IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL STUDENT VISA APPLICANTS:
STUDENT VISA APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TWO MONTHS (2 MONTHS) IN ADVANCE OF THE START DATE OF STUDIES (please refer to your acceptance letter to verify dates).
Following the new Inmigration Regulations, short stay student programs (under 180 days) must add 45 days to their current program dates. The result of the addition (your program dates plus the 45 additional days) should not exceed the total of 180 days.
If they exceed them, your visa will be processed as a long-term visa (stay over 180 days) with the additional documentation required for this type of visa.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
This Consulate General of Spain has outsourced the Student visa applications to:
BLS International Houston
Address: 2500 West Loop South 3rd Floor, Suite 350 Houston, Texas 77027
Phone Number: +1 516-888-1169
Email: info.houes@blsinternational.net
You can apply for the visa in person by making an appointment on the website or by postal mail at the address indicated above.
WEBSITE: https://usa.blsspainglobal.com/Global/account/login
BLS Spain Visa Application Center Website: https://usa.blsspainvisa.com
Applications that arrive at this Consulate, will be returned to the interested parties.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Visa for stays exceeding 90 days for studies, training and voluntary work.
Activities for which a study 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
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
1. National visa application form Each 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. 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.
3. Valid unexpired passport. Original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a mínimum validity of 1 year and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
4. Proof of residence in the consular district. State ID, Driver´s Licence or Student ID from one of the following States: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
5. Evidence of legal residence in the United States (Non-US passport holders):
Must present one of the following documents:
- Notarized copy of Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)
- Notarized copy of Valid US visa plus a copy of the 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.
6. 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 $ 94
For Nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, United Kingdom and others, different rates are applied based on reciprocity, Please check the Visa fee
7. Acceptance letter issued by the school/University/training center indicating:
- Student´s full name
- Passport number
- Initial and ending dates of the program
- Minimum 20 hours per week
- Contact name, phone number and email of the person at the school
- For a non-remunerated volunteer program, a signed agreem ent.
8. Proof of payment of registration, tuition or equivalent.
9. Proof of financial mean. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of IPREM (aprox $700 per month). To this amount must be added 75% (aprox, $490 per month) for the first family member and 50% (aprox, $320 per month) for each additional family member.
Provide either of the following:
- Statement from the University/School or US program assuming full financial responsibility for room and board.
- Proof of financial aid or scholarship of at least $700 multiplied by the number of months of your stay, for room and board. This document must specify that the funds will be used for your study abroad program and not for tuition.
- Last three month's bank statements of student's personal checking or savings bank account showing a minimum stable balance of $700 multiplied by the number of months of the student´s stay.
- 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' checking/savings bank statements.
- 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. Proof of Health insurance: Certificate in Spanish issued by an Insurance Company recognized and authorized to operate in Spain, specifying, the coverage must begin at least 30 days before the studies starting until 15 days after the studies finalization. For studies over one year the coverage must be one year.
The insurance must include all risks covered by the National Health System in Spain, and for theentire intended period of stay in Spain. The Health Insurance 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.
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.
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.
12. 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.
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
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 student:
- The spouse or unmarried stable partner
- Children.
- All the required documents specified in the above sections from 1 to 6, plus 10 and 12.
- Copy of Residence Card (TIE) or residence authorization from the student.
- Children: Original and copy of Birth Certificate, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
For minors who travel with only one of the parents with joint custody, the non traveling parent must provide a copy of his/her ID along with a notarized authorization, which will be legalized with the Apostille of the Hague.
- Spouse: 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
- Who can apply for a visa: 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:
BLS International Houston
2500 West Loop South 3rd Floor, Suite 350 Houston, Texas 77027 Phone: +1 516-888-1169
Email: info.houes@blsinternational.net
- 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 1 month 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, the visa will be valid for 365 day. 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).
“PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE AIRLINE TI CKETS UNTIL YOUR VISAS HAVE BEEN GRANTED"