Applications for short-term visas must be submitted through a duly completed application form (original and copy), which may be downloaded for free on this website or may also be obtained for free at Spain's Diplomatic Missions or Consular Posts abroad.
Visas must be applied for in person or through a duly accredited representative at the Spanish Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post of the district in which the applicant legally resides. Should there be no Spanish Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post in a certain country, visas may be applied for at the Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post representing Spain in said country.
When submitting an application for a visa, an established fee must be paid (generally € 60), which shall not be refunded in the event of the application being denied. In certain cases, which should be consulted at Spanish Diplomatic Missions or Consular Posts, current legislation sets forth a reduction or waiver of the fee. Other requirements should be consulted at the Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post where the visa is to be applied for, because they can vary depending on the reason for the trip and the applicant's country of origin.
The deadline for processing short-term (Schengen) visa applications is 15 calendar days after the application has been submitted. This period may be extended to up to 30 calendar days in specific cases, especially when a more detailed examination of the application is necessary. Exceptionally, in specific cases where additional documents are necessary, this period may be extended to a maximum of 60 calendar days.
In the event that a visa is issued, it must be collected personally at the relevant Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post, although it is possible for a duly authorized representative to collect it, within a month after notification of issuance.
In the event that a visa is refused, the applicant shall be notified by means of a standard form indicating the grounds for refusal. In this case, a contentious-administrative appeal may be lodged before the High Court of Justice of Madrid within two months after the notification date, or, optionally, an appeal for reversal before the same Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post within a month after the refusal notification date.