Schengen Visas

​​​​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)

Direct family members of EU, EEA or CH citizens are entitled to submit their applications for short-term visas at the Visa Office in the Consular Section of the Embassy if they are traveling with the EU, EEA or CH citizen, or are on the way to joining them. In this case, the applicant must request an appointment in advance to the Visa Office of the Embassy via email cog.washington.vis@maec.es attaching scanned copies of the required documentation. Please write the email subject as follows: “APPOINTMENT REQUEST. Shengen visa for EU Family member. Given Name FAMILY NAME of the applicant”. In order to accelerate the process, they can also submit their application at the BLS Spain Visa Application Center in Washington DC. Please find specific information in the section Visa for Family Members of a Citizen of the EU​

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR SCHENGEN VISAS

​​1.- OneSchengen visa application form: Each applicant must complete and sign an application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must sign the application. Visa applications can be filled out electronically or handwritten in capital letters.

2.- One photograph: 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. Photographs of babies must not show any part of the adult holding them. 

3.- Valid, unexpired passport or official travel document. Original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must be valid for a minimum of 90 days after your expected departure date from the Schengen area. The passport must have at least two blank visa pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not 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: U.S. Resident Card (Green card) or valid U.S. long term Visa. Original and a photocopy.

The document proving legal residence in the United States must be valid to re-enter the US after your expected departure date from the Schengen area.

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 in the consular district.  The applicant must be a legal resident or be enrolled in in-person studies 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: U.S. Driver’s License, State ID, University Student ID. Original and a photocopy.

If you do not have a US Driver's License or State ID it is possible to prove residence in our consular district through other documents, e.g. a copy of a lease agreement or utility bill. 

6.- Documents supporting the purpose of the travel and specifics of the stay, as well as the intention of the visa applicant to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires.

• Complete travel itinerary (round trip from the U.S.): Copy of flight reservation with booking reference number. Travel itinerary should include:
• ​Applicant’s name;
  
• Clear details of travel dates;
  
• When traveling from one city to another within the Schengen area:
• ​Flight numbers, bus tickets, euro pass (if applicable). 
• Car rental details (if applicable). ​

• ​Proof of accommodation for the entire duration of stay: Can be any of the following:
  • Copy of confirmed hotel (or tourist apartment) reservations containing the applicant’s name, hotel's address and telephone, matching with flight dates;
    
  • Official invitation letter from a Spanish citizen or foreign legal resident in Spain issued by the Police Department. You must submit the original invitation letter. Please add a copy of the host’s Spanish ID or passport and proof of legal residence if the host is not a Spanish citizen.
  • ​If trip is arranged by a tour operator or travel agency​:
  • Confirmation of booking of the trip;
  • Travel itinerary: Specifying hotels outlined day by day and including each location’s address, phone number and email.
  • For cruises: Itinerary with ports outlined day by day.​
    

7.- Travel medical insurance: The certificate of the Insurance Company must indicate: the applicant’s name, dates of coverage and the minimum coverage. 

The insurance must cover the costs of repatriation for medical reasons or death, as well as for urgent healthcare and/or emergency hospital treatment for the entire stay and throughout the Schengen area, with no deductibles and no copayments. 

Coverage must be of at least 30.000€, or its equivalent in local currency (approx. $32.000 USD). 

If the application is for a multiple entry visa, the health insurance must be valid for the first planned entry.  The applicant must undertake to purchase insurance for future trips.

An Insurance card is not accepted as proof of coverage.

9.- Proof of employment: 

• For employees: Updated employer letter indicating position, length of employment, position, wage or salary, and vacation period.
  
  
• For self-employed: Proof of self-employment and
  

• Most recent yearly income tax return(s);
• Last 3 corporate bank statements.
• Retirees: Proof confirming monthly retirement income.
• ​Students: Proof of enrollment (F1 student visa holders must submit a copy of the I-20 certificate).
  
• Business travelers: 
• Letter from their U.S.-based company indicating purpose and length of stay;
• ​Letter of invitation from the Spanish company or conference, or invitation letter from a host.​

10.- Disclaimer form. 

11.- Payment of the visa fee: Fees in 2024:

• ​General visa fee:
• General fee (citizens age 12 and over): $88
  
• Children of 6-11 years: $44​
  
• Children aged 5 and under: Exempt
• Countries subject to Visa Facilitation Agreements and reciprocities:
• Citizens of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Belarus:
  
• Citizens aged 12 and over: $38
  
• Children aged 11 and under: Exempt
  
• Citizens of Cabo Verde:
  
• Citizens aged 18 and over: $66
  
• Children of 12-17 years: $33
  
• Children aged 11 and under: Exempt
  
• Citizens of Gambia:
  
• Citizens aged 12 and over: $131
  
• Children aged 11 and under: Exempt
  
• Citizens of Albania, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine:
  
• Holders of non-biometric passports need a Schengen visa: $38
  
• Holders of biometric passports do not need a Schengen visa
  

Please be sure that you have all required documents before scheduling an appointment, as only complete applications with all requirements will be admitted.

Every applicant (including minors) must come to the BLS Office to submit the application in person.

Biometric data capturing: The applicant's facial image and fingerprints will be captured during the visa application procedure. Applicants under 12 and applicants whose fingerprints have been taken in the last 59 months are exempt from fingerprint taking. However, in the latter case, if the applicant's prints are of poor quality, the Consular Office will request that they come back in to have their fingerprints retaken​.

DATA PROTECTION