Visa for Family members of a citizen of the European Union

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GENERAL INFORMATION​

Direct family members of citizens of the European Union or of the States of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland are entitled to a preferential free-of-charge visa, provided that they are travelling with the EU/EEA/CH citizen of the European Union, the EEA or Switzerland or are on the way to joining them. 

In order to apply in our Consular Office, Spain must be the main destination of travel. 

Nationals of third countries listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 require a Schengen visa for stays of up to 90 days (in any 180-day period). 

The following can obtain a visa for family members of a citizen of the Union: 

• The spouse, provided that there has been no annulment or divorce.
  
  
• The partner registered in a Member State of the European Union or EEA or Switzerland, provided that such registered partnership has not been legally terminated.

• Direct descendants of the Union citizen or of their spouse or registered partner (provided that there has been no annulment or divorce or legal termination of the registration) who are under the age of 21 and above that age if they are dependent or disabled.
  
  
• Direct relatives in the ascending line of the Union citizen or of their spouse or registered partner (provided that there has been no annulment or divorce or legal termination of their registration) that are their dependants.
  
  
• Family members other than the above who, in their country of origin, live with the citizen of the Union or are their dependants.
  
  
• Exceptionally, other family members when serious health grounds or disability strictly require their personal care by the Union citizen.
  
  
• The unregistered partner, provided that stable cohabitation for a minimum period of one year can be duly attested. When there are children in common, it will be sufficient to ascertain stable cohabitation. 

If the applicant does not meet all the requirements, he/she must apply for a general tourist Schengen visa​.

The visa for family members of a Union citizen entitles the holder to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It also allows transit through the territory and airports. 

Family members of Union citizens who wish to remain in Spain beyond 90 days must, once in Spain, submit an application with the competent authorities for a residence card as Union citizen family member. 

The Schengen area encompasses 29 European countries without border controls between them: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria*, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania*, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

* For the moment, the Schengen agreement includes Bulgaria and Romania if travelling by air or sea (not by land). 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

1.- One Schengen Visa Application form: Each applicant must complete and sign an application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must sign the application. Visa applications can be filled out electronically or handwritten in capital letters.

2.- One photo​: Glued ​or clipped (not stapled) onto visa application form. Photo specifications: Passport-size, color photograph, recent (taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance), printed on matte/glossy paper, taken against a white, light, clear, uniform background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the applicant’s full oval of the face. 

Photos with a dark background or with objects or people that can be seen behind your head will not be accepted. Photographs of babies must not show any part of the adult holding them.​​​

3.- Valid, unexpired passport or official travel document. Original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must be valid for a minimum of 90 days after your expected departure date from the Schengen area. The passport must have at least two blank visa pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted.

If the passport does not meet the requirements, it must be renewed before applying for the visa.

4.- Proof of legal residence in the United States. Non-U.S. citizens must also submit proof of legal residence in the United States: U.S. Resident Card (Green card) or valid U.S. long term Visa. Original and a photocopy.

The document proving legal residence in the United States must be valid to re-enter the US after your expected departure date from the Schengen area.

B1/B2 visa holders do not qualify to apply for a visa at this Consular Office. They must apply for a visa in their country of residence or country of origin.

​5.- Proof of residence in the consular district.  The applicant must be a legal resident or be enrolled in in-person studies within our consular jurisdiction (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina). 

Residence must be proved by one of the following, valid documents: U.S. Driver’s License, State ID, University Student ID. Original and a photocopy.

If you do not have a US Driver's License or State ID it is possible to prove residence in our consular district through other documents, e.g. a copy of a lease agreement or utility bill.

6.- Documents proving that the applicant is travelling with a citizen of the Union or a State of the European Economic Area or Switzerland or is on the way to joining them: Confirmed reservation of the airline tickets (for the applicant and for the EU/EEA/CH citizen) with a booking reference number. Only a flight reservation is required; it is highly recommended not to buy the tickets until your visa is issued. 

7.- Documents required of EU/EEA/CH Citizen: EU/EEA/CH passport or Spanish ID (DNI)

8.- Documents proving family relationship to a Citizen of EU/EEA/CH: In English, in Spanish or with a certified translation. Please add a photocopy. 

• Spouse: Marriage Certificate or Spanish Family Book (Libro de Familia).
  
• Registered partner with whom they maintain a union equivalent to marriage: Certificate of registration as an unmarried couple.
  
• Unregistered partner with whom they maintain a union equivalent to marriage: Documents proving that the partnership is analogous to a marital relationship for at least 1 year, for evaluation in the Consular Office. When there are children in common: Children's / child's birth certificate.
  
• Descendant relatives: Children’s birth certificate.
  
• Ascendant relatives: Birth certificate of the citizen of the UE/EEA/CH.
  

PROC​EDURE​

Who can apply for a visa: This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from third-country nationals residing in our consular district (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina) who are travelling to Spain as their main destination. 

Applications must be submitted in person. If the applicant is a minor, the application must be submitted by their legal representatives.

​Place of submission: 

• Direct family members of EU, EEA or CH citizens are entitled to submit their visa applications at the Consular Section of the Embassy if they are traveling with the EU, EEA or CH citizen, or are on the way to joining them. 

If you have attached all requirements, please wait for an answer from the Consular Section scheduling your appointment. Due to the large amount of e-mails received, the Consular Section cannot answer immediately.​

• In order to expedite the process, direct family members of EU, EEA or CH citizens can also submit their visa applications at the BLS Spain Visa Application Center in Washington DC.