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO | 79. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE |
| 28. DJIBOUTI | 80. SAUDI ARABIA |
| 29. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | 81. SENEGAL |
| 30. ECUADOR | 82. SIERRA LEONE |
| 31. EGYPT | 83. SOMALIA |
| 32. EQUATORIAL GUINEA | 84. SOUTH AFRICA |
| 33. ERITREA | 85. SOUTH SUDAN |
| 34. ETHIOPIA | 86. SRI LANKA |
| 35. FIJI | 87. SUDAN |
| 36. GABON | 88. SURINAME |
| 37. GAMBIA | 89. SWAZILAND |
| 38. GHANA | 90. SYRIA |
| 39. GUINEA | 91. TAJIKISTAN |
| 40. GUINEA-BISSAU | 92. TANZANIA |
| 41. GUYANA | 93. THAILAND |
| 42. HAITI | 94. TOGO |
| 43. INDIA | 95. TUNISIA |
| 44. INDONESIA | 96. TURKEY |
| 45. IRAN | 97. TURKMENISTAN |
| 46. IRAQ | 98. UGANDA |
| 47. JAMAICA | 99. UZBEKISTAN |
| 48. JORDAN | 100.VIETNAM |
| 49. KAZAKHSTAN | 101.YEMEN |
| 50. KENYA | 102.ZAMBIA |
| 51. KUWAIT | 103.ZIMBABWE |
| 52. KYRGYZSTAN |
Third party nationals from the following entities/territories are also required to apply for a Schengen visa: KOSOVO and the PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY.
When to Apply for a Spain Schengen Visa
Applicants should submit their Spain Schengen visa applications no more than six months before their planned trip and no later than 15 calendar days prior to departure. It is advisable to apply well in advance to accommodate potential processing delays.
Processing Time for Spain Schengen Visa
The processing time for a Spain Schengen visa typically ranges from 10 to 15 calendar days from the date of application. However, during peak travel seasons or in individual cases, processing times may extend up to 30 or even 60 days. Therefore, it is recommended to apply as early as possible to ensure sufficient time for visa processing.
Important Entry Notes
Your visa may be revoked if you do not notify the Spanish consulate or visa application center of any changes to your travel itinerary after submitting your application. Possession of a Schengen visa does not guarantee entry into Spain or the Schengen Area; border authorities have the final decision on entry and may require additional documentation. Be prepared to present documents verifying your financial means, accommodation details, and the purpose of your visit upon arrival in Spain.
