How much is a Schengen visa to Spain? Is the fee the same as Schengen visas issued by other EU countries? This post contains all you need to know about your Schengen visa fee and how to make payment.
What Is A Schengen Visa For Spain?
Any non-European not from a visa free country will require a Schengen visa to enter Spain. Regarding international trips to Spain, there are two types of visitors; travelers from visa-free countries and travelers from non visa free countries.
Those from visa free countries don’t need Schengen visas to enter Spain. In the past, they only needed a valid passport and could visit, but in the coming months, they will need a visa waiver called ETIAS.
However, travelers from non visa exempt countries must show a valid Schengen visa at the entry port to Spain. Schengen visas are valid for six months, and the holder can stay in the country for 90 days. Furthermore, this visa is accepted by all 27 Schengen nations, so holders can visit any of them as long as theirs remains valid.
There is a non refundable fee the applicant must pay for document processing, so read on to find out.
How Much Is A Schengen Visa To Spain?
The standard fee for a Schengen visa is €80, but there are variations. Children between 6-12 years pay €40, while those under 6 don’t pay any fees. The €80 fee is for applicants above 12 and up to 80 years of age. Applicants above 80 do not pay visa fees; this fee is mandatory, without which the application will not be processed.
A separate fee is charged for application la from selected countries you should know about.
Nationals from Russia, Kosovo, Azerbaijan, and Armenia pay between €35 - €37, while nationals from The Gambia pay as much as €120 for the visa. These fees hardly ever change but are subject to foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
Visa Fee Exemptions
The EU has categories of people who are exempted from paying visa fees. As we pointed out above, children under six years do not pay fees neither do applicants above 80 years. Furthermore, diplomats with active diplomatic passports and visiting Spain or any other Schengen country are exempt from paying the visa fee. If you are a blood relative of a Spanish or EU citizen, you don’t have to pay the visa fee.
Students accompanying their teachers on trips are exempt from paying, and so are scientific researchers. There is also a fee waiver for visitors 25 years and younger attending sports, cultural, seminars, or conference events organized by non-profit organizations. The determination of which event qualifies for fee waivers is made on a case-by-case basis.
How To Pay The Visa Fee?
You can pay the visa fee in different forms, but the embassy will decide. Most embassies will collect cash, card payments, or even bank orders. This fee must be paid before handing over your application to the visa officer and contain the receipt of payment.
Extra Charges
When planning for a Schengen visa fee, there may be extra charges if you are submitting your application through visa application centers and agencies like VFS. Aside from the normal visa fee, the agency will charge a different amount for their services to get your documents to the Spanish embassy. These fees vary from country to country but may range from €30-€40 for each application. However, note that this fee is only if you are going through a visa center, as some embassies do not accept documents directly from applicants.
Is The Visa Fee Refundable?
Schengen visa fees are not refundable regardless of whether you receive the visa. You can’t submit your documents without paying them, but the embassy will make a determination whether to give you the visa or not based on your eligibility and not because of the fee. Feed is charged in Euros, but you can pay it in your local currency. For instance, if you are applying from Nigeria, you will pay the Euro equivalent in Naira, depending on the prevailing exchange rate.
How Long Before The Visa Is Released?
Once the document is submitted, processing begins and may take up to 15 calendar days before the visa is ready, but this timeline is not cast in stone. Some applications take much longer because the embassy handles a large volume of applications, so that processing may take longer.
Lastly, all applicants should note that all Schengen visas cost the same regardless of whether they are multiple entry or single entry visas.
How much is a Schengen visa to Spain? The fee is €80 for adults and €40 for 6-12 year olds, but those who are exempt from payments are charged no fees.