Applying for a student visa through the Consulate General of Spain in Chicago

Hola! I’m Angeline Barthel. I am a Global Studies and Spanish double major attending Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN. This fall I will be spending an entire academic year in Seville, Spain. Crazy, right? To record my adventures, I have decided to write a bi-weekly blog.

Time is key

Every study abroad experience requires preparation. Currently, I am in the process of getting my student visa. The student visa is, without a doubt, the most important document other than a passport that I will need. Of course, important documents require lots of time and patience. Since I am studying abroad with a program that is over 180 days, I was required to attain a student visa in addition to an authorized background check and a medical certificate to demonstrate that I have no criminal background and am disease-free.

Woo hoo! … Just kidding. Getting a visa is not easy nor exciting. It is a complex process in which you must set aside ample time to prepare for. When I was researching the visa process online, I thought I would find more blogs that provided me with practical tips, but I only saw a hand full with outdated information. I am hoping that whoever reads this will find this post helpful and inspire others to travel to Spain.

Anxiously applying for the visa

I went through the Chicago consulate, which is fortunately only about an hour from my hometown in Indiana. To schedule an appointment, I went onto the consulate’s website where they have a fast and easy scheduling system. However, the consulate’s openings are not necessarily flexible. I recommend scheduling or at least checking online openings at least three weeks prior to the desired date. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that a visa can begin processing only ninety days prior to the beginning of the study abroad/university program.

Gathering documents

Prior to the appointment, I needed to gather all documents (which can be found at this link http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/CHICAGO/es/ServiciosConsulares/Serviciosconsularesenchicago/Documents/documentosvisados/estudiante.pdf ) in original form plus one copy. Most of the documents that the Chicago consulate requires are self-explanatory, but I felt some of the more complex materials could use further explanation. As I was gathering my documents, there were certainly times where I felt frustrated. I was so worried that one of my documents, the medical certificate, was not going to pass as “official” enough by the consulate. However, it was my criminal history information/police background check that caused issues for me instead.

1. Criminal history information/police background check

The consulate provides two methods to attain a verified background check: 1) State Department of Justice and 2) FBI Records. I took the first route, the State Department of Justice. My fingerprints were taken, and later in the mail I received a notarized and gold sealed letter stating that I am free of any criminal background. However, when I went to my consulate appointment, they said that I needed an additional document, called an apostille. I thought that the apostille was the gold seal on my background check letter, but it was not. After my appointment, I contacted the Indiana Secretary of State to acquire the apostille where they gave me clear instructions how to acquire it. This is a handy website: http://www.in.gov/sos/business/2377.htm

1. Medical certificate: a recent doctor’s statement indicating that the applicant has been examined and found free of any contagious disease according to the International Regulation 2005. Signed by a M.D.

There was no specific form that I was required to fill out for the consulate, and my doctor’s office did not know how to demonstrate I was free of communicable diseases other than giving me a blood test. I asked my doctor to provide me with a typed note saying that I’m good and healthy. I understand that some consulates require a specific statement and a Spanish translated copy of this medical certificate, which was why I was freaking out.

The actual appointment

I was expecting the Chicago consulate to be a bit more decorated, but the room was relatively small and plain. There is a designated seating area and three bank-teller type stalls. Applicants exchange documents at these stalls. It was easy and simple aside from missing an apostille. The whole appointment took no more than twenty minutes. The consulate workers were very helpful and kind, which I appreciated especially since they probably get a lot of anxious travelers (like myself).