Visa & Immigration

1. Necesito prorrogar mi visado.

   I need to extend my visa.

   Usage

   Used when applying for a visa extension. In Latin America say "Necesito extender mi visa."

   Grammar Note

   "Necesito" is the first person present of necesitar, expressing necessity. Spain says "visado" (masculine); Latin America says "visa" (feminine). In Spain "extender un visado" means to *issue* a visa, so use "prorrogar" for extending it

2. ¿Qué documentos necesito?

   What documents do I need?

   Usage

   Used to ask which documents are required

   Grammar Note

   Spanish questions begin with an inverted question mark ¿. "¿Qué" asks 'what'

3. ¿Dónde está la oficina de inmigración?

   Where is the immigration office?

   Usage

   Used to find the location of the immigration office

   Grammar Note

   "¿Dónde está" asks for the location of something

4. Tengo un visado de turista.

   I have a tourist visa.

   Usage

   Used to state the type of visa held. In Latin America say "Tengo una visa de turista."

   Grammar Note

   "Tengo" is the first person of tener (to have), expressing possession. "Visado" is masculine so it takes "un"; the Latin American "visa" is feminine and takes "una"

5. ¿Cuánto tiempo puedo quedarme?

   How long can I stay?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the permitted length of stay

   Grammar Note

   "¿Cuánto tiempo" asks about duration; "puedo" is first person of poder (can)

6. Me gustaría solicitar un visado.

   I would like to apply for a visa.

   Usage

   Used when wanting to apply for a visa. In Latin America say "Me gustaría solicitar una visa."

   Grammar Note

   "Me gustaría" is the conditional of gustar, a polite way to express desire

7. ¿Cuál es la tasa del visado?

   What is the visa fee?

   Usage

   Used to inquire about visa application fees. Spanish consular forms call the fee a "tasa". In Latin America say "¿Cuál es la tarifa de la visa?"

   Grammar Note

   "¿Cuál es" asks 'which is/what is', used when selecting among options. "Del" is the contraction of "de + el", used because "visado" is masculine

8. Mi pasaporte vence el [fecha].

   My passport expires on [date].

   Usage

   Used to communicate passport expiry date

   Grammar Note

   "vence" from vencer means 'expires', used for passports and documents

9. Necesito un visado de tránsito.

   I need a transit visa.

   Usage

   Used when a transit visa is required

   Grammar Note

   Transit visa. The RAE marks "visa" as an Americanism (Am.); Spain uses "visado". In Latin America say "Necesito una visa de tránsito."

10. ¿Dónde lleno la tarjeta de llegada?

    Where do I fill in the arrival card?

    Usage

    Used to ask where to complete the arrival card. Arrival cards are handed out in Mexico and Latin America; Schengen entry into Spain has none, so this card keeps the Latin American wording

    Grammar Note

    "lleno" from llenar means 'I fill in'. Spain normally uses "rellenar" for filling in a form

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