Get your Visa in Spain, Mallorca & Ibiza
Our lawyers in Mallorca and Ibiza will get the Visa for you.
Do you want to live and work legally in Spain? Then, in order to do that, you will need a VISA. With this article you will be able to get your Visa following simple steps and you will learn the requirements you must gather to apply for any kind of Visa to travel to Spain.
Meaning and Visa types
A visa is a conditional authorization granted by a territory to a foreigner, allowing them to enter, remain within, or to leave that territory.
There are different types of Visas. Beforehand, you should know that Spain is part of the Schengen Area which means they share a Visa policy and a common, external border with the other participating countries. Therefore, travelers can move freely between the Schengen countries without going through passport controls, since Schengen Visa gives visitors access to all 26 Schengen countries, even though workers and students need different kinds of visas.
Types
Tourist Visa
This visa is of short duration since it grants you a stay permit of no more than 3 months. During this period, in addition to vacationing or sharing with your loved ones, you can take short courses.
You should know that some countries of the European Union and Latin America do not need to apply for a tourist visa to travel to Spain. For this reason, consult the list of exempt nations on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Also, foreigners holding a valid residence permit or a valid long-term visa issued by another Schengen State may circulate for a maximum of 90 days, in any 180-day period, through the territory of the other Schengen States, provided that they are in possession of a passport or a valid travel document, justify the purpose and conditions of their stay as well as the sufficiency of financial means to support them during the period of stay in Spain and prove that they do not pose a danger to public health, public order, national security or international relations of Spain or of other States with which Spain has an agreement in this regard.
Requirements
Visa application form.
Proof of the appointment specifying the date and time you must go to the embassy or consulate.
A recent color photograph in passport size.
A valid passport. It is important that it has a minimum of 2 blank pages and is valid for up to three months after your scheduled departure from Spain.
A proof of contracting an international medical insurance. The coverage must be at least 30,000 euros and they must guarantee you medical care in any situation and the repatriation of remains if applicable.
A reservation of the ticket to Spain and back to your country or another destination.
Proof of accommodation. In this case, you can present a hotel reservation, or a letter of invitation issued by a Spanish or European Union citizen, or by a foreign citizen who is legally residing in Spain.
Solvency of financial means. When applying for your tourist visa to travel to Spain, you must present proof that you have the funds to pay for your trip from start to finish. Keep in mind that this figure varies depending on each country, so inform yourself well.
Work Visa
If you are not from an EU country, you need to obtain a Work Visa if you are looking forward to living and working in Spain. There are various types of Spanish work visas:
Self-employed and Freelance Work Visa
With this Visa you are able develop a commercial project or a work activity in Spanish territory. It has requirements, here are some of them. You can find the rest in this link.
Two Requests for authorization of temporary residence and self-employment.
Passport or recognized travel document, with a minimum validity of 4 months
United States immigration status (not applicable to US citizens): residency card, US student visa, or US work visa issued on one’s own passport, parole.
Driver’s License or Identity Card, with current address in the State of Florida, Georgia or South Carolina
Residence authorization request fee, Model 790 code052
Work as an Employee
This visa to work in Spain authorizes you to get a job with a Spanish citizen. However, you are not the one who should request it. The application must be made by your employer since one of the requirements is to have a formal job offer in any city in Spain. It has requirements, here are some of them. You can find the rest in this link.
Two applications for the National Visa, completed and signed by the interested party.
Two recent (US passport size) photos in color, centered, with a uniform and light background, preferably white. Photos with a dark background or with objects or people behind the head are not acceptable.
Passport or recognized travel document with a minimum validity of 4 months.
United States immigration status (not applicable to US citizens): residency card, student visa, US job issued in own passport, parole.
Driver’s license or ID card with current address in the State of Florida, Georgia or South Carolina.
Consular fee and medical certificate with letterhead.
Other Visas
There are Visas for seasonal workers, visas for Au Pairs and EU Blue Card Visas.
EU Blue Card Visas are for people who spent at least 3 years completing a higher education qualification which allows them to work as a skilled professional or those who have a minimum of 5 years’ professional experience at a high level are also eligible. The employer submits the application on the behalf of the applicant.
Student Visa
Unless you are an EU citizen it is necessary to get a Student Visa for Spain and the process is simple.
Short-term Visa
If your study program lasts between 3 and 6 months, you must apply for a short-term visa. With this permit, in addition to studying in Spain, there are many possibilities, such as taking an internship program or an internship agreement with a company. It has requirements too:
Have the necessary financial funds. You must show that you have money to cover your stay and your return home.
Contract a medical insurance that covers you for your entire stay. It is important that the company is authorized to operate in Spain.
Enroll in a school that allows you to complete a full-time study program. It is important that it leads to a degree or certificate.
Present a bank receipt in your name, stamped and signed, that shows the payment of fees to the school in which you enrolled. If you are taking a language course, you must have canceled the entire tuition. In addition, you must pay the fees required by the application, according to your nationality.
Request a proof of accommodation. In this case, you can present a rental contract and a photocopy of the tenant’s ID, a hotel reservation of at least 15 days or a certificate issued by the school indicating the address of your home.
Long-term Visa
If your study program lasts more than 6 months, you must apply for a long-term visa. In addition to the visa, once you arrive in Spain, you must apply for the foreigner identity card within a maximum period of 1 month. Requirements:
Two applications for the National Visa, completed and signed by the interested party.
Two recent (US passport size) photos in color, centered, with a uniform and light background, preferably white. Photos with a dark background or with objects or people behind the head are not acceptable.
Passport or recognized travel document with a minimum validity of 4 months.
United States immigration status (not applicable to US citizens): residency card, student visa, US job issued in own passport, parole.
Driver’s license or ID card with current address in the State of Florida, Georgia or South Carolina.
Admission certificate issued by a school certified by the government of Spain.
Proof of economic solvency and bank statements. In this case, you must show that you have enough funds to cover your stay and your return home.
Proof of payment of the consular fee.
Proof of payment of a medical insurance that has authorization to operate in Spain.
Medical certificate that accredits your optimal health.
If you are above legal age, proof of criminal record from your country or where you have resided in the last 5 years.