After recently receiving a Spanish visa, I discovered many English codes and numbers on the visa page that left me completely confused, just like many other applicants. After careful research and consultation, I’m now sharing the meanings of this information with everyone.
Basic Visa Information Section
The top of the visa page typically displays the applicant’s basic information, including name, passport number, date of birth, etc. Pay special attention to checking that the name spelling is correct, as any errors discovered will require timely contact with the consulate for visa information corrections. The visa number usually starts with letters followed by a series of digits, and this number may be needed when visa information is filled incorrectly for various subsequent procedures.
Visa Type Code Explanations
Visa types are usually identified by letters, with the most common types as follows:
| Code | Visa Type | Description |
|---|
| C | Short-term visa | Stay not exceeding 90 days |
| D | Long-term visa | Stay exceeding 90 days |
| A | Airport transit visa | Limited to airport transfers only |
| B | Transit visa | Entry permitted but only for transit |
Short-term C-type visas are the most commonly applied for by tourists and business visitors, while D-type long-term visas are mainly for work, study, or family reunification situations.
Validity Period and Duration of Stay Interpretation
The visa page displays two important date pieces of information: Valid from and Valid until. These indicate the visa’s validity period, and the visa can only be used for entry during this timeframe.
Another key piece of information is Duration of stay, typically shown as a number plus days, such as “90 days”. This indicates that within the visa validity period, cumulative stay time cannot exceed this number of days. Many people mistakenly believe they can stay in Spain continuously until the visa expiration date, but they are actually also limited by the duration of stay restriction.
Entry Limit Restrictions
The Number of entries field on the visa page shows the permitted number of entries. Common markings include:
- MULT: Multiple entries, allowing multiple round trips within the validity period
- 01: Single entry, visa becomes invalid after use
- 02: Two entries, maximum of two entries allowed
For applicants planning multiple trips when applying for a Spanish visa application, obtaining a multiple-entry visa is very important. Single-entry visas cannot be used again once you leave the Schengen area, even if the visa is still within its validity period.
