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

"Checklist"

• 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 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 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 for an unpaid internship (signed contract).
  - Letter of acceptance to a volunteer program (contract with the volunteer organization).
• Proof of financial means: Applicants’ must certify that he/she (or parent, legal representative, relative or third party that supports him/her) has sufficient financial means to cover the expenses of student’s stay, as well as that of the family members accompanying.
  The minimum monthly required amount varies each year and is calculated according to Spain’s Public Income Indicator of Multiple Effects (IPREM). For the year 2023, the minimum monthly required amounts are as follows:
  
  • If applicant is traveling to Spain alone: 100% of monthly IPREM = 600€ per month of stay.
  • For the first accompanying family member: 75% of monthly IPREM (450€ per month of stay) must be added.
  • For each additional family member: 50% of monthly IPREM (300€ per month of stay) must be added.
    If documentation is provided demonstrating that accommodations for the entire length of the student’s stay has been paid for in advance, this amount will be deducted from the minimum requirement.
    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 U.S. or Spanish university or school bears full financial responsibility(normally included in letter of acceptance): Statement or letter, including an official seal and 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 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.
  • If parent, legal guardian, relative or third party is bearing full financial responsibility:
    
    • Notarized letter in which parent, legal guardian, relative or third party 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]’s round-trip ticket to the United States, 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, relative or third party’s ID or passport.
    • Parent, legal guardian, relative or third party’s 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.
• “Public or private health insurance certificate taken out with an insurance company authorised to operate in Spain. The insurance must cover all risks insured by the public health system in Spain.
  The health insurance must meet the following requirements:
  The insurance must cover all risks insured by the public health system in Spain. This coverage must be maintained throughout the validity of the authorisation.
  The health insurance must not have a waiting period, grace periods, co-payments, deductions or coverage limit, that is, it must cover 100% of medical, hospital and extra-hospital expenses. However, if the insurance coverage is limited to a certain amount, this limit must not be less than €30,000.
  Travel insurance will not be accepted. Insurance cards will not be accepted as proof of the contracting of health insurance.”
• Proof of residence in the Consular district: Applicant must be a legal resident or enrolled in in-person studies within the Consulate’s jurisdiction.
  Residence must be demonstrated by submitting a copy of: U.S. Drivers’ License, State ID, or University Student ID.
  Non-U.S. citizens must submit a copy of their U.S. Green Card or long-term stay visa.
    Note: B-1 and B-2 visa holders cannot apply for a student visa in the United States; they must apply for it in their country of residence.
• 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 circunstances 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.
  • The 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 template in “Download forms”.

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.

Decision period: Once the application is accepted as complete, the legal term to reach a resolution is 1 month from the day after the application was registered in the visa system (not from the date of receipt of application at the BLS office), but this time frame may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.

Refusal of visa or stay permit for studies. The refusal of the visa or the authorization to stay for studies will always be notified in writing, stating the reasons on which the decision was based.

Appeals: In the event of a denial of a stay authorization for studies or a visa, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration in Spanish before the Office that denied the request within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal is received. 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 the notification of the refusal of a visa or the dismissal of the appeal for reconsideration.

Once the visa has been collected, the applicant must enter Spanish territory during the validity period of the visa. The visa must be stamped upon entry into the Schengen States. Once in Spain and within the first thirty days, the applicant must apply for the Foreigner Identity Card or TIE (“Foreigner Identity Card”) at the Foreign National Office at the Police station in the city you will stay. If the duration of the activity does not exceed 180 days, the visa will be sufficient to prove the stay and you don’t need to apply for a TIE.

• National Visa Application Form
• Disclaimer
• Medical Certificate Template