• Visa application form: Each applicant must complete and sign a visa application. Visa applications can be filled out electronically or handwritten in capital letters.
• 1 photograph: Glued or clipped onto 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.
• Passport or travel document: Original and photocopy duly notarized 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 the intended period of stay.
• Proof of jurisdiction: Proof of residence in the consular demarcation. Please provide a duly notarized copy of School ID or US driver license/State ID.
• Proof of acceptance for the study, training, volunteer activity or internship:
  - Letter of acceptance to an accredited school for full-time studies.
  - Letter of acceptance to a research or training center.
  - Letter of acceptance to a student exchange program, including proof of acceptance to a school, accommodations with a family or institution, and organizer’s commitment to cover expenses.
  - Letter of acceptance to a volunteer program (contract with the volunteer organization).

• Proof of Financial Means: Applicants must demonstrate that they (or a supporting parent, legal representative) possess sufficient financial resources to cover both the student's living expenses and those of any accompanying family members during their stay.

  To certify financial means, at least one of the following documents must be provided:

  • Letter from the university or school :

    • A statement or letter of acceptance from a U.S. or Spanish university or school assuming full financial responsibility (this is often included into the acceptance letter), complete with an official seal and signature. Electronic copies with an electronic signature are acceptable.
    • An official or certified translation of this statement into Spanish is required.

  • Support from Parent or Legal Guardian:

    • A notarized letter from the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) assuming full financial responsibility for at least the minimum monthly required amount per month of stay. Suggested wording: “I hereby certify that I am the (father/mother/other) of [Applicant's Name], will support him/her with a monthly allowance of $[Amount] while he/she is in Spain, and that I am financially responsible for any emergency that may arise."
    • This must be accompanied by the last three months of bank statements from the supporting parent or guardian, a copy of the birth certificate to prove the relationship, and a copy of the photo page of the passport of the parent or guardian assuming financial responsibility.

  • Financial Aid, Scholarships, or Other Economic Aid:

    • Documentation evidencing the receipt of financial aid, loans, scholarships, or other economic assistance sufficient to cover the minimum monthly amount required.
    • An official or certified translation of this documentation into Spanish must be provided.

  • Self-financed Applicants:

    • Provide the three most recent monthly bank statements, including the applicant's full name and a final balance that meets or exceeds the minimum required amount for each month of stay.
    • Proof of current or past employment (justify income)

  Please ensure all provided documents are complete and clearly legible to avoid any delays in the processing of your application.

• Health insurance: Proof of health insurance, certificate/letter from a private or public company unlimited coverage with no co-payment (or deductible) is required. The provider must be authorized to operate in Spain. No travel insurances with medical assistance coverage will be accepted. No insurance will be accepted unless coverage is unlimited, no matter how voluminous the amount in US$ stipulated might be
• No background check or medical examination is required for applicants staying in Spain for 90-180 days.
• For stays of more than 180 days:
  Criminal background check: Applicants of legal age must submit an original or notarized copy of their criminal background check issued by the country/countries of residence in the past 5 years stating that the applicant has no criminal record.
  • It does not apply for students under 18 years of age.
  • Criminal background check must be issued by the U.S. Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 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.
  • Criminal background check must be authenticated with the Hague Apostille. The apostille must certify the signature on the Criminal Background check, not other signatures (e.g. we don’t accept apostilles that certifies the signature of a notary that stamps a seal in the criminal background check).
  • Criminal background check must be accompanied by an official or certified translation into Spanish of the Criminal background check. The official translation can include the translation of the Apostille as well, but it is not necessary (The translation does not need an Apostille and the Apostille does not need a translation).
  • Please include a photocopy (not notarized) of the background check, apostille and official translation(s) with your submitted documents.
  • 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 applicant has lived six months or more in another country (outside the United States) during the last five years: an original or notarized copy of a criminal background check from every country of residence must be provided. These background checks must also be authenticated with the Hague Apostille and include an official or certified translation to Spanish. If the country/countries in which the applicant has lived in the past 5 years is not subject to 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 said country.
• Medical certificate: Medical certificate demonstrating the applicant does not suffer from drug addiction, mental health issues or any diseases that could have serious repercussions for public health in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.
  
  • This certificate must be issued within 3 months preceding the submission of the visa application.
  • 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.
  • medical certificate must be accompanied by an official or certified translation into Spanish. In the case of using the model from our website, the Spanish translation is not necessary. Please find a template in “Download forms”.

FOR RELATIVES OF A GENERAL STUDENT VISA HOLDER

For this purpose, a “relative” is understood to be the spouse, civil union partner and children under eighteen or children with disabilities and not objectively able to provide for their own needs due to their health status. Relatives will not be entitled to work during their stay in Spain.

Foreigners who have applied for a student visa or who are in Spain with a General student visa may apply for the corresponding visas for their relatives so that they can legally enter and stay in Spain for the duration of such studies. The visas 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 for applicants (same conditions apply, see above):
  Visa application form.
  - 1 photograph.
  - Passport or travel document.
  - Health insurance.
  - Proof of residence in the Consular district.
  - Payment of the visa fee.
• Documentation proving kinship to the student:
  - Marriage: Original or notarized copy of marriage certificate.
    • Authenticated with the Hague Apostille.
    • Official/certified translation to Spanish.
  - Civil union: Original or notarized copy of certificate confirming that the relationship is accounted for in a civil registry or documentation proving that couple qualifies for a civil partnership, even if not legally registered as such.
    • Authenticated with the Hague Apostille.
    • Official/certified translation to Spanish.
  - Children: Original or notarized copy of birth certificate.
    • Authenticated with the Hague Apostille.
    • Official/certified translation to Spanish.
  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
  Note: Documentation issued by government authorities of countries that are not subject to 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 said country.
• For stays of more than 180 days
  • Criminal background check, authenticated with the Hague Apostille and including an official/certified translation to Spanish.
  • Medical certificate (see requirements above).

STUDY VISA FOR MINORS (UNDER 18 YEARS OLD):

• Documents required for applicants (same conditions apply, see above):
  • Visa application form: A parent or legal representative must sign the application once completed.
  • 1 photograph.
  • Passport or travel document.
  • Proof of acceptance for the study, training, volunteer activity or internship:
    • Letter of acceptance from a Spanish private high school/institution 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).
    • Letter of acceptance from a Spanish public high school/institution 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).

      The program must be promoted and financed by one of the following:

      • Spanish Public Administration.
      • Non-profit associations or foundations.
      • Other entities or people other than those who exercise their parental authority or guardianship, in accordance with the provisions of Article 93 of the Regulation of Organic Law 4/2000, of 11 January, approved by Royal Decree 2393/2004, of December 30
      • Proof of financial means.
      • Proof of residence in the Consular district
      • Payment of the visa fee.
    • Documents required exclusively for underage (under 18) students:
      • Document from the legal custodian/s in Spain and certified by a public notary in Spain (Poder Notarial/Acta de Manifestación), stating that they will take care of the minor and they have no objection that the authorities in Spain can verify their certificate of sexual offences, and also, the certificate of sexual offences of the legal custodian in Spain
      • Authorization to travel: Notarized written authorization from both parents or guardians to travel abroad, 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 Hague Apostille and include an official/certified translation to Spanish.

      • Notarized copy of parents’ or guardians’ Passports.
      • Original or notarized copy of minor’s Birth Certificate issued in the last 12 months. Must be authenticated with the Hague Apostille.
      • Letter of responsibility: Letter from 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 passport or National ID.
        • Tutor’s sexual misconduct record certificate from the Ministry of Justice.
    • For stays of more than 180 days
      - Medical certificate.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR A STUDY VISA

Who can apply for a visa: Applications must be submitted by in-person. If the applicant is a minor, the application must be submitted by their parents or legal guardians. Presence of the minor is also required.

Place of submission: Applicants must make an appointment in the National Visa Appointment option and submit in person all the documentation in:
BLS - SPAIN VISA APPLICATION CENTER, NEW YORK
55 W 39th St, 18th Floor, New York NY 10018.

Visa application period: Visa applications can be submitted from 6 months before the beginning of the pertinent study programmes, as the procedure entails consultations with other authorities.

Decision period: The legal period for reaching a decision is 1 month from the day after the application submission date, but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.

Visa collection: Passports with issued visa and other original documents submitted will be available for in-person pick-up by the applicant at the corresponding BLS International Services Ltd. office.

Visa refusal: Refusals of the visa or study stay permit will always be notified in writing, setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted was based.

Appeals: If a study stay permit or visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to this Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal is received. An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within the 2-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.

Visa validity period: If the study stay does not exceed 180 days, the visa will be valid for the entire stay and it will not be necessary to obtain a Foreign Identity Card. If the study stay is for longer than 180 days, the visa will be valid for a 90-day stay. In this case the student must apply for a Foreign Identity Card (T.I.E), within a period of 1 month from their entry into Spain, at a Foreign Nationals' Office or Police Station. This Foreign Identity Card (T.I.E), will alow to stay for entire period of the program.

• 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.