Visas

Visas are required for all students planning on studying during the Fall or Spring semester.  If you are planning on attending the summer session you will not need a visa unless you plan to be there for more than 90 days. Students are responsible for collecting all required material.  The study abroad office will bring all visa applications to the Spanish Consulate as a group as long as all requirements are fulfilled by intended deadline.  Below is the website for the Consulate General of Spain in Chicago, Illinois.

http://www.consulate-spain-chicago.com/

Don’t hesitate to get your information together ahead of time for the visa.  Carefully follow the application requirements found on their website or shown below.  It is important that all requirements are met.  Further information on this procedure will be discussed in meetings prior to departure.

Click to Download Schengen Visa Application

Requirements

To apply for a student visa you should provide ALL of the following (all documents must be originals unless indicated otherwise):         

1.      Schengen Visa Application Form, (US Citizens: 1 PHOTOCOPY; Non-US Citizens: 3 PHOTOCOPIES). Before being copied, the form must be signed and filled out in print. Illegible or incomplete forms cannot be accepted. Information on date of arrival and departure from Spain in #30 and #31 are essential. Provide the original, plus a photocopy.

2.     US citizens: Original Passport signed by the bearer and still valid for at least 1 more year from the date of application, with at least one blank page to affix the visa. Make sure to sign it!

Non-US citizens: Foreign Passport signed by the bearer and still valid for at least 1 more year from the date of application, with at least one blank page to affix the visa, plus “Alien Registration Card” or a U.S. Visa with I-20 / IAP-66.

3.      Proof of residence in this Consulate´s: Photocopy of ONE of the following: U.S. Driver’s License, U.S. State ID Card or Voter’s Registration Card. Make sure copy is legible/clear

4.      Recent standard passport  photographs: US citizens: 2 photos; Non-US citizens: 4 photos. Staple one photograph to each visa form.

5.      Proof of admission to Spanish Academic Center as a full-time student, from the Spanish Center or U.S program, indicating nature of studies and registration number of the center of studies with the Ministry of Education (if not registered, state so) You will get this letter when you come to the WSU study abroad office.

6.      Proof of financial means for the period of stay in Spain, at a minimum rate of $350.00 per month. Proof could be:

·  Letter from the Institution organizing the studies stating educational and living expenses have been paid for in advance, or

·  Notarized letter of parents/custodians, assuming financial responsibility while student is in Spain, or

·  Current statement of student’s bank account. original

7.      Proof of Medical/Accidental Insurance with international coverage, for the intended period of stay in Spain.

Original Copy

8.      Medical Statement (only if your stay is for more than 6 months ) : a doctor’s recent statement (issued within 3 months from the application date), 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. (Have your doctor say this specifically)

9.      Non-refundable visa processing fee US citizens: $100.00. Non-US citizens: $79.20. Paid by Money Order ONLY (payable to the Consulate General of Spain). Cash or personal checks CANNOT be accepted  Go to your bank or post office for money order 

10.    If period of study in Spain is longer than 6 months, Certificate (s) by Police authorities of ALL PLACES where applicant resided during the last five years, as to the absence of police record. If the country is not the U.S., the certificate must be legalized by the Spanish Consulate in that country. You will be issued a 90 day visa with one entry, and once in Spain, you will have to request –within a month upon arrival– from the Spanish Police, an authorization to extend your stay until completion of studies, and the pertinent ID card. This only applies if you are staying longer than one semester

If the period of study is less than 6 months, no Police Certificate is needed. The visa will be issued for 6 months with multiple entries and will allow the student to stay in Spain for the duration of studies up to 6 months.

11. For applicants under 18 years of age, a notarized authorization from both parents, with the Apostille of the Hague Convention (contact the Secretary of State for your state of residency) and a copy of the applicant’s birth certificate showing parents’ names.