Expert: MRZ - 3/4/2009

Question
I am an American Citizen born and raised.  I recently married a Colombian woman and she is soon to receive her Green Card granting her permanent residency.  She still have a Colombian passport, as she is a Colombian citizen.  We are planning to go to Spain for our honeymoon, but are not sure how the visa situation would work.  I have been to Spain a number of times in the past and did not need a visa because I was only staying for a number of weeks as a tourist.  However, my wife told me that a Colombian needs a visa to go to Spain even if it is for a brief two week tourist stay.  My question is, since my wife will have her green card, will she need a visa to Spain? If so, will the green card make it easier for her to get one?  Also, what is the process for a Colombian citizen to get a visa to Spain (while hold a US Green Card) and how long could the process take?  Thank you very much. Robert.

Answer
Hi Robert,
She has to apply for a Visa at the Spanish consulate, even if she holds a green card she is still a Colombian citizen and so needs a visa to enter Spain. It is hard to tell the time line since it depends on the number of visas being processed at the time.
If you plan to visit more than onbe country remember that although a Schengen visa is valid for travel in all the countries members of the Schengen group, visa requirements and application forms differ according to each country. Each embassy of the Schengen states has its own requirements and forms, therefore applicants must check requirements for each country or countries to be visited.
Our agency provides a Schengen Visa package (Europe Visa) for Colombian nationals. If you are interested contact us at info@colombianpossibilities.com
Thanks
Marta