The Revised visa fee and BLS service charge are as follows:

• All Fees are non-refundable
• The Visa Fee is subject to change without notice

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL STUDENT VISA APPLICANTS:
Student visa applications must be submitted TWO MONTHS (2 months) in advance of the start date of studies (please refer to your acceptance letter to verify dates).

Insurance for Long Term Visa

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Application process:

All applications for study visas (students and family members, conversation assistants, au pairs, volunteers, etc.) must be:

• submitted in person or
• by postal mail at BLS Visa Aplication Center for Spain in Houston located at 2500 West Loop South, 3rd Floor, Suite 350 Houston, Texas 77027.

The presentation may be made by the applicant or through a duly accredited representative, for which the notarized model can be used. See Download Forms section.

Applicants can collect their passports directly at our office or we can mail back their documents using our courier service which has an additional fee paid at the moment of the application. (please see the fees section)

US citizens (or any other nationality that does not require a visa to enter Spain) who travel to study less than 90 days do not need to apply for this visa.

Activities for which a study visa may be obtained:

• Full-time studies at an authorized school/university/program in Spain with minimum 20 hours per week.
• Student mobility programs for secondary education level at an officially recognized teaching or scientific center.
• Volunteer services of programs pursuing public interest goals.
• Specialization in healthcare field.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

A) STUDENT VISA. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED.
A.1) STAYS UNDER 180 DAYS:

• Visa application form: each applicant must complete and sign a visa application, filling in each of its sections. It can be filled out electronically or handwritten in capital letters. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must sign the application.
• 1 photograph: glued on the visa application form. Photo specifications: in color, printed on matte/glossy paper, taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance, in front of a white/off white background, without dark or reflective glasses, and clearly showing the full oval of the face.
• Valid and unexpired original passport and a photocopy of the page(s) of the passport that contain biometric data.
  • Issued in the last 10 years.
  • With at least 2 empty pages.
  • Valid for at least one year.
• Acceptance letter issued by the school/University/training center indicating:
  • Student´s full name
  • Passport number
  • Initial and ending dates of the program
  • Minimum 20 hours per week
  • Contact name, phone number and email of the person at the school
  • For a non-remunerated volunteer program, a signed agreement.
• Proof of payment of registration, tuition or equivalent.
• Proof of financial means: the student must certify that he has sufficient financial means to cover the expenses of the stay (or his parent, legal guardian, relative or third party that supports him) as well as that of the eventual family members accompanying.

The minimum monthly required for the year 2025, is as follows: if the applicant is traveling to Spain alone: $700 per month of stay; for the first accompanying family member: $480 per month of stay must be added and for each additional family member: $320 per month of stay must be added.

If documentation is provided demonstrating that accommodation for the entire length of the student’s stay has been paid for in advance, this amount will be deducted from the minimum monthly required.

At least one of the following documents must be submitted:

• If the applicant bears full financial responsibility: three most recent monthly bank statements, which must include the applicant’s full name and a final balance that exceeds the minimum monthly required amount per month of stay
• If a U.S. or a Spanish university or school bears full financial responsibility (normally included in the letter of acceptance): statement or letter, including an official seal and a signature from the issuing institution. Electronic copies may be submitted without an original if they include an electronic signature. An official/certified translation of this statement to Spanish must also be included.
• If the applicant is receiving financial aid, loans, scholarships or other economic aid that covers the minimum monthly required amount: documentation proving the issuing of financial aid, loans, scholarships or other economic aid. An official/certified translation of this documentation to Spanish must also be included. This document must specify that the funds will be used for your study abroad program and not for tuition.
• If parent, legal guardian is bearing full financial responsibility: notarized letter in which parent, legal guardian assumes full financial responsibility equal to at least the minimum monthly required amount per month of stay. Suggested wording: “I hereby certify that I, [full name of parent, legal guardian, relative or third party assuming full financial responsibility], assume full financial responsibility for [full name of applicant]’, as well as monthly room and board expenses while in Spain, and any additional expenses, emergency or otherwise, that may arise during their stay”. Notarized copy of parent, legal guardian ID or Passport, copy of the student´s birth certificate, and the three most recent monthly bank statements, which must include full name of party assuming financial responsibility and a final balance that exceeds the minimum monthly required amount per month of stay.
• Proof of Health insurance. From an insurance company recognized and authorized to operate in Spain. The insurance must include all risks covered by the National Health System in Spain, and for the entire intended period of stay in Spain. The Health Insurance must not have any deductible, copayment or coverage limit; it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital and out-of-hospital expenses. Insurance cards will not be accepted as proof of coverage. Travel insurance will not be accepted.
• Proof of residence in the consular district: applicant must be a legal resident or enrolled in in-person studies within the Consulate’s jurisdiction: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas. Residence must be demonstrated by submitting a copy of: U.S. drivers’ license, state ID, or university student ID.
• Evidence of legal residence in the United States (Non-US citizens): Must present one of the following documents:
  • Notarized copy of Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)
  • Notarized copy of Valid US visa plus a copy of the I-20 document duly signed in the endorsement.
  • Holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence.
• Visa Fee: Check the fees section.
• For applicants who apply by postal mail, postal delivery authorization form duly filled out and signed. Please find the link for “postal authorization form” ( check the forms section)
• Medical certificate, accrediting student´s good health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations. A doctor’s recent statement (not older than 3 months). It must be signed by an MD or DO, with doctor´s ink signature and indicate the following: “ the interested does not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with the provisions of the 2005 International Health Regulations”. This certificate must include a stamp from the issuing Medical Center, doctor’s name and signature, doctor’s License Number and date of expedition. The certificate must be written on letterhead paper from hospital/doctor’s office or directly on the provided template. Please include a photocopy (not notarized) of the medical certificate with your submitted documents. Please find a template in “Download forms”
• A.2) STAYS OF MORE THAN 180 DAYS.
• Criminal background check: applicants of legal age must submit the original and a copy of the criminal background check issued by the U.S. Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) legalized with the Apostille of the Hague from Washington, D.C., U.S. Department of State. If the applicant has lived six months or more in another country, outside the United States, he will provide in addition criminal records check certificate(s) issued by the country or countries of residence for the past 5 years. Background checks and apostilles must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator. It does not apply for students under 18 years of age.

We do not accept State or Local Police background checks.

Criminal background check must be issued within the 6 months preceding the submission of the visa application. Under no circumstances will a criminal background check be accepted if it has been altered or damaged in any way, including damage caused by removing staples.

If the country/countries in which the applicant has lived in the past 5 years is not part of the Hague Convention of 1961, the background check must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and then by the Consulate of Spain in the said country.

INFO AMERICAN TRANSLATORS ASSOCIATION: https://www.travelvisapro.com/translations?client_id=832612178 INFO DEPARTMENT OF STATE APOSTILLE: https://www.travelvisapro.com/legalization?client_id=832612178

A.3) RELATIVES OF A GENERAL STUDENT VISA HOLDER.

Applies only to family members of higher education students, including undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and healthcare specialization students.

Family members who can obtain a visa to accompany the student:

• Spouse or legally recognized common-law partner
• Children under 18 years of age or children with disabilities

Relatives will not be entitled to work during their stay in Spain. The visa may be requested simultaneously with the application for the general student visa or at any subsequent time during the period of validity of the authorized general student visa.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED (same conditions apply see above A.1 and A.2):

• Visa application form.
• 1 photograph.
• Valid and unexpired original passport.
• Health insurance.
• Proof of residence in the consular district.
• Evidence of legal residence in the US (Non US citizens)
• Visa fee ( check the fees section )
• Medical Certificate

Documentation proving kinship to the student:

• Marriage: recent marriage or Informal Marriage Certificate (no older than 3 months) legalized with the Apostille of the Hague. Certificate and Apostilles must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
• Children: birth certificate (not older than 3 months) legalized with the Apostille of The Hague. Certificate and Apostilles must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator.

For children with divorced parents: original or notarized copy of final divorce and custody filings for the minor, authenticated with the Hague Apostille, official/certified translation to Spanish

Documentation issued by government authorities of countries that are not part of the Hague Convention of 1961 must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and then by the Consulate of Spain in the said country.

• For stays of more than 180 days:
  • Criminal background check, legalized with the Apostille of the Hague and including an official/certified translation into Spanish.
  • A.4) STUDY VISA FOR MINORS (UNDER 18 YEARS OLD) Documents required for applicants (same conditions apply see above A.1 and A.2):
• Visa application form: A parent or legal guardian must sign the application once completed.
• 1 photograph.
• Valid and unexpired original Passport and photocopy.
• Proof of acceptance from a Spanish private high school/institution (officially recognized in Spain) as a full-time student. This letter must indicate: name, address, contact person details, telephone and email, full payment of tuition, dates of the program, subjects of study, hours of study per week (minimum of 20 hours).
• Proof of financial means.
• Health insurance.
• Proof of residence in the consular district.
• Visa fee. (check the fees section)
• Medical Certificate
• Authorization to travel: notarized written authorization from both parents or legal guardians to travel and study in Spain, expressly stating: period of time the minor is authorized to travel abroad. Contact details of people in charge of the minor in Spain: name and last name, DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) or NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjeros) , telephone number, address. This authorization must be legalized with the Apostille of the Hague and include an official/certified translation to Spanish.
• Notarized copy of parents´or legal guardians’ passports.
• Original or notarized copy of minor’s Birth Certificate issued in the last 6 months, legalized with the Apostille of the Hague and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
• Letter of responsibility: letter from the host school with contact information for the person in charge of the minor while in Spain (“tutor”). Tutor must accompany this letter with:
• Notarized copy of tutor’s DNI or NIE.
• Tutor’s sexual misconduct record cert ificate from the Spanish Ministry of Justice.

Note: We regret we cannot accept photographs that do not meet these requirements

Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself, which should not have been used previously in the passport. The photograph should be in colour and:

• Taken against a white background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear share quality and with the face in focus.
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
• Full face, non-smiling [without sunglasses, a hat/cap or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background]
• Please stick the Photograph on the Visa Application Form.

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete. A photo booth meeting these requirements is available at the centre.

Resolution period: Once the application is accepted as complete, the period to make a decision is up to 2 months from the day following the registration of the application in the visa system, but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents. Denial of visa or stay permit for studies. The denial of a visa or authorization to stay for studies will always be communicated by mail, indicating the reasons on which the decision was based.

Resources: In case of denial of a stay authorization for studies or a visa, the applicant may present an appeal in Spanish (by mail with a tracking number) to this Consular Office within a period of 1 month from the day following the date of receipt of the denial notification. A contentious administrative appeal may also be filed before the Superior Court of Justice of Madrid within a period of 2 months from the day following the date on which the applicant receives notification of the visa denial or the dismissal of the appeal for reconsideration.

Once the visa is collected, the applicant must enter Spanish territory during the validity period of the visa.

The visa must be stamped upon entering the Schengen States and within the first thirty days, the applicant must apply for the Foreigner Identity Card or TIE ("Foreigner Identity Card") at the National Foreigners Office in the police station of the city where you will stay.

If the duration of the activity does not exceed 180 days, the visa will be sufficient to prove the stay.

• National Visa Application Form
• Disclaimer Form
• Medical Certificate Template
• Au Pair Placement Contract Model
• Designation of Representative