Student Visa

December 1, 2025

For STUDENT visas request an appointment through this website, choosing NATIONAL: https://usa.blsspainvisa.com/chicago/

Processing times

Applications must be submitted between 6 months and at least 2 months prior the start of the program. Excepctions may be considered in cases of duly justified extreme urgency.

Allow at least 4 weeks from submission of a complete application with all required documentation at BLS to the expected visa collection date.

The Consular Section does not provide updates on the status of applications. If additional documents are required, applicants will be contacted.

Important: Do not purchase travel tickets until your visa has been granted.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Visa for stays longer than 90 days to pursue higher education or post-compulsory secondary education, student mobility programs, volunteer services, and training activities.

A student visa is not required for study stays of up to 90 days. Depending on nationality, a short-term visa may be necessary (see Schengen visas)

Activities for which a student 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.
Training Activities:

Roles as foreign language assistants in Spanish educational centers listed in the national registry of non-university schools or corresponding official registries.
Spanish language courses (Castilian) or co-official languages in Spain, delivered in person at official language schools or centers accredited by the Cervantes Institute

The Consulate of Spain in Chicago will consider applications for residents in this jurisdiction: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

1. National visa application form. The applicant must complete and sign an official application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must sign the application.

2. Photo. An updated photo-paper picture, passport size, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face. NO MORE THAN SIX (6) MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION. Photographs of toddlers or babies must not show any part of the adult holding them.

3. Valid, unexpired passport. Original and copy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity of one year and contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.

4. Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction: State ID, Driver´s License or Student ID.

5. Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non Americans). Must present one of the following documents:

Original and copy of Permanent Resident Card (Green card).
Valid US Immigrant visa.
Copy of the I-20 document.
Holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence.

6. Visa fee. Check updated Consular Fees: Consular Fees. BLS basic service fees apply separately; optional services are not mandatory.

The processing fee will not be returned even if the visa is not granted or canceled.

7. Acceptance letter in Spanish issued by the school/university/training center indicating:

Higher Education, Post-Compulsory Secondary Education, Training, and Mobility Programs: Acceptance letter by the Spanish educational institution. Mobility program letters must include: Confirmation from the educational center that it will assume responsibility for the student throughout their stay, provision of accommodation (either with a host family chosen by the organization overseeing the student mobility program or at a boarding school or institution arranged within the framework of the program) and a written commitment from the program organizer to cover all related expenses, including tuition, room and board, and return travel to the home country
Volunteer Programs: Letter of acceptance and signed agreement with the organization detailing activities, supervision, schedule, expenses, and, where applicable, training. The organization must be legally registered.
Training Activities: Acceptance letter. Where applicable, Spanish degree (or duly recognized foreign degree) that qualifies for participation in the training activity. For Spanish or other co-oficial languages studies acceptance a language school officially recognized by the Instituto Cervantes. For language assistants (NALCAP), see NALCAP section.

8. Proof of payment of enrollment fees for the activity: Original and a copy of the document proving:

For higher education, post-compulsory secondary education, and training activities: documents that certify admission and payment of enrollment fees at an authorized educational center. This requirement may be satisfied by submitting a document that certifies any of the following:

The student is exempt from payment.
The fees were paid by the student in their home country, as they are relocating to Spain under an exchange program between institutions or academic centers. Alternatively, under a bilateral agreement between institutions, the home institution covers the cost of enrollment, tuition, or an equivalent fee at the host institution.
Partial payment of enrollment or tuition fees is sufficient. In such cases, the formalization of enrollment is understood to fulfill both the tuition payment and admission requirements.

A single document may serve to verify both requirements and must be accompanied by a translation into Spanish.

9. Proof of financial means. The minimum required amount is equivalent to the100% of IPREM . For 2025 is approx. US$ 700 per month, to this amount must be added 75% for the first family member and 50% for each additional family member. Provide either of the following:

Letter in Spanish from the School or US program assuming full financial responsibility.
Proof of financial aid or scholarship of at least 100% IPREM.
Three (3) last bank statements of the student's bank account showing a minimum balance for the complete stay in Spain.
Notarized letter (translated into Spanish) of parents/custodians, assuming full financial responsibility for room and board, along with their bank statements of the last three months.

Suggested wording: "I hereby certify that I the (name of father, mother, other) of (student´s name), will support her/him/them with a monthly allowance of $700 per/month while she/he/them is in Spain and that I am financially responsible for any emergency that may arise."

10. Health insurance/Proof of public or private health insurance:

Name of applicant.
Start date of the coverage.
The insurance must cover all risks normally covered for nationals and must be maintained for the entire duration of the authorization.
The health insurance must not have a deductible, copayment, or coverage limit; it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital, and out-of-hospital expenses. The coverage has to be minimum $50.000 (30.000 Euros).
If the applicant is participating in a volunteer program, he/she must also provide a copy of the civil liability insurance policy taken out by the organization.
An Insurance card will NOT be accepted as proof of coverage.
Travel insurance is not accepted.
It is not necessary to cover repatriations and/or evacuations.

IMPORTANT:

If the planned activity is shorter than 6 months (additional month before the start and 15 days after the end both included), the health insurance must be valid from one month before the studies begin until 15 days after they end. However, if the applicant knows their exact date of entry into Spain, the health insurance should begin from that date.
If the planned activity exceeds 6 months, (additional month before the start and 15 days after the end both included), the student visa will be issued with a validity of one year, and the health insurance must also be valid for one year, starting from the date of entry into Spain.

11. Proof of accommodation. Provide one of the following documents:

Letter from the University/School/program assuming accommodation.
Lease (minimum of 3 months) signed by the two parts of the lease.
Hotel/tourist apartment reservation for at least 3 months.
If the student is staying with a Spanish family or a legal resident:

If the family is assigned by the program, present an official letter from the program with all the details.
If the family is not assigned by the program: “Acta de manifestaciones" signed by the family issued by a Public notary in Spain.

13. Bilingual Medical certificate, accrediting student´s good health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations. It must have the Doctor's Stamp, or can be printed on medical center´s letterhead; it must not be older than 3 months. It is recommended to use our template.

The Consular Office may request additional documents or data.

For stays over 180 days, including at least 30 days before the studies starting until 15 days after the studies finalization, add:

Criminal record check certificate. (valid for 6 months) Students over 18 must present original and copy of the criminal record check certificate issued by FBI and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC.

The applicant must present criminal record certificates from the countries of residence of the last 5 years.
The certificates must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator : American Translators Association https://www.atanet.org/
Local State apostille is not valid

Special Student Visa Categories

Additional documents:

1. NALCAP – Language Assistants
Letter of admission from the Spanish Ministry of Education with assigned center, program duration, and confirmation of financial and health insurance support by Spanish authorities.

2. Au Pair Visa
Signed Au Pair Collaboration Agreement (original and copy) with the host family.

3. Authorization of legal representatives (minors). Original and copy. Notarized authorization for temporary relocation, including information about the responsible adult in Spain. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
For applicants under 18 years of age:

Birth Certificate: Original birth certificate of the minor, translated into Spanish and legalized with an Apostille. If the country is not a Hague Convention member, the document must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then by the Spanish Consulate in that country. Submit both the original and a copy.
Parents’ IDs/Passports: Notarized copies of both parents’ or legal guardians’ identification documents or passports.
Parental Authorization: Notarized letter from both parents or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel to Spain for the specified activity. The letter must include:
Details of the center, organization, or person responsible for the activity
Duration of the planned stay
Names, surnames, ID or NIE numbers, and addresses of the persons responsible for the minor in Spain. (This letter must be submitted in Spanish.)
Declaration from Caregivers in Spain: Notarized statement from the person(s) responsible for the minor in Spain, including:
Copy of their DNI or NIE
Original Certificate of Sexual Nature issued by the Registry of Sexual Offenders of the Spanish Ministry of Justice, or explicit authorization allowing the Administration to obtain this certification

Required documents for family members: Applies only to family members of higher education students, including undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and healthcare specialization students. The following family members may obtain a visa to accompany the holder of a student visa:

The spouse or registered partner, or stable partner, who are minors or require support due to disability or illness.
Children.

All the required documents specified in the above sections from 1 to 6, plus 11 and 13.
Copy of Residence Card (TIE) or residence authorization from the student.
Original and copy of birth certificate, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
Original and copy of Marriage certificate issued in the last 6 months, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
Any other document proving the relationship (joint taxes/bank statements).
Children over 18 must prove their financial dependence and marital status.
The Consular Office may request additional documents or data.

Procedure

Applying for a study visa also entails applying for a study stay permit.

Who can apply for a visa: This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district or who are regularly in the consular district for study purposes even if they are not a resident.
Visa application period: Visa applications must be submitted at least 60 days before the beginning of the pertinent study, as the procedure entails consultations with other authorities.
Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person or through an authorized representative by appointment at BLS International Office, located at 121 W Wacker Dr. Suite 1307, Chicago, IL. Book it through this link: https://usa.blsspainvisa.com/chicago/

Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to submit any missing documents or to provide additional documents or data that are necessary for a decision regarding the application. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview.

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

Collecting the visa: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative if the applicant is under 18 years of age within one month, from the day on which the favorable decision is notified. The Consular Office will inform the applicant regarding the procedure for the return of the passport and any other original documentation.

Refusal of the visa or study stay permit: 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 the notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.

The validity period of the visa: If the study stay does not exceed 6 months, the visa will be valid for the entire stay and it will not be necessary to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card.

If the study stay exceeds six months, the visa will be valid for a 365 days stay. The student must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within one month of entering Spain, at either the Immigration Office or the Police Station in the province where the residence permit was processed. Depending on the type of studies, the student may also be authorized to work.

Student Visa

Procedure​

Procedure