Explore the gorgeous and historic depths of Spain. With celebrated vineyards, mesmerising architectural heritage and exciting nightlife, you are sure to have the time of your life. Follow this step-by-step guide on how to apply for your Spanish visa (Schengen visa). We’ve included everything you need to know about the tourist visa application process, and soon you’ll be visiting breathtaking Spanish cities, including Barcelona, Granada and Madrid.
South African passport holders do require a Schengen visa for Spain, but luckily the process is a relatively painless one! You will need to apply at BLS International (Spain Visa Application Centre) in Cape Town or Pretoria. Always apply at least 15 days prior to your departure date.
Please note this process is applicable to South African passport holders.
Image courtesy of @visit_valencia_ via Instagram
Types of Visas
- Tourist Visa – for people who wish to stay in Spain for a maximum period of three months. If you’re visiting family, friends or visiting on holiday, this is the visa you need.
- Business Visa – for people who wish to stay in Spain for a period of three months for work purposes.
Note: South African citizens do not require a transit visa if transiting through a Spanish airport between non-Schengen countries.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Spain Visa?
Once your application is presented at the Spain Visa Application Centre, it will be submitted to the Embassy of Spain/Consulate General of Spain the next business day. Processing time can be anywhere between 15 and 30 days, and be extended if additional documentation is required.
The decision to grant Spanish Schengen visas is made by the Embassy or Consulate General.
How to Book an Appointment?
All Spain visa application appointments must be scheduled on the BLS International website. Register online and the earliest available date will be shown.
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Visa Costs
| Visa Type | Visa Fees | Service Fees |
| Tourist Visa | R938 | R242 |
| Children between 6-12 years | R547 | R242 |
| Children between 0-6 years | No fee | No fee |
Payment must be made in person at the Visa Application Centre during your application.
All visa and service fees must be paid with a debit or credit card only. Cash payment is not allowed at the Visa Application Centre.
Spain Visa Requirements
- Schengen visa application form (fully completed and signed).
- Passport (original) – (a) Must be valid at least three months beyond the stay in the Schengen area. (b) Issued with a maximum of 10 years validity. (c) Must have at least two blank pages. (d) Copy of the passport – biometric page only.
- One recent colour photograph: 45x35mm against a white background, not more than six months old.
- Travel itinerary in Spain – (a) Dates of your trip. (b) Entries and exit from each Schengen state. (c) Amount of days in each country and total amount of time in Schengen states.
- Means of transport – (a) Booking of flight ticket/train/ferry ticket booked according to passport showing Spain as the main destination, reservations are accepted. (b) Movement between the Schengen states must be shown (flights, car hire, train bookings).
- Accommodation for entire period of stay in the Schengen territory must be presented.
- Medical Travel Insurance – Minimum coverage of €30,000.
- Letter of Employment – (a) Must provide a signed original letter of employment stating salary/annual cost to company and date of employment. (b) Certified copy of last three months’ pay slips. (c) Self-employment (directors, CEO, board members): proof of company registration/ commercial license and latest VAT/Tax clearance certificate. (d) Pensioner/retired applicants should provide proof of pensioner slip. (e) For students, letter from the school/university confirming attendance.
- Proof of economic means – (a) Original last three months bank statements. (b) Statements must be stamped by the bank with an original stamp.
- For minor applicants – (a) Certified copy by Commissioner of Oaths of the full unabridged birth certificate. (b) Certified copy of both parent’s ID or passport by Commissioner of Oaths. (c) The application form must be signed by both parents.
Please note: all original documents must always be accompanied by at least one photocopy.
Use the Tourist visa checklist to make sure that you have all the necessary documents.
Image courtesy of @visit_valencia via Instagram
Where to Apply
All Schengen visa applications for Spain are done at BLS International – Spain Visa Application Centre in Cape Town and Pretoria. You must apply in person for your biometric data to be collected. Children under the age of 12 do not need to appear in person or have their fingerprints taken.
Residents in Pretoria, Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West, Free State, and Lesotho must apply at the Visa Application Centre in Pretoria.
Residents in the Northern, Eastern, Western Cape, as well as KwaZulu Natal, must apply at the Visa Application Centre in Cape Town.
Cape Town
| Address: | 1st Floor, Block B, North Park, Black River Park, 2 Fir Street, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 |
| Contact: | 021 003 8050 / info.cpt@blshelpline.com |
| Business Hours: | Passport Collection Time Monday to Friday 12:30 – 16:00 Submission Time Monday to Friday 09:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 15:00 |
Taxis, cabs, and busses are readily available to get you to the Visa Application Centre in Cape Town. If you’re driving by car, there is parking located in the front of the building.
Pretoria
| Address: | Regus Lakeview, Ground Floor Lakeview Building 1277, Mike Crawford Avenue, Centurion, 0157 |
| Contact: | 012 007 0030 / info.pry@blshelpline.com |
| Business Hours: | Passport Collection Time Monday to Friday 12:30 – 16:00 Submission Time Monday to Friday 09:00-12:30 and 13:30-15:00 |
There are various public transport options available to get you to the Visa Application Centre, including busses, taxis, and cabs. If you’re driving in a car, you can park at the back of the building.
Image courtesy of @visit_valencia via Instagram
Where to Print Documents and Take Photos
Cape Town
PostNet Woodstock
| Address: | 399 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7925 |
| Contact: | 021 447 7235 |
| Business Hours: | Monday – Friday 08:30-17:00 Saturday 09:00-13:00 |
Pretoria
Aces of Spades
| Address: | 78 Botha Ave, Lyttelton Manor, Centurion, 0157 |
| Contact: | 060 623 2556 |
| Business Hours: | Open 24 hours |
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With all this helpful information on how to apply for your visa to Spain, by now you should be ready for the application process. Sign up for our newsletter and discover the best flight specials to Spain.
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Disclaimer:
All information on this blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart is not affiliated with immigration authorities or their application centres and will not be liable for loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this volatile information.