This Consulate General of Spain has outsourced the Student visa applications to: BLS International Houston
You can apply for the visa in person by making an appointment on the website: https://usa.blsspainvisa.com/houston/
Or by postal mail at the following address:
BLS International Houston
Student visa application
2500 West Loop South 3rd Floor, Suite 350
Houston, Texas 77027
Processing times
STUDENT VISA APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED at least TWO MONTHS (2 MONTHS) PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF STUDIES.
(refer to your acceptance letter for specific dates)
Visa process takes at least 6 weeks from submission of a complete application with all required documentation.
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 airline tickets until your visa has been granted.
General Information
Visa for students under 18 and for stays longer than 90 days to participate in a student mobility program:
- To have been admitted as a participant in a student mobility program for the purpose of pursuing a compulsory and/or post-compulsory secondary education program at an officially recognized educational or scientific institution.
- That the educational institution managing the student mobility program or educational project assumes responsibility for the student during their stay, particularly regarding the cost of studies, as well as living expenses and return to their country.
- To be accommodated during their stay with a host family selected by the organization responsible for the student mobility program in which they participate, or in a boarding school or residence affiliated with or arranged by said organization within the framework of the program.
The Consulate General of Spain in Houston will consider applications for residents in this jurisdiction: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
Required documents
Present original and photocopy of the following documents:
- National visa application form: The applicant must complete the official application form, filling it in each of its sections; one of the parents must sign the application.
- Photograph: It has to be glued to the application form. A recent, passport-size, 2x2 inches, with white background. The face should be clare and visible.
- Valid unexpired Passport: Original and copy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The Passport must have a mínimum validity of 1 year and contain at least two blank pages, Passports issued more than 10 yesar ago will not be accepted.
- Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction: Notarized copy of State ID, Driver´s Licence or Student ID, from one of the following States: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
- Proof of legal residence in the United States (non US Passport holders). Must present one of the following documents:
- Notarized copy of Permanent Resident Card (Green card)
- Notarized copy of Valid US Visa (visa F-1 must provide copy of I-20 document duly signed in the endorsement)
- Holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence
- Consular Visa Fees: Money order made out to the Consulate General of Spain in Houston.
US Passport holders visa fee $160
Other nationalities visa fee $106
For Nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, United Kingdom and others, different rates are applied based on reciprocity, Please check the visa fee.
- Acceptance letter in Spanish issued by the school indicating:
- Student`s full name.
- Passport`s 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.
- From a Spanish Public School, the program must be promoted and financed by one of the following:
- Spanish Public Administration.
- Non-profit Associations or Foundations.
- Proof of payment of registration, tuition or equivalent.
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.
- Proof of financial means The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of IPREM (aprox $700 per month).
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 $700 multiplied by the number of months of your stay, for room and board.
- Notarized letter of parents/custodians assuming full financial responsibility with a minimum balance of $700 multiplied by the number of months of the student´s stay, for room and board. They have to provide also a copy of their IDs, copy of the student´s birth certificate and the last three months' personal checking/savings accounts bank statements. Business accounts will not be accepted.
- Proof of Health insurance: Certificate in Spanish issued by an Insurance Company authorized to operate in Spain.
- It must include all risks covered by the National Health System in Spain and for the entire intended period of stay in Spain
- It must not have any deductible, copayment or coverage limit
- it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital and out-of-hospital expenses.
- Insurance cards will not be accepted as proof of coverage.
- Travel insurance will not be accepted.
The health insurance must be valid for one month (1 month) before the start of studies and for fifteen days (15 days) after their completion.
Those who choose not to extend their health insurance (for the above indicated 1 month and 15 days) must complete and sign the following form. Their student visa authorizations will be processed for the exact days of their student programs.
- Authorization from both parents: Notarized authorization in Spanish to travel and live in Spain, indicating:
- Length of stay of the minor in Spain
- Information of all host family members over 18 with ID numbers
- Address in Spain.
- Notarized copy of both parent`s ID.
- Original and copy of minor's Birth Certificate, legalized with the Apostille of the Hague convention and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
- From the tutor and host family, Original letter in Spanish assuming full responsibility of the minor while in Spain. For each member over 18 present the following:
- Certificate of “Registro de Crímenes de naturaleza sexual" issued by Registro Central de Delincuentes Sexuales.
- Copies of ID (DNI o NIE).
- 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 Medical certificate template
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: Students under 18 and for stays exceeding 90 days for studies. This Consulate is competent to accept only visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
- Visa application period: Visa applications must be submitted at least 2 months before the beginning of the study program in Spain, as the procedure entails consultations with other authorities.
- Place of submission:
You can apply for the visa in person by making an appointment on the website: https://usa.blsspainvisa.com/houston/
Or by postal mail at the following address:
BLS International Houston
Student visa application
2500 West Loop South 3rd Floor, Suite 350
Houston, Texas 77027
Please do not mail your application if you do not yet have all the necessary documents. We suggest you first double check following check list.
- Rectifying the application: The Consulate could 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 up to 6 weeks from the day after the application submission date, but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.
- 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 one 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 two-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.
- Validity period of the visa: For study programs no longer than 6 months, the visa will be valid for the entire program and it will not be necessary to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE Card).
For study programs longer than 6 months, students will have to present the visa before the National Police (Extranjeria office) within 1 month upon their arrival, in order to obtain the pertinent Foreigner Identity Card (TIE card).