STUDENT VISA INSTRUCTIONS

 

I.                    General Info

 

·         The following consulates accept applications from students studying in the jurisdiction of the consulate: Boston, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami and New Orleans.

o        Ex.: This means that if a student is studying in Boston, he/she can apply in Boston although his/her permanent residency is in San Francisco.

 

·         The following consulates will mail the visas back- Boston, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles.

 

·         Consulates that accept legal representatives to turn in the visa application: Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, San Francisco.

 

·         To obtain a visa a student must be enrolled full time, which is 20 hours a week.

 

·         If granted, the visa will be valid for the time requested by the student provided it is less than 180 days. The authorized stay allowed is printed in the visa (del…., al… ) Note order of dates in Europe: day/month/year. The term: “90 days” of duration of stay that you will find printed is not applicable.

 

·         Full-year students- The new Spanish regulation states that the Spanish Student Residency Card (tarjeta de residencia o estudiante) must start to be processed in the first month of permanency in Spain if you stay in Spain more than 180 days.  The authorities will check the stamp that the students get when arriving into Customs in Spain.  Therefore, the student has one month from the date on the stamp.

 

·         Short stay (90 day maximum): NO visa is required for US passport-holders, as well as for some other nationalities. YOU NEED A VISA if your nationality does not appear on this link: http://www.consulate-spain-chicago.com/visa_yes.htm

 

·         Long stay (more than 90 days): A visa is required for all nationalities, except citizens of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

 

·         Your visa allows you to transit in Schengen countries to and from Spain for a maximum of 5 days (total).  If you plan to visit other countries ALWAYS check the entry requirements to those countries

 

II.  Where and how to apply-

 

1.       Apply in person or by a legal representative (written, notarized authorization needed). Applications received by mail cannot be accepted.

 

2.       Applications will not be accepted more than 90 days in advance or less than 30 days prior to departure.

 

3.       Visas for the student’s dependants (spouse and children of under 18 years of age) may be requested simultaneously.

 

4.       If the student is under 18 years of age a letter of authorization from the parents is required. See details below, number 12, section III.

 

III. Documents required.

 

1.   Three Schengen application forms:. The application forms must be signed and filled out in print and then copied.

 

2.   Three passport photos: Staple one recent standard passport-size photograph to each application form.

 

3.   Passport and ID (original form + copy): Passport valid for the intended period of stay in Spain, with at least one blank page to affix the visa.

 

-     Provide also either of the following: US Driver´s license, US State ID card, Voter´s Registration Card, current Student ID.

 

4.   Acceptance letter (original form): Letter of acceptance as a full-time student from the Spanish University/School or US Program, indicating: name, address, and registration number of the school with the Ministry of Education of Spain; full payment of tuition; duration of the program; subjects of study; hours of study per week -20, at least; and that your studies will lead to a Bachelor’s or Graduate degree.

 

5.   Evidence of funds (original form): Provide one of the following:

 

·         Statement from the Spanish University/School or US Program assuming full financial responsibility for room and board (commonly included in the “Letter of Acceptance”).

·         Proof of financial aid or scholarship of at least $1,000 per month of stay, for room and board.

·         Notarized letter of parents/custodians, assuming full financial responsibility for at least $1,000 per month of stay, for room and board. Suggested wording: “I hereby certify that I the (father, mother, other) of (…), will support him/her with a monthly allowance of $1,000 while he/she is in Spain and that I am financially responsible for any emergency that may arise”.

·         Personal financial statements for at least $1,000 per month of stay.

 

5.       Health insurance (original form): Provide evidence of medical/accidental insurance with international coverage for the intended period of stay in Spain at a minimum of 30,000 € (or its equivalent in dollars). An insurance card by itself is not sufficient.

 

6.       Visa fee: Money Order or cash. No personal checks, no credit cards. The visa fee is not refundable.

 

- US passport holders: $100.00

- Non-US passport holders: $63.72

 

7.       Self-addressed postal envelope: for your passport to be returned by mail, bring a pre-paid self-addressed express mail envelope of USPS/UPS/DHS/Fedex. No other courier service is accepted. Tracking of mailed items is the responsibility of the applicant.

 

9.   Evidence of Immigration Status in the US (Non-US passport holders only): Provide an “Alien Registration Card” or a US Visa with I-20/IAP-66.

 

10.   Certificate of “Absence of Police Records” (staying over 180 days only; original form): Police authorities of all places where applicant resided during the last five years must certify as to the absence of police records in that period of time. This certificate must be legalized with the “Apostille of the Hague Convention” (contact the Secretary of State of the state where it is issued). If the country is not the US, the certificate must be legalizaed by the Spanish Consulate in that country.

 

11.   Medical certificate (staying over 180 days only; original form): A doctor´s recent statement on doctor´s or medical center´s letterhead, indicating that the student has been examined and found in good physical and mental health to travel and study abroad, and free of contagious diseases.

 

12.   Letter of authorization (if under 18 years of age; original form). Notarized, written authorization of parents/custodians.

 

13.   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).

 

a.       For stays over 180 days it is not mandatory to have a confirmed return flight; the ending date of your studies specified on the letter from the University in Spain or U.S program will be considered your return date.