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, internships or voluntary work.
Activities for which a study visa may be obtained
- Full-time studies at an authorized school/University/program in Spain that will lead to the obtainment of a degree or certificate of studies.
- Doctorate studies.
Training activities.
Student mobility programmes for secondary education level at an officially recognized teaching or scientific centre.
Training placements at public or private bodies or entities that cannot be covered by internship visas.
Volunteer services of programmes pursuing public interest goals.
Au pair programmes.
Required documents for the student
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. 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 at least for the duration of the planned stay 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:
- Original and notarized copy of Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)
- Valid US visa plus a copy of the I-20 document.
- Holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence.
6. Acceptance letter issued by the school/University/program indicating:
- Student´s full name
- Passport number
- Initial and ending dates of the program (Maximum one scholar year)
- Minimum 20 hours per week
- Contact name, phone number and email of the person at the school
- For a non-remunerated internship or volunteer program, a signed agreem
7. 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.
8. Proof of Health insurance: From an insurance company recognized and authorized to operate in Spain. 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.
9. Consular visa fees Money order make 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.
FOR STAYS OVER 180 DAYS ADD:
10. Criminal record check certificate: Stating that applicants have no criminal records in the place where they have resided for the last five years. Applicants over 18 must present original and copy of the criminal record check certificate issued by the FBI and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC.
It cannot be older than 6 months from the application date and it must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.
Local State background checks and Apostilles are not valid.
11. Bilingual Medical certificate: Original and copy of a medical certificate, issued within the three months preceding the submission of the visa application, accrediting that the applicant does not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for public health pursuant th to 2005 International Health Regulations. Medical certificate template.
Required documents for family members
he following family members may obtain a visa to accompany the student:
- The spouse or unmarried partner that is legally registered.
- Children.
For each family member it will be necessary to submit:
The documents listed above as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9.
Documents constituting proof of Family relationship with the applicant:
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 apostilled, translated into Spanish by a certified translator and issued in the last 6 months. Commom-law marriage (informal marriage) also apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator will also be accepted.
When necessary to assess the application, the Consular Office may request additional documents or data and may also ask the applicant to come in for a personal interview
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
- 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 2 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 90 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).