GENERAL INFORMATION
An applicant will be considered an “au pair" when there is a collaborative, and not a working, relationship with the family characterized by the following:
- The au pair will have the same address of the family with whom she/he will live;
- Services or housework is only complimentary to the main purpose;
- The au pair will not receive a salary for services;
- The applicant must be between 17 and 30 years of age.
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
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
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 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 1 month from the day the Consular Section forwards the documents 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 6 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.
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, for example, 15 days before the beginning of the studies; in this case, make sure that your insurance policy covers your whole period of intended stay in Spain.
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: Original and photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must be valid for at least the requested time of stay 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 acceptance for the study: Copy of the official letter of admission as a student at an authorized education center in Spain.
- In case of enrolment in a Spanish language school, the center must be officially recognized by the Instituto Cervantes.
- The letter of admission has to be issued in Spain, must be written in Spanish, and addressed to this Consular Section.
- It must verify enrolment at an accredited school, leading to obtain a certificate or degree.
- This letter must mention: Name and duration of the program. The duration of the program and the au pair activity must be around the same time. The student must be registered full time and successfully complete the program
- The student must be registered full time (minimum 20 hours per week) and successfully complete the program.
7.- Au pair contract signed by the family and Au pair and legitimized (“legitimación") by a Notary in Spain (in Spanish) or a Notarized statement from the host family stating the conditions mentioned below. The statement must be signed by the host family before a notary public in Spain. The contract should contain:
- Duration of the placement agreement, with a maximum of one year;
- Participation in services or chores, no more than 5 hours a day;
- Provision of one full day off per week: At least one of the days off each month will be a Sunday and the au pair must be given the best facilities possible to participate in religious activities;
- The address which the placed "au pair" will share with the host family, and enjoy a certain degree of independence;
- Commitment of the host family to allow the person sufficient time to attend language courses and to improve their cultural and professional knowledge;
- The pocket money concept (amount that the au pair will receive monthly);
- The agreement must allow both parties to terminate the contract by giving a two weeks notice.
8.- Proof of financial means: The applicant must provide documents certifying that he/she (or the legal representative or relative that supports him/her) has sufficient financial means to cover the expenses of the au pair’s stay and return.
The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of Spain's IPREM (Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator) for the au pair.
If the au pair is traveling to Spain alone, the minimum required amount in 2023 is 700 USD per month.
The IPREM indicator changes every year. In 2023 the IPREM is: 100% = 600€ (approx. $700).
If the provided documentation certifies that accommodations for the entire length of the au pair’s stay have been paid for in advance, this amount will be deducted.
At least one of the following documents must be submitted:
- Documentation proving the issuance of financial aid, loans, scholarships, or other economic aid that covers the minimum amount required. If the original documents are in English, a translation into Spanish 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 do not need to be photocopied or translated into Spanish.
- 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 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.
9.- Health insurance: Proof of public or private health insurance contracted with an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain. 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.
WHEN LENGTH OF STAY EXCEEDS 180 DAYS (for stays of more than 180 days, points 10 and 11 must also be submitted):
10.- Medical certificate: Applicants who apply for a visa for a stay of more than 180 days must submit the original and a copy of the medical certificate demonstrating the applicant does not suffer from drug addiction, mental health issues or any 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:
Medical certificate template - 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.
11.- Criminal record check certificate: Applicants of legal age (18 years old and older) who apply for a student visa for a stay of more than 180 days must submit the original and a photocopy (not notarized) 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). We do not accept State or Local Police Background Checks.
- The background check must be issued within the 6 months preceding the submission of the visa application.
- Criminal background checks must be authenticated with the Hague Apostille. We do not accept background checks without the Hague Apostille.
- The apostille must certify the signature on the Criminal Background check, not other signatures (e.g. we don’t accept apostilles that certify the signature of a notary that stamps a seal on the criminal background check).
- Criminal background checks must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish by a sworn/certified translator. The official translation can include the translation of the Apostille as well, but it is not necessary (the translation does not need an Apostille and the Apostille does not need a translation).
- You can find certified translators through the AMERICAN TRANSLATORS ASSOCIATION
- The criminal background check will not be accepted if it has been altered or damaged in any way, including damage caused by removing staples.
If the applicant has spent more than 6 months (more than 180 days) during the last 5 years in another country (outside the USA) an additional criminal background check from every country of residence must be provided. The criminal background checks must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague, unless it is issued by an EU member state. The criminal background check issued by an EU authority does not need to be apostilled to be accepted. If the country in which the applicant has lived in the past 5 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 this country. The background check must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (if the original is not written in Spanish).
Please submit the original and a photocopy of all the documents: Background check, Apostille and official translation
13.- Payment of the visa fee: Payment made to BLS. Non-refundable.
- For US citizens: $160
- For citizens of Australia: $476
- For citizens of the UK:
- For stays shorter than 180 days: $88
- For stays longer than 180 days: $440
- For citizens of Bangladesh: $99
- For citizens of Ethiopia:
- For stays shorter than 180 days: $88
- For stays longer than 180 days: $510
- For citizens of Mauritania: $263
- For all other citizens: $88
Visa fees are revised quarterly according to current exchange rates and can be subject to changes.
PROCEDURE
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 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: Visa applications must be submitted sufficiently in advance of the beginning of the study programs, as the procedure entails consultations with other authorities.
It is possible to apply for a Student visa from 6 months before the beginning of the study program.
The complete process time can take 1 month since the application is received in the Consular Office. Please allow a minimum of 5 weeks between the day you submit the complete application with all the required documents to BLS and the day you expect to collect the visa in BLS.
The intended day of entry can be several days before the beginning of the studies, in this case, make sure that your insurance policy covers your whole period of stay in Spain.
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.
To find more information and schedule an appointment for Student visas in BLS Spain Visa Application Center in Washington DC, please follow the link: BLS Spain Visa Application Center
Please note that there are different sections for Schengen visas and for National visas appointments.
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 1 month from the day after the Consular Office forwards the documents in the visa system (not 1 month after 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 the duration of the studies 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 Foreigner Identity Card.
- If the duration of the studies exceeds 180 days (more than 180 days), the visa will be valid for 90 days. You must enter Spain during the period of validity of the visa. Upon entry and within the first 30 days, applicants must request a Foreigner Identity Card or TIE (“Tarjeta de Identificación de Extranjeros”) at the Immigration Office ("Oficina de Extranjería") in Police Headquarters of the city where class is being attended. 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.