SPAIN Issuing Authorities AUTHORITIES: a) The Spanish Embassy, 337 Brooklyn Road, Brooklyn, Menlo Park Pretoria Tel: (012) 460-0123 Fax: (012) 460-2280 O/hrs: Submissions: Mon - Fri 08h00-12h30 & 1330-1500 O/hrs: Collections: Mon - Fri 1330-1600 E-mail: emb.pretoria.vis@maec.es b) Spanish Consulate-General. 37 Shortmarket Street, CAPE TOWN, 8001 Tel: (021) 422-2415 Fax: (021) 422-2328 O/hrs: Mon - Fri 09h00-12h00 E-mail:visacapetown@maec.es Web: www.exteriores.gob.es BLS Cape Town - Spain Visa Application Centre: 1st Floor, Block B, North Park Black River Park 2 Fir Street Observatory Submissions : Mon-Fri 0800-1230 & 1330-1500 Collections: Mon-Fri 1000-1230 & 1330-1600 Tel: 021 003 8050 E-mail: info.cpt@blshelpline.com Web: https://sa.blsspainvisa.com BLS Pretoria - Spain Visa Application Centre Regus Lakeview, Ground Floor Lakeview Building 1277 Mike CrawfordAvenue Centurion Submissions : Mon-Fri 0800-1230 & 1330-1500 Collections: Mon-Fri 1000-1200 & 1330-1600 https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2661-spain-country-guide&print=1&print=1&print=1&print=1 Page 1 of 10
Tel: 012 6838759 E-mail:info.pry@blshelpline.com Web: https://sa.blsspainvisa.com https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2661-spain-country-guide&print=1&print=1&print=1&print=1 Page 2 of 10
Visa Requirements Any visa issued by Spain will also be valid in the following Schengen Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.? Schengen countries for terms and conditions of a Schengen short stay visa. Visas are required by S.A. passport holders. British passport holders do not need visas. However, if passport is endorsed British Overseas Citizen, a visa is required. If Namibian passport holders are resident in South Africa they are subject to the same conditions as South Africa passport holders. However, they must also furnish proof of job and possible proof of re-entry. Visa applicants can now apply for visas through BLS International in Pretoria and Cape Town https://sa.blsspainvisa.com To apply for a visa, applicants are to download and fill out the visa application form from the BLS Spain VAC website. They are also to make an appointment off the website. REQUIREMENTS: Kindly submit your supporting documents, without staples in the documents, in the following order: Passport and copy of passport, copies of previous Schengen visas (if not in current passport) Application form completed and signed by the applicant, plus two colour photographs. Itinerary (see checklist on BLS website) Copy of flight reservation Copy of travel insurance certificate (the schedule might be requested in some cases). Bank statements (see checklist on BLS website). Proof of all accommodation (see checklist on BLS website) Minors (if applicable) Copy full/unabridged birth certificate (minor children), Parental consent (if needed) Original signed letter of employment on company letterhead (stating salary or annual cost to company and employment inception) https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2661-spain-country-guide&print=1&print=1&print=1&print=1 Page 3 of 10
/pension/retirement/university/school letter Invitation letter, copy of host s passport, police registration (when staying with family/friends in Spain see checklist on BLS website) Non South African students and nationals (if applicable) Signed checklist by applicant and representative (if applicable). Note See requirements for groups bigger that 15 people on checklist (BLS website) Note: When travelling with a family, please submit copy of flight reservation and insurance with each application, remaining documents may be submitted with the main application. PLEASE NOTE: Before applying please make sure you fulfill all the following requirements. Please note that applications submitted by a representative must be accompanied by a signed copy of the requirements/checklist. Important Note: Additional documents may be requested depending on the individual case. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2661-spain-country-guide&print=1&print=1&print=1&print=1 Page 4 of 10
Visa Processing Time Visa applications, even though the legal period is 15 days, usually take up to 3-5 working days to process once received at the Consulate after you present it at BLS. The issuing delays may vary and do not include the time required to get an appointment. They are only applicable for South African passport holders. For other nationalities may take longer. If, after 5-7 days of handing in your application at BLS, you cannot see it marked as ready to be collected on the TRACK YOUR APPLICATION link, please send an email to visacapetown@maec.es, to ascertain the status of your application.!!very IMPORTANT FOR TRAVELLERS!!: Please note that all applications are processed individually. The Visa Officer may invite you for an interview or request further documentation or information, which will prolong the processing time. Upon your arrival in the Schengen states, the Border Police/Immigration may request to see proof of sufficient funds, a letter of invitation, hotel reservation and proof of medical insurance. Failure to present said funds/documents may result in entry being refused. Please NOTE that if travelling to Gibraltar, Morocco or outside any of the Schengen countries, a MULTIPLE / SEVERAL entry visa must be applied for. Check if all the details in the visa are correct. Make sure the validity and the days correspond with itinerary. If entry is refused at the border, or if a fine has to be paid due to incorrect dates in the visa, no compensation can be paid in any case. The possession of a visa is only one of the prerequisites for entry into the territory of the Schengen States. This means that the above required documents may have to be presented or entry may be refused at the border and the passenger will have no claim to compensation. THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO ALTERATION WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION. NO LIABILITY WILL BE ACCEPTED BY THIS OFFICE FOR ANY CONSEQUENCES ARISING FROM THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED ABOVE. COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE GRANTING OF A VISA. Do not apply for your visa more than 3 months in advance. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2661-spain-country-guide&print=1&print=1&print=1&print=1 Page 5 of 10
Visa Cost Schengen Visa (A, C): Short- stay 60 Schengen Visa (A, C) children 6-12 years minus one day 35 VISA FEE IS NOT REFUNDABLE IF VISA IS NOT GRANTED CASH IS TO BE PAID FOR THE VISA ON THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW. Applicants applying at the Spanish visa application Centre shall be levied a service charge of R224. Children under 6 are exempted from service charge. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2661-spain-country-guide&print=1&print=1&print=1&print=1 Page 6 of 10
SA Representative South African Embassy Edificio Lista, Calle de Claudio Coello, 91-96 Cor of J Ortega Y, Gasset, Madrid, Spain Tel: +34 91 436-3780 E-mail: madrid.embassy@dirco.gov.za Website: www.dirco.gov.za/madrid/en/ https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2661-spain-country-guide&print=1&print=1&print=1&print=1 Page 7 of 10
Travel Health Compulsory: Recommended Travel Vaccines: None Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio Spain attracts holidaymakers from around the world seeking sun and sand, good food and wine, and a colourful and pulsating vibe. Attractions include flamenco shows, bullfights, paella and sangria, medieval towns, castles, and even snow skiing in the Sierra Nevada. Try Pamplona outside the fiesta season. The main attractions are its old walled quarter, Renaissance cathedral and imposing citadel. Run with the bulls or join with the crowds at the Festival of San Fermín in Pamplona. Sunbathing, swimming, boardsailing and crowd-watching are favourite pastimes at the dozens of popular resorts along the Costa Do Sal. Spain is a great place for sailing, with plenty of harbours and sailing clubs. Capital: Currency: Language: Madrid (MAD) Euro (EUR) Castilian Spanish. Other languages spoken; Catalan, in Catalonia; Galician, in Galicia; Euskera/Basque, in the Basque Country; Valencian, in the Region of Valencia; and a particular variety of Catalan, spoken in the Balearic Islands. English may be understood in tourist areas. Dialling code from SA: + 34 Time Zones: Daylight Savings Time: Public Holidays 2017: UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) From last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) Jan 1, 6; Apr 14; May 1; Aug 15; Oct 12; Nov 1; Dec 6, 8, 25 (Individual States & Territories may have additional public holidays) Side of the Road: Right. An International Drivers Licence is required. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2661-spain-country-guide&print=1&print=1&print=1&print=1 Page 8 of 10
Best Time to go: Best For: Plugs: Drinking Water: Health: Customs: Local Offences / Laws: April June & September - October UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Ancient and Medieval Architecture, Running of the bulls 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are in use Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. In Ibiza, tap water has a salty taste and bottled water may be preferred. There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. Normal social courtesies. Lunch and dinner are eaten late. Smoking is prohibited in public areas. Drinking in the streets is illegal. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2661-spain-country-guide&print=1&print=1&print=1&print=1 Page 9 of 10
Duty Free: Spain is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. If you are travelling from within the EU, there is no limit on the amount or value of goods you may import, providing your goods are for personal consumption. Goods imported for commercial purposes are subject to duty and the following guideline amounts are in place to determine whether this is the case: 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco. 10L of spirits over 22% volume, 20L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume, 90L of wine (no more than 60L of sparkling wine) and 110L of beer. If you are arriving from a non-eu country, the following goods may be imported into Spain by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. 4L of wine and 16L of beer and 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22%volume. Other goods up to the value of 430 for air and sea travellers and 300 for other travellers. Prohibited Imports: Prohibited Exports: Meat and dairy products from outside the EU, and unauthorised firearms and ammunition. Endangered species require an export permit. https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2661-spain-country-guide&print=1&print=1&print=1&print=1 Page 10 of 10