Do I need a Visa?
Short stay
Long stay
How to apply
Were to apply

Do I need a Visa ?

US citizens with ordinary passports, valid for a minimum of 3 months, who wish to stay in Spain for tourist or business purposes for up to 90 days, do not need a visa.

Short stay (up to 90 days out of every six months).
Foreign nationals intending to enter Spanish territory must have the corresponding transit or visitor’s visa if the nature of their nationality means they are required to do so.
The Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Iceland, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Slovenia and Slovakia.

List of countries whose nationals are obliged to have a visa
List of countries whose nationals are exempt from this obligation

For some nacionalities an airport transit visa is required when entering the international zone of a Spanish airport.

Tourist visa
Business visa
Transit visa

Long stay (more than 90 days out of every 6 months).

All foreign citizens who do not hold the nationality of a European Union member state, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, must obtain a Long Stay Visa if they wish to stay in Spain for a period of over 90 days per semester. There are three types of Long Stay Visas:

Residency: this visa allows the holder to live in Spain without working or performing any profesional activities.
Work and residence : this visa allows the holder to work while living in Spain.
Student : this visa allows the holder to live in Spain while studying, researching or participating in an internship.
If you are a dependent of a citizen of one of the EU member states or a citizen of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, you will only  need to apply for a Long Stay Visa if you are required to do so (see list attached) and wish to live in Spain.

How to apply

Make sure your permanenent residency is within the jurisdiction of this Consulate

Make sure you have all the right documentation for the visa in which you are applying
Make an appointment to apply at the Consulate. Please use the link you will find in the category of visa you need.

Where to apply

Apply at this Consulate if your permanent address or your University address is in one of the following:

Arizona
Colorado
Utah
Sur de California, Condados de:

Los Angeles
San Diego
Imperial
Inyo
Kern
Orange
Riverside
San Bernardino
San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara
Ventura
If you do not reside in the jurisdiction of this Consulate, please click here to find the one that you correspond to.