A part of Southwest Europe, Spain is spread around the Iberian Peninsula. Home to gorgeous beaches, picturesque landscapes, cosmopolitan cities, vibrant villages, mouthwatering cuisine, and interesting culture, Spain is on the bucket list of tourists and travelers around the world. But before heading to this European country for a holiday, it is important to know how to apply for a Spain visa, especially if you are a resident of the UAE and you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to visit Spain. Here you will get to know everything about applying for a Spanish visa from the UAE.
What is Spain Visa?
Spain visa is a Schengen visa, as it is one among the 27 Schengen area countries. A person who has a Schengen visa can visit all the countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement without the need to get a separate visa for each individual state.
The Schengen visa is a short-term visa that gives you the chance to stay in the Schengen zone for 90 days within a period of 180 days.
In case you need to stay in Spain for a long time, you will have to apply for a long-term visa specifically of Spain, depending on the reason for your visit. For instance, Spain work visa for work purpose or Spain student visa to study in the country.
Types of Spain Visa/Schengen Visa
Before you apply for a Schengen visa, you need to know about the different types of Schengen visas available to visit Spain:
Spain Transit Visa: This Schengen Spain visa is for those who must pass through Spain to reach a non-Schengen country. You can apply for a Spain airport transport visa or a seamen transit visa, depending on how you are traveling.
Spain Visitor or Tourist Visa: This is the most used Schengen visa by those who want to visit Spain or any other Schengen country for tourism, vacation, sightseeing, or for visiting family members.
Spain Business Visa: This visa is for those who want to visit Spain for a short period for conducting business related activities like meetings and conferences.
Spain Study or Training Visa: If you have enrolled in a course or workshop in Spain that will last for less than 3 months, then this is the visa you need to apply for.
Spain EU/EEA Dependent Visa: Dependents, which means spouse or children under the age of 18 years, of citizens belonging to the European Union, European Economic Union, or Switzerland can apply for this visa.
Spain Medical Treatment Visa: People who want to visit Spain for medical treatment need to apply for this Schengen visa.
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Spain Visa for Diplomatic Passport Holders: If you have a diplomatic passport issued by your country, you can apply for this visa.
Spain Visa for Missing Residence Permit: In case you lost your Spanish Residence Visa while you were outside the country, you will have to apply for this visa to return to Spain.
Who Needs Spain Visa in the UAE?
The citizens of the United Arab Emirates, also known as Emiratis, do not need a Schengen visa to visit Spain for a short time. This is because the UAE is a visa-exempt country, and the nationals of this country are offered visa on arrival in all Schengen countries.
However, the UAE citizens who have been denied entry to the Schengen zone before would have to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Spain or any other Schengen country.
If you are an expat or resident of the UAE who belongs to a country that is not included in the Schengen visa-exempt list, you will have to apply for a Schengen visa.
The good part about this is you can apply for a Spain Schengen visa from the UAE. There is no need to visit your home country to apply for the same.
Documents Required for Applying for Spain Visa from the UAE
Before you apply for a Schengen Spain visa from the UAE, you need to ensure that you have all the documents. Here is the list of documents required for Spain visa:
Passport: You need to submit your passport that is not older than 10 years. Moreover, you need to ensure that your passport has at least 6 months validity from the date of returning from Spain.
Resident Visa: As you are an expat applying from the UAE, you need to submit proof that you are a resident of the UAE. Your UAE resident visa should have a minimum validity from the date of returning from Spain.
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Financial Proof: You must submit your financial documents to prove that you have the means to fund your Spain tour. For this, you must submit the last three months’ bank statements.
Photographs: You need to submit 3 passport-size photographs with your visa application. These photographs should be recent ones and should be in color. These photos should have a plain grey background.
NOC Letter: One of the documents required is an NOC letter from your employer, stating that you are an employee of the company, your designation, date of joining, salary, etc.
Flight Reservation: The documents you submit should include a copy of your return flight tickets, stating the date you are reaching Spain and when you are flying back.
Proof of Accommodation: You can submit proof of accommodation in the form of an invitation letter from a resident or citizen of Spain, hotel booking, or rental agreement.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros is necessary to get your Spain Schengen visa.
Application Form: All the above-mentioned documents must be submitted along with the Spain Schengen visa application form. Ensure that the application form is completely and correctly filled. Do not make any spelling or factual errors. Moreover, do not leave any column blank. You also need to sign the form at the end.
How to Apply for Spain Visa?
Here are the steps that you need to follow while applying for a Schengen Spain visa:
Application Form and Documents: The first step is to fill in the application form and collect the necessary documents. Ensure that you have all the documents to avoid rejection of your visa application.
Make a Visa Appointment: The next step is making an appointment for your visa interview. The interview would be conducted at the Spanish visa center in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Attend the Visa Interview: You need to reach the Spanish visa center on time for your visa interview. At the center, you will have to submit your application form and the supporting documents. The consular officer may ask a few questions about your visa application and your background. You will also have to provide your biometrics (facial image and fingerprints) as a part of your interview.
Pay the Visa Fee: Once you are done with the interview, the next step is to pay the visa fee. The Schengen visa fee starts at AED 350 and will depend on the type of Spain Schengen visa you are applying for.
Spain Schengen Visa Processing Time
The processing time for Spain Schengen visa is anywhere between 10-14 business days. To ensure that you get your visa on time for your departure, you must submit your visa application at least 3 weeks before leaving for your trip.
Conclusion
Getting a Spain Schengen visa from Dubai or Abu Dhabi is quite easy if all your documents are in order and if you follow the above given steps. Still, if you find the process complicated, it is best to consult a reputed agent to guide you through the Spain visa application process.
