With almost 1.6 million visa applications, Spain was the 4th most visited country in the year 2016. Out of this, about 943 visa applications were made from Boston.
Spain has a whopping 8% visa rejection rate. This is the second highest visa rejection rate after France. Which is why it is extremely important for you to know the right way of applying for a Spain Schengen visa.
If youâre planning on visiting Spain for a short duration of within 90 days, then you have landed at the right place. This guide will take you through the entire process of getting yourself a Spain Schengen visa.
Update : It is now mandatory to get COVID Insurance when you travel Abroad. Click the below link to get your COVID Insurance at cost price.
The steps involved in getting a Spain Schengen visa
There are five basic steps involved in getting yourself a Schengen visa to visit Spain.
- Find out if you really need a Schengen visa to enter Spain
- Can you get your Schengen visa from the Spanish consulate in Boston?
- Make an appointment with the Spanish consulate
- Prepare all the documents required for your visa interview
- Attend the interview to get your visa application approved
Book Spain Visa Appointment at $10
Letâs now take a look at each step in detail.
Do you really need a Spain Schengen visa?
Whether or not you need a short-stay visa to visit Spain depends entirely on your nationality. If you are a full US citizen, then you will not need a Schengen visa. But in case you have traveled and settled in the US, then you will need to check with your nationality to see if you need a Schengen visa. Here is a list of all the nationalities that need a Schengen visa to visit Spain.
Can you apply for your visa at the Spanish embassy in Boston?
The Spanish embassy in Boston only has its jurisdiction in a few states. In case you are a US permanent resident of one of these states, the Spanish embassy in Boston is where you will need to go.
- Massachusetts
- Vermont
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island
- Maine
Will you need a Spain Schengen visa if you are a US Permanent citizen?
Unfortunately, even if you are a US permanent resident, you will need a Spain Schengen visa to visit the country. Along with this, you need to ensure that your residence permit has a validity of at least 3 months post your return date from Spain.
What if you are a B1/B2 visa holder?
If you hold this visa for staying in the US, you will need to go back to your nationality to get your Spain Schengen visa for your travel.
Are you certain that you can apply for your visa in the Spanish consulate?
As mentioned above, it is mandatory that you are a US permanent resident to be able to apply for your Spain Schengen visa at the Spanish embassy. Full US citizens need not apply for a visa to visit a Schengen country.
Along with this, your main theme of traveling should be to visit Spain. In case you plan on spending more time in any other Schengen country like France, Italy, or Germany, then it is recommended that you apply for your visa from the respective countryâs consulate.
Take a look at the image below for better understanding.
How to schedule an appointment with the Spanish consulate?
The Spanish consulate, similar to most other consulates, doesnât allow a walk-in to apply for your visa. You will need to schedule an appointment with the consulate first. And this can only be done online.
To book an appointment with the Spanish consulate in Boston, go to their official website. Below is a link to the website.
In the world map shown on the website (like in the image above), click on the âNorthAmerican continentâ. You will be redirected to another page with North America zoomed in.
With the â+â and âââ signs on the image, zoom in and out to find your desired city. You can also alternatively click on the âtoggle fullscreenâ option on the upper right for ease. You can find Boston on the right-hand side of the continent. It will be highlighted with the letter âCâ.
Click on âBostonâ and you will get a set of options to choose from.
The page you will be redirected to is predominantly in Spanish. You can change this to âEnglishâ from the options on the top of the page.
Move your cursor to âConsular Servicesâ and you will get the option Consular Services Boston. Click on this and you will be redirected once again.
In this page, click on âBoston Visasâ. You will end up on the page shown in the image below.
It is recommended that you readthrough the information given on the page to understand the different kinds of visas issued to travel to Spain. In case you are going to Spain for only a few days (within 90 days), then you will need a short-stay visa.
To book your appointment with the consulate, click on âVisa Appointmentâ. You will be redirected to the login page and it will look like the image below.
Go to the âclick hereâ option on the page. You will be redirected to a form.
Fill in the form and click on âNextâ. Complete all the application procedures that you will be taken through after this to book your appointment with the Spanish consulate.
An e-mail confirmation will be sent to you confirming the appointment date and time. Along with scheduling an appointment, you will also need to fill in the Schengen visa applicationform. Check the link below to find the application form for Schengen visa.
Schengen visa application form
Fill in the application form on your browser and print it out. Ensure that you sign the form and attach your photograph to the form to be submitted at the Spanish consulate for the approval of your visa.
What are the documents required for your Spain Schengen visa?
The list of all the documents youâll need is quite long. So, ensure that you keep all these documents in place before you attend your visa approval interview at the consulate.
- Passport
- US Permanent Residence Permit
- Printed Visa application form
- Passport-sized photo
- Travel cover letter
- Flight itinerary
- Hotel accommodation
- Travel health insurance
- Proof of financial sustenance
- Other relevant documents according to your occupation
[media-downloader media_id=â1578âł image_url=âhttps://travelvisabookings.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/download_ebook.jpgâ]
You can take a look here to understand all the things you need to keep in place before you visit Spain. However, each of the documents has been discussed in detail below.
Passport:You will need to carry your original passport for your interview. The passport should have a validity of at least 3 months post your return from Spain. It should also not be issued to you more than 10 years earlier to your travel to Spain. Ensure that there are at least 2 empty pages in your passport for the stamps required for your visa.
US Permanent Residence Permit:Since you are not a full US resident, you will need to carry your residence permit to the interview as well. This document, similar to the passport, will need to be original as well. It should also be valid for at least 3 months post your return from Spain.
Photograph:You will need to carry a passport-sized photograph of yourself to the interview as well. Ensure that it is a recent one with a clear front face view and a light background. This will need to be pasted onto your visa application form. Donât staple.
Cover Letter:This is an extremely important document and will be checked at the consulate to get a brief idea of your purpose of visiting Spain. Make sure that it mentions your flight itinerary, hotel accommodation, and also a list of all the documents that you are submitting along with your application form.
Flight itineraryand Hotel Reservations:Each of these documents are mandatory to be shown at the consulate.
What is flight itinerary? Is it accepted by the Schengen consulate?
Of course, in fact all the embassies mention the same. We have added links to the official visa pages which you can verify.
France Consulate
Your travel itinerary : you MUST BOOK your airline ticket but do not purchase until the visa has been approved.
We recommend that you do not purchase travel tickets until your visa has been approved. On the other hand, you may provide us with a reservation, a planned itinerary or an online printout of a roundtrip ticket.
Netherland consulate
Travel reservation to and from schengen area, not a ticket. Note: Make travel reservation which you can cancel
Flight (roundtrip)/travel reservations and full itinerary (if several Schengen States will be visited or if the trip covers several Schengen States and non-Schengen countries) with the name of passenger and one copy
Round trip ticket/reservation, originating in this jurisdiction to Europe (and ultimately to Italy) and back, including internal entry and exit points of travel i.e. EURORAIL tickets, car rental, internal flights. The names on reservations have to reflect the names on passports.
We can provide you with flight itineraries which is accepted by not only for Schengen visa but for all visas. We have customers using the same flight itinerary for Malaysia visa, Singapore visa, India visa, UK visa etc.
In fact the European union visa requirements for visa states the same.
As per the official document,
Round trip reservation or itinerary with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Schengen state.Schengen authorities accept the itinerary when applying for the visa but request the original air ticket when visa is collected.
That is why we have 100% visa acceptance rate although some of our customer have been requested to provide âadditional documentsâ,none of their visa has been rejected for providing fake documents.
With 80% of our customers being return customers or companies which process visas for their employees/clients, our approach is the best approach if you want to ensure the safety of your visa.
This is our orders screen for this month. Most of the orders have been placed by repeat customers.
The best part about our service is along with getting a flight reservation without payment, you can also get confirmed hotel bookings, personal cover letter, leave/no objection letter for your visa consulates.
Travel health insurance:In case you suffer a calamity in Spain, it is extremely important that you are covered for the expenses. Which is why you will need a travel health insurance as well.
Proof of sustenance:You can provide your bank statements, credit card statements, and travel cards for this.
Other documents:You will need to carry a couple more documents according to your occupation in the United States.
- Self-employed:If you are self-employed in America, you will need to carry your companyâs license, the companyâs bank statements, and your IT return form.
- Employed:If you are employed, carry a leave permission, employment contract, and IT return documents.
- Foreign student:If you have moved to America to study, you will need to carry your leave permission from your university, and also a valid I-20 form.
- Retired:Carry the pension statements from the previous 6 months.
What happens during your interview for the Spain Schengen visa?
On the day of your interview, you will need to be on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, the Spanish consulate will be unable to process your application.
Your appointment letter will first be verified, after which, you will get a token. After this, you will be asked to submit your documents. Ensure that all the papers are in place before you submit your form. All the information mentioned in your form and documents will be entered into the consulateâs system. You will get a printed copy of this to verify if all the information has been entered correctly.
Make the payment for your visa and collect the receipt. Keep this receipt handy as you will need to show this while collecting your visa. You will also need to submit your biometrics, which should not take more than 10-15 minutes.
This completes the process of your visa application.
Should you really make your flight and hotel bookings before your visa gets approved?
Although the consulate asks for these documents, it is not a great idea to book your flight and hotel accommodations before your visa gets approved. Spain has a high visa rejection rate (8%), and in case your visa application gets rejected, you might end up losing a lot of money.
Instead, you can opt for temporary bookings to get your visa approved. Travel Visa Bookings can get your flight and hotel bookings at affordable prices.
Want temporary flight, hotel or insurance for your Schengen visa appointment?
Get Flight Itinerary at just $19 !!
Buy Flight Only Plan Now !!
Get Hotel Booking for visa at just $19 !!
Buy Hotel Only Plan Now !!
Get Flight & hotel booking for visa @ just $25.25 only !!
Click here for Flight,hotel & Insurance
What are the benefits of making flight and hotel bookings from Travel Visa Bookings?
We have processed 100000+ orders in a span of less than 5 years. Not only do we write your cover letter, help you make temporary bookings, increase the chances of getting your visa approved, but also provide our services at low and affordable prices.
What are the prices that you need to pay?
Depending on the duration of your travel, the cost of getting a visa will vary. This is indicated in the image above.
In case you are looking for a short-stay visa (less than 90 days), then the image below is what you need to look at. The image also lists all the expenses you will incur if you want temporary bookings along with a travel health insurance.
Can I apply for the visa or appointment via post or telephone?
No, you canât. You will need to apply for the appointment online only. Along with that, you will personally need to go to the embassy to ensure that your visa application is processed.
Can I carry a photocopy of my passport or my residence permit?
You will need to present your original passport and residence permit at the consulate. Make sure that each of them has a validity of at least 3 months from the date of your return to the US from Spain.
What if I am a minor?
If you are a minor traveling to Spain, you will need a consent letter from your parents. You will also need to submit a copy of your parentâs passports.
If your child is traveling with you, carry your childâs birth certificate. If you are a single parent or have the full custody of your child, then you will need to also carry a family court order permitting the travel.
I donât have much account balance but my relative is funding the trip
In this case, your relative will need to sign an official affidavit of support. Your relative can get this document in any one of the local alien offices in Spain.
When will my visa get approved?
Most of the times, your visa will get approved in 15 days. This can in some rare cases also extend up to 30 days. But if the consulate requests you to provide any additional or special documents, the approval might take up to 60 days as well.
What is the validity of my visa?
Your visa will only be valid for the days mentioned in your travel itinerary. So, before applying for your visa, ensure that you have additional 5-10 days in your itinerary. This way, you will not be in a rush to leave the country and you can see all the places you planned on visiting.
Spanish Consulate in Boston
Telephone:
+1-617-536-2506
+1-617-536-2527
Fax:
(+1) 617 536 85 12
E-mail:
cog.boston@maec.es
Address:
31 St. James Avenue, Suite 905
Boston, MA 02116
United States
Related Spain Schengen visa articles
Spain visa for U.S Permanent Residents â Complete Guide
Spain Schengen visa in 7 days
Spain visa application form requirements explained
FAQs
How can I pass my Schengen visa interview? âș
- Be calm, composed, and articulate.
- Breathe and stay relaxed.
- Give precise and comprehensive answers.
- Answer all questions truthfully to the best of your knowledge.
For an appointment at the Spanish consulate in the United States, please check in first instance the consulate website exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/boston. The consulate of Spain in Boston can inform you about the scope of services they offer.
How can I get appointment for Spain visa? âș- How many Appointments * 2 Members. ...
- Select Passport Issue Place * Select Passport Issue Place. ...
- Select Current Residence * Select Current Residence. ...
- Duration of Stay (At Current Residence) * ...
- Select your centre * ...
- Appointment Category * ...
- Phone : * ...
- Registered Email ID : *
In general, Lithuania is the easiest country to obtain a Schengen Visa from, with officials granting 98.7% of applications.
Which country gives fastest Schengen visa? âșLithuania. This country is the easiest one to get a Schengen visa. As per the reports, officials grant visas to almost 98.7% of applicants.
Which European country gives visa easily? âșEstonia is the easiest country to get a Schengen Visa from, with only 1.5% of applications rejected in 2020. This means that 98.5% of the Schengen Visa applications for Estonia received a positive answer.
Can I get Schengen visa without interview? âșA Schengen Visa permits a stay or travel to any member states that fall within the Schengen zone. So if you are planning to visit countries like Austria, Denmark, etc., you would probably apply for a Schengen Visa. While doing so, you will have to appear for an interview once the documentation is done.
What questions will be asked in visa interview? âș- What is the purpose of your visit to the US? ...
- Have you been to the US before? ...
- Do you have relatives or friends currently in the US? ...
- Details on your friends / relatives in the US. ...
- Where will you be residing in the United States?
Bank Statement: Six (6) months updated personal bank statement (Saving A/c statement) with sufficient economic means for the entire duration of stay ⏠65.52 Euros (INR 4914 approx) per person per day of stay or ⏠589.68 Euros (INR 44,226 approx.) per person for a minimum period of 7 day stay.
Can I fill Schengen visa application form by hand? âșPlease fill out the online application form, print it out, sign it and submit it along with the other documents. Alternatively, you can print out the application form and fill it out by hand.
How long does it take to get a Schengen visa for Spain? âș
You have to apply for your Schengen Visa at least 15 days before your trip to allow time for your application to be processed. The earliest you can apply is 90 days before. The typical length of time it takes to process a visa application is 10 working days.
Can I apply for a Spanish visa at any consulate? âșAlthough consulates offer fewer services than embassies, travelers wishing to visit Spain can apply for a visa at either. Citizens who want to visit Spain can apply for a Schengen Visa at any Spanish embassy or consulate.
Does the Spanish consulate keep your passport? âșApplicant's passport is kept by the Consulate andâ it is posted back to the holder at the end of the procedure. Applicants must provide a pre-paid Special Delivery envelope (with full name and address), along with the visa application documents, and to fill in this form. 4.
What is proof of residence in the consular demarcation? âșTo prove if your resident place belongs to our *demarcation, minors must show either one of these options: Student ID card. DriverÂŽs License or State ID.
Is there an interview for Spain visa? âșIf you are applying for a Schengen visa for Spain, you will likely be invited to attend an interview.
How many days does Spain visa take? âșâYou can apply for a Spanish Schengen visa up to 3 months before your planned trip. The processing time may take up to 15 days since the day of your application. The Embassy of Spain processes Schengen visa applications in up to 4 days.
Can I go to VFS without appointment? âșWalk In Without Appointment*
VFS Global will process your visa application without a pre-booked appointment.
Which Schengen Visa is the easiest to obtain? The easiest country to get a visa to is Lithuania. Almost 98.7% of short-term visa applications for a Schengen Visa to Lithuania received a positive response in 2018.
Which country rejected visa most? âșTop 5 countries with the highest rate of visa rejections
For the third consecutive year Malta remains the country with the highest rate of visa refusals with 25.23% of visa applications rejected in 2017, or 9,557 out of 37,881.
In 2021 the rejection rate of Schengen visa applications worldwide reached its peak, with 13.4 per cent out of the total number of travellers receiving a negative response in their application.
Are Schengen visas being issued 2022? âș
With effect from September 5, 2022, processing of visa applications submitted in Delhi is shifted to our Schengen Visa Centre in Mumbai in the German Consulate General. This includes administration of appointments for short-term travel (Schengen-Visas).
Which country has lowest visa rejection rate? âș| Schengen State | Uniform visas applied | Refusal % |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 556520 | 7.41% |
| Italy | 1844140 | 7.37% |
| Denmark | 164003 | 6.99% |
| Austria | 306133 | 6.24% |
You will have to wait at least 15 days for your Schengen Visa to be processed, though the processing time will depend on your case. In specific cases, embassies can take 30 days to process a visa, and the Schengen Visa processing time could even be as long as 60 days in extraordinary circumstances.
Which is the easiest visa to get? âș- Singapore. A beautiful concrete jungle, Singapore is amongst the most expensive cities in the world, yet the easiest to travel to for Indians. ...
- Vietnam. ...
- Turkey. ...
- Cambodia. ...
- Oman. ...
- Myanmar. ...
- Malaysia. ...
- Laos.
5-year MEV is granted to people that have obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for at least two years within the previous three years. This visa permits you to enter 26 countries in Europe as many times as you wish, within five years, as soon as you do not violate the 90/180 days rule.
Why should I give you visa answer? âșAnswer to the point. For 'why' you can answer as one of the following: I am passionate about that *subject* and want to gain more knowledge in it. There are not many experts in this *field* in India, The knowledge I gained while studying in *college name* will help me stand out once I return to India.
Why are visa rejected? âșVisa rejection may happen when you fail to prove your eligibility to visit a particular country. It mostly takes place as the applicants fails to provide important information, or sometimes because of certain document missing.
What if I made a mistake on my Schengen visa application? âșWhat if I make a mistake on my Schengen Visa form - can I correct it? If you made a mistake on your visa application form - you will need to fill out a new one before your appointment at the consulate or visa application center.
What do visa officers check during interview? âșThe visa officer may crosscheck your claims to assess your visa approval better. No matter what the case is, it is strongly advised for you to be honest during your visa interview, about which universities you applied to, from where did you get admission or rejection and reasons if the Visa officer asks.
How long is the waiting period for a Schengen visa? âșThe Schengen visa processing time around the world is approximately two weeks. Still, depending on your case, your application may take longer to be processed. In specific cases, the embassies take 30 days to process a visa, whereas in extraordinary cases you will have to wait for 60 calendar days.
Does Schengen visa have interview? âș
Whenever you apply for a Schengen visa, the interview is simply a way for the diplomatic office to meet with you and understand more in depth if the information provided in the visa application form is correctly and frankly offered.
How do you answer tell me about yourself in visa interview? âșStudent Visa Interview Question & Answers Tips - YouTube
Is visa interview hard? âșClearing a visa interview is not difficult; however, if you didn't perform well, then you might have to face rejection, even if you have an excellent academic record. Here are some of the valuable points that you should keep in mind while attending your visa interview.
Does embassy check bank statement? âșEmbassies will not resort checking the bank statement, it may not be their job. They take the documents on their face value in good belief. However if any of the evidences turns to be fake then they may resort to all sort of investigations.
How much money do I need to show in my bank account for Schengen visa? âșBank statement â this needs to show a minimum balance of âŹ3000 over the last 6 months. If you do not have this amount in your bank, you could show a family member's/guardian's statement instead, with an accompanying letter stating that they are sponsoring your travel and stay.
Does immigration check your bank account? âșWhat is the purpose of the bank verification for my visa application? Immigration officials want to know that you have the financial fortitude to support the immigrant in the United States so that they do not become a public charge and financial burden to the government.
Is Schengen visa available now? âșCurrently, Indian citizens can apply for a Schengen Visa to any of the following states: Austria. Belgium.
What are the 3 type of travel documents? âșTypes of Travel Documents
The most basic forms of travel documents are passports, passport cards, and arrival/departure records. These required documents allow U.S. citizens to travel abroad and re-enter the country legally upon return.
iVisa.com has three available Germany Schengen Visa: Processing Time: the standard one takes 10 business days, the rush one lasts about 6 business days, and the super rush, the fastest one, takes only 4 business days to process your application. Prices vary according to their speed.
Is it hard to get a visa for Spain? âșThe legal procedure to get your visa in Spain is really simple. After analyzing your situation and defining which is the best permit for you, the first step will be to go the consulate or embassy of Spain located at your country of origin, and submit the required documentation.
How do I know my Schengen visa is approved? âș
Track an application
You can also track your visa application status online. Use the Reference Number present on the invoice/receipt issued by the Schengen Visa Application Centre along with your last name to access this service.
Spain is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Spain for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. You must have sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.
What documents do I need for Spain visa? âș- Visa Application Form.
- Two biometric photos.
- Your passport.
- Copies of passport pages with info.
- Flight reservation.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Medical Insurance.
- Medical Certificate.
Applicants applying at the Spanish visa application Centre shall be levied a service charge of INR 1329 /- for Mumbai and INR 1329/- for New Delhi (Inclusive of 18% GST) payable in cash. Children under 6 are exempted from service charge.
How long does it take to get a Spanish visa? âșHow Long Does It Take to Get a Spanish Visa? The processing time for a Spain short-stay visa may take up to 15 working days. Still, according to your specific situation, this period may be extended up to 30 days.
Can the embassy check my bank account? âșThey can go as far as it takes to verify informations visa applicants sent them,even to your bank,school,place of work etc. This depends on what they suspect about your application,they can then verify 1, 2 or all the informations.
When Schengen visa will open 2022? âșThe ETIAS system is expected to be in place by the end of 2022 and will become mandatory by the end of the following year.
How much money do I need to enter Spain? âșAccreditation of financial meansâââ
In 2020, the minimum amount required is 90 euros per person per day. In any case, and regardless of the length of stay, the traveller must have at least 810 euros or its equivalent in foreign currency.
You will usually be required to show official bank statements from the previous 3-6 months to prove you have the necessary funds in your personal account.
How much bank balance is required for Spain tourist visa? âșBank Statement: Six (6) months updated personal bank statement (Saving A/c statement) with sufficient economic means for the entire duration of stay ⏠65.52 Euros (INR 4914 approx) per person per day of stay or ⏠589.68 Euros (INR 44,226 approx.) per person for a minimum period of 7 day stay.
How long does Spain Schengen visa take? âș
You have to apply for your Schengen Visa at least 15 days before your trip to allow time for your application to be processed. The earliest you can apply is 90 days before. The typical length of time it takes to process a visa application is 10 working days.
How much is a Schengen visa for Spain? âș| Schengen Visa Category | Fee in EUR | Fee in USD* |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 80⏠| 96$ |
| Children between 6-12 years of age | 40⏠| 48$ |
| Children younger than 6 years of age | Free | Free |
| Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports travelling for official purposes | Free | Free |
As a specific tourist visa for Spain does not exist, tourists need a Schengen Visa to enter Spain for tourism. The Schengen Visa allows visitors to spend up to 90 days in Spain as well as the other participating Schengen countries.
How long does a Spanish visa last? âșThe Spain Schengen Visa is a short term visa for Spain that gives the right to its visa holder to enter Spain, and remain there for a maximum of 90 days within a 180 day period.
Which country gives fastest Schengen visa? âșLithuania. This country is the easiest one to get a Schengen visa. As per the reports, officials grant visas to almost 98.7% of applicants.
Can I get Schengen visa in 3 days? âșYou will have to wait at least 15 days for your Schengen Visa to be processed, though the processing time will depend on your case. In specific cases, embassies can take 30 days to process a visa, and the Schengen Visa processing time could even be as long as 60 days in extraordinary circumstances.
Does Schengen visa get rejected? âșIn 2021 the rejection rate of Schengen visa applications worldwide reached its peak, with 13.4 per cent out of the total number of travellers receiving a negative response in their application.