Know that not all students need a visa. If you have a valid passport and will be studying in Spain for less than 90 days, no visa is needed. Students who need to obtain a visa include American students who will be studying in the country for more than 90 days. Apply for a visa at the consulate in your jurisdiction, according to the Spanish Consulte in Chicago. Residents of Wisconsin, Michigan and other Midwestern states should apply to the Chicago consulate.
Gather materials needed for your visa application. Make certain that you have a valid passport. If you don't, apply for one via the State Department website. When applying for your visa, you must provide proof of residence by either showing your driver's license, state ID or voter registration card. Apply in person carrying a written notarized document with your name and passport number. Another person may drop it off, although that person must also show identification. Pick up the visa in person. Mail cannot be not used for applying.
Make your application early for your visa. Even 3 months in advance is not too soon, according to the Spanish Consulate in Chicago, since it takes over 6 weeks for the visa applications to be processed, and there is no expedited service.
Download a visa application for Schengen countries. These nations include most in Western Europe and some in Eastern Europe, like Romania and Greece. Make certain your passport is valid to within 1 year from the date of the visa application. Show proof of residence by the means listed in Section 1, Step 2. Have a recent standard passport photo of yourself.
Show proof of acceptance to the Spanish institution you will be studying at or the U.S. program you are part of. Demonstrate financial means to study abroad by showing a letter from the Spanish institution indicating that you have paid for everything in advance. A notarized letter from parents assuming financial support or a statement from your bank account are also acceptable ways to show financial means for your studies.
Provide proof of medical and accidental insurance with international coverage. A medical statement from your doctor is also required and should be issued no later than 3 months prior to your visa application, indicating your good physical and mental condition for overseas travel.
Pay a visa processing fee of $100 for U.S. students. If you are staying more than 6 months, provide a Certificate by Police Authorities for all the places you have lived in the last 5 years to indicate that you have no police record. If you are less than 18 years of age, a notarized authorization from both parents are needed, with an apostille of the Hague Convention and copy of your birth certificate with both parents' names. Get the apostille from the secretary of state from your state of residence.
