How to get a Spain visa from South Africa
Visa types, fees, processing times and application requirements for South African passport holders travelling to Spain.
Visa types & fees
3 visa options for travelling to Spain.
Business visa
Processing time15 days
Validity180 days
Tourist visa
Processing time15 days
Validity180 days
Transit visa
CategoryAirport Transit Visa
Processing time15 days
Validity24 hours
Application requirements
Documents South African applicants need to provide.
- A valid passport with at least 3 months validity before return date are required. The passport should have at least two blank pages.
- Two recent passport photographs with a light background that follows the passport format of a France visa.
- A copy of return ticket.
- Bank statement dating back at least 3 months to show that you can fend for yourself during your time in Spain.
- Applicants should ensure they have a copy of the correctly filled and signed visa application form.
- Travel insurance.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Letter of invitation from sponsor.
Visa type details
Tourist visa
- This category is for those who want to stay in Spain for a maximum period of 180 days.
- People who own this visa go to visit friends and relative or just for vacation, relaxation and tourism purposes.
- You are not allowed to study with this visa.
- It is an offence to take up a paid job with this visa.
- A valid medical insurance is required.
- The original copy of minor’s birth certificate is required.
- The visa is usually process for a period of 15 days.
- It ceases to be valid after 180 days. You are expected to leave the country at the expiration of the visa.
- This visa type allows its holders multiple entry into the country.
- A non-refundable fee of €60 is paid for the visa.
Business visa
- This visa category is for people who want to perform business activities in Spain.
- Holders of this visa can attend business meetings, conferences, trade fairs and sign contracts while in the country.
- People with business visas have to provide a letter from their employers stating that he/she has been released for the business purpose.
- The maximum period the holder of this period can stay in Spain is 180 days.
- The processing of the visa takes about 15 days.
- A letter of invitation from your business partner in Spain is also needed.
- You are required to provide a letter from your employer confirming your business leave. The duration of your stay in Spain should be indicated in the visa.
- You are required to have a valid medical insurance.
- Proof of good health.
- The visa typically costs €60.
Airport Transit Visa
- A person with an airport transit visa can only be in Spain for a period of 24 hours.
- Such person is not allowed to visit friends and relatives.
- Foreigners with this visa are cannot take up paid work in the country.
- You are restricted from going to one of the schools in the country to study a course.
- If you are traveling with a minor, the original copy of the minor’s birth certificate should be provided.
- The applicant must be in good health.
- The visa allows its holder to join a connecting flight in Spain to his/her destination country.
- On request, applicants should be able to provide the flight ticket and visa of their destination country.
- This visa type costs €60 and takes a period of 15 days to be processed.
Transit Visa for Seamen
- This visa allows its holder to stay in the Schengen area for a period of 5 days before travelling outside the borders of the Schengen area.
- The name of the ship you are joining and the port where you are joining the ship should be indicated in details in a letter from the Spanish maritime agency.
- Your seaman passbook is needed.
- Foreigners entering Spain with this visa should possess the receipt of paid visa application fees.
- You are not allowed to go sightseeing in the country.
- During your time in the country, you can neither work nor study.
- Application forms of minors should be signed by both parents of the minor.
- The visa costs €60.
- It is valid for 5 days.
Where to apply
Spain embassy & visa application centers in South Africa.
Pretoria
Address337 Brooklyn Road Menlo Park Pretoria 0102
Phone+27-12-460-0123
Email[email protected]
Frequently asked questions
What is seaman visa
Seaman visa is meant for seamen who are nationals of a foreign country who intend to join a ship in a particular country.
Does Schengen visa cover Spain
Yes, Spain is in the Schengen area.
Is it illegal to drive in flip flops in Spain
Yes, it is illegal to drive in flip flops in Spain. You will be fined on the spot if you do.
How much cash can I bring to Spain
Tourists can enter Spain with a maximum of €10,000 or its equivalent in any currency.
How many cigarettes are you allowed to bring back from Spain
You can brig in 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco.
Visa fees and rules change often. Confirm the latest Spain visa
requirements with an official embassy or consulate before booking travel.