SCHENGEN VISA

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

CONSULATE GENERAL OF SPAIN IN MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA)

HOW TO APPLY FOR VISAS

THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE IN FORCE AS FROM 24th JULY 2025

PLEASE REFER TO OUR OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION REGARDING VISAS AND TO DOWNLOAD THE REQUESTED VISA FORMS:

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/melbourne/es/Paginas/index.aspx

PLEASE NOTE THAT NO INFORMATION ABOUT VISAS WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE COUNTER OR VIA EMAIL.

THE ISSUE OF VISAS REQUIRES THREE DIFFERENT STAGES:

1.REQUEST FOR AN APPOINTMENT. ALL APPLICANTS, INCLUDING MINORS, MUST APPLY FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO SUBMIT THE VISA APPLICATION. THE APPOINTMENT REQUESTS MUST BE SENT EXCLUSIVELY TO THE ADRESS cog.melbourne.visappt@maec.es.IN YOUR E-MAIL PLEASE MENTION: FULL NAME, NATIONALITY, PHONE NUMBER AND TYPE OF VISA REQUESTED (Schengen, studies in Spain, national visa, etc.). THE APPOINTMENTS WILL BE ALLOCATED ON A FIRST COME-FIRST SERVED BASIS, AS WE DO NOT OFFER ANY PRIORITY SERVICE. APPOINTMENTS SHOULD BE REQUESTED WITH A MINIMUM PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED START OF THE TRIP FOR SCHENGEN VISAS, OR THREE MONTHS FOR NATIONAL VISAS.

2.PRESENTATION OF THE VISA APPLICATION. ONCE THE REQUEST IS RECEIVED, THIS CONSULAR OFFICE WILL GIVE AN APPOINTMENT TO THE APPLICANT. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN PERSON TO:

Consulate General of Spain

Level 7, 564 St. Kilda road

MELBOURNE VIC 3004

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPOINTMENTS WILL BE GIVEN ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FOR SCHENGEN VISAS, AND ON FRIDAYS FOR NATIONAL VISAS, IN BOTH CASES BETWEEN 10.00 AND 13.00 HOURS. DO NOT COME TO THIS GENERAL CONSULATE FOR VISA PURPOSES IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PREVIOUS APPOINTMENT. MAKE SURE YOU COME TO THE APPOINTMENT WITH ALL THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING THE VISA FEE (only cash and money order). IN CASE WE REQUEST THE APPPLICANT TO PROVIDE MORE DOCUMENTS, THIS CONSULAR OFFICE WILL GIVE HIM/HER ANOTHER APPOINTMENT.

PLEASE ENSURE TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR PROCESSING. THE PROCESSING TIME MAY BE EXTENDED FOR NATIONAL VISAS, AS THEY WILL ONLY BE ISSUED ONCE APPROVAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY THE RELEVANT SPANISH AUTHORITIES.

3.COLLECTION OF THE PASSPORT. IF THE VISA IS GRANTED OR REFUSED, OR THE APPLICATION SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE APPLICANT WITHOUT BEING PROCESSED, PASSPORTS OR APPLICATIONS MUST BE COLLECTED BY THE APPLICANT OR AUTHORISED PERSON, SINCE THIS CONSULAR OFFICE DOES NOT RETURN THEM BY MAIL. COLLECTION TIMES ARE TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FOR SCHENGEN VISAS AND FRIDAYS FOR NATIONAL VISAS, IN BOTH CASES BETWEEN 10.00 AND 13.00 HOURS, WITHOUT APPOINTMENT.

VISA APPLICATIONS SENT BY POST ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING.

General information

The Schengen visa is issued to third-country nationals listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806. This visa allows the holder to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days (in any 180-day period) for the purposes of tourism, business, visiting family, medical treatment, studies, training placements or volunteer activities that last under 3 months, or for other non-gainful activities. It also allows transit through the territory and airports.

The Schengen area en compasses 26 European countries without border controls between them: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The Schengen visa allows the holder to travel to any of the Schengen States and to transit through their territory, but it does not automatically entitle them to enter the Schengen area. The border authorities can refuse entry if the visa holder does not provide proof of the purpose and specifics of the trip, or if any of the other entry requirements are not met (please refer to the section “Conditions for entry into Spain"). Visa applications will be processed allowing a minimum period of 6 WEEKS; please allow sufficient time for processing of visas as we do not have a priority service. Only legal and permanent residents in Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia or South Australia are entitled to apply for Schengen visa in this Consulate.

Required documents

1. Schengen Visa Application Form.pdf Each applicant must complete and sign an official application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must sign the application.

2. Photograph. A recent, passport-size, colour photograph, taken against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face. Photographs of minors must not show any part of the adult holding them.

3. Valid, unexpired passport. Original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date from the Schengen territory. It must also contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted as damaged passport.

4. Travel medical insurance. A Local Australian Travel Insurance " non refundable" must cover the costs of repatriation for medical reasons or death, as well as for urgent healthcare and/or emergency hospital treatment for the entire stay and throughout the Schengen area. Coverage must be of at least €30,000 or its equivalent in local currency. If the application is for a multiple entry visa, the medical insurance must be valid for the first planned entry. The applicant must undertake to purchase insurance for future trips.

5. Payment of the visa fee. The amount of the visa fee ( AU$149 for people aged over 12 and AU$74 for children of 6 to 11) should be in advance and is not RETURNED in case of visa denial. Payable by money order to Consulate General of Spain. Children aged 5 and under are exempt from the fee. Different fees are applied for nationals of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cabo Verde and Russia, pursuant to the respective Visa Facilitation Agreements formalized with these countries.

6. Documents corroborating the purpose of travel and the specifics of the stay, that the visa applicant has sufficient financial means, as well as the intention of the visa applicant to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires. Proof of financial means including recent bank statements showing movement of means over a certain period ( MINIMUM LAST THREE MONTHS). Reservation of return or round ticket, including confirmation of the booking of an organized trip including a detailed itinerary. In the case of TRANSIT, visa or other entry permit for the third country of destination must be provided ( eg: tickets for onward journey). Proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation ( such as invitation from host). Some Member States may require that proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation is provided by means of specific form.

If a minor travels without their legal guardian(s): 1.- consent of parental authority (both parents) or legal guardian (s) either through a notarized certificate or a form signed at the consulate or at the external service provider; 2.- photocopy of passport of parental authority or legal guardian (s), 3.-Copy of original birth certificate of the minor issued by the responsible authority.

If a minor travels with one of their legal guardian (s): 1.- Consent of the parental authority or legal guardian not travelling with the minor must be provided through a notarized certificate or a form signed at the consulate or at the external service provider; if only one parent has legal guardianship of the minor, the relevant court documents must be provided. 2.-Photocopy of passport of the authorizing parental authority or legal guardian (s), 3.- Copy of original birth certificate of the minor issued by the responsible authority.

7. Proof of residence in the consular district.

When necessary to assess the application, the Consular Office may request additional documents or data and may also ask the applicant to come in for a personal interview. Proof of effective residence in Australia ( only Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia or South Australia) and proof of visa status -current VEVO. ( Visa Entitlement Verification Online).

Only those applications meeting the requirements specified in sections 1, 2, 3 and 5 will be accepted.

8.-Documents to be submitted by applicants depending on the purpose of travel.

a).- Tourism or visiting family/friends: A document from the establishment providing the accommodation or any other appropriate document indicating the accommodation envisaged.

b).- Business, conference, cultural, religious or political event: 1) Official invitation letter from a firm, host, organization, educational establishment or an authority to attend meetings, conferences or evens, containing detailed information concerning: * address and contacts of the inviting entity, *name and position of the countersigning person, *purpose and duration of stay, * person or entity who will bear the travel and living cost ( if applicable). 2) Documents providing the applicants employment status in the company ( for example: contract, proof of social security contribution..).

c).- Medical Treatment: 1) A certificate from a medical doctor and/or medical institution advising that the treatment is necessary, 2) An official document from the receiving medical institution confirming that it can perform the specific medical treatment, an estimation of costs and an indication that the patient will be accepted accordingly, 3) Proof of prepayment or sufficient financial means to pay for the medical treatment and related expenses.

Procedure

This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from third-country nationals residing in the consular district who are travelling to Spain as their only or main destination. All relevant information regarding visas can be found on our official website, please note that no information will be provided at the counter or via email.

Who can apply for a visa: Applicants who reside in our jurisdiction ( Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia).
Visa application period: Visa applications must be submitted between 6 months and 15 days before the scheduled date of travel. Seafarers may apply for the visa up to 9 months before the date of travel.
Proof of receipt: When a visa application is submitted and biometrics collected, the Consular Office will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the application with a code that enables them to check the status of the dossier through the following link: https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspx

Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to submit any missing documents, or to provide additional documents or data that are necessary for a decision regarding the application. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview if is required. Visa applications submitted by nationals of certain States require consultation with the central authorities that could affect the duration of the visa procedure.

Return of passport and other documentation: The Consular Office or Visa Application Centre will inform the applicant regarding the procedure for the return of the passport and any other original documentation. Collection in person will be available Tuesdays and Thursdays for Schengen Visas and Fridays for National Visas between 10:30am and 13:00pm hours. Passports will not be sent by post. Must be collected in person, either by the applicant or by a person authorized by the applicant using the following authorization form. ( To be handed in person and previously to be sent by email by the applicant).
APPLICATION FOR PASSPORT COLLECTION BY REPRESENTATIVE.docx

Permission granted by the visa: A visa does not automatically entitle someone to enter the Schengen area. The traveler must meet all legal entry requirements (see section "Conditions for entry into Spain").

Visa refusal: Visa refusals will always be notified in writing, setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted was based.

Appeals: If a visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to this Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal is received. An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court Justice of Madrid within the 2-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.

Complaints or suggestions about the service received or about the visa application procedure can be submitted online through this website. They may also be submitted in writing at this Consular Office.

Data protection

The processing of personal data of visa applicants is done in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation.

Persons wishing to exercise their rights of access, rectification and erasure of their personal data in the Visa Information System (VIS) may do so by addressing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation
Inspección General de Servicios
Postal address: Plaza de la Provincia, 1, Madrid, España
Email: dpd@maec.es

The following forms may be used to do so:

Right of access (Spanish-English version)
Right to rectification (Spanish-English version)
Right to erasure (Spanish-English version)

Persons whose visa application has been refused because they are banned from entering the Schengen area may exercise their rights of access, rectification and erasure of their personal data in the Schengen Information System (SIS) by addressing the Ministry of the Interior.

To obtain more information on your rights and duties and on how to exercise your rights of access, rectification and erasure of data included in the SIS, please refer to the website of the Spanish Data Protection Agency.

Basic legislation

Community Code on Visas

Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code).
Regulation (EU) 2019/1155 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 amending Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code).