Student visa

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 stays longer than 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

Fulbright students: must apply for their visas, via postal mail, directly to the Consulate.

Required documents

Present original and photocopy of the following documents:

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.
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 years ago will not be accepted.
Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction: Notarized photocopy 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 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.
 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 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 agreement
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). 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:
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."
Proof of Health insurance: Certificate in Spanish issued by an Insurance Company authorized to operate in Spain.
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.

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.
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
Disclaimer form: Student visa applications must be submitted at least two months before the start of studies (Royal Decree 1155/2024, Article 36).

You must date and sign this acknowledgement form and submit it along with the other required visa documents.

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): stating that the applicant has no criminal records in the place/s where he has resided the last five years.

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

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: