Hi David!
Her International passport is valid for exactly another 12 months, so obviously by the time any applications for anything happen, it will be valid for less than one year.
Is this a problem?
For visa application she needs her passport be valid at least 6 months before expiry date
She came to Spain on Tourist Visas, in both July, and then again in August.
She has been told she cannot return here for another 8 months.
Is that correct?
There is not rule or law stating that the person cannot enter country within 8 months after he or she has travelled on tourist visa previously. However, there is high possibility she will be rejected her visa this time, because of her travels two months in a row (July and then August). This is because Spanish officials are very strict with Russians, since many of them come here with tourist visa and stay illegally. In case she will be rejected her visa, she will not be able to apply again for another 6 months. Also it will difficult to receive visa to another EU country.
Once here she intends to attend a full time Spanish course.
I have heard that it is not a good idea for her to show any form of personal relationship to me on applications.
Is this correct?
Yes, better not to do it
What type of visa should she apply for?
Student for example?
Well, for studnet visa she has to get admission first, but again in embassy they would question why a mature 45 yo woman, who has job (maybe kids?) all of the sudden decides to study Spanish. If she would buy a property it would look more realistic since many of Russians have properties in Spain. You can consider the option of student visa if you wish. Have a look at this web site and forums throughtoughly to see how to apply for student visa. I can not say much about this.
We want her to be able to stay as long as possible.
She will eventually have to return to Moscow to renew her passport, will she be allowed to return if it is still within the time span of her visa? (When she gets one!!!)
The option is to get a guest visa, which will be given for 1 month (unlike tourist, which is 2 weeks). Normally guest visa is given for 90 days, but russian citizens are somehow discriminated in that regard, so they get only 1 month, unless, her documents prove 100% that she is going to return (great job,great salary, long holidays, work travel etc). In other words, her documents should justify her 3 months stay. Also, if you will make an invitation, then they will call her from the embassy and ask about relations with you and some other questions to confirm you actually know each other. But of course, she can always say you are a family friend or whatever. Note, that there is more garantee on getting guest visa than tourist visa, especially in her case - already travlleing two times to Spain on tourist visa
Are there any official sources, companies, or or legal individuals that specialise in assisting Russians in such cases?
This is official spanish visa application center. It is in spanish, russian and english. All information is here. http://www.spainvac-ru.com/index.aspx
Yes, there are companies which specialise on helping people to get visas, but since she is in Moscow she can easily apply herself, because these companies do not garantee that she will actually receive one. So, why to pay 3-4 times more for the service since they will submit same documents? If her papers are fine, then it doesnt matter she applies herself or via a mediator. But if company garantees and you are willing to pay extra, go ahead. She can find many websites on internet.
In her case, I would also cond?sider the option of getting visa to any other country for 90 days. For instance, I think its easy for Russians to get French visa or Greek visa or Bulgarian. Many comp?nies garantee you will get that and also they can make some tricks with the documents, for instance they prepear an invitaion letter etc. She should check on travel agents, most of them deal with visa issues.
If all works out as we intend, then marriage will follow, but we do not wish to go that route yet.
Good luck!!!
