Spain, with its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and Mediterranean charm, is a top destination for travelers worldwide, including those from the UK. This guide covers everything you need to know about applying for a Spain Schengen visa from the UK, including all necessary requirements to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.
Who Needs a Visa to Travel to Spain From the UK?
Spain is a popular destination for UK citizens, offering visa-free travel for those with a full UK passport or applicable British Overseas Territories passports (BOTC, BOC, BPP, BS), thanks to its membership in the Schengen Area.
However, non-EU residents in the UK may still need a Schengen visa to enter Spain. While visa liberalization has reduced the number of countries requiring a visa, some British non-EU residents still need one for travel to Spain and other Schengen countries. To check if you need a visa, use the Schengen visa eligibility checker to confirm your requirements.
Who Can Apply for a Spain Visa in the UK?
If you are a resident of a non-EU country and intend to visit Spain, your eligibility to apply for a Spanish Schengen visa from the UK hinges on a few key factors:
UK Visa Extension: You could renew your UK visa that has been permitted a remain for three months, you are allowed to extend it to six. This extension qualifies you to complete your application for a Spanish Schengen visa while you are still in the UK. (The extension qualifies you to apply for the visa in Spain while you are still in the UK.) It is significant and advisable that you start this extension before when your current UK visa is about to expire.
Main Destination Criteria: You can apply for a visa by sending the application form to the Embassy or the Visa Application Center (VAC) through the Spanish Embassy, Consulate, or VAC in the UK if:
- Schengen Spain is your travel itinerary’s only Schengen nation.
- Spain is your primary city destination, portraying that you will spend more time there than any of the other cities you would otherwise visit.
- Spain will be your first point of entry into the Schengen Area and the schedule will be synchronized by the distribution of time among the Schengen countries in your itinerary.
Stay Exceeding 90 Days: If your stay exceeds 90 days, you must replace your Spanish Schengen visa with a permit that grants temporary residence.
For applicants residing in the UK, you can only apply for a Spain visa at the Spanish Embassy, Consulate, or VAC in your home country.
Spain Visa Application Documents and Requirements for UK Residents
Getting a Spain Schengen visa while in the UK is an inseparable part of acquiring the celebration of required documents. Below is an exhaustive list of the documents you will need:
A Valid Passport or Travel Document
- The validity of your passport should follow the last 10 years of the print date.
- It should at least feature two but not more pages of a blank design, including one for stamping the visa and the other for potentially unforeseen requirements including additional immigration or customs stamps.
- A passport should be valid at least for 3 months after you leave the Schengen Zone area.
Valid UK Residence Permit or Identity Card
- Provide a scanned copy of your UK residence permit, either from your old passport or your new biometric ID card.
- There must be a validity of at least 3 months longer than planned of your departure to Spain.
Completed Application Form
Exercise extra care when filling out the Spain visa application form; assure thoroughness and accuracy.
Passport Format Photo
- Please attach a photograph of yours that is in passport format and has a plain backdrop on the form.
- Your photo should be taken indoors, in color, with high quality, and should clearly show your facial features.
- Ensure the photo is no older than three months and attached to the form with a safety pin (not a staple).
Biometric Data (Fingerprints)
- If you don’t have any of your biometric information within a time frame of 59 months, providing fingerprints is mandatory for you.
- Those who are less than 12 years old are not obliged to vacate the pool in compliance with this rule.
- To abbreviate the time spent verifying your identity and documents, include a copy of the biometric page from your passport that contains your photo.
Cover Letter
Write a cover letter that highlights the purpose of visiting Spain.
Proof of Travel Arrangements
Issue a round-trip aircraft ticket or travel reservation a document containing all your planned transport details and transportation within and other Schengen area states.
Schengen Travel Insurance
- Aim for travel insurance with minimum coverage of £30,000 and validity throughout the entire Schengen Area with coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation.
- The college in Spain shall send a letter of recommendation to my university.
- Provide a booking receipt from the hotel or the rental agreement.
- On the other hand, if you only have an invitation from a host in Spain (you may know them as your relative or a good friend), make a copy of their passport.
Proof of Financial Means
- Attach a bank statement reflecting current UK transactions from the last three months, without exceeding €40 per day for the duration of your visit to Spain.
- Another answer to this offer is showing the sponsorship certificate or traveler’s cheque.
Additional Documents Based on Employment Status
- Employees: Add-up employment contract, bank statements credit done for last six months, letter of leave by you from the employer, and Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deduction at source of salaries.
- Self-employed: Supply the photocopy of your business license, company monthly bank statements for the last six months, and the Income Tax Return of the previous year.
- Foreign students in the UK: Please submit a copy of your registration document and, last but not least, have a no-objection clearance certificate prepared by your school.
- Retirees: Please send in a pension statement printed and issued in the last month.
- Unemployed: The DSS involvement will be verified and income records displayed.
Additional Documents for Specific Cases
Unemployed and married to an EU citizen: Submit a Modern Date Confirmation of Employment letter from your spouse’s company, the authentic passport of the spouse, and the officially translated marriage certificate.
Requirements for Children Under 18
Minors should always be accompanied by parents or legal guardians during the project’s application process.
Parents or guardians must provide a notarized travel consent form signed by both parties, along with copies of their passports.
The Application Process: Applying for a Spain Visa From the UK
The journey toward obtaining a Spain Schengen visa from the UK involves a series of well-defined steps, ensuring your application is accurate and efficient:
Determine Your Visa Type
The first step is to specify the visa that matches your travel purpose, such as business, tourism, visiting family or friends, or other reasons when applying for a Spanish short-stay visa.
Choose the Appropriate Application Center
To begin with, make sure that your county is on the list of competent application centers, and after that, apply for the visa at the stated center appropriate to your county. In the UK, this would be the Spanish Embassy, Consulate, or an applicant gathering place.
Plan Your Application Timing
To showcase your skills effectively, you should time the application accurately. Six months from the time of the planned visit to Spain, the earliest time you can apply for a visa. Just count yourself in not later than 15 days before heading for your journey.
Compile the Required Documents
Make sure that all the forms are filled, signed, and gathered in the appropriate sequence, as per instruction.
Schedule an Appointment
By booking your appointment with the Spanish visa application center you have chosen as your mission, you make a concrete step toward fulfilling the mission of getting a Spanish visa. It is possible to do this through community websites or call centers, as well as in person.
Attend the Interview
Attend the meeting on appointment day. Make sure you show up for the interview well-prepared and with all necessary materials like application letters and academic transcripts.
Pay the Visa Fee
Make sure to settle the application or visa fees, which depend on your age and currency conversions. Payments are usually made in GBP and are non-refundable.
Await Visa Processing
Once you submit your application, the process will take no more than a month. If needed, we will request additional documents.
Collect Your Visa
On submission of your application, you should be able to collect it from the designated center at the stipulated time. Make sure all the things you plan to do are in place and true before you do it.
Spain Schengen Visa Fee and Exemptions for UK Residents
The price of a Schengen visa for UK citizens near Spain includes age preferences and currency fluctuations. Here’s the fee breakdown:
- Adults: £73 or €80
- Children (6-12 years): 36.5 or 40 €.
- Children (under 6 years): A wide range of behaviors are exhibited by alcoholics in public.
However, note that these charges are non-refundable, even if your visa application is rejected. The visa fee is waived for some individuals, including spouses of EU/EEA nationals, who do not need to pay the fee.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spain Visas
While the Spain visa application journey can be complex at times, there are certain issues that you may encounter. Here are some common queries addressed:
Can Indian Passport Holders Apply for Spain student Visa in the UK?
Long-term Indian residents in the UK, who have lived for more than three months and complied with all immigration laws and formalities, can apply for a Spain Schengen visa.
What should I do if my visa application will not be approved?
If your application for the Spain visa is refused, you can still file an appeal. You can do so within one month of the rejection communicated to you. Make sure your appeal includes all the necessary information, such as a copy of the refusal letter and an explanation letter detailing why you believe your case should be reconsidered.
Can I Book One Appointment for My Family Members?
No, each individual, not to mention children, is supposed to book their visa appointment.
What Documents Do I Need When Traveling from the UK to Spain?
- EU Citizens: The valid one can in turn present an EU identity card at passport control.
- British Citizens: Per independent traveler passport accepted for 10 years, with three months’ validity gained after Schengen Area leaving.
- Non-EU Citizens: A Spanish passport would be valid for up to 10 years and should be used for travel for up to three months after leaving Spain. It could become necessary to have Schengen Visa, and Spanish as well.
Is Travel Insurance compulsory for UK travelers when from the UK to Spain?
Although travel insurance is not required by law, we recommend it to protect you and cover your safety and health needs while traveling to Spain.
Where Should I Apply for a Spain Visa in the UK?
Spanish Consulate can be either in London or Edinburgh if you live in one of these cities or visa you have.
What Are the Processing Times for a Spain Visa?
The timespan for Spain visa processing may be one to four weeks from when the form is completed. Use at least 3 working weeks before departure of employment.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your visa application to Spain straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for a Multiple-Entry Visa or a Short Stay, we handle every step—from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our Immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas have a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need to visit Spain. You can call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can help you.
