How to apply for a visa for Spain from Cuba?

Cubans are required to obtain a visa to travel to Spain known as a Schengen visa. The only exception to this rule applies to residents of Cuba who also hold Spanish citizenship, as they only need to have a valid Spanish passport and be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to fund their trip.

People who live in Cuba but do not have a national passport can check whether it is necessary for them to apply for a visa at the following link:

• How to obtain a Schengen visa to travel to Spain?

Do I need a visa to travel to Spain from Cuba?

The answer is yes. Currently, as citizens of a country that is subject to visa requirements for crossing borders in the Schengen Area during short stays, Cubans must obtain prior authorization. There are several different types of visas depending on the nature of the visit.

Short-term visas or category C visas allow their holder to move freely within Spain and the rest of the Schengen Area for three months within a period not exceeding 180 days from the entry date. This means that after the initial 90 days, both the arrival and departure will count, and it will be mandatory to leave the Schengen Area, and they will not be able to re-enter the territory until another 90 days have passed.

For Cuban citizens flying from a non-Schengen state to another, with a stopover in a Schengen airport like Spain, and who do not intend to cross the international transit area of that airport, they only need to have a airport transit visa or category A visa.

National or long-term visas, known as category D visas, are granted only to those who plan to study, work, or reside permanently in a Schengen country for more than 90 days. There are various types of permits within this category: temporary residence visas excluding work authorization for durations longer than 90 days, research residence and work visas, family reunification visas under the general regime, non-lucrative residence visas, self-employed residence visas, and study or research visas for student mobility, internships, or volunteer services lasting more than 90 days.

How to apply for a visa to travel to Spain from Cuba?

The first step to apply for a Schengen visa is to make an appointment at the Spanish Consulate General in Havana within six months prior to the start of the trip by sending an email to the following address: cubacitasvisadosESC (@) maec.es

The subject of the email must include the following information in the same order as shown below, with the same punctuation and spacing: Schengen Visa Request. First and last names. Passport number without spaces. Estimated travel date.

Entry to the consulate is limited to people who are on the appointment list. Only minors and people over 75 years old who require assistance can enter with another person. In such cases, the presence of the companion should be notified in the email requesting the appointment, including their full name and identity document.

It is very important to remember that one application per person must be submitted, even for members of the same family.

In early 2019, it was announced that a second consulate general would be created in Camagüey to ease the administrative load of the Havana office, but no definitive opening date has been confirmed yet.

As a result, the average waiting time after requesting an appointment is five months due to high demand, and the assigned date may be delayed further. Additionally, applications submitted more than five months in advance will not be accepted, nor will those submitted less than fifteen days in advance.

The response to the appointment request, including the date and time of the appointment, will be sent to the same email address used for the request within approximately fifteen days. If no response is received, the request should be considered rejected, and a new one must be made.

Before the appointment date at the consulate, you must download the application form from the following link to submit it completed: exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/LAHABANA/es/ServiciosConsulares/Tramites/Visados/Documents/Solicitud%20de%20Visado%20Schengen-form.pdf

List of documents to submit with the Schengen visa application

Two copies of the completed and signed application form.

Two recent passport-sized color photographs affixed to two copies of the form.

A passport valid for at least six months from the planned travel start date. For airport transit visas, a validity of more than three months from the expected arrival date in the Schengen Area is sufficient. A photocopy of the passport or travel document page with the holder's details must also be included. If the applicant lives in Cuba but does not have Cuban citizenship, they must submit their valid residence permit along with a photocopy.

A flight pre-booking. It is not necessary to present a receipt for already paid tickets. This is a precaution in case the visa is denied or the appointment for submitting the application is not granted in time.

All documents proving the purpose of the trip, whether it is for a course of less than three months, attending a professional event, making a stopover on a flight, or for medical reasons, such as undergoing treatment.

A medical insurance policy with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros.

Hotel reservation for the entire stay. If the accommodation is provided by a friend or family member, an invitation letter from a Spanish citizen, a citizen of any other EU country, or a third-country national legally residing in Spain will be required instead.

Proof that the applicant has sufficient financial resources to cover the trip until the expiration of the requested visa and intends to leave the Schengen Area before that date. The ideal documents to demonstrate this include a return ticket reservation, property deeds in Cuba, or proof of employment or enrollment in a Cuban university or school.

• For stays of less than nine days, proof of sufficient funds equivalent to at least 90% of the gross minimum wage in Spain is required. This amount varies each year, so it is a good idea to check the latest figure set by the Spanish government.
• For stays longer than nine days, this amount increases by 10% of the gross minimum wage for each additional day.

Minors traveling alone or with a legal guardian must submit an exit authorization issued by a judicial body or a notary (original and copy).

A non-refundable fee must be paid along with the visa application, even if the application is ultimately denied.

Can I visit other countries in Europe with the visa for Spain?

Cuban citizens who wish to visit countries outside the Schengen Area during their stay in Spain must apply for a short-stay double-entry visa, which allows them to enter the country twice during the valid period, or a multiple-entry visa, which allows them to enter and exit the country as many times as they want. Holders of a single-entry visa can only enter and exit once, as their permit will expire the moment they cross the external borders, regardless of whether the validity period has not yet expired.

Can I extend my stay once in Spain?

The stay in Spain can be extended as long as it does not exceed 90 days within a six-month period. The extension request is made by submitting the official form (EX-00) duly completed, which can be downloaded from the following link: extranjeros.mitramiss.gob.es/es/modelossolicitudes/mod_solicitudes2/00-Formulario_estancia_FEB19.pdf

This form must be accompanied by a copy of the following documents:

A valid passport with validity beyond the requested extension period.

An explanation of the exceptional reasons for requesting an extension of the stay.

Some proof that you have sufficient financial means to cover the additional days in Spain.

Insurance that covers the entire stay in case the extension is granted.

Some form of proof that guarantees the return to the country of origin. For this purpose, a plane ticket in the applicant's name will be sufficient, even if the return date is before the end of the requested extension period.

Do I need health insurance to obtain a visa for Spain from Cuba?

One of the requirements to obtain a visa is to have an international health insurance that guarantees a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros; for the entire duration of the trip. The insurance must be valid in the entire Schengen area and cover basic expenses such as repatriation in case of emergency or death, legal and medical assistance, or emergency care in case of an accident.

Why choose AXA's Schengen visa travel insurance?

AXA offers a wide variety of medical insurances for travel throughout Europe at very competitive prices, starting from 22 euros per week. Obtaining insurance is part of the legal requirements to benefit from a visa for Europe, and AXA provides comprehensive coverage for any emergency that may arise during your travels. None of our policies will require you to pay extra fees based on your medical expenses. AXA travel insurance policies are accepted at all embassies and consulates of Schengen area countries.

Important Information

At AXA, we strive to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information, but visa regulations may be changed at any time by the embassy or consulate of the Schengen state you wish to visit. For this reason, we cannot be held responsible for the consequences of such changes. Please contact the consular authorities to get information about the terms and conditions for obtaining a Schengen visa that are in effect at the time of your application.

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Frequently Asked Questions about visas for Spain from Cuba

How much does the Schengen visa cost?

According to the new European regulation that came into effect in February 2020, visa fees, which had not been updated since 2006, have increased from 60 to 80 euros to cover processing costs. Applications for children aged 6 to 12 will incur a fee of 40 euros, and children under six are exempt from paying.

In which currency should I pay the fees?

The applicant must pay 89 Cuban Convertible Pesos. Under no circumstances will euros or other currencies be accepted. This is the only fee to be paid during the entire visa application process – no additional sum will be charged for booking an appointment. Important: Receiving the appointment confirmation to submit the visa application does not mean the application will be approved.

Can I change the visa dates?

No – it is not possible to make any changes once it has been issued.