This Schengen visa, applied through Spain, grants access to all 29 Schengen member states for tourism, family visits, or business trips up to 90 days.1 Spain is the second most popular Schengen destination worldwide, and Chinese citizens enjoy an exceptional 95% approval rate, the highest success rate among major applicant nationalities.4

Application Process

Follow these steps to apply for your Spain Schengen visa:

1. Determine your travel dates and create a detailed itinerary
   Plan your trip comprehensively, including all cities you will visit, accommodation for each night, and planned activities. If visiting multiple Schengen countries, ensure Spain is your main destination or first entry point.2

2. Gather all required documents
   Collect passport, photographs, hukou copy, bank statements, employment proof, travel insurance, flight reservations, and accommodation confirmations. Review the complete requirements checklist on the BLS China website or Spanish consulate pages.12

3. Complete the online application form
   Fill out the Schengen visa application form through the BLS International portal.1 Ensure all information matches your supporting documents exactly. Print all pages and sign in blue or black ink.

4. Purchase travel insurance
   Buy Schengen travel insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage valid for all member states and your entire travel period.6 BLS centers offer insurance options on-site, or purchase from major Chinese insurers like Ping An or China Pacific.

5. Book BLS International appointment
   Schedule your appointment at the BLS Visa Application Centre in Beijing or Shanghai through their online booking system at web.blscn.cn.1 Slots fill quickly during peak season, so book 3-4 weeks in advance.

6. Attend biometrics appointment at BLS
   Arrive 15 minutes early with your original passport, printed application form, appointment confirmation, and all supporting documents in the required order.1 Your fingerprints and photograph will be captured (exempt if provided within last 59 months).

7. Pay visa fee and BLS service charge
   Pay €90 visa fee (approximately ¥710) for adults, €45 for children 6-12, and free for children under 6. The BLS service charge is approximately ¥170 per applicant.13 Payment can be made in cash or by card.

8. Submit application and documents
   BLS staff will verify your documents and forward your application to the Spanish Embassy or Consulate. You will receive a tracking number to monitor your application status online.1

9. Track application status
   Check your application progress on the BLS website using your reference number. Standard processing takes 15 calendar days, though exceptional cases may take up to 30-45 days.1

10. Collect passport with visa
    Once processed, collect your passport from the BLS center or opt for courier delivery. Your visa sticker will show validity dates, number of entries allowed, and duration of stay.

Applications can be submitted 6 months to 15 days before your intended travel date.6

Fees

The visa fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected.3 Exchange rates fluctuate, so the CNY equivalent may vary at the time of payment.

Fee waivers are available for certain categories, including children under 6, school pupils and students on educational trips, researchers from third countries, and representatives of non-profit organizations aged 25 or under participating in seminars or cultural events.1

What You Need to Prove

Spanish consular officers assess your application based on several key criteria:

Genuine tourism purpose: Your itinerary, hotel bookings, and cover letter must demonstrate a clear tourism intent. Vague plans or missing details raise red flags.2

Sufficient financial means: Bank statements should show stable income and adequate funds to cover your trip without financial strain. A minimum of €60 per day is recommended, though not officially mandated.6 Avoid large unexplained deposits shortly before applying.

Strong ties to China: Your hukou, property ownership, employment stability, family connections, and business commitments all prove your intention to return. First-time applicants face particular scrutiny on this criterion.2

Previous travel compliance: A history of respecting visa conditions in Schengen or other developed countries significantly strengthens your application. Include old passports showing previous visas and entry/exit stamps.2

Adequate insurance coverage: Your travel insurance must meet exact specifications: minimum €30,000 coverage, valid across all Schengen states, covering medical emergencies and repatriation.6 Insufficient coverage leads to automatic rejection.

Processing Times

Standard processing for Spain Schengen visas takes 15 calendar days from your application submission.1 However, the complete timeline varies:

• Standard processing: 15 calendar days
• Complex cases: Up to 30 days
• Exceptional cases: Up to 45 days (additional verification required)

During peak travel seasons (summer holidays, Chinese New Year, Golden Week in October), appointment availability becomes limited. Book your BLS slot early and consider that total processing may take longer if application volumes are high.

Application timing rules:

• Earliest: 6 months before travel
• Latest: 15 days before departure
• Recommended: Apply 4-6 weeks before your trip6

After Your Visa is Approved

Your visa sticker will display:

• Validity period: The dates between which you can enter the Schengen Area
• Duration of stay: Maximum days allowed (up to 90 days within 180 days)
• Number of entries: Single, double, or multiple entry
• Territorial validity: Usually “Schengen States” unless restricted

At border control: Immigration officers may ask about your trip purpose, accommodation, return ticket, and financial means. Carry printed copies of your hotel bookings, return flight ticket, travel insurance, and sufficient funds.

The 90/180 rule: You can stay maximum 90 days in any 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined.6 Overstaying results in fines, deportation, and bans on future Schengen visas.

Schengen Area access: Your Spain visa grants you free movement across all 29 member states, including popular destinations like France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Switzerland. No additional visas or border checks required within the Schengen zone.

Extending your stay: Schengen tourist visas cannot be extended except in extraordinary circumstances (serious illness, force majeure). Plan your trip duration carefully before applying.

If Your Visa is Refused

If your application is rejected, you will receive a written refusal letter citing specific reasons under Article 32 of the EU Visa Code.6 Common grounds include insufficient financial proof, unclear purpose of travel, incomplete documentation, or doubts about intention to return.

Your options after refusal:

1. Reapply with corrected documentation: There is no waiting period between applications. Address the specific issues mentioned in the refusal letter and submit a new application with complete documentation. The visa fee must be paid again.

2. Understand Article 32 reasons: The refusal letter will reference specific clauses. Common codes include insufficient means of subsistence (32.1.a.iii), doubts about intention to leave (32.1.b), and missing documents (32.1.a.ii).6

Spain does not have a formal administrative appeal process like some other Schengen countries. Your best approach is to strengthen your next application by directly addressing the rejection reasons.

The visa fee is non-refundable regardless of the decision.1

Improving your reapplication:

• Carefully review the refusal reasons in the letter
• Strengthen weak areas (financial proof, travel plans, ties to China)
• Provide additional supporting documents addressing specific concerns
• Consider a different Schengen country if Spain has rejected you multiple times
• Never submit false documents, as this can result in permanent bans

With a 95% approval rate for Chinese citizens, most applicants who carefully prepare their documentation succeed. The high approval rate demonstrates that thorough preparation leads to success.4