General Questions
Q1: Do Indian citizens need a visa to visit Spain?
Yes, Indian passport holders require a Schengen visa to enter Spain for any purpose, including tourism, business, or family visits. This applies to all Indian citizens, including those who are legal residents of Australia, Canada, the UK, or the US, as well as Indian Green Card holders.
Q2: How long can I stay in Spain with a tourist visa?
A Schengen short-stay visa allows you to stay in Spain and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This means you can spend a maximum of 90 days in the Schengen area during any rolling 180-day window.
Q3: Can I visit other European countries with a Spain visa?
Yes, a Spain Schengen visa allows you to travel freely across all 27 Schengen member countries, including France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, and others. However, Spain must be your main destination (where you spend the most days or have your primary purpose of visit).
Q4: What is the Spain visa success rate for Indian applicants?
While official statistics are not publicly disclosed, industry estimates suggest that Indian applicants with complete documentation, strong financial proof, and clear travel history have a success rate of approximately 85-90%. First-time applicants and those with weak financial documentation face higher rejection rates.
Q5: Is Spain visa difficult to get for Indians?
Spain visa is not inherently difficult to obtain if you meet all requirements and provide complete, accurate documentation. The key factors for success are: sufficient financial means, clear purpose of visit, strong ties to India, complete documentation, and genuine travel intent. First-time travelers may face more scrutiny but can still succeed with proper preparation.
Fees and Costs
Q6: What is the Spain visa fee for Indians in 2025?
As of July 2025, the Spain Schengen visa fee for Indian adults is ₹8,920 (€90). Children aged 6-12 also pay ₹8,920 (the previous 50% discount has been eliminated). Children under 6 years are exempt from the visa fee. Additionally, a BLS service charge of ₹1,675 applies, bringing the total cost to approximately ₹10,595-₹10,847.
Q7: Are Spain visa fees refundable if my application is rejected?
No, Spain visa fees are non-refundable regardless of the visa decision. Whether your application is approved, rejected, or withdrawn, the consular fee and service charges are not returned. This is standard practice for all Schengen visa applications.
Q8: Can I pay Spain visa fees online?
Yes, you can pay visa fees online through RTGS, NEFT, or IMPS transfers. However, you must bring printed proof of payment to your visa appointment. Alternatively, you can pay in cash or by demand draft at the BLS center during your appointment. UPI payment via QR code is also available at BLS centers (RuPay Credit Cards not accepted).
Processing and Timeline
Q9: How long does Spain visa processing take for Indians?
Standard processing time for Spain Schengen visa is 15 calendar days from the date of submission at the BLS center. However, during peak seasons or if additional verification is required, processing may extend to 30 days. In exceptional cases, it can take up to 60 days. It's recommended to apply at least 4-6 weeks before your intended travel date.
Q10: Can I get Spain visa in 7 days?
No, there is no official expedited or express processing for Spain visas. All applications follow the standard processing timeline of 15-30 days. While the Spanish embassy may process applications faster (sometimes within 4-7 days), there is no guaranteed 7-day processing option. Avoid agents or services claiming to provide express visas, as these are not legitimate.
Q11: When is the best time to apply for a Spain visa?
The best time to apply is 4-6 weeks before your intended travel date. You can apply up to 3 months (90 days) before your trip, and for certain categories, up to 6 months in advance. Avoid applying during peak seasons (April-June and November-December) if possible, as processing times may be longer due to high application volumes.
Q12: How early can I apply for a Spain visa?
You can apply for a Spain Schengen visa up to 3 months (90 days) before your intended travel date. For certain visa categories (such as multiple-entry visas for frequent travelers), you may be able to apply up to 6 months in advance. Applying too early may result in your application not being accepted.
Documents and Requirements
Q13: What documents are required for Spain tourist visa from India?
Essential documents include: valid passport (3+ months validity, 2 blank pages), completed online visa application form, 2 recent passport-sized photographs, travel insurance (€30,000 minimum), bank statements (6 months), proof of accommodation, flight itinerary, cover letter, employment certificate with leave approval, salary slips (3 months), Income Tax Returns (2 years), and visa fee payment receipt.
Q14: Do I need to show hotel bookings for Spain visa?
Yes, proof of accommodation for your entire stay in Spain is mandatory. You can provide hotel booking confirmations, an invitation letter from a host in Spain (if staying with friends/family), or rental agreements. It's recommended to book hotels with free cancellation policies until your visa is approved to avoid financial loss in case of rejection.
Q15: Should I buy flight tickets before getting Spain visa?
No, you should NOT purchase non-refundable flight tickets before your visa is approved. Instead, provide flight reservations or dummy tickets that show your intended travel dates and route. Many travel agencies offer flight reservation services specifically for visa applications, holding bookings for 2-3 weeks without full payment.
Q16: How much bank balance is required for Spain visa?
The minimum financial requirement for Spain visa is €118 (approximately ₹10,800) per person per day of stay. For stays of 9 days or more, you must show at least €1,065 (approximately ₹97,500) total. Your bank statements should demonstrate consistent income and sufficient funds to cover your entire trip, including flights, accommodation, food, and activities.
Q17: Is travel insurance mandatory for Spain visa?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for all Spain Schengen visa applicants. The insurance must provide minimum coverage of €30,000, be valid throughout all Schengen countries, cover your entire stay period, and include medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation. You must provide the original insurance certificate at the time of application.
Q18: Can I use my old passport for Spain visa application?
Yes, if you have an old passport containing previous Schengen visas or international travel stamps, you should include it with your application. Old passports strengthen your travel history and demonstrate that you have complied with visa rules in the past. Provide photocopies of all pages with stamps and visas.
Application Process
Q19: Where can I apply for Spain visa in India?
You can apply for Spain visa at BLS International centers located in six major Indian cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. You must apply at the center that has jurisdiction over your state of residence. Check the BLS International website (india.blsspainvisa.com) to determine which center covers your location.
Q20: Can I apply for Spain visa online?
The visa application form must be completed online, but you cannot submit your entire application online. After filling the form online, you must book an appointment and visit a BLS International center in person to submit your documents and provide biometric data (fingerprints). A digital visa application pilot program is launching in Mumbai and Delhi in October-November 2025, which may allow fully online submissions in the future.
Q21: Is interview mandatory for Spain visa?
No, interviews are not mandatory for all Spain visa applicants. Most tourist visa applicants with complete documentation and low risk profiles do not require interviews. However, the consulate reserves the right to call applicants for interviews if they need clarification or have concerns about the application. If called for an interview, it's important to answer honestly and confidently.
Q22: Can I track my Spain visa application status?
Yes, you can track your Spain visa application status online through the BLS International website. You'll need your application reference number and passport number or date of birth. Additionally, you can opt for SMS updates (₹150 optional service) to receive real-time notifications about your application progress. A mobile tracking app is launching in December 2025 for enhanced tracking capabilities.
Visa Validity and Usage
Q23: How long is Spain visa valid?
Spain Schengen visa validity depends on the type of visa issued:
Single-entry visa: Valid for specific dates of your trip
Double-entry visa: Valid for two entries within specified period
Multiple-entry visa: Can be valid for 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or up to 5 years
The duration of stay (90 days within any 180-day period) remains the same regardless of visa validity. A 5-year multiple-entry visa doesn't mean you can stay for 5 years; it means you can make multiple trips over 5 years, each up to 90 days.
Q24: Can I extend my Spain visa while in Spain?
Schengen short-stay visas can only be extended in exceptional circumstances, such as force majeure, humanitarian reasons, or serious personal reasons. Extensions are not granted for tourism purposes. If you need to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a long-stay national visa (Type D) from India before traveling.
Q25: Can I work in Spain with a tourist visa?
No, a Schengen tourist visa does not permit any form of employment or paid work in Spain. If you wish to work in Spain, you must apply for a work visa (National Visa Type D) with a confirmed employment offer from a Spanish employer and work permit approval from Spanish authorities.
Rejection and Reapplication
Q26: What are the common reasons for Spain visa rejection?
Common rejection reasons include: insufficient financial means, incomplete or incorrect documentation, lack of travel history, unclear purpose of visit, doubts about intent to return to India, invalid or insufficient travel insurance, passport issues, inconsistent information, previous visa violations, and suspicion of fraudulent documents. Each rejection letter specifies the exact reason for denial.
Q27: Can I reapply if my Spain visa is rejected?
Yes, you can reapply for a Spain visa after rejection. However, you should first understand the reason for rejection (stated in the rejection letter), address all issues that led to the rejection, strengthen weak areas of your application, and wait an appropriate time (usually 3-6 months) before reapplying. You also have the right to appeal the decision within 1 month of rejection.
Q28: How long should I wait before reapplying after rejection?
While there is no mandatory waiting period, it's recommended to wait at least 3-6 months before reapplying. This time should be used to address the rejection reasons, strengthen your application, build travel history (if that was an issue), improve financial documentation, and gather additional supporting documents. Reapplying immediately without addressing issues will likely result in another rejection.
Special Circumstances
Q29: Can I apply for Spain visa if I'm unemployed?
Yes, unemployed individuals can apply for Spain visa, but they must demonstrate sufficient financial means through other sources such as: savings, investments, rental income, pension, or sponsorship from a family member. If sponsored, provide the sponsor's financial documents, employment proof, and a sponsorship letter stating they will cover all expenses.
Q30: Do I need a Spain visa if I'm just transiting through a Spanish airport?
If you're transiting through a Spanish airport and staying in the international transit area without passing through immigration, you generally do NOT need a visa. However, if you need to collect baggage, change terminals, or exit the airport, you will need a Schengen visa. Some nationalities require an airport transit visa even for staying in the international zone - check if this applies to Indian citizens for your specific situation.
Q31: Can I apply for Spain visa if I have a Schengen visa refusal in the past?
Yes, you can apply for a Spain visa even if you have previous Schengen visa refusals. However, you must disclose this information in your application form and provide either the refusal letter or a written explanation of the reasons for previous rejection. Demonstrate how you have addressed those issues and why your current application is stronger. Hiding previous refusals can lead to automatic rejection.
Q32: Can minors apply for Spain visa?
Yes, minors (under 18 years) can apply for Spain visa, but they require additional documents including: birth certificate, consent letter from both parents/legal guardians (notarized), copies of parents'/guardians' passports, parents'/guardians' valid Schengen visas (if traveling together), and school No Objection Certificate. If traveling alone or with one parent, notarized consent from non-traveling parent(s) is mandatory.
Post-Approval Questions
Q33: What should I do after receiving my Spain visa?
After receiving your approved visa, immediately verify all details (name, passport number, dates, visa type, number of entries). Plan your travel within the visa validity period, book confirmed flight tickets and hotels, purchase travel insurance if not already done, make copies of your visa and passport, and prepare all supporting documents to carry during travel (hotel bookings, insurance, bank statements).
Q34: Can I enter Spain before my visa start date?
No, you cannot enter the Schengen area before your visa's "valid from" date. Your visa will specify the period during which you are allowed to enter and stay in the Schengen area. Attempting to enter before this date will result in denial of entry at immigration.
Q35: Do I need to enter Spain first if I have a Spain visa?
Not necessarily. While Spain should be your main destination (where you spend the most days), you can enter the Schengen area through any Schengen country. However, if immigration officers question your entry point, you should be able to demonstrate that Spain is indeed your primary destination with hotel bookings and itinerary.
Future Changes
Q36: What is ETIAS and will Indians need it for Spain?
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is a new travel authorization system for visa-exempt countries visiting the Schengen area. It is expected to launch in late 2026. However, ETIAS does NOT apply to Indian citizens because India is not a visa-exempt country. Indians will continue to require a Schengen visa to visit Spain. ETIAS is only for citizens of countries that currently don't need visas for short stays (such as USA, UK, Canada, Australia).
Q37: Will Spain introduce e-visa for Indians?
Spain is considering an e-visa system for short tourist stays (under 30 days) as part of its digital transformation initiative. This is expected to launch in late 2026 or early 2027 and would allow eligible applicants to apply online without visiting a visa center. However, this is still under consideration and not yet confirmed. Until then, the current in-person application process remains mandatory.
Q38: What is the digital visa pilot program?
Spain is launching a digital visa application pilot program in October-November 2025 in Mumbai and Delhi BLS centers. This program will allow applicants to submit applications fully online with electronic document upload and digital verification. If successful, it will be expanded to other cities and may significantly reduce processing times and paperwork requirements.
