Spain Visa Guidelines
The Padnos International Center (PIC) provides the general information below as a service to GVSU students. We strive to maintain accurate information regarding visa procedures, however, changes to policies and procedures may occur frequently without our knowledge. Students are responsible for obtaining the appropriate visa for their program and must consult the consulate for the most up to date information on application procedures.
Please look over the visa information carefully and do not delay, as visa procedures are time sensitive.
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Do I need a visa? |
All students participating in study abroad programs in Spain longer than 90 days are required to apply for a student visa. Please note, if you will be in Spain longer than 180 days, you will have additional requirements that can lengthen the time is takes to receive a visa. |
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Processing Time and Visa Appointment |
Processing time is approximately 4-8 weeks from the date of application. All applicants must schedule and appointment and appear in person at BLS in Chicago to receive a visa. It is recommended that you schedule your appointment as soon as you have all of your required documents but within 90 days of your departure. Appointment slots fill up quickly and it can be challenging to get an appointment closer to your departure time. |
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BLS international - Visa Appointment |
The Consulate of Spain in Chicago is now outsourcing their visa application processing to a company called BLS international. This is where your visa application appointment will take place. Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person at BLS International Office. Appointments must be requested through the following link: https://blssoftwares.com/nationalVisa/appointments/appointment Address: BLS International 121 W Wacker Dr., Suite 1307 Chicago, IL 60601
NOTE: Appointments are very limited. Students have the option to choose a Prime Time appointment for an additional fee of $70 dollars if there are not appointments available in the time-frame necessary to receive a visa back in time, we would encourage students to choose this option. |
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BLS Contact Information |
Phone: +1 516-888-11690 Email: [email protected] |
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Estimated Cost |
$160, refer to the website of the consulate for updated fee information. Additional fees via BLS International add $60 dollars for a total of $220 in estimated fees. BLS prefers that students pay visa fees and additional fees with debit card or cash. |
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Previous Student Experience with BLS |
Click here for advice from a previous student on how to navigate the visa application process to Spain through BLS International in Chicago. Please note: The location of BLS has changed since this advice letter was made. |
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Consulate Resources |
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Nearest Consulate or Embassy |
This will NOT be where your appointment takes place but is the location for the Consulate in Chicago. Consulate of Spain in Chicago Chicago, Illinois 60601 |
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Consulate Contact Information |
E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (312) 782-4588 |
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Additional Information |
Students will need to purchase health insurance that meets the specific visa requirements. The travel insurance policy required by Padnos International Center for all GVSU students who study abroad, meets the visa requirements. Students' current personal insurance will not meet these requirements. Review the information regarding health insurance on the visa guidelines carefully.
Please note that if you are staying in Spain for more than 180 days, there are additional visa requirements including an FBI background check. The FBI background check can take 3-5 days to process electronically or 2-4 weeks by mail. The FBI background check must be current (issued within 4 months) when you apply for your student visa. The timing of this process will be important to make sure you apply for the FBI background check in plenty of time, but not too early that it will expire before you are ready to apply for your student visa. You must apply for your study visa within 90 days prior to your departure. You can find out more about the process on the FBI website. You will need to have an apostille for the background check from the State Department. Alternative to applying directly to the FBI for background check: Past students have been able to expedite the process of securing the FBI background check by utilizing the Fieldprint Services Team for an extra fee (currently $50). This service can provide a background check within 24 hrs of your appointment.
For programs over 180 days: Your visa will be issued for 90 days with multiple entries. No later than 30 days after arrival in Spain, you must request a Student Card (Tarjeta de Estudiante) at the Subdelegación del Gobierno (Oficina de Extranjeros), which will allow you to stay in the country for the duration of your program. You will need to submit the following documents when applying for the student card: - Original Medical Certificate - Original Criminal History Information/Police Background Check
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