Spain Schengen Holiday Visa For Thai Spouse

just sorted a schengen visa for a mini break in spain for my partner who is in the UK on a 2 year spouse/CP settlement visa which seemed to be a fairly straight forward, efficient, painless and FREE! exercise unlike the self inflicted catastrophs' of my first FLR(M) application.

for those who have a spouse or partner living in the north of england who fancy a holiday in spain here's the lowdown:

You deal with the spanish consulate in central manchester whose address is: Brook House, 70, spring gardens,

manchester M2 2BQ. first job is to call them and book an appointment to submit your application in person. downside to this is you have to call an automated number (09065 540777) which costs £1 per minute. if you're happy to take the first available appointment it offers you this will take 10 minutes minimum... if you live in manchester you can call in person between 1-2pm to make an appointment. the website at www.maes.esp gives all the information on which documents you need to take to make the appointment. also make sure you have passport numbers etc...to hand before making the call!

we only had to wait a week for our scheduled appointment for which they send you a confirmation letter.

the only documents you need to take in support of your application are:

- a completed up to date application form which you can download from the site

- original copy of marriage/CP certificate

- yours and your spouses passports

- proof of address (utility ot council tax bill)

- hotel and flight reservations

- one passport photo

- photocopies of all above documents

you dont need to provide any details of your own or spouses income/bank statements etc...

seen comments elsewhere that the staff at spanish consulate are surly and unhelpful but that wasnt our experience. my partners interview was on time and lasted a couple of minutes... just checked the documents and didnt ask any questions. they give you an exact date you can collect the passport (in our case 4 weeks)... or they can post it special delivery for you on that date... we opted for the latter since i didnt want to drive back over the pennines to pick it up...there is a post office just up the road; you need to by a prepaid special delivery envelope which costs £5 which you fill in and give to the reception lady who was very helpful...hey presto the passport came back today as scheduled with the visa inside!! viva espana!! we both love footy and have bought tickets to see barcelona FC to coincide with the trip and a couple of days at port aventura (universal studios europe) in salou which offers great deals on hotels and theme park tickets midweek outside UK school holiday times (we're going end april.

anyway... for those of you like myself who endured the "great settlement visa waits" of summer 2009 thinking of a spain trip hope this helps...don't know what the process is like for southerners' as they have to apply to the london agency who handle the applications

simiUK