Spain Visit Visa from Canada – Everything You Need to Know

If you are a Canadian resident planning a trip to Spain for vacation, family matters, business, or health reasons, it is important to understand the Spanish Visit Visa process. This guide explains the visa types, who is eligible, needed documents, costs, and other helpful information for Canadian residents.

  • In 2023, over 520,000 Canadian residents travelled to Spain, and this number is expected to rise above 610,000 by 2026.
  • Canadian citizens do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days.
  • Permanent residents of Canada who are citizens of countries that are not visa-exempt need a Schengen Visit Visa.
  • Because Spain is in the Schengen Area, one visa allows you to travel to multiple countries within the area.
  • Visa processing usually takes about 15 working days, but it can take longer during busy times of the year.

Spain Visit Visa from Canada - Everything You Need to Know

*Want guidance to apply for Spain Visit Visa? Sign up with Y-Axis for comprehensive support with the process.
 

What is a Spain Visit Visa?

The Spain Visit Visa, a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C), is for foreign citizens from countries that are not visa-exempt. It allows them to enter Spain for short stays. These stays can be up to 90 days within a 180-day time frame. This visa is generally given for reasons like tourism, seeing family or friends, business meetings, or brief medical care.

Citizens of Canada don't need a visa for short trips to Spain. But, permanent residents of Canada from countries that are not excused under the Schengen agreement must apply for this visa before they travel. The visa also allows trips to other countries in the Schengen Area.
 

Benefits of a Spain Visit Visa

The benefits of a Spain Visit Visa are given below.

  • A single visa lets you visit Spain and the other 25 Schengen countries.
  • Good for tourism, visiting family, business, and medical needs.
  • Travelers who visit often can get multiple-entry visas.
  • The application is online and the process is quick and easy to understand.
  • Spain is a great place to visit thanks to its culture, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Types of Spain Visit Visas for Canadian Residents

There are different types of Spain Visit Visa for different intent and purposes. The popular Spanish Visit Visas are:

  • Tourist Visa
  • Family or Friend Visit Visa
  • Business Visa
  • Medical Visa

Types of Spain Visit Visas for Canadian Residents

Tourist Visa – for leisure and sightseeing

A Spain Tourist Visa, a short-term Schengen Visa (Type C), permits non-EU citizens to enter Spain for tourism, recreation, or seeing the sights. This visa exists for travelers who want to see Spain’s cultural spots, have holiday, or be with friends or family. The visa lets people stay for up to 90 days in a 180-day period and may also let them go to other countries in the Schengen Area, unless the visa says different.
 

Family or Friend Visit Visa – for visiting loved ones

The Spain Family or Friend Visit Visa, a short-term Schengen Visa (Type C), lets people from outside the EU visit family or friends who live in Spain legally. It's for personal visits, like family reunions, events, or spending time with loved ones. With this visa, you can stay in Spain for up to 90 days every 180 days and maybe travel to other Schengen countries, unless it's only valid for Spain.
 

Business Visa – for short-term meetings and conferences

A Spain Business Visa, a short-term Schengen Visa (Type C), lets people from outside the EU come to Spain for business. This includes going to meetings, conferences, trade shows, negotiations, or other work events. It's for people doing temporary business that doesn't involve getting a job in Spain. The visa allows you to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It might also let you travel to other Schengen countries, if it's not just for Spain.
 

Medical Visa – for temporary medical treatment in Spain

A Spain Medical Visa, a short-term Schengen Visa (Type C), allows non-EU citizens to enter Spain for temporary medical care. It suits those seeking specialized treatments, consultations, surgeries, or procedures unavailable in their country. The visa covers the patient's treatment period and can include a companion, if needed. It allows stays of up to 90 days within 180 days and might permit travel to other Schengen countries, unless restricted to Spain.
 

Eligibility Criteria for a Spain Visit Visa

The eligibility criteria for Spain Visit Visa are given below.

  • A passport issued within the last 10 years that is valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.
  • Evidence of Canadian permanent residence or legal status.
  • A written explanation of the reason for your visit (such as a travel itinerary, invitation letter, or details about medical treatment).
  • Evidence that you have adequate funds to support yourself during your stay.
  • Valid travel health insurance that covers at least €30,000 within the Schengen area.
  • A good immigration record with no previous bans from the Schengen area.

Eligibility Criteria for a Spain Visit Visa

Documents Required for a Spain Visit Visa

The documents required to apply for a Spanish Visit Visa are given below.

  • A filled-out Schengen visa application form.
  • A valid passport, along with proof of Canadian residency.
  • Two recent passport-sized photos that meet biometric standards.
  • A flight reservation showing your round-trip travel.
  • Confirmation of your hotel booking, or a letter of invitation from your host.
  • Evidence of travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
  • Financial records like bank statements or payslips, or a sponsorship document if needed.
  • If visiting family, provide proof of your relationship. For medical or business trips, include your appointment letter.

How to Apply for a Spain Visit Visa?

The process to apply for a Spain Visit Visa is given below.

Step 1: Determine the correct visa for your trip.

Step 2: Register and fill out the form on the Spain-Visas site.

Step 3: Collect the required documents like financial records, insurance details, and documents that explain your purpose of visit.

Step 4: Submit your visit visa application to the Spanish Consulate or visa center in Canada.

Step 5: Get your visit visa and travel to Spain.

How to Apply for a Spain Visit Visa

Spain Visit Visa Processing Time for Canadians

The processing times for Spain Visit Visa are given below.

Visa Type

Standard Processing Time

Tourist / Family Visit

10–15 working days

Business / Medical

10–15 working days

High Season or Incomplete

Up to 30 calendar days

 

Spain Visit Visa Fees for Canadian Applicants

Detailed information about the fees for Spain Visit Visas are given below.

Applicant Type

Fee (EUR)

Fees in CAD

Adults (12+ years)

€ 80

~CAD 120

Children (6–12 years)

€ 40

~CAD 60

Children under 6

Free

Free

 

Validity and Duration of Stay

Detailed information about the validity and duration of stay for Spain Visit Visas are given below.

Type of Spain Visit Visa

Validity

Maximum Duration of Stay

Tourist Visa

Up to 90 days within 180 days

90 days

Family or Friend Visit Visa

Up to 90 days within 180 days

90 days

Business Visa

Up to 90 days within 180 days

90 days

Medical Visa

Up to 90 days within 180 days

90 days (can vary based on treatment)

 

Extension and Overstay Rules

  • Spain usually does not extend tourist or visit visas, except in emergencies like health issues or humanitarian crises.
  • Staying longer than allowed can lead to fines, deportation, and bans from entering Schengen countries.
  • If you need an extension urgently, apply to the local immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería) before your visa runs out.
  • It's important to carefully monitor your 90-day limit when visiting Schengen countries.

How Can Y-Axis Help You?

Y-Axis is a leading visa and immigration consultancy, helping people move abroad and explore new countries. With lots of experience and offices around the world, Y-Axis gives individual help to make sure applying for your visa goes easily and works out well.

Our services include:

  • Expert advice on picking the correct visa for your travel plans.
  • Help gathering and checking the papers you need.
  • Filling out and turning in visa forms correctly.
  • Giving you updates and checking on your application.

Giving you information before you leave and travel advice for Spain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs a Spain Visit Visa?
International individuals from outside the EU, EEA, and Schengen Area usually need a Spain Visit Visa for short trips to Spain. If your country doesn't have a visa agreement with the Schengen Zone, you'll have to apply for one. Those who don't need a visa can stay for up to 90 days every 180 days, but may need ETIAS permission starting in 2025. To see if you need a visa based on your country and travel plans, check the official Spanish consulate website or talk to a visa consultant.
How long can I stay in Spain on a Visit Visa?
The Spain Visit Visa allows stays of up to 90 days in Spain, and other Schengen countries, within a 180-day window. Visitors can spend no more than 90 days in the Schengen area during any 180-day period. Staying longer than permitted may lead to penalties, fines, or declined visa applications in the future. If longer stays are planned, a long-stay visa or residence permit should be obtained, based on the visit's purpose.
Can I travel to other Schengen countries with a Spain Visit Visa?
Yes, you can visit other Schengen countries with a Spain Visit Visa. A Spain visit visa generally allows entry into other Schengen Area countries if the visa indicates it is valid for the whole Schengen Zone, not just Spain. This lets you travel without extra border checks across 26 European countries. Still, Spain should be your main destination or first point of entry for the visa to be valid. Your travel plans and paperwork should show this to avoid problems with your visa.
How long does it take to process a Spain Visit Visa?

The processing times for various types of Spain Visit Visas are given below.

Visa Type

Standard Processing Time

Tourist / Family Visit

10–15 working days

Business / Medical

10–15 working days

High Season or Incomplete

Up to 30 calendar days

What is the validity of a Spain Visit Visa?
A Spain Visit Visa allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day window. The visa you get might let you enter once, twice, or many times, which depends on your application and what documents you provide. How long the visa is good for can change; some are only good for a short time that fits your trip, but others last longer if you travel often. Before you travel, make sure to look at the visa sticker to know how long it's good for and how many times you can enter.
What is the difference between a Tourist Visa and a Family Visit Visa for Spain?

The differences between a Tourist Visa and a Family Visit Visa for Spain are given below.

Aspect

Tourist Visa

Family Visit Visa

Purpose

Leisure, sightseeing, vacation

Visiting family members or friends residing in Spain

Visa Type

Schengen Visa (Type C)

Schengen Visa (Type C)

Duration of Stay

Up to 90 days within a 180-day period

Up to 90 days within a 180-day period

Main Documents Required

Travel itinerary, hotel bookings, travel insurance

Invitation letter from host in Spain, proof of relationship

Accommodation Proof

Hotel or travel bookings

Host’s residence proof and address

Primary Focus

Tourism and sightseeing

Personal visits and reunions with loved ones

Common Users

Tourists, travelers, vacationers

Family members, close friends, and relatives

Can I extend my Spain Visit Visa while in Spain?
No, you cannot extend your Spain Visit Visa while in Spain. Extending a Spain Visit Visa is not common and is only approved in special cases, like major health problems, unavoidable events, or for humanitarian reasons. You can't extend it just for travel or ease. If you think you’ll need more than 90 days, think about applying for a long-term visa instead. To ask for an extension, you need to apply at the Foreigner’s Office in Spain before your current visa runs out and give good proof to show why you need it.
What are common reasons for Spain Visit Visa rejection?

Common reasons for Spain Visit Visa denials include:

  • Missing or incomplete paperwork
  • Insufficient proof of funds to cover the trip
  • Vague or conflicting travel plans
  • Inadequate or invalid travel insurance
  • Concerns that the applicant may not return home
  • Prior overstays in other countries
  • Past visa violations or immigration problems
  • Inconsistencies in travel dates, financial records, or lodging
  • A weak or missing cover letter
  • No proof of return travel

To improve your chances of approval, submit precise, consistent, and organized documents.

Can I work in Spain with a Visit Visa?
No, you cannot work in Spain on a Visit Visa. Spanish Visit visas are only for short trips, like tourism, seeing relatives, attending meetings, or getting medical care. You cannot work or study long-term using this type of visa. Doing so can result in penalties like fines, deportation, and being barred from getting visas in the future. If you want to work in Spain, you need to apply for a work visa or residence permit using the correct legal processes.
Do I need a confirmed flight and hotel booking before applying for the visa?
Yes, a confirmed flight reservation and proof of accommodation are required when applying for a Spain Visit Visa. These documents communicate your intended travel dates and aid in determining the length of your allowed stay. Certain visa services and agencies offer temporary flight and hotel reservations specifically for visa applications, and they don't need payment at the start. This can be helpful if your exact itinerary is still in progress.