• One application form: Each applicant must complete and sign an application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must sign the application. Visa applications can be filled out electronically or handwritten in capital letters.
• One photo (Photo Service available at Center): One recent US passport size pictures in color, 2x2 inches (51x51mm) in size, printed on matt/glossy paper, taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance in front of a white/off white background, non-smiling.
  Photos with a dark background or with objects or people that can be seen behind your head will not be accepted. Photographs of babies must not show any part of the adult holding them.
• Valid, unexpired passport or official travel document: Ordinary passport or travel document issued in the last 10 years and within at least two empty pages, recognized by the Schengen States for the issuance of a visa, valid for a period of 3 months beyond the expected length of stay in the Schengen area or the period of validity of the visa. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted.
• Proof of residence in the consular district: The applicant must be a legal resident or be enrolled in in-person studies in a center within our consular jurisdiction (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina).
  Residence must be proved by one of the following, valid documents: U.S. Driver’s License, State ID, University Student ID.
  If you do not have a US Driver's License or State ID it is possible to prove residence in our consular district through other documents e.g. lease agreement or utility bill.
• Proof of legal residence in the United States: Permit to return to the United States of America in the form of a Residence Card, or a Student/work visa, stamped on the passport, or parole. Residence Card or US visa must be valid at least three months beyond the expected length of stay in the Schengen area. I-797’s only be accepted in case of green card extensions.
  • If you are under a F1 visa you must present your I-20.
  • If you are under a J1 visa you must present your DS-2019.

Holders of a B1/B2 visa must apply for a Schengen visa in their country of origin or permanent residence.

Signed cover letter: The letter should mention the purpose of the travel and specifics of the travel, as well as the intention of the visa applicant to leave the Schengen area before the expiry of the visa

Previous Schengen Visa (if applicable): Previous Schengen visa issued in the last 3 years.

Travel itinerary bookings: Confirmed reservation of your airline ticket (round-trip including all destinations in the Schengen area if traveling to more than one country).

• Round trip from the US: Flight reservation with booking reference number.
• If traveling from one city to another within the Schengen area, any of the following:
  • a) Flight reservations, train or bus tickets,
  • b) Euro pass,
  • c) Car rental reservation,
  • d) Booking confirmation from a cruise or travel company.
• Travel itinerary reservations should include:
  • a) Applicant’s name,
  • b) Clear details of travel dates and times,
  • c) Booking reference number.

Proof of accommodation for the entire duration of stay (for every night staying in the Schengen Area): Confirmed hotel reservations with address and telephone matching with flights dates.

a. Confirmed hotel (or tourist apartment) reservations containing the applicant’s name, hotel’s address and telephone.

b. If staying with family or friends who live in Spain: The Spanish citizen or foreign legal resident in Spain must request an official “Invitation Letter” (“Carta de Invitación”) to the local Police Department in Spain. The host must send the original invitation letter to the visa applicant. The applicant must submit the original official invitation letter issued by the Spanish Police Department and a copy of the host’s Spanish ID or passport and proof of legal residence if the host is not a Spanish citizen.

If the trip is arranged by a tour operator or travel agent: Booking confirmation (from the tour operator or travel agent) including the complete travel itinerary, specifying transport and hotels outlined day by day and indicating hotel’s address, phone number and email.

If you plan to travel by car, you will need to provide a copy of your driving license (if someone else is driving – a letter from them and a copy of their passport), car insurance, and V5 document (Car registration documentation) or car rental documentation.

You will also be required to provide full documentation showing means of crossing the country borders by air or land e.g. flights, bus, ferry tickets, or Eurotunnel tickets if traveling to more than one Schengen member state in the same trip.

If the trip is arranged by a tour operator, booking of the trip and itinerary with specifying hotels day by day.

Travel medical insurance: The certificate of the Insurance Company must indicate: the applicant’s name, dates of coverage and the minimum coverage.

The insurance must cover the costs of repatriation for medical reasons or death, as well as for urgent healthcare and/or emergency hospital treatment for the entire stay and throughout the Schengen area.

Coverage must be of at least 30.000€, or its equivalent in local currency (approx. $32.000 USD).

If the application is for a multiple entry visa, the health insurance must be valid for at least the first planned trip. The applicant must undertake to purchase insurance for future trips.

An Insurance card is not accepted as proof of coverage.

Proof of employment for business and conference travelers:

For self-employed: Letter of invitation from the Spanish company or conference organization, indicating the contact person and address in Spain as well as purpose of the visit. Self-employed individuals must provide most recent year income tax return(s), corporate bank statement, professional license if applicable and certificate of incorporation.

For Employees: Letter from their U.S.-based company indicating position, length of employment, wage or salary, purpose, length of stay, and expenses coverage; Letter of invitation from the Spanish company or conference organization, indicating the contact person and address in Spain as well as purpose of the visit and expenses coverage.

Proof of financial means: Applicant must submit the 3 latest bank statements with an ending balance that meets the minimum requirements for the length of your stay.

In 2026, sufficient financial means are considered to be:

If trip is less than 9 days: Minimum average balance of 122€ ($150 approx.) per day of stay.

If the length of stay is 9 days or more: Minimum average balance of 1099 € ($1300 approx.) regardless of the duration of the stay.

Disclaimer form.

We provide express courier service for speedy return of your passport once decision is received from the Consulate (Please do not buy pre-paid envelopes)