Study visa

IMPORTANT

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

If the application is deemed incomplete and its therefore rejected by the BLS Office, the applicant will be required to schedule a new appointment.

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

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

Students must pick up their passports from the BLS Office in person. A representative cannot pick up the passport with the visa.

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

GENERAL INFORMATION

Following the new Immigration Regulations, short stay student programs (under 180 days) must add 45 days to their current program dates; 30 days prior to the program and 15 days after the end date. 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 with the additional documentation required for this type of visa.

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 that merit a Student Visa

Full-time studies at an authorized school/University/program in Spain with a minimum of 20 hours a week, that will result in a degree, diploma, or certificate.
Doctoral studies.
Training activities.
Spanish language courses (Castilian) or co-official languages in Spain, delivered in person at an official language school or center accredited by the Instituto Cervantes.
Student mobility programs for secondary education level at an officially recognized teaching or scientific center.
Internships or traineeships at public or private entities that do not qualify for an internship visa (see “Internship visa")
Volunteer services for programs working in areas of general and/or public interest.
Specialization in healthcare fields.
“Au pair" programs.
Teaching assistants (auxiliaries de conversación).

The Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles has full authority to evaluate and request documents in addition to those initially submitted by the applicant.

Required documents for the student

1. National visa application.pdf. Each applicant must complete and sign a visa application, filling out every section. If the applicant is a minor, on of the parents must sign the application.

2. Photograph. Glued to the application form. A recent color photo-paper picture, passport-size, taken against a white background, facing forward, without a dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face.

3. Valid, unexpired passport. Original and photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must be valid for at least 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 district. I.D. Card that proves your place of residence is within the jurisdiction of the Spanish Consulate of Los Angeles (original and photocopy). Jurisdiction extends through Southern California (Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties), Arizona, Colorado and Utah. You can provide one of the following documents: U.S. Driver license, State I.D. card, Voter’s Registration Card, current Student I.D. The applicant must provide proof of their legal residence in the consular district or that they are attending classes, in person, in the consular district.

Non-U.S. citizens must also submit their U.S. Green Card or long-term stay visa (notarized copy). B-1 and B-2 visa holders cannot apply for a student visa in the United States; they must apply for it in their country of residence or origin.

5. Proof of acceptance for the study, training or volunteer activity or internship.

The applicant should provide an original and copy of the document proving:

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
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, the language school must be officially recognized by the Instituto Cervantes. These courses are for if Spanish (or the co-official language) is not the applicant´s native or official language of their country of nationality.

6. 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 both proof of payment and as an admision letter. They must be accompanied by a translation into Spanish.

7. Proof of financial means. The applicant must provide an original and copy of documents certifying that he/she (or the legal representative or relative that supports him/her) has sufficient financial means to cover the expenses of student’s stay and return, as well as that of the family members accompanying him/her. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of Spain's Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM). 75% of the IPREM must be added for the first accompanying family member and 50% for each additional family member.

Medios económicos año 2022

If documentation is provided demonstrating that accommodations for the entire length of the student’s stay have been paid for in advance, this amount will be deducted. If the student is traveling to Spain alone, the minimum required amount in 2022 is 700 USD per month.

Non-Spanish documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. If the student is traveling with family members, he/she can see the required minimum amounts here.

At least one of the following documents must be submitted:

If the applicant him/herself bears full financial responsibility for his/her room and board, his/her three most recent monthly bank statements, including the applicant’s full name and a final balance that covers the required minimum funds. The bank statements do not need to be translated into Spanish.
Statement from the applicant’s U.S. or Spanish university or school assuming full financial responsibility for room and board (normally included in the aforementioned acceptance letter). The applicant should preferably submit an original and copy of this statement or letter (electronic copies may be submitted without an original, as long as they include an electronic signature), including an official seal and signature from the issuing institution. Photocopies and online printouts will not be accepted. A translation of this statement to Spanish must also be included.
Documentation proving the issuing of financial aid, loans, scholarships, or other economic aid that covers the minimum amount required for room and board. If the original documents are in English, a translation into Spanish must also be submitted.
Notarized letter from at least one of the applicant’s parents or guardians, in which they assume full financial responsibility for the applicant’s room and board. Suggested wording: “I hereby certify that I, [full name of parent of guardian], [mother, father, legal guardian] of [full name of applicant], assume full financial responsibility for his/her round-trip ticket between Spain and the United States, as well as his/her monthly room and board expenses while he/she is in Spain, and any addition emergency expenses that may arise during his/her stay.”

The applicant must attach all of the following documentation to this letter: 1) a notarized copy of the parent of guardian’s ID; 2) original and notarized copy of the student’s birth certificate, demonstrating the parental link, or the ruling or decision by which a legal guardian was established; 3) the parent or guardian’s three most recent monthly bank statements, showing his/her full name and a final balance that covers the required minimum funds (which must cover the student’s room and board, as well as the cost of the student’s studies or tuition). The bank statements do not need to be translated into Spanish.

8. Health insurance.

Proof of public or private health insurance contracted with an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain

Name of applicant
Start date and end date of 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 a mínimum of 30,000 euros ($50,000)
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
Insurance must cover a month before start date of program and 15 days after the end date.

9. Medical certificate. Students must submit the original and copy of a medical certificate demonstrating that the applicant does not suffer from any diseases that could have serious repercussions for public health, in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.

This certificate must be issued a maximum of 90 days prior to submitting the visa application and must be signed by and include the stamp or letterhead of a doctor. If issued in English, a Spanish translation is required. The recommended model can be found here. If this model is used, an additional translation is not required.

BILINGUAL MEDICAL CERTIFICATE 2024.pdf

For stays over 180 days add:

10. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants of legal age who apply for a visa for a stay of more than 180 days must submit the original and a copy of their criminal background check(s) issued by their country or countries of residence in the past five years. The criminal background check must be issued by the U.S. Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The background check must be issued within the six months preceding the submission of the visa application. It must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish. The applicant must submit a copy of the background check and apostille as well as a translation into Spanish.

Under no circumstances will a criminal background check be accepted if it has been altered or damaged in any way, including damages caused by removing staples.

If the applicant has lived outside the United States during the past five years, he/she must provide an additional criminal background check from every country where he/she has lived, authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish, with a notarized copy of both documents. If the country in which the applicant has lived in the past five years does not subscribe to The Hague Convention of 1961, the background check must by authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and then by the Consulate of Spain in said country.

11. Proof of the guardian's identity and capacity. If the applicant is a minor, he/she must submit one of his/her parents’ or guardians’ ID or passport, as well as a document proving kinship. The originals must be shown when submitting the application. If the application is submitted through a representative, a copy of the representative’s ID or passport, as well as power of attorney or a document accrediting the representative relationship, must be submitted. An original and notarized copy of the applicant’s birth certificate, showing the parent-child relationship, or the ruling or decision by which a legal guardian was established, must be submitted to prove kinship; these documents must be issued a maximum of 90 days prior to submitting the visa application. Non-Spanish documents must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague. The copies of the identification documents must be notarized. If the visa application is submitted by mail, the originals of the identification documents must be shown when the passport with the visa is retrieved.

12. Authorization of legal representatives. If the applicant is a minor, he/she must submit the original and a copy of the parents’ or guardians’ notarized authorization for the minor to go to Spain and indicate the person who will be responsible for him/her during his/her stay in Spain. This notarized authorization must expressly include the following information of the person who will be responsible for the minor in Spain: full legal name, DNI or NIE number, address. This person or persons must also submit a notarized copy of his/her ID.

Non-Spanish documents must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish, if Spanish is not the original language. Copies must be notarized.

If the applicant is a minor, the person or persons responsible for the minor during his/her stay in Spain must submit a certificate ensuring they are not a sex offender (certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual) issued by the Registro Central de Delincuentes Sexuales, part of the Spanish Ministry of Justice (application found here), or express permission for the Spanish Government to obtain said certificate (authorization document found here). This person or persons must also provide a declaration in which they officially take responsibility for the child, which must be authenticated by a Spanish notary public.

If the applicant is a minor and is traveling alone or with an authorized person, an original and notarized copy of power of attorney, signed by both parents or guardians, and authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague, must be submitted, along with a copy of both parents’ or guardians’ passports. If the minor is traveling with an authorized person, said document must also include the following information about the authorized person: full legal name, passport, DNI or NIE number, address, travel dates and route.

If the minor is traveling with only one of his/her parents or guardians, an original and notarized copy of power of attorney signed by the non-traveling parent or guardian must be submitted, authorizing the other parent or guardian to travel with the minor.

13. Payment of the visa fee.

VISA FEE.pdf. Payments are made at the time of your appointment, only money order is accepted (no credit cards, no debit cards, no personal checks). Money orders are to be addressed to the "Consulate General of Spain Los Angeles".

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

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 .
Minor children.

The following must be submitted for each family member accompanying the student:

The documents listed above under numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, and 12, and, if applicable, 10.
Documentation proving kinship to the student (marriage, civil union, or birth certificate, or other documentation, depending on the relationship).

For married couples, an original copy of the marriage certificate, authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish, must be submitted.

For civil partners, a certificate confirming that the relationship is accounted for in a civil registry or documentation proving that the couple qualifies for a civil partnership, even if not legally registered as such, must be submitted. This documentation must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish.

For children, an original birth certificate, authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague. must be submitted.

For children of divorced parents, the final divorce and custody filings for the minor, authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish, must be submitted.

For au pair visas, an original and notarized copy of the applicant’s contract with the host family with which the applicant will be living must be submitted.

When necessary, the Consular Office reserves the right to request additional documents or information, and/or call the applicant in for an interview.

Documentation issued by government authorities of countries that do not subscribe to The Hague Convention of 1961 must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and then by the Consulate of Spain in said country.

Required Documentation for Teaching Assistants (auxiliaries de conversación):

These applicants do not need to submit the aforementioned proof of financial means or proof of health insurance. However, they must submit the original copy of their acceptance letter from the Spanish Ministry of Education, including the name of their assigned school or center, said institution’s contact information (address, phone, point of contact, email), duration of the program, and health insurance.

Procedure

Who can apply for a visa: Visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant or by one of their parents if the applicant is a minor. They may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative.
Visa application period: The application must be submitted two months prior to the start day of the program, as the procedure entails consultations with other authorities.
Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person at BLS Visa service for Spain:
5455 Wilshire Boulevard, suite 1011 Los Ángeles, CA
To make an appointment: https://usa.blsspainvisa.com/losangeles/
Email: info.laxes@blsinternational.net
Phone: 516-888-1169
Proof of receipt: The Consular Office will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the application with a code that enables them to check the status of the dossier through the following link: https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspx
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 a minor) within a maximum period of 2 months, counted as of the day after the date 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 notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.
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.