Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
Is it better to use paper clips than staples for the non lucrative Spain visa application? Does it matter?
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These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
”We were told to use paperclips, not staples. At Manchester Consulate they took all the paperclips off and stapled the documents – lol – but I would still advocate paperclips to be on the safe side”
”Yes use paper clips and let the consulate staple whatever they need to”
”Cover email from Edinburgh had the statement “Photographs or screenshots of the document are not accepted nor is the use of tape or staples” regarding the presentation of documents”
”We found paper clips better! Easier to remove”
”Paper clips! Do not staple! The only exception is if the official documents are stapled already when you get them directly from the source”
”I have seen several get questioned as to why there were ¨extra holes¨ in the paper so we Paperclipped everything we could”
According to Spainguru Facebook group members, it is generally recommended to use paper clips instead of staples for the non lucrative Spain visa document submission. Paper clips are preferred due to their ease of removal and the flexibility they provide for recipients to staple the documents as needed. Some consulates explicitly state that staples are not accepted. The use of paper clips helps avoid potential issues with extra holes caused by staples. However, individual preferences may vary, with one member mentioning a personal preference for staples. Overall, using paper clips is the safer choice in most cases.
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