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Who can apply?

Holders of visas which are valid for at least one year and which belong to one of the following categories:

Owners of property in Spain and their direct relatives (spouses, children, parents).
Direct relatives (spouses, children, parents) of Russian nationals residing in Spain.
Direct relatives of EU citizens or their spouses (who plan to travel to Spain with their EU relatives or to join them in Spain).
Frequent travelers to Spain, whose last visa have been valid for at least 1 year, who prove documentarily having traveled to Spain in the last 3 years and who wish to travel to Spain as soon as possible. This category of applicants must present, in addition to the rest of the documents necessary to apply for a Schengen visa in the current situation, a signed declaration stating: that they are aware that they will not be able to travel to Spain until the current restrictions on non-essential travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic are in force.
Holders of Schengen visas, valid for 6 months or more, issued by this Consulate General from January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020, and who due to temporary restrictions on non-essential travel would not have been able to travel to Spain but who plan to travel to Spain when the aforementioned restrictions are no longer in force.
Holders of Schengen visas of at least 1 year duration, issued in the last 5 years, by any Schengen State, with COVID-19 vaccination certificate with the complete vaccination schedule issued by the competent Russian authorities, who prove documentarily having traveled to Spain in the last 5 years and who wish to travel to Spain as soon as possible. This category of applicants must present, in addition to the vaccination certificate and the rest of the documents necessary to apply for a Schengen visa in the current situation, a signed declaration stating: that they are aware that they will not be able to travel to Spain until the current travel restrictions not essential due to the COVID-19 pandemic are in force or until the vaccine is authorized by the competent authorities of the European Union (European Medicines Agency) and the World Health Organization; and that in the event that the visa is issued, they undertake that the first trip with said visa will be to Spain as soon as the conditions allow it.

From what date will visas be issued?
From the date indicated on the visa application. However, holders of these visas will not be able to travel to Spain while the temporary travel restrictions are in force for reasons of public order and public health due to the health crisis caused by COVID-19 and, when there are no longer travel restrictions, they must comply with the health regulations issued by Spain for entry into Spain.

What will be the validity of the new visas?
It will depend on the duration of the previous visas and whether they have been used correctly. In case there are previous visas poorly fulfilled, this Consulate General could deny the application or reduce the validity of the new visa.

How to submit the visa application?.
Through the official center for the outsourcing of visas recognized by the Government of Spain, managed by BLS International, by appointment that can be obtained through the website of the visa center.

How should applications be submitted?

In person, for applicants over 18 years of age.
If the fingerprints have been taken within a maximum period of 59 months, you can use the postal application service offered by the BLS centers or the services of a tourist agency accredited by the Consulate General of Spain in St. Petersburg (see the website of the Consulate or the Visa Center of the Consulate for the list).
Family members of children under 18 years of age may submit their applications, if the minor has fingerprinting within 59 months. In that case, they must present a document that proves the family link. Children under 12 years of age do not require fingerprinting.
Through a representative, duly accredited with a power of attorney (if the applicant's fingerprints have been taken in the last 59 months).

The Consulate may require a new fingerprinting if it is deemed necessary and if the quality of the fingerprints is not sufficient.

Term for consideration of applications:
As a rule, the applications will be considered within 10 working days, however, the period may be extended up to 30 days if an additional verification of the submitted documentation is required in accordance with Art. 7 of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of the issuance of visas to the citizens of the European Union and the Russian Federation.

Documentation required for the submission of applications:

Schengen Visa Application form.
Recent photo in color on white background approximate size 3x4 cm.
Valid travel document with a minimum expiration of 3 months, after the expiration date of the requested visa and with at least 2 blank pages. Photocopy of the international passport (of the page with the photograph of the applicant), photocopy of the internal passport (of the page with the photograph of the holder and of the page where there is any stamp or information).
Certificate of occupation or employment.
Bank certificate that proves the availability of sufficient economic means for the planned stay in Spain.
Travel insurance or commitment to purchase travel insurance (written signed by the applicant stating that, when it is possible to travel to Spain, he undertakes to buy travel medical insurance, valid for all Schengen States and with a minimum coverage, for all concepts, of 30,000 euros, and valid for the entire period of the stay in Spain). IT IS RECALLED THAT WITHOUT THIS DOCUMENT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER THE SCHENGEN AREA.
Payment of fees.
Signature of the forms of the acceptance of the management of personal data, by BLS International and the Consulate General of Spain.
For minors traveling with only one parent: power of attorney with authorization to travel from the other parent.
Minors traveling alone or accompanied by another relative other than the parents: Power of attorney of both parents, which must include the name and number of document and contacts of the person of legal age who will be in charge of the minor.
For relatives of EU citizens: Official document that proves the family link and that they plan to travel to Spain with their community relative or to join them in Spain.
For owners: Simple note of the house issued in the last three months. For their immediate relatives, documentation accrediting the relationship and letter of invitation from the owner (for children over 18 years of age and parents).
For direct relatives of Russian nationals residing in Spain: documentation accrediting the kinship, photocopy of the residence card in Spain of the relative and letter of invitation.
Foreign citizens: Proof of legal residence in Russia 6 months before the visa application, which is extended to 3 months after the return of your trip.

For frequent travelers to Spain: if in the passport they do not have the entry-exit stamps of Spain of their last trips to Spain, supporting documentation of frequent trips to Spain (photocopy of electronic tickets and hotel invoices of the last trips to Spain, etc.)

THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF SPAIN IN ST. PETERSBURG RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUEST THE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION DEEMED APPROPRIATE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF THE FILE.

Important Notice on COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions

As part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, Schengen States have introduced travel restrictions, including at certain borders between those States.

Depending on the evolution of the epidemiological situation, both inside and outside the EU, travel restrictions may be eased or reintroduced.

All travelers are responsible for checking the travel restrictions in place prior to departure. Schengen visa holders do not automatically have the right to enter the Schengen area, but must respect the travel restrictions in force.

Details: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/

APPLICANTS FOR TYPE C OR SCHENGEN VISAS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO SPAIN OR OTHER SCHENGEN COUNTRIES WHILE THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS ON ENTRY TO THE EU AND SCHENGEN COUNTRIES FROM THIRD COUNTRIES, FOR REASONS OF PUBLIC ORDER AND HEALTH, DUE TO THE HEALTH CRISIS CAUSED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Will visas continue to be issued for essential categories with entry authorization in accordance with Order INT/657/2020, of July 17 (extended by successive orders since its entry into force)? Link to see the consolidated text of the Order: https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2020-8099

Yes, and they will be valid immediately, once the entry into national territory has been authorized by the border authorities or the certificate required by them is possessed.

Some of the categories of people excluded from temporary restrictions on non-essential travel from third countries to the European Union and Schengen associated countries for reasons of public policy and public health due to the health crisis caused by COVID-19:

Health professionals, including health researchers, and elder care professionals who are on their way to or from work.

Transport personnel, seafarers and aeronautical personnel necessary to carry out air transport activities.

Highly qualified workers whose work is necessary and cannot be postponed or carried out remotely, including participants in high-level sports events that take place in Spain. These circumstances must be justified by documentary. (NOTE: including professionals in the audiovisual sector in a broad sense, understanding as such foreign artists, technicians and professionals who are going to exercise activities framed in the audiovisual sector, artistic activities before the public or destined to the recording of any kind for dissemination by mass media. These circumstances must be justified by documentary.)

People who travel for imperative family reasons duly accredited. NOTE: This category of applicants, while the temporary travel restrictions are in force, must contact the Consulate by email before submitting the visa application.

Persons who provide documentary evidence of reasons of force majeure or situation of need, or whose entry is allowed for humanitarian reasons. NOTE: This category of applicants, while the temporary travel restrictions are in force, must contact the Consulate by email before submitting the visa application.

Persons provided with a vaccination certificate that the Ministry of Health recognizes for this purpose, after verification by the health authorities, as well as accompanying minors to whom the Ministry of Health extends the effects (vaccines authorized by the EMA -European Medicines Agency- or the WHO -World Health Organization-).

When will visa processing be restarted for categories of applicants not included in this information note?
When the current situation changes and the restrictions are lifted.