Key Takeaways
• Spain Transit Visa for Seamen allows crew to join ships via Schengen ports; eligibility is strict.
• Application requires original seaman’s book, certified translations if needed, and travel insurance with €30,000 coverage.
• Fees as of 2025: $94 for seamen, $47 for children 6-11, plus $18 service charge at visa centers.
This guide will help seamen, shipping companies, and anyone supporting crew members who need to pass through Spain 🇪🇸 or other Schengen ports. It explains who can get this visa, how to apply, what documents you need, the fees, and other important information. The goal is to make sure you have all details to smoothly complete your Spain Transit Visa for Seamen application.
Checklist: Documents Needed for Spain Transit Visa for Seamen
- Schengen Visa Application Form (properly filled and signed)
- Recent passport-size photograph (meets Schengen requirements)
- Valid passport (at least two blank visa pages; issued in the last 10 years)
- Proof of residence in your home country (like a driver’s license or lease)
- Original and copy of your Seaman’s Book
- Valid travel insurance (€30,000 minimum coverage for all Schengen countries)
- Letter from the inviting Shipping Company in Spain 🇪🇸
- Signed employment contract with the shipping company
- A planned travel itinerary (with tickets and proof of next destination)
- Any necessary entry permits for your next destination
- Disclaimer form (as required by the consulate)
Double-check that all documents are full copies, and in English or Spanish. If anything is in another language, you must include a certified translation.
Step 1: Make Sure You Are Eligible
The Spain Transit Visa for Seamen is only for maritime crew members (seamen) who need to:
- Join a ship that is or will be at a Schengen port
- Arrive at a Spanish or other Schengen port and then travel to join another ship
You are eligible if you have proof you are a crew member about to start work on a ship in the Schengen Area. If you only want to visit Spain 🇪🇸 for tourism, work on land, or other reasons, you need a different visa.
Important:
– You can apply for this transit visa no more than 180 days (6 months) before your travel date.
– Apply at least 15 days before you travel.
– Seamen can apply up to 9 months in advance in some cases.
– This visa lets you pass through Spain 🇪🇸 one or two times, or several times if needed.
If you apply too late or too early, your application might be denied or delayed.
Step 2: Find the Right Consulate
You must apply at the Spanish consulate that covers your place of legal residence. For example, in the United States 🇺🇸, if you live in places like Los Angeles or Arizona, the right office is the Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles.
To check which consulate you should use, visit the consulate’s official website or call to confirm their jurisdiction. Each consulate only helps people from certain states or regions.
Tip: Do not apply at a consulate outside your area. They might refuse to help and send your documents back.
Step 3: Book an Appointment
After you know which consulate you should use, book an appointment. In most countries, you must use an online system or contact the visa section directly.
In the United States 🇺🇸 and some other countries, Spain 🇪🇸 allows you to apply through an official partner like BLS International Visa Application Center. This company helps gather applications and forward them to the consulate.
Book early, as appointment slots can fill up, especially during busy travel seasons.
Step 4: Collect and Prepare All Documents
Before your appointment, collect all your documents and get copies where needed. Here is what you must include:
a. Schengen Visa Application Form
- Complete the Schengen Visa Application Form legibly and honestly.
- Include the full street address in Spain 🇪🇸 (with city and postal code).
- Sign it at the end. Unsigned forms are not accepted.
b. Passport-Size Photo
- One recent photo that meets Schengen visa photo standards. Use a plain background and avoid wearing hats or glasses unless for religious reasons.
c. Valid Passport
- At least two empty visa pages.
- Not older than 10 years.
- Valid for your planned stay.
- The expiry date must go beyond the end of your trip.
d. Proof of Legal Residence
- If you are living in the United States 🇺🇸, bring your driver’s license, a state ID, university student ID, or similar proof.
- Lease agreements and recent utility bills might also be accepted. Check with the consulate for their rules.
e. Seaman’s Book
- Bring the original and a full photocopy. This is proof you are a crew member of a ship.
f. Travel Insurance
- The insurance policy must cover all Schengen Area countries.
- Minimum coverage is €30,000.
- This protects you in case you need emergency medical help during your journey.
g. Letter from the Shipping Company
- Get an official letter from the Spanish or inviting shipping company.
- The letter should state your name, rank or job, ship name, port of entry, and dates.
- It must also confirm the company expects you and that you will be joining or switching ships.
h. Employment Contract
- Signed papers showing you are under contract to work on the ship.
i. Itinerary and Transportation Tickets
- Proof of your journey, like plane or train tickets.
- If you will travel to another country from Spain 🇪🇸, show you have permission (visa or entry permit) to go there.
j. Disclaimer Form
- Some consulates will ask you to sign a disclaimer. This form says you agree to their rules and know what your duties are.
Caution:
– All documents must be in Spanish or English. If they are in another language, get a certified translation and include both the translation and the original.
– Bring extra photocopies; you will not get prints at the visa center.
– Screenshots of documents are not accepted, only original papers or official copies.
Step 5: Go to Your Appointment
On the day of your appointment, get to the consulate or visa center on time. Bring all your documents in order, copies included.
During your appointment, you will:
– Hand over your documents to the clerk.
– Be asked to give fingerprints and a digital photo for their security records (called biometrics).
– Answer simple questions to confirm the reason for your trip and your paperwork.
Be honest and speak clearly. If the consular staff have questions, answer truthfully and give extra documents if asked.
Note: In rare cases, you might have to attend a personal interview. This helps the consular staff understand your application better.
Step 6: Pay the Visa Fee
The fees for the Spain Transit Visa for Seamen depend on your age and nationality. As of 2025, the following apply:
| Category | Fee in USD |
|---|---|
| Transit Visa for Seamen | $94 |
| Children (6-11 years) | $47 |
| Children under 6 years | Free |
| Nationals of certain countries* | $37 |
| Cabo Verde (18+) | $63 |
| Cabo Verde (6-11) | $31 |
*Some countries (like Albania, Serbia, Armenia, and others) have special fees. Ask at your consulate for exact costs.
If you apply at a Spanish visa application center, you will pay a service charge of $18 (includes tax), in addition to the visa fee.
How to pay:
– Most centers accept cash or debit card.
– Checks are not accepted.
– Pay only in US dollars or euros.
Always get a receipt for your payment.
Step 7: Wait for Processing
Once you submit everything and pay the fee, you must wait for officials to make their decision.
Normal Processing Time: 15 business days (about three weeks).
– This period can be longer during busy seasons or if they need more documents.
– You may speed up the process (get results in 3-4 days) in emergencies by paying an extra fee, but this is not always available.
Check your consulate’s website for details about processing updates.
Step 8: Collect Your Spain Transit Visa for Seamen
When your visa is ready, the consulate or visa center will contact you. Follow their instructions to collect your passport with the new visa inside.
The Spain Transit Visa for Seamen allows you to enter Spain 🇪🇸 and, if needed, other Schengen ports, to join your ship within the rules stated in your application.
Carefully check: Look at all details on the visa sticker to make sure your name, dates, and allowed entries match your travel plans. If you see a mistake, contact the consulate at once.
Other Important Information
- Extra Checks: The consulate may ask for more information, extra documents, or another interview at any time. This can happen if something is missing or unclear.
- No screenshots: Only original documents or official copies – no images from your phone or computer.
- Travel Insurance: Get a policy that is accepted for all Schengen ports, not just Spain 🇪🇸.
- Bank Statements: Only bring statements from banks in your own country; do not use online payment apps or foreign bank records unless allowed.
- All travel tickets must show: names, dates, and destinations.
- For group applications: Each seaman must file an individual application and have a separate appointment.
- If your visa is denied: The consulate will give a reason. You can appeal or reapply, but it will take extra time.
What Comes Next?
After collecting your visa:
- Use your Spain Transit Visa for Seamen to pass through Spain 🇪🇸 or other Schengen ports to join your ship as planned.
- Stay within the limits of your visa (number of entries and time allowed).
- Always travel with your seaman’s book and other original documents.
- If you have a problem while in Spain 🇪🇸 or at a Schengen port, contact your shipping company, the consulate, or your home country’s embassy.
Where to Get Help and More Information
For official rules or updates, check the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs page on seamen transit visas.
VisaVerge.com also provides clear, current details about transit visas, seaman-specific requirements, and Schengen ports procedures.
Summary
Applying for a Spain Transit Visa for Seamen is a careful, step-by-step process that helps crew members get to their ships at Spanish or other Schengen ports. You must gather proper documents, apply at the right consulate, pay the right fees, and wait for processing. Remember that each step is important, and small mistakes can cause long delays.
Key Points:
– Only seamen joining ships at Schengen ports should apply.
– All papers must be in English or Spanish, or include a certified translation.
– Follow consulate and visa center instructions closely.
– Pay attention to fees, payment method, and required documents.
– Always double-check your visa before travel.
If you need support or have more questions, use the official Spanish consulate websites, trusted partners, or resources recommended by VisaVerge.com. By following this clear guide, you can complete your Spain Transit Visa for Seamen application smoothly and get started with your journey safely and efficiently.
Learn Today
Schengen Area → A group of European countries allowing free movement without border controls, including Spain and other major ports.
Seaman’s Book → An official document proving a person is a certified ship crew member, necessary for visa applications.
Certified Translation → An official translation of documents done by a recognized professional, required for non-English or Spanish paperwork.
Biometrics → Personal data like fingerprints and digital photographs collected during the visa appointment for security verification.
Visa Application Center → Officially designated third-party organizations, such as BLS International, that collect and process visa applications.
This Article in a Nutshell
Seamen needing to transit through Spain or Schengen ports to join ships must obtain the Spain Transit Visa for Seamen. Strict eligibility and documentation rules apply, including proof of seafarer status and travel insurance. Timely application, consulate-specific instructions, and accurate paperwork ensure smoother processing for maritime crew traveling internationally for work.
— By VisaVerge.com
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