Visa for Spain from Qatar
Do you hold an Indian, Nepalese, Filipino or other passport and live in Qatar? If you’re planning a trip to Spain and need a visa, this is for you.
Once you’ve proven your legal residence in Qatar, you can submit your application in Doha. It doesn’t matter if you hold a passport from another country; you’ll simply need to provide your Qatar ID, your travel dates and the reason for your trip. Then, of course, you’ll need to gather the necessary documents.
Here, we’ll help you distinguish between a visit and a residence permit. Find out exactly what documentation you need to travel to Spain without any problems.
Can you apply for a visa for Spain from Qatar?
Yes. If you are a foreign national in Qatar but have legal residence there, you can apply for your Spanish visa in Doha. To do so, you must provide proof that you live in the country and meet all the requirements set out in the application process.
If you are travelling for tourism, please bear in mind that Spain must be the main destination of your trip. In other words, the place where you will spend the most days.
The document proving your residence in Qatar is the Qatar ID or QID.
For your Schengen application, you need a valid residence permit that remains valid for at least three months after you return from your trip.
(For example, if you return from Spain on 10 August, check that your residence permit is valid until at least 10 November.)
In countries such as Qatar, the government app (Metrash) issues official certificates of residence or legal status under the name ‘To Whom It May Concern Certificate’.
This document must be apostilled or legalised in Qatar and by the Spanish Embassy before it is submitted.
If you need to renew your residence permit, make sure it is valid before you start looking for travel dates. Bear in mind that you will need to be able to travel and then return to Qatar.
Do you need a visa? The answer is in your passport
Even if you are legally resident in Doha, this does not alter the entry rules applicable to your country of origin or your nationality. If you are an expatriate from South Asia, you will first need to apply for a visa to travel to Spain.
Are you a Qatari citizen with an ordinary passport? In that case, you will also need a visa, unlike UAE nationals. If you hold a diplomatic passport, the Spanish embassy will need to verify this separately.
Please check the conditions applicable to your entry, even if you are exempt from visa requirements.
| Your nationality | Do you need a Schengen visa? |
|---|---|
| India | Yes. |
| Nepal | Yes. |
| Bangladesh | Yes. |
| Philippines | Yes. |
| Egypt | Yes. |
| Qatar | Yes, with an ordinary passport. |
| European Union, EEA and Switzerland | No; free movement. |
| United Kingdom, British nationals | No, for short stays. |
| Other European countries | This must be checked against the passport. |
Do I need a short-term or a long-term stay?
The most important thing is to think first about what you’re going to do in Spain.
You could go there on holiday.
You could visit your relatives.
You could attend a trade fair for work reasons.
These three scenarios fall under the category of a short stay, so you’ll simply need to apply for the relevant Schengen visa and provide proof that you’ll be returning.
With this option, you’re allowed a maximum stay of 90 days in Spain within a 180-day period. This means that if you travel from Spain to another country in the Schengen Area, the 180-day period does not restart.
Do you need to live in Spain for an extended period?
If you wish to live in Spain for a period of time, study for more than 90 days or work, you will need a national visa and a Spanish work permit linked to that visa.
Bear in mind two factors:
The insurance, certificates and financial resources required are not always the same as those for a tourist visa.
A business visa does not automatically allow you to join a Spanish company, so before cancelling your Qatari residence permit, make sure you have identified the correct authorisation to work.
Documents required for your visa application
Also, prepare the application form, photograph, passport, Qatar ID and Metrash certificate.
Obtain a letter from your employer detailing your employment history and terms of employment.
Gather bank statements for the last six months, stamped by the bank and in English.
Provide proof of your flight, accommodation and travel insurance bookings.
Where and how should you submit your application in Doha?
Schengen visa applications submitted to the Spanish Embassy in Doha are processed by BLS International.
To find the office: go to Office 42, 10th floor, Al Reem Tower, on Al Wahda Street, West Bay.
To book your appointment: do so via BLS, although it is the embassy that will assess your application.
The standard processing time is 15 calendar days and may be extended to 45, although no estimate guarantees a specific completion date. You can submit your application up to six months in advance.
BLS International is normally open from Sunday to Thursday and closed on Fridays and Saturdays.
Are you planning to move to Spain?
If you are thinking of extending your stay in Spain by applying for a residence permit, bear in mind that there are three different routes:
Non-profit residence permit: to be eligible, you must be able to support yourself without working, by demonstrating sufficient financial means and health cover. They will also check the source and availability of your funds, whether you are travelling alone or with your family.
Residence and work: you will need to be employed by a company in Spain, with the relevant authorisation, or work as a self-employed person, in which case they will assess the viability of your business and review your professional documentation.
Studies: if you are going to undertake a course lasting longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for the relevant residence permit. Ensure that your admission, funding and insurance are all in place within the deadlines for this route.
Tell us via WhatsApp what you want to do in Spain and when you plan to leave Qatar. At Díaz & Asociados, we’d like to offer you a feasibility consultation to review which route you can apply for and the documentation you’ll need before starting the process.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a visa in Doha using a Qatar ID?
Yes, provided you can prove legal residence for the required period. Please also remember to provide your Metrash certificate and your travel documents.
What happens if my residence permit is due to expire soon?
Check the renewal deadline, as you will be required to have three months’ validity remaining after your return if you are visiting Spain as a tourist.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, for a standard Schengen visa. This must cover the entire duration of your stay and the Schengen area, with at least 30,000 euros to cover medical emergencies, hospitalisation and repatriation.