The procedure necessary for candidates wishing to obtain a visa to stay in Spain for longer than 90 days used to be a straight forward process which could easily be done while in the country. However, it is now a little more complicated, especially as each Embassy and Consulate handles things differently. Please note that for our program, if you choose to get a visa, then you will be applying for a STUDENT VISA.

It is now necessary for you to obtain your student visa before you leave the States. It is no longer possible to get your visa once in Spain and you can't have it sent on to you. The visa, once issued, is fixed in your passport.

The process for obtaining your visa can take some time, so be prepared to apply for the Adelante program well ahead of time. As a general rule, if you know you will be pursuing the visa process, you should aim to apply for the visa at least 2 months ahead of your departure date. Consulates will accept your paperwork no later than 45 days prior to your departure date. Most of the Consulates now require you to apply in person, so you also need to take this into account if your Consulate is some distance from you.

Spanish Consulates

The first step in applying for your visa is to contact the Consulate that has jurisdiction over the State in which you live or where your permanent address is. This can be difficult - we have found that fax may work best.

Some Consulates now require you to make an appointment to submit your papers, be sure to check this in advance.

Los Angeles, Miami or San Francisco  If you are applying through the Spanish Consulate in Los Angeles, Miami or San Francisco you must now schedule your visa application appointment through VFS Global http://www.vfsglobal.com/Spain/usa/. Upon completion of the booking process through VFS Global, students will be provided with an “Interview Appointment Confirmation Letter” which they should present to the consulate along with their visa documents on the date of their appointments.  A fee of 6 Euros, payable only by Mastercard or Visa, will be due at the time of booking.

Click here for a list of Spanish consulates and their jurisdictions.

Required Documents

The documentation required for your application will vary with each Consulate so check the exact requirements with them. The list below will act as a guide to the documents you may need to provide.

• A completed visa application form plus three photocopies. Click here to download a copy of the Schengen Visa Application.
• Passport, plus 1 copy, valid for a minimum of 6 months. Your passport must be signed and must have a blank page to affix the visa.
• 4 recent color passport-size photos.
• Original and 1 copy of the Acceptance letter from Adelante addressed to the Consulate General, verifying full-time enrollment in an official University or School abroad. This should include verification of full payment of tuition, room, board, and full medical insurance coverage for the length of the program.
• Original and 1 copy of the letter of acceptance as a full time participant from the University or academic institution abroad. This letter must indicate the address of the center, specific dates and number of hours per week, type and level of the studies to be completed. Proof of available accommodation abroad, such as letter of invitation from the hosting family, University dorm reservation, etc.
• Verification of financial support: notarized letter from the student's parents explaining financial responsibility for the student while abroad (at least $350 per month of stay), copy of their last bank statements, and photocopy of the student's parents last Income Tax Return (pages 1 & 2 of the 1040 form).
• Original letter on doctor's letterhead and 1 photocopy, verifying that the student is in good physical and mental health, free from any contagious or infectious diseases and drug addictions.
• Airline tickets to and from Spain plus 1 photocopy. If the airline just provides e-tickets, proof of payment is necessary (i.e. credit card statement).
• Cash or money order only in the amount of $100 for visa fee (US citizens). This fee must be satisfied in the exact amount and is not refundable.

If you do not go to collect your passport and visa in person, and your Consulate allows this, then you can arrange for it to be sent to you. This may mean providing a pre-paid US Postal Service Express Mail-Overnight envelope. Again, check this with your Consulate.

For more information on student visas and Spanish Consulates in the USA, go to the Spanish Embassy website.

Please note that even though you obtain a student visa prior to departure, you will still be required to report to the nearest police station to your program abroad. You must do this within the first 90 days in the country. There, they will examine your visa and stamp it or give you other documentation showing you may stay up to the 6 months shown on your student visa. Because there have been so many changes recently, often the advice you receive from your Embassy or Consulate here will not coincide with what the police department abroad tells you. This is not a big deal, just be prepared for a variety of different procedures both here and abroad should you opt to obtain a student visa.