Tips for Obtaining a Student Visa
Spanish Consulate in Washington, D.C.

     I found the process of obtaining a Student Visa to be far more difficult than I expected. They wanted more information than I ever thought possible, and had fiendishly difficult hours. In the end, however, everyone was very friendly.

I. Where
       The Spanish Consulate in Washington D.C. is the correct location to obtain a student Visa only for residents of D.C., Maryland, and West Virginia. (It is also the main Spanish Embassy to the U.S.) A visit to the website for the Spanish Embassy, at www.spainemb.org, will show residents of other states which Consulate they must go to. Use the search (buscar) option and type “student visa” in the blank marked “busqueda.” The Embassy/Consulate is located on at 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue, one block west of the Washington Circle, in NW D.C.. The Ferragut West metro stops empties onto 18th street, between K and I. The Embassy is about a ten minute walk from there, and K Street leads directly to the Circle. I found a cheap, laminated flipmap (www.universalmap.com) to be indispensable. You must appear in person under all but the most extreme of circumstances, in which case your parents may appear for you.

II. When
      This can be particularly tricky, due to the limited hours of operation. The Embassy is open for information between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, however the section that issues Visas is open only from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Rush hour traffic and a crowded metro can make this a tough window to make.

       According to the website, requests for student Visas will not be accepted more than 90 days before the departure date, or less than 15 business days beforehand. In my case, they were sympathetic, and assured me the Visa would be ready in as few as 3 business days, but be advised.

      Finally, this process must take place before you leave, as you cannot obtain the Visa while in Spain, and cannot have it mailed to you.

III. What
     This is by far the most difficult task, and caused me a lot of stress. When I called their information number, (202) 728-2330, I listened to a recording that was different from their website, so I will list exactly what I was personally asked for while in person at the Embassy:

  1. A signed, valid passport (for at least six months), as well as 2 photocopies of the passport. Be advised that the embassy holds your passport while they process your request. Several signs were posted that said “We do NOT make photocopies here.”
  2. 3 passport photos. (Not four.) The website is adamant that these be genuine ID photos, and that they be reasonably recent as well. One will be affixed to your application, the other two to the carbon copies of the application.
  3. A letter from the University you are studying through, addressed to the Consulate of Spain. I had my acceptance letters, but the requirement is that the letter be directed specifically to the “Consulate General of Spain.” This letter must state that you have been accepted to an official Spanish University or school, and must also state that your tuition has been paid. You must have 2 photocopies of the letter as well.
  4. A letter from a medical doctor, printed on doctor’s stationary, indicating that you are free of yellow fever, the plague, and cholera. It must also state specifically that you do not have any mental illnesses or drug addictions. The medical doctor must sign this letter. Again, you will need 2 photocopies of this document.
  5. Your insurance card, and 2 photocopies of it.
  6. One of the following:
    1. Letter from the study abroad program assuming full financial responsibility for your tuition, room and board for the duration of your stay in Spain. Although I didn’t have this method, I would guess that they would want the 2 photocopies once again.
    2. A minimum of $350.00 in travelers’ cheques for each month of your stay in Spain, and 2 photocopies of the pages you received with travelers’ cheques that list their values and serial numbers.
    3. Proof of having received financial aid or scholarship covering expenses for tuition, room, board, and personal expenses during the stay in Spain (minimum $350 per month.) Again, although I don’t know for sure, I would bring 2 photocopies along with the original.
    4. A notarized letter from your parents assuming full financial responsibility for you  for at least $350 per month of stay in Spain. At the risk of being repetitive, I would advise that you bring 2 photocopies of this as well.
  7. $45.00 in either cash or money order. This is the processing fee. They do not take credit cards or checks, however they were nice enough to let me endorse one of the travelers’ cheques to pay the fee.
     

IV. How
     Applications for the student Visa are in English and Spanish, but many of the questions were worded rather strangely, and several didn’t have to be filled out. The lady who took care of me was kind and very patient, and walked me through several of the items.

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