Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay): Timeline for Nigerians ₦141,011
Processing time for the Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay) for Nigerian applicants is 15–30 calendar days (BLS Spain visa centre Lagos/Abuja). Below is what to expect at each stage, plus the verified fees you pay along the way.
Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay) fees — verified breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | ₦141,011 (~$103 USD) |
| Proof of funds (your own savings)Refundable to you | ₦1,723,472 (~$1,262 USD) |
| Health surcharge | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Language test (IELTS/TEF) | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Credential evaluation | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Total government fees | ₦141,011 (~$103 USD) |
Verified against official immigration authority schedule. Exchange rates as of 21 June 2026. Proof of funds is your own money — you do not pay it to the government.
What each fee covers
The ₦141,011 total is made up of several distinct charges. Here is what you are actually paying for:
- Visa application fee — ₦141,011: Paid to the Spain immigration authority when you submit your application. Non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
- Proof of funds — ₦1,723,472: Your own savings — not paid to anyone. Must sit in your bank account, unencumbered, for typically 28–90 days before your application date.
Processing timeline
Total processing time: 15–30 calendar days (BLS Spain visa centre Lagos/Abuja)
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Check that you meet the Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay) requirements before paying any fees.
- 2
Prepare documents
Passport, qualification certificates.
- 3
Pay fees
Pay ₦141,011 in government fees.
- 4
Submit application
Submit online or through the relevant embassy.
- 5
Wait for decision
Processing time: 15–30 calendar days (BLS Spain visa centre Lagos/Abuja).
Expert tip
Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay)
The Schengen visa costs ~EUR 80 (~$88 USD) and allows a 90-day stay within any 180-day period across the Schengen zone. Apply through nigeria.blsspainvisa.com — BLS International handles applications in Lagos and Abuja. CRITICAL: you need travel insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage (about $33,000) — this is a hard requirement, not optional. Get it from Allianz, AXA, or any Schengen-approved provider. You also need hotel bookings, return flights, bank statements (3 months), and a cover letter explaining your trip. Schengen visa refusal rates for Nigerians are high — a clean application with strong ties to Nigeria (job letter, property ownership, family) significantly improves your chances. This visa does NOT permit work.
Where Nigerians settle in Spain
Once your Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay) is approved, most Nigerians head to Madrid or Barcelona. Here is what to budget for your first year:
- Madrid: 1-bedroom rent ₦1,783,010/month · Lagos–Madrid flights from ~$430 · Nigerian community: Small
- Barcelona: 1-bedroom rent ₦1,978,859/month · Lagos–Barcelona flights from ~$450 · Nigerian community: Small
Life in Madrid
Madrid is Spain's capital and economic engine, with the largest job market and most international companies. A 1-bed apartment in the center costs about EUR 1,285/month (~$1,415 USD) — neighborhoods like Malasaña, Lavapiés, and Chamberí are popular with young professionals. Outer areas (Vallecas, Carabanchel, Getafe) offer rents of EUR 600–900. The metro system is excellent and cheap (EUR 54.60/month unlimited pass). A single person needs EUR 1,500–2,500/month for comfortable living. Flights from Lagos are remarkably affordable — Iberia and Royal Air Maroc offer routes starting at $430 one-way, some of the cheapest flights from Nigeria to Europe. The Nigerian community is small but present — Lavapiés has an African community with Nigerian shops and restaurants. Madrid's advantage over Barcelona: cheaper rent, more job opportunities, and the government district means more NGO and international organization jobs.
1.5% of Nigerians who use Japa Calculator choose Spain as their destination. Average Japa Score: 70/100. Most common salary expectation among applicants: ₦300K–₦700K.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay) cost for Nigerians moving to Spain?
- Total government fees for the Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay) are ₦141,011 (about $103). This covers the visa application fee, and any other applicable government charges.
- How long does Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay) processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay) is 15–30 calendar days (BLS Spain visa centre Lagos/Abuja). Apply from the Spain High Commission in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos — book your appointment slot as early as possible, as backlogs frequently add 2–4 weeks beyond the official window.
- How much proof of funds do I need for the Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay)?
- You need to show ₦1,723,472 ($1,262) in savings for the Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay). This money stays in your account — it is not paid to the government. Funds must be unencumbered: fixed deposits locked for a term or joint accounts with conditions may be queried by the officer.
- What documents do I need for the Schengen Tourist Visa (Short-Stay) application from Nigeria?
- Core documents include a valid Nigerian passport (6+ months validity), completed application form, recent passport photographs, and proof of eligibility for this visa category. Include 6 months of bank statements showing the ₦1,723,472 proof-of-funds requirement is consistently met.
Related guides
Sibling variants of this visa route and other ways into Spain.
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Start Free CalculatorData methodology: Visa fees sourced from official immigration authority schedules. Naira conversions use live exchange rates from open.er-api.com (last updated 21 June 2026). All fees are subject to change with policy updates — verify with the official immigration website before applying. Last verified: 2026-06-02