Canary Islands - Immigration

Canaries Immigration Procedures for Yacht Crew

Do I need a Visa?

The same rules apply in the Canaries as in mainland Spain.

The Canary Islands are part of the Schengen Agreement Area. Visas are not required for nationals of the EU, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland regardless of the length of stay.

Visas are not required for nationals of other West European countries, Canada and the United States, as well as Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, Uruguay and Venezuela for stays of up to 90 days in any 180 day period.

EU Nationals (and a few other countries) can travel to the Canaries with just an identity card, but all others must have a passport valid for three months beyond the intended stay.

Visa exemptions and requirements are as for Spain; however, this does not appear to be applied strictly to yachts, provided the person also leaves the islands by yacht.

Passports

Your passport must be:

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

Passports of the crew are not normally stamped on arrival, but if crew members wish to leave the Canaries by air (or another means of transport), an entry stamp (entrada) will be needed, as otherwise they might be turned back from the airport.

It is very important to ensure your passport is stamped every time you enter or exit the Schengen area as a visitor.

Go to the closest Policia de Frontera to get passports stamped.

Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit. Be sure to exit the Canaries at a port of entry where there is Immigration present so you can get an exit passport stamp from Schengen (El Hierro for example has no port of entry).

Other Visa Information

Visas are required for all other nationals or for stays longer than 90 days, to be obtained in advance from a Spanish embassy or consulate abroad. If obtained locally, proof of medical insurance and adequate funds will be required.

A link to the list of nationals requiring a visa prior to arrival can be found at Conditions for entry into Spain (government website).

Children under 14 of any nationality do not require visas if they have their own passports.

Extending your stay

To stay longer than 90 days, you will need to meet the Spanish government’s entry requirements. You should check with the Spanish consulate in your home country prior to travel regarding what type of visa and/or work permit you may need.

If you need to extend your visa-free stay for exceptional reasons, such as a medical emergency, you must apply to the immigration authorities via this link to do so.

Last updated:  September 2024