Frequently asked questions

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• Q: What is a Visa?

  Ans: A Visa is an authorisation issued by the representative of the Government of a country permitting a person, not resident in that country, to enter its boundaries, subjected to immigration control of the country.

• Q: How do I know if I need a Visa?

  Ans: Depending on your nationality, kindly log on to the website https://ph.blsspainvisa.com to check whether you require a Visa to travel to Spain.

• Q: Can I travel within the Schengen countries with a single entry visa?

  Ans: Yes. Once you have entered the Schengen territory, single entry visa allows the holder to circulate within the Schengen territory multiple number of times. However, if the holder of this visa leaves the Schengen territory, he/she cannot re-enter again without a new valid visa.

• Q: Can I apply at the Spain Visa Application Centre if I want to go to Rome or Paris? Can I arrange for booking accordingly?

  Ans: If you plan to apply for your Schengen Visa at the Spain Visa Application Centre, your main destination and the maximum period of stay in the Schengen States must be in Spain. You must provide proof to support that Spain is:

  • Main Destination.
  • Country related with the main purpose of travel.
  • Country with maximum period of stay.
  • State of first entry.
• Q: Is the Visa valid for Spain only?

  Ans: If the applicant is going to visit several Schengen countries staying the same number of days in all the countries, the applicant has to apply in the first state of entry.

  Example: 5 days in Spain, 5 days in Italy, 5 days in France
  If the first state of entry is in Spain, he should apply for Spain visa.

• Q: Who is BLS?

  Ans: BLS is the outsourced partner to the Embassy of Spain in Philippines and the Consulate General of Spain in Manila. The Spain Visa Application Centre of BLS functions as a collection and processing centre to guarantee a better service in response to the growing demand for Spanish visas from applicants residing in Philippines.

• Q: How can I contact the Spain Visa Application Centre?

  Ans: You can contact the Spain Visa Application Centre via the Helpline, by email or in person. Please see our contact information section for details..

• Q: How early can I apply?

  Ans: Applicants are free to apply up to 180 days prior to their date of travel. However, all applications must be submitted at least 15 days prior to the proposed date of travel to accommodate any unforeseen processing delays. This period is extended to 9 months in the case of the seamen.

• Q: How long do I have to wait for the Visa once I submit my application?

  Ans: In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. Sometimes it can take up to 45 days in case it is necessary to make a more detailed exam of the application.

• Q: Can the Spain Visa Application Centre prepare my application for me?

  Ans: The Spain Visa Application Centre does not prepare visa applications, but accepts and processes applications in accordance with the instructions issued by the Embassy of Spain and Consulate General of Spain.

• Q: How do I submit my application at the Application Centre?

  Ans: It is recommended to book an appointment prior to your application submission. You may visit the website https://philippines.blsspainglobal.com/Global/account/login for futher information. Please note that walk ins are no longer accommodated effective June 2017.

• Q: Do I have to come personally or can I send the application to the Spain Visa Application Centre?

  Ans: Yes it is mandatory to come personally for the enrolment of the Biometrics. you can also send any representative to submit your visa application. if you had previous Schengen visa (Type C) issued last three years. Applications by Post are not accepted and shall be returned without processing the application. You must visit the Spain Visa Application Center in person to submit your application.

• Q: What is the application procedure at the Spain Visa Application Centre?

  Ans: Applicants should book an appointment via the website prior to lodging an application On their submission date, applicants will be asked to take a token at the entrance and be seated in the waiting area (You can approach our Submission Counters when your token number is displayed). Our officers at the counter will collect your visa application form to check that the documents are complete and your photograph meets the required specifications. Your passport will be checked for validity empty pages and previous travel information. Your fees will be collected in accordance with the visa category you have chosen and the documents you submit will be checked in the manner in which they are required by the Consulate of Spain. You will be issued a receipt for the fees paid and given an acknowledgement for the submission of your passport.

• Q: Which visa (category) should I apply for?

  Ans: The Spain Visa Application Centre is an acceptance centre and, as such, is not authorized to advise/recommend any visa type to a prospective applicant. The applicant will have to find out the visa category he/she is eligible for based on the purpose of travel. He /she can do so by visiting

• Q: What are the documents required for a Spain Visa?

  Ans: After deciding the eligible visa category applicants can visit the Spain Visa Application Centre’s website https://ph.blsspainvisa.com/ to check the recommended documents for the Visa category they have chosen. Photocopies are recommended as documents will not be returned. Submit originals only where specified.

• Q: I am a tour operator and I am going to present the applications of a traveler’s group. What should I have to do?

  Ans: First, you should contact directly the Embassy of Spain or the General Consulate of Spain in Manila. See link CONTACT US.

  • You should explain clearly:
  • Contact details of the travel agents in charge of the applications.
  • Contact details of the travelers and purpose of the visit.
  • Detailed information of the number of applicants, flight details, route, cost of the travel per person, etc.
  • Official and final list of the applicants including their complete name, in alphabetic order, and their passport’s number.
• Q: What if I do not have all the documents?

  Ans: If your application is not accompanied by the documents that are requested by the Embassy of Spain in Philippines and the Consulate General of Spain in Manila, you will be asked if you wish to proceed with the application without all the requested documents. Should you consent to this, your application will be registered in our system and accepted for further processing. Kindly take note that submission of incomplete applications will lead to processing delays.

• Q: What proof will I have that Spain Visa Application Centre has my visa application?

  Ans: Once your application has been registered in our system, you will be issued a receipt for the fees you have paid and it would be possible to track your visa at https://ph.blsspainvisa.com/

• Q: What are the applicable fees?

  Ans: Every visa application needs to be accompanied by a visa fee for the amount applicable to your chosen visa category. This needs to be paid in cash.

• Q: What is procedure to get my passport back?

  Ans: Once the application has been processed by the Spain Embassy/ Consulate General and your passport has been returned to the Visa application centre,,you will need to bring your receipt and acceptance proof with you for collection of your passport. For Passback (return of passport) timings, please visit the Contact us page..

• Q: What if I cannot return to collect my passport in person?

  Ans: In your absence, along with your receipt an authority letter from you in the name of your representative with his Identity proof Photo copy will be required.

• Q: Can the Spain Visa Application Centre post my passport back?

  Ans: The Spain Visa Application Centre can also courier your application to you as long as the address provided by you is serviceable by our courier partners, 2Go Express.

• Q: What are the Information Letters?

  Ans: If the Embassy of Spain in Philippines or the General Consulate of Spain in Manila are unable to return the application to you because they would like to request additional documents, schedule you for a personal interview or require additional time to correspond with Home Office, this update is normally sent in a letter individually addressed to the applicant, and remains at the Spain Visa Application Centre until collected by the applicant or an authorized representative.