Spain Schengen Visas: Only Moroccans Who Had One-Year Valid Visas That Expired After 2018 Can Apply
The Spanish consular services in Rabat, Morocco, have announced that applicants for a Schengen Visa to Spain will have their applications processed only if they have had a visa with at least one year of validity, which has expired after December 31, 2018, due to COVID -19 entry restrictions.
According to a notice published on the official website of BLS Spain, which is the legal entity authorized by Spanish authorities to admit visa applications in Rabat, Morocco, those who do not meet these conditions are unable to apply.
“However, as of 03/01/2021, our visa application centre in Rabat will open to the public for the filing of Schengen visas, exclusively to people who already have a visa of at least one year and whose expiry date is after 31.12.2018,” the notice reads.
Still, the notice reminds those intending to apply for a visa that they will be able to get one only in case Spain reopens its borders for non-essential travel from Morocco. It also points out that one can apply for a visa at most six months in advance of their intended trip to Spain, and not before.
This means that a Moroccan can now apply for a Schengen Visa to Spain, and he may get the visa in the next six months, only if the borders reopen. Otherwise, all money, time spent, and procedures will go in vain, and the applicant will not get the visa he/she applied for.
Due to the Coronavirus entry restrictions imposed by the Spanish authorities, only the following categories are permitted to enter Spain at the moment, and thus eligible to apply for a Schengen Visa and receive it even while the borders remain closed:
- Residents of EU and Schengen Area countries, Andorra, Monaco, the Vatican, or San Marino, who go to that country, proving it with the necessary documentation.
- Holders of long-stay visas granted by another Schengen Area or EU country, whose destination is the same country that issued the visa.
- Health professionals (researchers and elderly care reaching Spain for work purposes).
- Transport personnel, seafarers and aeronautical personnel performing their duties.
- Diplomatic and consular personnel, of international organizations, military, civil protection and members of humanitarian organizations, performing their functions.
- Students of universities within the EU/Schengen Member States who have the corresponding permit or visa.
- Highly qualified workers whose work is necessary and cannot be postponed or carried out remotely.
- Persons travelling for duly accredited imperative family reasons.
- Those travelling for humanitarian reasons.
- Residents of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Uruguay and China.
According to the existing entry measures, all arriving travellers are obliged to undergo a health check carried out by Spanish authorities at their port of entry.
Before undertaking a trip to Spain, every traveller should complete a public health form online at www.spth.gob.es or through the free phone application. After the form is filled in, the person concerned will receive a QR code, which he/she will have to show upon arrival in Spain.