Spain Tourist Schengen Visa
from India — The Complete Guide

The official Schengen Visa Application Form, fully completed in block letters or typed online before printing. Every section must be filled — no blank spaces permitted. Must be signed by the applicant (or a parent/legal guardian if the applicant is a minor). Handwritten forms are no longer accepted by the Spain consulate as of November 2024.

A single recent colour photograph, preferably taken within the last 3 months, against a plain white or off-white background. The face should be clearly visible, occupying 70–80% of the frame. No dark-tinted glasses, head coverings (except for religious reasons), or filters. The photo must not be scanned from another document.

• Size: 35mm × 45mm (standard passport size)
• Face clearly forward-facing, eyes open and looking at the camera
• For minors: no adult's hand or body should be visible in the frame

Your current, signed, machine-readable passport must meet all of the following conditions simultaneously. Expired passports are not accepted under any circumstances.

• Validity: must remain valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen area
• Must contain a minimum of 2 blank pages for visa stamps
• Passport must have been issued within the last 10 years
• Old/expired passports must also be submitted (if any) for travel history

Self-attested photocopies of specific pages from both your current passport and your most recent previous passport (if applicable).

• Biometric/data page (front page with photograph)
• Observation/endorsement pages
• All pages containing previously issued visas from any country
• All pages containing immigration entry/exit stamps

Travel insurance is non-negotiable for a Spain Schengen visa. You must submit the front page / certificate page only — not the entire policy booklet. The insurance must meet all of the following criteria:

• Minimum coverage: €30,000 (approx. ₹27 lakhs) for medical emergencies and repatriation
• Validity: must cover the entire duration of your trip including travel dates
• Geographic coverage: must be valid across all 29 Schengen countries
• Applicant's name must appear clearly on the document
• For multi-entry visa applications: insurance must be valid for the first trip; a declaration for future trips suffices

A personally written letter addressed to the Visa Officer at the Consulate General of Spain. This letter is often underestimated but carries significant weight in the assessment. It should clearly state:

• Full purpose of the visit (tourism, sightseeing, holiday, etc.)
• Exact travel dates and intended itinerary overview
• Your current occupation and employer/business details
• Who is bearing the travel and accommodation expenses
• A clear commitment to return to India before the visa expires

Proof that you have been residing in the consular district for at least the past 6 months. This determines which consulate (Mumbai or New Delhi) you must apply through. Acceptable documents include:

• Recent utility bill (electricity, gas, or water) — not older than 6 months, bearing your full name and current address
• Copy of registered lease/rent agreement or property deed
• Aadhaar Card or Voter ID (if address matches current residence)
• Bank statement showing current address on the letterhead

The visa fee is paid at the time of submission at the BLS Visa Application Centre. Fees are non-refundable regardless of the visa outcome. Please refer to the Fee Table in a later section for current amounts. Note that BLS charges an additional service fee of ₹1,675 per applicant.

Original, bank-stamped and signed statements from your primary savings or current account for the preceding 3 months. The consulate looks for a healthy, consistent balance — ideally a minimum average of ₹1–1.5 lakh per person travelling. Avoid depositing large lump sums immediately before applying (this is flagged as artificial inflation).

• Statements must reflect the account holder's name, account number, and bank's official seal
• Internet-printed statements must be stamped and attested by the bank branch
• Both personal and joint accounts are acceptable

ITR acknowledgement copies (ITR-V) for the past two assessment years — downloaded from the Income Tax portal. For salaried individuals, Form 16 issued by the employer is equally acceptable. For self-employed or business owners, the ITR with CA-certified computation and P&L is preferred.

A self-attested photocopy of the applicant's Permanent Account Number (PAN) card. This is required as a standard financial identification document by the Spanish Consulate Mumbai. Ensure that the photocopy is legible and the attestation is dated.

An official letter from your employer on the company's letterhead, signed by an authorised HR or management representative. The letter must confirm that you have been granted approved leave for the travel period, state your designation and date of joining, and confirm that your position will be held for you upon return. This letter is critical for demonstrating strong ties to India and intent to return.

Original or HR-certified salary slips for the 3 most recent months prior to application. These should reflect your name, company, designation, gross salary, deductions, and net pay. Digital pay slips printed from the company's internal portal are acceptable provided they carry an official digital signature or HR stamp.

A copy of your current employment contract or appointment letter as additional confirmation of your employment relationship. Particularly useful for applicants at organisations where leave letters may not carry sufficient detail.

A self-attested photocopy of your current company-issued employee identity card, showing your name, photograph, and designation.

Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association (MoA), or Articles of Association (AoA) as applicable, confirming the legal existence and ownership structure of your business entity. For proprietorships, GST registration certificate or Udyam/MSME certificate is acceptable.

Proof that your business is registered under the Goods and Services Tax framework, as applicable. This establishes that the business is a legitimate, operating entity contributing to the economy.

Bank-stamped statements from the business's current account for the past 3–6 months. These demonstrate business activity, regular transactions, and financial health of the enterprise. Both current and savings accounts of the proprietor/directors may be submitted.

CA-attested balance sheet and profit & loss statement for the most recent financial year. For partnerships, the partnership deed should also be enclosed. This establishes the business's financial standing and your ownership/stake.

If your absence will affect business operations, a No Objection Certificate from your co-director, partner, or board resolves potential questions about whether the business will continue to operate in your absence. This indirectly supports your ties to India.

A confirmed flight itinerary or reservation (not a paid ticket) showing your departure from India, arrival in Spain (or a Schengen country if Spain is the primary destination), and your return. Most airlines provide a free "dummy ticket" or PNR reservation that can be used for visa applications. Do not purchase your actual ticket until the visa is granted.

Confirmed hotel reservations or accommodation bookings for every night of your stay in Spain and any other Schengen countries you plan to visit. Bookings should clearly show your name, check-in and check-out dates, hotel address, and booking reference. Free-cancellation bookings are acceptable and strongly recommended before visa approval.

• Use hotels.com, booking.com, or similar — free cancellation options preferred
• For Airbnb/private accommodation: booking confirmation email is acceptable
• If staying with family/friends: an official invitation letter (see Category 7) replaces hotel bookings

A detailed day-wise itinerary outlining your planned activities, cities to be visited, and approximate travel plan throughout your trip. This can be prepared by your travel agent (such as Beyond Travels) or self-prepared. A well-crafted itinerary demonstrates a planned, purposeful trip and significantly strengthens your application profile.

If you have booked a tour package through a recognised travel agency, a signed and stamped confirmation from the agency serves as an additional endorsement of your travel plans. Beyond Travels provides official tour confirmation letters for all our Spain tour clients.

An official letter from your university, college, or school confirming your enrolment and expected duration of study. This should be printed on the institution's letterhead, signed by the principal, registrar, or authorised faculty member, and bear the official seal.

A NOC confirming that your institution is aware of and has approved your travel during the specified period, and that your academic standing will not be adversely affected.

Since students may not have independent income, parents or legal guardians acting as financial sponsors must provide their own bank statements (last 3 months), ITR copies, and a signed Sponsor Declaration Letter confirming they will bear all travel-related expenses.

An original official invitation letter issued by the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) at the request of the host residing in Spain. This is distinct from a personal letter written by the host. The Spanish-resident host must visit the local police station or online platform to file for this — it is a legally recognised document (not just a personal email or letter). It must contain your full name, passport number, dates of your visit, the host's contact details, and their residence address.

Copy of the host's Spanish residence permit (TIE — Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), Spanish passport, or proof of Spanish citizenship. This confirms the legal status of your host within Spain.

Documentary evidence of the relationship between the applicant and the host — such as a birth certificate (for parent-child), marriage certificate, or family register. For friends, a statement explaining the nature of the relationship may be included in the cover letter.

A certificate from the pension authority (such as EPFO, government pension department, or pension-paying bank) confirming the monthly pension amount being received. Alternatively, bank statements showing regular pension credits are also acceptable.

A copy of the official retirement order or superannuation letter from the last employer. This document establishes the retirement status and the financial entitlements flowing from the career.

If pension income alone does not demonstrate adequate funds, statements from fixed deposits, mutual fund holdings, or other investment accounts help establish the financial sufficiency for the trip.

The official visa application form for a minor must bear the signatures of both parents or the legally recognised guardian. This is a strict requirement — an unsigned or single-parent-signed form for a minor will not be processed.

Original or certified copy of the minor's birth certificate, clearly establishing the identity of both parents and the child's date of birth. The certificate must be in English or accompanied by an official translation.

If the minor is travelling with only one parent or with neither parent (e.g., grandparents, school group, relative), a notarised authorisation letter signed by the absent parent(s) or legal guardians is mandatory. This letter must explicitly authorise the child to travel to the specified destination with the named accompanying person and for the stated travel dates.

Self-attested photocopies of the data page of each parent's / legal guardian's passport, regardless of whether both are travelling. These are required to establish the identity of the persons granting travel authorisation.

While not always mandatory, a no-objection or bonafide certificate from the child's school during the academic term is strongly recommended. It demonstrates that the travel has institutional awareness and reduces potential scrutiny.

An original, personally signed letter from the sponsor clearly stating: their full name, relationship to the applicant, confirmation that they will cover all travel, accommodation, and daily expenses, and the specific amounts/types of support being provided. The letter should be on plain paper — no notarisation required unless specifically requested by the consulate.

Original bank-stamped and signed statements of the sponsor for the preceding 3 months, demonstrating sufficient financial capacity to fund the trip.

The sponsor's salary slips, ITR copies, or business financial statements (as applicable) to establish the source and regularity of their income.

Marriage certificate (for spouse-sponsored applicants), birth certificate (for parent-sponsored applicants), or any other recognised document that establishes the nature of the sponsor-applicant relationship.