JURISDICTION: Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina
This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from legal residents or students enrolled in in-person studies at a center in our jurisdiction.
Please note that you must submit your visa application according to your jurisdiction. We do not accept applications from outside of our jurisdiction: Consular jurisdictions
BLS VISA APPLICATION CENTER
Applications for student visas must be submitted in person by appointment only to the BLS Spain Visa Application Center in Washington DC.
To find more information and schedule an appointment for a Study visa at BLS Spain Visa Application Center in Washington DC, please follow the link: BLS Spain Visa Application Center or Direct link to book appointments
BLS Visa Application Center: 1660 L Street. NW, Suite 216, Washington, D.C., 20036
Email: info.wases@blsinternational.net
Phone number: 516-888-1169 (BLS call-center for USA)
The collection of the visa and/or documents must be in person at the BLS office once BLS notifies the applicant that the visa or documents are ready for pick up.
SUBMIT IN ADVANCE
Visa application period: Please submit your visa application sufficiently in advance of the start of your studies. Please submit your visa application sufficiently in advance of the start of your studies. It is possible to apply for a Study visa from 6 months to 2 months before the intended date of your travel or the beginning of the study program.
BLS starts the process and delivers the application to the Consular Section of the Embassy. Once the application is accepted as complete in the Consular Section, the procedure involves consultations with other authorities that can take up to 7 days from the day the central services in Spain receive the application through the visa system (not from the day the applicant submits the application at the BLS office). The time frame to receive a resolution may be extended and is not possible to expedite.
Please allow a minimum of 5 weeks between the day the complete application with all the required documents is submitted at BLS and the day you expect to collect your visa from BLS.
The Consular Section does not provide information about the status of a visa. If extra documents are needed you will be contacted.
It is highly recommended not to purchase travel tickets until you receive your visa.
VALIDITY PERIOD OF STAY / VISA:
The applicant must submit the required documentation according to the period of stay, not only the period of the study program.
Please notice that, if applicable, according to the new immigration regulation valid from May 20, 2025, the visa will be valid for 1 month before the starting date of the study program and 15 days after the ending date of the study program, and if nothing indicated.
Therefore, it is very important that the applicant indicate the intended date of entry into Spain. The intended day of entry into Spain can be any date until 30 days before the beginning of the study program.
The required documentation must correspond to the period of stay (not only the period of the study program). The health insurance must be valid for all the intended period of stay (not only the period of the study program).
Please be aware that, if the study program is for 180 days or less, and the added intended days of stay before the beginning of the study program results in a total length of stay exceeding 180 days, the applicant must submit a background check certificate. The background check is required if the total period of stay (not only the period of the study program) will exceed 180 days.
The intended period of stay must include always the entire period of the study program. If the study program exceeds 180 days, the intended length of stay can’t be less than 180 days.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Please note that we do not accept incomplete visa applications. Only complete applications with all the required documents will be admitted and processed.
1.- One Application form (![]()
National Visa Application form): Each applicant must complete and sign a national visa application, filling out every section. It can be filled out electronically or handwritten in capital letters. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents or a duly accredited representative must sign the application.
Please do not forget to fill out numbers 17 (your address, email and telephone number), 28 (complete information related to the university or education center in Spain) and 21 (intended date of entry) on the application form.
The intended day of entry can be any date until 30 days before the beginning of the study program. If applicable, the visa will be valid for 1 month before the starting date of the study program and 15 days after the ending date of the study program, if nothing indicated.
Please make sure that your insurance policy covers your whole period of intended stay in Spain.
2.- One photo: Glued or clipped (not stapled) onto visa application form. Photo specifications: Passport-size, color photograph, recent (taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance), printed on matte/glossy paper, taken against a white, light, clear, uniform background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the applicant’s full oval of the face.
Photos with a dark background or with objects or people that can be seen behind your head will not be accepted.
The photo should meet the requirements pictured here, against a white background.
3.- Valid, unexpired passport: Original and photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity of 1 year and must contain at least two free pages for visas. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
If the passport does not meet the requirements, it must be renewed before applying for the visa.
4.- Proof of legal residence in the United States. Non-U.S. citizens must also submit proof of legal residence in the United States: A photocopy of the valid U.S. long term Visa or a notarized copy of the U.S. Resident Card (Green card; please do not submit the original document).
F1 student visa holders must submit a photocopy of the I-20 certificate.
B1/B2 visa holders do not qualify to apply for a visa at this Consular Office. They must apply for a visa in their country of residence or country of origin.
5.- Proof of residence or study in the consular district. The applicant must be a legal resident or be enrolled in in-person studies in a center within our consular jurisdiction (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina).
Residence must be proved by one of the following, valid documents: Photocopy of U.S. Driver’s license, State ID, University Student ID. Please do not submit the original document.
If you do not have a U.S. Driver's license or State ID it is possible to prove residence in our consular district by other documents, e.g. a copy of a lease agreement or utility bill.
6.- Proof of admission in the study program, mobility program or volunteering program.
The document must be written in Spanish and issued in Spain, by an authorized school or education center.
The document must prove enrollment in:
- Full-time studies;
- At an authorized university, school, research or education center;
- Leading to obtain a degree, diploma or certificate.
The document must indicate, among other information:
- Name of the authorized university, school or education center;
- Address, contact e-mail and telephone number of the education center;
- Student’s full name;
- Name of the program;
- Start and ending dates of the program;
- Name, e-mail and telephone number of the person in charge of the program.
The letter of acceptance must indicate proof of accommodation with a family or at an institution, and the organizer’s commitment that the expenses are covered.
- For higher education: The applicant must submit a proof of admission and payment of the enrollment, tuition or equivalent fees. A single document may serve to verify both requirements. The payment requirement may be satisfied by submitting an acceptance letter from the educational center in Spain that certifies any of the following:
- The enrolment fees have been paid;
- The enrolment fees are exempt from payment;
- The enrolment fees have been paid by the student at the center of origin in the USA (within the framework of a program between academic centers or institutions);
- The center of origin in the USA covers (or is responsible for) the payment of the enrolment fee (within the framework of a program between centers or institutions).
- 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.
- When the deadline for payment of the fee and formalization of registration established by the institution cannot be adjusted to the deadlines of the visa application procedure, this situation and the commitment to pay the registration fees may be accredited.
- For Mobility programs (for compulsory or post-compulsory secondary education): Letter of acceptance within the framework of a mobility program at an authorized compulsory or post-compulsory secondary educational center in Spain). The letter of acceptance must confirm: - That the educational center (that manages the student mobility program) is responsible for the students during their stay;
- The accommodation with a family (selected by the organization responsible for the student mobility program) or at a boarding school or institution (agreed upon by the organization within the framework of the program);
- The organizer’s commitment that the expenses (cost of the studies, room and board and return to the country) are covered.
- For Volunteering: Letter of acceptance to carry out a (not remunerated) voluntary service within the framework of an agreement signed with the organization in charge of the voluntary program that entitles to apply for a study visa. Please submit the letter of acceptance and the signed contract or agreement with the volunteering organization. If you submit an original document, please provide a photocopy to return the original.
The agreement must include:
- a description of the program,
- the functions and conditions of supervision,
- the planned non–profit activities in areas of public interest, and the conditions for carrying them out,
- as well as its schedule, the hours of voluntary work to be completed,
- the resources available for expense reimbursement (to cover the room and board during their stay), a minimum amount of pocket money during the stay, or both,
- and, where applicable, the training that the volunteer will receive to be able to carry out the voluntary program.
The volunteer organization must be legally constituted and registered in the competent registry in accordance with the regulations of Spain, of the autonomic government, or of another Member State of the European Union.
7.- Proof of financial means: The applicant must provide documents certifying that he/she (parents, legal representative or relative that supports him/her) has sufficient financial means to cover the expenses of student’s stay and return.
The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of Spain's IPREM (Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator) for the student.
The IPREM indicator changes every year. In 2025 the IPREM is: 100% = 600€ (approx. $700)
If the provided documentation certifies that accommodation for the entire length of the student’s stay has been paid for in advance, this amount will be deducted from the minimum required amount.
If the letter of acceptance or certificate of admission (point 6) certifies that the applicant’s U.S. or Spanish university or school assumes full financial responsibility for room and board, it is not necessary to provide any additional proof of financial means.
At least one of the following documents must be submitted:
- If the applicant him/herself bears full financial responsibility: 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 in English do not need to be translated into Spanish.
- If the US or Spanish university or school bears full financial responsibility: If the letter of acceptance or certificate of admission certifies that the institution assumes full financial responsibility, it is not necessary to provide any additional proof of financial means. If the original documents are in English, a translation into Spanish must be submitted.
- If applicant is receiving financial aid, loans, scholarships or other economic aid that covers the minimum monthly required amount for room and board: Documentation proving the issuance of financial aid, loans, scholarships, or other economic aid. If the original documents are in English, a translation into Spanish must be submitted.
- If parent, legal guardian or other relative is bearing full financial responsibility: Notarized letter (original and copy) 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 letter can include the Spanish text: “Por la presente certifico que yo, [full name of parent of guardian], [madre, padre, tutor legal] de [full name of applicant], asumo la responsabilidad financiera total de su billete de ida y vuelta entre España y Estados Unidos, así como sus gastos mensuales de alojamiento y comida mientras se encuentre en España, y cualesquiera gastos adicionales de urgencia que puedan surgir durante su estancia.”
If the letter is not bilingual, you must provide an official or certified translation into Spanish.
The applicant must attach all of the following documentation to this notarized letter:
- Notarized copy of the parent or guardian’s ID;
- Notarized copy of the student’s birth certificate, demonstrating parental link, or the ruling or decision by which a legal guardian was determined;
- 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 in English do not need to be translated into Spanish.
8.- Parental authorization to travel and study from both parents: Notarized written authorization of both parents/custodians to travel abroad and study in Spain, legalized with the Hague Apostille.
In the parental authorization, parents must expressly state the period of time that the minor is authorized to travel and study in Spain and: Name, last name, DNI or NIE numbers and address of the person (or people) responsible for the minor in Spain.
If the letter is not bilingual, you must provide an official or certified translation into Spanish.
9.- Notarized copy of parents' (or legal tutors’) passports. Please add a photocopy of the notarized copies.
10.- Original of the minor's Birth Certificate: The certificate must be legalized with the Hague Apostille and accompanied by an official or certified translation into Spanish. If the country is not part of the Hague Convention the document must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then by the Spanish Consulate in that country. Please add a photocopy of the document, Apostille and translation.
11.- Documents of the person responsible and in charge of the minor in Spain:
- Letter from the school with the information of the person or persons responsible and in charge of the minor in Spain.
- Notarized declaration of the person or persons responsible and in charge of the minor in Spain. It may be the mother and father of the family the student is going to live with.
- Notarized copy of the DNI (Spanish ID) or the passport and NIE of the person or persons responsible and in charge of the minor in Spain.
- Certificate from the Ministry of Justice of Spain stating that the person(s) responsible and in charge of the minor in Spain does not have any sexual misconduct record in the Registry of Sexual Offenders (“Datos del Registro Central de Delincuentes Sexuales").
12.- Health insurance: Proof of public or private health insurance contracted with an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain.
The health insurance must cover the length of the stay according to the validity period of the student visa. The visa will be valid for 1 month before the starting date of the study program and 15 days after the ending date of the study program, if applicable.
The insurance policy must cover all the risks insured by Spain's public health system and must cover the entire period of the stay. It should have no coverage limits (Spanish companies offer unlimited coverage), no grace periods for certain benefits, no co-payments, and no deductibles. Nevertheless, if the policy has a coverage limited to a specific amount, this limit must not be less than 30,000 euros. Travel insurance is not accepted.
An Insurance card will not be accepted as proof of coverage.
If the applicant is participating in a volunteer program, in addition to the health insurance, he/she must also provide a copy of the organization’s civil liability insurance policy.
13.- Medical certificate. All applicant who apply for a study visa, regardless of length of stay, must submit the original and a copy of the medical certificate demonstrating the applicant does not suffer from diseases that could have serious repercussions for public health in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.
- The certificate must be issued in the 3 months preceding the submission of the visa application.
- The certificate must include a stamp from the issuing Medical Center, doctor’s name and signature, doctor’s License Number and date of expedition.
- The certificate must be written on letterhead paper from hospital/doctor’s office or directly on the provided template. The recommended model can be found here:
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Medical certificate template - The certificate must be signed by a Doctor (Physician), not by a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician assistant.
- If the certificate does not include the text in Spanish, an official or certified translation into Spanish is required. In the case of using the bilingual model from our website, the Spanish translation is not necessary.
Please include a photocopy (not notarized) of the medical certificate with your submitted documents.
15.- Payment of the visa fee: Payment made to BLS. Non-refundable.
Different rates apply due to reciprocity.
From July 1, 2025:
- For US citizens: $160
- For citizens of Australia: $495
- For citizens of the UK:
- For stays shorter than 180 days: $104
- For stays longer than 180 days: $479
- For citizens of Ethiopia:
- For stays shorter than 180 days: $104
- For stays longer than 180 days: $479
- For citizens of Mauritania: $276
- For all other citizens: $104
Visa fees are revised quarterly according to current exchange rates and can be subject to changes.
Who can apply for a visa: This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from legal residents or students enrolled in in-person studies at a center within our consular jurisdiction (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina).
Please note that if you are a minor (less than 18 years old) in the moment you are applying for the visa, you must apply as a minor. If you are 18 years old (or more) in the moment you are applying for the visa, you must apply as an adult. Different required documents apply if you submit the application as a minor or as an adult.
Visa application period: Please submit your visa application sufficiently in advance of the start of your studies. It is possible to apply for a Study visa from 6 months to 2 months before the beginning of the study program. The application must be submitted at least 2 months before the start date of the study program, unless proof of justified reasons that prevent submission within the visa application period.
BLS starts the process and delivers the application to the Consular Section of the Embassy. Once the application is accepted as complete in the Consular Section, the procedure involves consultations with other authorities that can take up to 7 days from the day the central services in Spain receive the application through the visa system (not from the day the applicant submits the application at the BLS office). The time frame to receive a resolution may be extended and is not possible to expedite.
Please allow a minimum of 5 weeks between the day the complete application with all the required documents is submitted at BLS and the day you expect to collect your visa from BLS.
The Consular Section does not provide information about the status of a visa. If extra documents are needed you will be contacted.
If applicable, the student visa will be valid to enter into Spain 1 month before the beginning of the studies
It is highly recommended not to purchase the travel tickets until you receive your visa.
Place of submission: The student application must be submitted in person by appointment only to the BLS Spain Visa Application Center for Spain in Washington DC.
Please note that there are different sections for Schengen visas and for National visas appointments.
BLS - SPAIN VISA APPLICATION CENTER, WASHINGTON DC
1660 L St NW, Second Floor, Suite: 216, Washington, DC 20036
Email: info.wases@blsinternational.net
Phone number: 516-888-1169 (BLS call-center for USA)
Decision period: BLS starts the visa process and delivers the application to the Consular Office in the Embassy. Once the application is accepted as complete in the Consular Office, the procedure involves consultations with other authorities that can take up to 7 days from the day the central services in Spain receive the application through the visa system (not from the day the applicant submits the application at the BLS office). The time frame to receive a resolution may be extended and is not possible to expedite.
The Consular Section does not provide information about the status of a visa.
If extra documents are needed you will be contacted.
Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to submit additional documents or data that are necessary for a decision regarding the application. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview.
Collecting the visa: The applicant must collect the visa and/or other documents in person in BLS after BLS notifies (by SMS text) the applicant that the visa or documents are ready to pick up.
Refusal of the visa or study stay permit: Applying for a study visa also entails applying for a 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 visa or a study stay permit are refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration in Spanish to this Consular Office or the Office that denied the request 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 applicable, the visa will be valid for 1 month before the starting date of the study program and 15 days after the ending date of the study program.
- If the validity period of the study visa does not exceed 180 days (180 days or less), the visa will be sufficient to document the stay and it will not be necessary to obtain a TIE ("Tarjeta de Identificación de Extranjero" or Foreigner's Identity Card).
- If the validity period of the study visa exceeds 180 days (more than 180 days), the visa will be valid for the whole lenght of the study program with the limit of 1 tear. You must enter Spain during the period of validity of the visa. However, upon entry and within the first 30 days, applicants must request a Foreigner Identity Card or TIE (“Tarjeta de Identificación de Extranjero” or Foreigner's Identity Card) at the local Police Department in the city where the study program is being held. The TIE will be valid for as long as the student is enrolled in the program in Spain. In the case of minors, a representative may carry out this procedure.
Important information about the NIE (“Numero de Identidad de Extranjero”, Foreigner’s Identity Number) and the TIE (“Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero” or Foreigner Identity Card):
- Please note that the NIE number is not the same as the TIE card, although the number of the TIE card will be the NIE number.
- The NIE is a personal, unique and exclusive number that is assigned by the Spanish Police (not by the Consular Office) to foreigners who, for economic, professional, or social reasons, are engaged in activities related to Spain and require identification in this country.
- A NIE identifies the bearer to all levels of the Spanish public administration, but does not entitle the holder to reside in Spain or prove residence there.
- The TIE card entitles the holder to reside in Spain during its validity period and proves legal residence in Spain.
- The NIE number does not change. The TIE card is valid until its date of expiration.
- The NIE number usually appears in the student visa sticker.
- If the NIE number does not appear in your student visa sticker, and you applied for a student visa in our consular jurisdiction, you can send an e-mail to our Consular Office cog.washington.vis@maec.es asking if we have received your NIE number after your visa was issued. If the consular Office did not receive your NIE number, you can request it from the Spanish Police Department if you need to apply for a TIE card in Spain.