FAQs - Visas

What is your contact information?

1405 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: 415-922-2995/2996
Fax: 415-931-9706
Please write your Reference Number when sending additional documents.

What are your business hours?

We open from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 1pm for Visa interviews and from 1pm to 2pm for Visa pick ups. Please check our holiday calendar.

Your consulate is the most convenient for me. Can I apply for a visa there?

We will only accept visa applications if your permanent residence is in: Northern California, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming or Guam.

How can I schedule an Appointment?

You will need to schedule an appointment through Bookitit web site: https://app.bookitit.com/es/hosteds/widgetdefault/21a8d76163e6f2dc0e5ca528c922d37c3#datetime

I need visas for my whole family, how many appointments do I need?

You will need one appointment per family member. To schedule an appointment please contact VFS GLOBAL.

How much is the visa fee?

The visa fees vary depending on your citizenship. We ONLY take cash (exact change) or money order. Please check our most updated Consular Fees

Can you mail my visa outside of the US?

No, we will only mail visas inside the US territory. Residence and Work visas must be picked up personally.

I am planning on moving to Spain with my Spanish (or EU citizen) spouse. What steps do I have to take?

Family members of EU citizens are entitled to live in Spain and obtain a Residence Card. This process is made in Spain. If your nationality is not included in the list of countries exempted from visa, you will need to obtain a visa to enter Spain.

What is a Schengen visa?

It is a Short Stay Tourist/Business visa that allows people to travel to one or more countries within the Schengen Territory, which includes the following: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

I am a legal resident of the U.S. and a Green Card holder. Do I need a visa to go to Spain?

If your nationality is not included in the list of countries exempted of a visa, you will need to obtain a visa in order to visit Spain.

I am in the U.S. with a tourist visa (B1-B2), can I apply for a visa to Spain?

No, we do not accept applications from holders of a B1-B2 visa.

How long does it take for the Schengen visa to be ready?

Short-Stay visas process might take up to 2 weeks.

Should I buy an airline ticket before the appointment?

We recommend that you do not purchase travel tickets until your visa has been approved. On the other hand, you may provide us with a reservation, a planned itinerary or an online printout of a roundtrip ticket.

My spouse is a citizen of an E.U. country, what do I have to do to apply for a visa to Spain?

You will need to provide a recent proof that the marriage is registered in the EU country where the spouse is citizen (translated if not in Spanish or English), plus a photocopy of his/her passport. You will be exempt from requirements n. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 of the Schengen Visa information sheet.

I am a U.S. citizen, can I stay in Spain or in the Schengen States as a tourist for over 90 days?

No. You can only stay a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days since your first entry (eg. you enter Schengen Area on January 1st and stay 90 days in a row, then you can not enter again until July 1st.

Do I need a visa if my studies are for less than 90 days?

No, you can visit Spain and the Schengen States for a maximum of 90 days with a valid US passport. You may apply for a student visa if your program is for more than 90 days. People of other nationalities may need to apply for tourist visa for stays less than 90 days.

Your consulate is the most convenient for me. Can I apply for a visa there?

We will only accept visa application if your permanent residence is in: Northern California, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington or Wyoming. You may apply also here, if you are studying in a University located within our jurisdiction. Proof of residency with an ID or Student ID is required.

How far in advance can I apply for a Student Visa?

You may apply for the visa as soon as you have all required documents. We suggest that you to apply as early as 4 months but not less than 40 days prior to your departure.

How long does the Student visa process take?

It usually takes from 4 to 6 weeks, from the moment you submitt all required documents.

Can I keep my passport during the visa process?

Yes, in case you need to travel you may pick up your passport and drop it off in person at the Consulate after your trip.

Can my parents apply for my visa?

You may apply in person or through a legal representative (only parents or custodians) with a written notarized authorization letter for them to apply in your behalf. Please explain the reasons that prevent you from appearing in person.
Applicants must appear at the consulate at least once, either to apply or to pick up the visa.

Can my visa be sent by post mail?

Your passport and visa may be sent back to you by post mail only in the US territory. For that, you have to provide a self-addressed USPS envelope with the appropriate flat rate stamp. Not metered stamp. No other courier service will be accepted.

Where I can get my Police Record Clearance?

Police Criminal Record clearance must be verified by fingerprints. It cannot be older than 3 months from the application date. You must get a police record from the countries you have lived during the past 5 years. 
A US Criminal Record must be either from:
a) The Department of Justice of the State where you have lived in the past 5 years. It must be legalized with the Apostille of the Hague Convention from the corresponding Secretary of the State.
b) FBI Records for International purposes issued by the U.S. Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation and must be legalized with the Apostille of the Hague Convention from the U.S. Department of State (in this case the Apostille must be from the Department of State and not from the Secretary of State)
For other Countries, the certificate must be national wide and must have the Apostille of the Hague. If the Country is not part of the Hague Convention Agreement, it must be legalized by the Spanish Consulate/Embassy in that Country. If the Certificate is not in English, it must have a Certified Translation.

Where do I get the “Apostille of the Hague” to legalize my documents?

For documents issued by a local or state authority, it must be done by the Secretary of State of your State. If the document has been issued by a federal authority you can get the Apostille from the U.S. Department of State.

Is there a specific wording for the Medical Certificate?

Yes, the certificate must mention that the student has been examined and found free of any contagious diseases according to the International Health Regulation 2005. Find a sample in our Website.

Can I work with a student visa?

No,  Student Visas allows you to study but not to work during your stay in Spain

I want to work in Spain, what do I need?

In order to work in Spain work visa is required, which is only issued after a work permit has been approved by the Spanish authorities. This work permitt process is done in Spain by the company that wants to hire you there.

Where I can get my Police Record Clearance?

Police Criminal Record clearance must be verified by fingerprints. It cannot be older than 3 months from the application date. You must get a police record from the countries you have lived during the past 5 years. 
A US Criminal Record must be either from:
a) The Department of Justice of the State where you have lived in the past 5 years. It must be legalized with the Apostille of the Hague Convention from the corresponding Secretary of the State.
b) FBI Records for International purposes issued by the U.S. Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation and must be legalized with the Apostille of the Hague Convention from the U.S. Department of State (in this case the Apostille must be from the Department of State and not from the Secretary of State)
For other Countries, the certificate must be national wide and must have the Apostille of the Hague. If the Country is not part of the Hague Convention Agreement, it must be legalized by the Spanish Consulate/Embassy in that Country. If the Certificate is not in English, it must have a Certified Translation.

Can I take my family with me?

Yes. You can take your spouse and children (under 18) with you. In addition to the requirements listed in the work visa instructions, you must provide an updated marriage certificate not older than 3 months and a birth certificate for the children with the Apostille of the Hague. Your family’s visa may take longer to process. Your family members must also pay the "Tasas de Autorización de Residencia". You must have one appointment per family member applying for the visa.

Where do I get the “Apostille of the Hague” to legalize my documents?

For documents issued by a local or state authority, it must be done by the Secretary of State of your State. If the document has been issued by a federal authority you can get the Apostille from the U.S. Department of State.

What is the “Tasas de Autorización de Residencia”?

To continue with the process of your Residence Visa (except on Work Permit Visa) you must pay the Authorization of Residence fees. Use the form 790 and check our consular fees.

Do I need to translate the Doctor’s certificate and the “Non-criminal record report” into Spanish?

Yes, these documents must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator. For a Medical Certificate, will be ok if issued directly in Spanish or both Spanish and English. Find a sample in our Website.

Can I study with a work visa?

Yes, a work visa allows you not only to work, but also to study.

What is the “Tasas de Autorización de Residencia”?

To continue with the process of your residence visa (except Student and Work visas) you must pay the fees for authorization of residence in Spain. Use the form 790 and check our consular fees

Can I take my family with me?

Yes. You can take your spouse and children (under 18) with you. In addtion to the requirements listed in Work Visa instructions, you must provide an updated marriage certificate not older than 3 months and a birth certificate for the children with the Apostille of the Hague. You must have an appointment per family member applying for the visa.

Where I can get my Police Record Clearance?

Police Criminal Record clearance must be verified by fingerprints. It cannot be older than 3 months from the application date. You must get a police record from the countries you have lived during the past 5 years. 
A US Criminal Record must be either from:
a) The Department of Justice of the State where you have lived in the past 5 years. It must be legalized with the Apostille of the Hague Convention from the corresponding Secretary of the State.
b) FBI Records for International purposes issued by the U.S. Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation and must be legalized with the Apostille of the Hague Convention from the U.S. Department of State (in this case the Apostille must be from the Department of State and not from the Secretary of State)
For other Countries, the certificate must be national wide and must have the Apostille of the Hague. If the Country is not part of the Hague Convention Agreement, it must be legalized by the Spanish Consulate/Embassy in that Country. If the Certificate is not in English, it must have a Certified Translation.

Where do I get the “Apostille of the Hague” to legalize my documents?

For documents issued by a local or state authority, it must be done by the Secretary of State of your State. If the document has been issued by a federal authority you can get the Apostille from the U.S. Department of State.

Do I need to translate the Doctor’s certificate and the “Police record report” into Spanish?

Yes, these documents must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator. For a Medical Certificate, will be ok if issued directly in Spanish or both Spanish and English. Find a sample in our Website.