Spain Schengen Visa

Spain, renowned for its beaches, flamenco, football, and more, is a rather popular destination among Emiratis. With Spain being a part of the Schengen zone, travellers may require a Spain Schengen visa from Dubai or any other Emirate to travel to the country. However, owing to the visa-free entry arrangement between the UAE and Schengen countries, not all individuals need a Schengen visa.

To find out whether you require a Spain Schengen visa to visit the country from the UAE, as well as the eligibility criteria, required documents, visa application process, Spain Schengen visa types, validity, and more, continue reading the article below.

Do You Need Schengen Visa for Spain?

As mentioned earlier, the UAE has a visa-free entry arrangement with Schengen countries, of which Spain is one. Owing to this tie-up, a UAE citizen having a valid passport can stay up to 90 days in the region without a Spain Schengen visa. However, it must be noted that this is applicable only to UAE citizens (and not all residents).

Applicants belonging to the following categories would require a Spain Schengen visa for their visit-

• If you are a UAE citizen but have been denied entry before
• If you are a citizen of a country that doesn’t have the visa-free entry arrangement with Schengen countries
• If you are a national of a country that has the visa-free entry tie-up in place but have been denied entry earlier

Requirements to Apply for Spain Schengen Visa

To find out more about the Spain Schengen visa requirements, let’s go through the documents required for the visa application process –

• Visa application form: Applicant must fill out the visa application without any mistakes and sign it
• Photographs: Applicants must have two identical passport-size photographs. Note that the photographs must not be older than 3 months.
• Valid passport: The passport of the applicant must not be older than 10 years and must be valid for at least 3 months after the arrival in UAE
• UAE residence permit proof: The validity of the residence permit must extend at least 3 months after you depart from Spain
• Cover letter: You would need to mention the purpose of your visit to Spain as well as details regarding your flight and accommodation in the Schengen country in the cover letter
• Travel itinerary: This document must cover all your flight details, such as the date and time of arriving in Spain from the UAE and departing from the country
• Accommodation proof: Any document(s) related to proof of accommodation must have all the necessary details of your accommodation in Spain, which can include hotel, hostel, rental apartment details, or even an invitation letter from your host.
• Proof of finance during the stay: A Spain Schengen visa applicant must have valid proof regarding finances, such as bank statements, to prove the availability of sufficient funds for their stay
• travel insurance policy: Obtaining a travel insurance policy before travelling to the Schengen country on a Spain Schengen visa is mandatory
• Civil status proof: This document can include a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or even the death certificate from the applicant’s spouse
• Employment status proof: The documents required will depend on the employment type of the applicant –   

For Employed Individuals

• Employment contract
• Leave permission from the current employer
• Your bank account statement for the previous six months

For Self-Employed Individuals

• A valid copy of the business licence
• Past six months’ company’s bank account statement

Here is a list of specific documents required for different Spain Schengen visas categories as per the purpose of visit –

Additional Documents Required for Spain Schengen Visa for Minors

• Minor’s birth certificate
• A document of family court order in case one of the guardians has full child custody
• Spain Schengen visa application form with both parents’ signatures
• Valid copies of passport or other ID of both parents
• A notarized parental authorisation in case the minor is travelling alone

Additional Document Required for Spain Schengen Visa for Tourists

• Applicant’s bank account statement for the previous 6 months 

Additional Documents Required for Spain Schengen Visa for Visitors

An invitation proof stating that they have been invited to the Schengen country by their friends or relatives. Such documents can be any of the following -

• An invitation letter signed by the person residing in Spain
• A valid copy of any ID card or passport of the host
• Proof of identity of the host

Additional Documents Required for Spain Schengen Visa for Business Purposes

• An invitation letter from the Spanish company with the detailed address, contact number, and visiting dates
• A certificate from your employer mentioning the purpose of your visit
• A valid ID of the inviter and/or their signature on the invitation letter 

Additional Documents Required for Student Schengen Visa to Spain

• An enrolment certificate of the university or school the student will attend
• A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the enrolled university or school in Spain
• An official internship agreement (if applicable) 

Additional Documents Required for Medical Schengen Visa to Spain

• A medical report assigned from the hospital in your home country mentioning your requirement for medical treatment in Spain
• A valid confirmation report from the hospital in Spain regarding your appointment

Additional Documents Required for Spain Schengen Visa for Sports, Culture, Religious, or Film Crew Purpose

• Event details – invitation letter, tickets, details of the event
• Documents of past participation in festivals, events, sports, and more

Additional Documents Required for Spain Schengen Visa for Members of Official Delegations

• Official copy of the invitation
• Verbal note from the official authority in your home country stating that you are a member of its delegation

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa for Spain?

It is necessary to be aware of whether you require a Spain Schengen visa for your trip. UAE nationals, for instance, can visit and stay in Spain for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. The same would be applicable for citizens of a country having a visa-free arrangement with Schengen countries.

After confirming that you require a Spain Schengen visa as per your duration of stay, nationality, and other factors, here are the steps you can follow to apply for a Spain Schengen visa –

• Analyse where to apply for the Spain Schengen visa and check the available slots. You may submit your visa application to the embassy, an authorised visa centre, or a consulate.
• Fill out the Spain Schengen visa application form carefully and make sure that it is free of errors 
• Collect and arrange all the documents required for the Spain Schengen visa application process
• Choose an appointment date and schedule your visa interview
• Complete the remaining processes, i.e., the interview and the submission of the visa application fee and Spain Schengen visa documents 

Once done with this, wait for your application to get processed. You will be notified about your rejection or approval from the concerned authority.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Spain Schengen Visa?

Insuring your trip with a travel insurance policy is mandatory before travelling to Spain from the UAE in case you require a Spain Schengen visa. Another thing to note here is that this plan must follow specific conditions – minimum medical coverage of 30,000 Euros, validity across all the Schengen region, and more. 

More than simply being a necessity, travel insurance is also a rather beneficial thing to have. Travel insurance plans financially secure individuals in case they experience any mishap during their trips.

The following are the common coverages provided by almost all travel insurance companies -

• Emergency medical expenses: Accidents and injuries can occur anytime during your trip to Spain. The cost of treatment can be highly expensive, while arranging funds immediately for the same can be quite stressful. However, claiming your travel insurance can save you from such expenses as your provider may cover all your medical-related costs.
• Trip curtailment or cancellation: An emergency situation may often come up, due to which your trip may be cut short or even cancelled. Such a circumstance can lead to financial loss. However, making a claim with your travel insurance plan can have you reimbursed for all your non-refundable flight, hotel, and other expenses.
• Loss of personal belongings: In case the policyholder loses personal documents like ID proof, visa, passport, wallet, or any other, a travel insurance plan can cover them against their lost or stolen personal items by providing them with financial support as well as duplicate copies of the important personal documents.
• COVID-19 coverage: As travellers often get infected with COVID-19 during their trip, most travel insurance companies now include COVID-19 coverage in their insurance products. Consequently, the travel insurance plans now cover all the costs related to COVID-19 such as treatment, RT-PCR, medication, quarantine, and more.
• Personal liability cover: If the policyholder is found to be responsible (accidentally) for any accidents or damages to a third party during their trip, the concerned travel insurance company can provide third-party compensation and cover the legal fees of the policyholder as well.
• Delayed or cancelled flights: Various situations may arise due to which your flight may be delayed or even cancelled. Filing your travel insurance claim can cover all the non-refundable flight-related expenses. 

Types of Travel Insurance

Before searching for a suitable insurance plan for travelling to Spain, travellers must be clear about the type of travel insurance. Individuals can select either of the travel insurance policies – single-trip or annual multi-trip.

Here are the key details of both plan categories –

• Single-trip travel insurance: Suitable for those who plan to visit Spain only once or twice a year, a single-trip travel insurance plan covers the entire trip of the policyholder to the Schengen zone.
• Annual multi-trip travel insurance: If you wish to visit Spain multiple times, say, more than twice or thrice a year, an annual multi-trip travel insurance plan would be an apt one. You get coverage for all the trips to the Schengen country you make in a year with this plan, meaning that you are freed from the requirement of obtaining travel insurance each time you enter the country.

Processing Time for the Schengen Visa

Spain Schengen visa processing usually takes up to 15 days, although it may get delayed due to several reasons. In case there is a mistake in your application or if you have any criminal records, the processing time for the Spain Schengen visa may take up to 30-60 days.

Similarly, visa authorities sometimes receive a high number of visa applications, due to which the processing time takes longer than usual.

When Should You Apply for Schengen Visa to Spain?

Spain Schengen visa applicants from the UAE can start their application process up to 180 days prior to their date of journey. As per the visa authorities, travellers must not delay the process and submit their visa applications at least a month before they depart from the UAE.

Early submission of the Spain Schengen visa application ensures a smooth process.

Schengen Visa to Spain Fees

When going with a Spain Schengen visa from the UAE, travellers are required to pay a specific visa fee as per their age as listed here –

How Long is Your Spain Schengen Visa Valid?

The validity of a Spain Schengen visa depends on the type of visa. UAE travellers can avail of any of the following Schengen visa types as per their purpose of visit –

Type C Visa

As a short-stay visa, it is usually suitable for tourists or visitors and allows a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period in the region. Type C visa can be categorised into further 3 sections – 

• Single-entry visa: With this visa type, individuals can arrive and depart from Spain only once. Once the visa expires, travellers wishing to make another trip to the country would be required to apply for another Spain Schengen visa.
• Double-entry visa: A double-entry visa allows all travellers from the UAE to enter and exit Spain twice, after which the Schengen visa stands invalid
• Multiple-entry visa: Having a multiple-entry Spain Schengen visa allow individuals to arrive and leave the country multiple times within the validity period. 

Type D Visa

It is an extended stay visa that is ideal for business persons and students. Individuals who plan to stay in Spain for more than 90 days can obtain a type D visa. These visas generally have a maximum validity of 1 year.

Key Takeaways

With a visa-free entry arrangement in place, UAE nationals travelling to Spain or any Schengen country can have a stay of up to 90 days there without a Schengen visa. However, if you need a Spain Schengen visa, whether due to your nationality or the length of the visit, you can easily apply for one in the UAE.

While the process of applying for the Spain Schengen visa is fairly convenient, mistakes in the visa application form or documents can cause unnecessary obstructions in the entire process. One of the mandatory documents includes travel insurance. As per the guidelines stated by the visa authorities, individuals travelling to Spain from the UAE on a Spain Schengen visa must obtain a travel insurance policy of medical coverage of at least 30,000 Euros.

Choosing the right insurance product can often be tricky. To make your search easier and get a plan of low premium and high coverage, you can simply visit policybazaar.ae and view the relevant quotes in just a few clicks. You can go through all the plans and compare them to find the best one for yourself.

Our website is user-friendly and provides you with numerous options from the top insurance providers in the UAE. In case of any queries, you can reach out to our customer support team by calling 042472904. As an alternative, you can drop us an email at communication@policybazaar.ae.

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