It is a short-stay visa that is issued free of charge to holders of diplomatic, official, or service passports who are nationals of third countries listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806:
There are exceptions to the visa requirement for diplomats from certain countries whose nationals are required to hold a visa to cross external borders.
To consult these exceptions, go to the section “Who needs to apply for a Schengen visa?” on
this page, and then click on the link "exceptions to visa requirements".
An Excel document will open, where you must select the tab titled "1. Exceptions to Article 6.1" (Visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, service/official, or special passports). There, you can check whether an exception applies based on the issuing country of the travel document, the type of document, and the Schengen country you wish to visit.
A courtesy visa can never be placed in an ordinary travel document, unless the issuing third country does not issue diplomatic or official/service passports.
It is normally valid for ninety days within a one-hundred-eighty-day period, and allows multiple entries.
When the applicant is traveling on an official mission, the visa application must be accompanied by a Verbal Note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country that issued the travel document, or from the Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office where the applicant works.
A Verbal Note will also be required if the trip is of a private nature.
The Directorate-General for Spaniards Abroad and Consular Affairs of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation may, in accordance with Article 34.4 of the Immigration Regulation, extend a courtesy visa of less than ninety days granted by a Spanish consular authority.
Required Documents
- Schengen visa application form.
- Photograph: A recent, passport-sized color photo with a light background, taken from the front, without dark glasses, reflections, or garments covering the face. In photos of minors, no parts of the adult holding the child should be visible. The photo must be taken by a commercial or studio photographer and MUST NOT BE OLDER THAN SIX (6) MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF APPLICATION. It must also meet the requirements listed in this link.
- Valid diplomatic, official, or service passport: Original and one photocopy of the biometric data page(s). The passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure date from the Schengen territory, and must contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted.
- Travel medical insurance: The travel insurance generally required for short-stay visas is not required for courtesy visas.
- Visa fee payment: Courtesy visas are issued free of charge.
- Verbal Note
- Planned travel itinerary
- Identification card issued by Global Affairs Canada
Procedure
This Consular Office is authorized to accept visa applications from nationals of third countries traveling to Spain as their sole or main destination, and who reside within the consular district. The consular district of the Embassy of Spain in Ottawa includes only the capital region of Canada (Ottawa and Gatineau).
- Eligible applicant: The application must be submitted in person. If the applicant is a minor, it must be submitted by their legal guardians.
- Place of submission: It is necessary to obtain an IN-PERSON APPOINTMENT to submit the application physically. To request an appointment, click HERE. Online applications are not accepted.
Embassy Address:
Embassy of Spain in Ottawa
Consular Section
74 Stanley Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1M 1P4
- Visa Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 calendar days before the intended date of travel.
- Submission Receipt: The Consular Office will issue the applicant a receipt containing a reference code. This code can be used to track the status of the application via the following link: https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspx
- Biometric Data Collection: During the visa application process, the applicant’s facial image and fingerprints will be taken. Fingerprint collection is not required for applicants under 12 years of age or for those whose fingerprints were recorded within the last 59 months. However, if the previous fingerprints are of poor quality, the applicant may be asked to return for new biometric data collection.
- Application Correction: The Consular Office may request that the applicant submit missing documents or provide additional information or documentation needed to assess the application. An in-person interview may also be required.
- Decision Timeline: A decision will be made within 15 calendar days from the date the application is submitted. This period may be extended up to 45 calendar days in cases requiring additional documentation or an interview.
For nationals of certain countries, visa applications require consultation with central authorities, which may extend the processing time.
You may check the status of your visa application using the information on your receipt at:
If your application status appears as
“RESUELTO", a decision has been made—either approval or denial. Passports may be collected on any working Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Please check our
official calendar
before visiting.
Other status updates include:
- “EN TRAMITACIÓN, Pendiente de trámite”: The application is pending a response from Spain.
- “EN TRAMITACIÓN, Pendiente de resolución”: The application is awaiting a decision from the Consul.
- “EN TRAMITACIÓN, Pendiente de expedición”: The application is pending the printing of the visa sticker.
- Visa Approval: Please note that the issuance of a visa does not automatically guarantee entry into the Schengen Area. Travelers must meet all legal entry requirements (see the section “Entry Requirements for Spain”).
- Visa Denial: If the visa is denied, the applicant will receive written notification specifying the reasons for the decision.
- Appeals: In the event of a visa denial, the applicant may file an administrative appeal with the Consular Office within one month from the day following the notification. Alternatively, a judicial appeal may be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within two months from the day following notification of the denial or of the rejection of the administrative appeal.
All documents submitted may need to be translated into Spanish, in accordance with Article 15 of Law 39/2015 of October 1, on the Common Administrative Procedure of Public Administrations.
Disclaimer: This information is for guidance purposes only and does not alter or replace the applicable legal regulations, which will prevail in all cases.
Suggestions and Complaints: Feedback regarding the service provided or the visa application process may be submitted electronically through the website above or in writing to this Consular Office.
Data Protection
To exercise your rights of access, rectification, or deletion of your personal data in the Visa Information System (VIS), please contact:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation
Inspectorate General of Services
Address: Plaza de la Provincia, 1, Madrid, Spain
The following bilingual forms may be used:
Applicants whose visa has been denied due to an entry ban in the Schengen Area may exercise their rights regarding personal data in the Schengen Information System (SIS) by contacting the Ministry of the Interior.
Relevant Legislation
Community Visa Code:
- 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.