IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Spanish Government has signed a contract with an external company (BLS International) for processing visas for Spanish Consular Offices in the United States.
IT IS MANDATORY TO REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT
For STUDENTS, AU PAIR, and NALCAP (Auxiliar de conversación) VISAS request an appointment through this website https://blssoftwares.com/nationalVisa/appointments/appointment
GENERAL INFORMATION
Visa for stays exceeding 90 days for studies, training, internships, or voluntary work.
- Activities for which a student visa may be obtained :
- Full-time studies at an authorized school/university/program in Spain.
- Training placements at public or private bodies or entities that cannot be covered by internship visas.
- Student mobility programs for secondary education level at an officially recognized teaching or scientific center.
- Volunteer services of programs pursuing public interest goals.
- 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 has to be glued to the application form. An updated photo-paper picture, passport size, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face. 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 1 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 plus a 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. For nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, the United Kingdom and others, different rates are applied based on reciprocity. Please check the complete most recent visa fees 2024
Present the payment the day of your appointment. The processing fee will not be returned even if the visa is not granted or canceled
APPLICANT FEE 2024
Americans $160
Other Nationalities $ 88
7. Acceptance letter in Spanish issued by the school/university/training center indicating:
- Student`s full name.
- Passport number.
- Initial and ending dates of the program (Maximum one scholar year).
- Minimum 20 hours per week.
- Contact name, phone number and email of the person at the school.
- For a non-remunerated internship or volunteer program, a signed agreement.
8. For current College students: Letter from University/School in the US explaining that credits obtained by the student in Spain will be transferred to the local program.
9. Proof of financial means. The minimum required amount is equivalent to the100% of IPREM . For 2023 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 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 us$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: Certificate in Spanish issued by an Insurance Company operating in Spain specifying:
- 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.
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.
The Consular Office may request additional documents or data.
FOR STAYS OVER 180 DAYS 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
- 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.
Required documents for family members:
The following family members may obtain a visa to accompany the student:
· The spouse or unmarried partner that is legally registered.
· Children.
- All the required documents specified in the above sections from 1 to 6, plus 9 and 10.
- 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 sufficiently in advance of the beginning of the study programs, as the procedure entails consultations with other authorities.
- Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person by appointment at BLS International Office, located at 121 W Wacker Dr. Suite 1307, Chicago, IL. Book it through this link: https://blssoftwares.com/nationalVisa/appointments/appointment
- 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: BLS International 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 is for longer than 6 months, the visa will be valid for a 90-day stay. The student must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card within a period of 1 month from their entry into Spain, at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the Police Station of the province in which the permit was processed. Depending of the type of study, the student will be allowed to work.