Spanish Student Visa Process
Information accurate as of January 2024
Important Upcoming Dates
Attending a visa information session is mandatory for program participation. The same information will be shared at both session, so you only need to attend one.
Spain Visa Info Sessions:
Visa Batch Submission Days:
Location: GPS Office in Reynolda 116
Time: 9am - 12pm and 1pm - 4pm (We will close for lunch from 12 - 1pm)
Spain Visa Info Sessions:
- Tuesday, March 26, 2024 (4:00pm in the ZSR Library Auditorium)
- Wednesday, March 27, 2024 (4:00pm in the ZSR Library Auditorium)
Visa Batch Submission Days:
- Tuesday, April 23, 2024: Last names A - F only
- Wednesday, April 24, 2024: Last names G - L only
- Thursday, April 25, 2024: Last names M - R only
- Friday, April 26, 2024: Last names S - Z only
Location: GPS Office in Reynolda 116
Time: 9am - 12pm and 1pm - 4pm (We will close for lunch from 12 - 1pm)
How You Can Apply for Your Visa:
Option 1: WFU Batch Processing
1. Make sure your passport is valid. If it is not, let your advisor know ASAP.
2. Attend a visa meeting.
3. Prepare your documents for Visa Submission Days.
4. Submit your documents to the GPS Office on Visa Submission Days and we attend an in-person appointment BLS Washington DC for you.
5. After processing, a study abroad staff member will collect your passport in-person on your behalf in Washington DC
5. Your passport (with the visa stamp inside) will be mailed to an address of your choice.
Detailed information on batch processing can be found here.
Option 2: Individual Submission to the BLS Washington DC Office
1. Make sure your passport is valid. If it is not, let your advisor know ASAP.
2. Attend a visa meeting.
3. Prepare your documents to submit BLS Washington DC Office.
4. Schedule your IN-PERSON appointment to submit your visa application.
5. After processing, you will be notified when your passport (with the visa stamp inside) is ready to be collected IN-PERSON in Washington DC.
Detailed information on Individual Submission can be found here.
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As a Wake Forest student, you are eligible to apply to only 2 Spanish Consulate locations:
Note: The New York Consulate has been known to turn away WFU students in the past to push them towards their school jurisdiction even if they have a permanent address within the New York Consulate.
1. Make sure your passport is valid. If it is not, let your advisor know ASAP.
2. Attend a visa meeting.
3. Prepare your documents for Visa Submission Days.
4. Submit your documents to the GPS Office on Visa Submission Days and we attend an in-person appointment BLS Washington DC for you.
5. After processing, a study abroad staff member will collect your passport in-person on your behalf in Washington DC
5. Your passport (with the visa stamp inside) will be mailed to an address of your choice.
Detailed information on batch processing can be found here.
Option 2: Individual Submission to the BLS Washington DC Office
1. Make sure your passport is valid. If it is not, let your advisor know ASAP.
2. Attend a visa meeting.
3. Prepare your documents to submit BLS Washington DC Office.
4. Schedule your IN-PERSON appointment to submit your visa application.
5. After processing, you will be notified when your passport (with the visa stamp inside) is ready to be collected IN-PERSON in Washington DC.
Detailed information on Individual Submission can be found here.
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As a Wake Forest student, you are eligible to apply to only 2 Spanish Consulate locations:
- Based on your school jurisdiction: Wake Forest University/North Carolina falls under the Washington DC Spanish Consulate. The information shared from our office relates to this location only.
- Based on your permanent residence: This address must be displayed on your driver’s license or other form of identification. You are responsible for researching the requirements on other Spanish Consulate locations as they vastly differ from one another. You can find consular locations on the map below. Click on the map to see consular jurisdiction and contact information.
Note: The New York Consulate has been known to turn away WFU students in the past to push them towards their school jurisdiction even if they have a permanent address within the New York Consulate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I fill out the National Visa Application?
A. A step by step instruction sheet can be found here.
Q. Where can I get a money order?
A. Money orders can be done through Western Union at many local grocery stores and at local post offices. You can google “Money order Winston-Salem” to get a list of locations.
Q. How long does it usually take to get a visa?
A. Typically it takes 4-6 weeks. During low volume times it could be as short as 3 weeks and during high volume times it could take 8+ weeks to get your visa. The process and timeframe is solely up to the discretion of the consulate.
Q. What if I’m traveling internationally prior to my program start?
A. Traveling prior to the program start date is NOT recommended. Students who decide to travel internationally prior to the program start date should contact their advisor ASAP. We encourage all students to apply as soon as they are able, as processing times are typically between 4-6 weeks, but could take 8+. Students without visas by the program start date will lose their space on the program and we may not be able to accommodate them on Reynolda Campus. If you have international travel plans over summer or winter break you should speak to your advisor immediately.
Q. What will this process look like if the program is cancelled or I withdraw from the program?
A. Visa fees are non-refundable, as they are paid to the BLS Office. If the program is cancelled or a student withdraws from the program after applying for a visa, the fees will not be refunded.
Q. Will the visa allow us to travel throughout the European Union?
A. Traditionally the visa does allow travel throughout Europe, but any current COVID policies or restrictions related to travel take precedence over normal operations.
Q. Can I arrive in Europe before my program starts for independent travel?
A. According to new regulations, you cannot enter Spain earlier than 15 days prior to the start of your program. Should you decide to travel in Europe prior to the program start, it is your responsibility to make sure you know entry/travel requirements between European countries, and to make sure that you can start your program on time.
Q. If I have a passport from a country in the European Union do I need to apply for a visa?
A. No, according to the Embassy of Spain in Washington, DC, citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland do not require a visa.
Q. Since Brexit, do UK passport holders need a visa to study in Spain?
A. Yes, UK passport holders will now need to obtain a visa to study in Spain. Visit the Consulate of Spain in London page for more information.
Q. Is there a way to expedite my visa application to receive it earlier?
A. No. None of the Consulates offer an expedited option, nor will they provide a status of your application. If you need your passport back by a certain date, our suggestion is to submit your visa application as soon as it is allowed to do so.
Q. I made a mistake writing on my money order. Can I scratch it out or use whiteout?
A. No. Any alterations or corrections made on a money order make it subject to be ineligible to be cashed out. If you made a mistake writing on your money order, we suggest you get a new one. See below for a visual on how to properly fill out your money order.
A. A step by step instruction sheet can be found here.
Q. Where can I get a money order?
A. Money orders can be done through Western Union at many local grocery stores and at local post offices. You can google “Money order Winston-Salem” to get a list of locations.
Q. How long does it usually take to get a visa?
A. Typically it takes 4-6 weeks. During low volume times it could be as short as 3 weeks and during high volume times it could take 8+ weeks to get your visa. The process and timeframe is solely up to the discretion of the consulate.
Q. What if I’m traveling internationally prior to my program start?
A. Traveling prior to the program start date is NOT recommended. Students who decide to travel internationally prior to the program start date should contact their advisor ASAP. We encourage all students to apply as soon as they are able, as processing times are typically between 4-6 weeks, but could take 8+. Students without visas by the program start date will lose their space on the program and we may not be able to accommodate them on Reynolda Campus. If you have international travel plans over summer or winter break you should speak to your advisor immediately.
Q. What will this process look like if the program is cancelled or I withdraw from the program?
A. Visa fees are non-refundable, as they are paid to the BLS Office. If the program is cancelled or a student withdraws from the program after applying for a visa, the fees will not be refunded.
Q. Will the visa allow us to travel throughout the European Union?
A. Traditionally the visa does allow travel throughout Europe, but any current COVID policies or restrictions related to travel take precedence over normal operations.
Q. Can I arrive in Europe before my program starts for independent travel?
A. According to new regulations, you cannot enter Spain earlier than 15 days prior to the start of your program. Should you decide to travel in Europe prior to the program start, it is your responsibility to make sure you know entry/travel requirements between European countries, and to make sure that you can start your program on time.
Q. If I have a passport from a country in the European Union do I need to apply for a visa?
A. No, according to the Embassy of Spain in Washington, DC, citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland do not require a visa.
Q. Since Brexit, do UK passport holders need a visa to study in Spain?
A. Yes, UK passport holders will now need to obtain a visa to study in Spain. Visit the Consulate of Spain in London page for more information.
Q. Is there a way to expedite my visa application to receive it earlier?
A. No. None of the Consulates offer an expedited option, nor will they provide a status of your application. If you need your passport back by a certain date, our suggestion is to submit your visa application as soon as it is allowed to do so.
Q. I made a mistake writing on my money order. Can I scratch it out or use whiteout?
A. No. Any alterations or corrections made on a money order make it subject to be ineligible to be cashed out. If you made a mistake writing on your money order, we suggest you get a new one. See below for a visual on how to properly fill out your money order.
Relevant Links
Washington DC BLS Office
Spain US Consulates Page
Visa Application
Parent/Guardian Financial Support Letter
Spain US Consulates Page
Visa Application
Parent/Guardian Financial Support Letter