Immigration Process

The Office of Study Abroad will send you several detailed emails about steps you need to take to obtain your student visa starting approximately 6 months before your departure for Spain. Visa requirements are always subject to change, but here are some general comments about what to expect: 

 You must complete everything ON TIME or else you might jeopardize your ability to go abroad due to Spanish Government restrictions.

• The visa is the student’s responsibility, meaning that if students do not get it, it is a liability incurred by the student as per the Study Abroad Contract. However, due to the complex nature of the process, we help you as best we can. This includes submitting and retrieving all application materials to the Spanish Consulate, also known as “batch processing.” We will do this process in Boston if the Boston Consulate of Spain allows it, regardless of your home state.

• Please keep in mind that nothing our office solicits during the visa process is required by Holy Cross, but rather by the government of Spain. We do not make any of these rules, but guide you through the regulations. As always, we are advising you to the best of our ability, but we have no sway over the consulate of Spain, the Spanish Government, State or Federal Governments. 

• If you are not a U.S. citizen, or if you have international travel plans over the summer, please notify the Office of Study Abroad immediately so we can guide you through the process.

• Expect changes and updates. All updates, instructions and materials will be sent out to you via email.

• We highly suggest you involve your parents/guardian and that you share all visa and study abroad information with them as well. Please have a conversation with them to talk about your shared responsibilities. If you do not have a guardian who can help you with the visa process, please let me know and I will work with you.

• The Consulate reserves the right to solicit additional documentation.

Spanish Visa Process Overview: Fall 2026 Cohort

Due Date: March 26th, 2026

Warning: you are not guaranteed a visa. Visa decisions are discretionary, and Holy Cross is not responsible for the outcome of your application.

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/boston/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-de-estudios.aspx

General Comments

• Please complete everything ON TIME or else you might jeopardize your ability to go abroad due to Spanish Government restrictions.

• The visa is the student’s responsibility, as outlined in the Study Abroad Contract. However, we support you throughout the process by answering questions, providing instructions, and sharing relevant information.

• Please keep in mind that nothing listed below is required by Holy Cross, but rather by the government of Spain. We do not make any of these rules, but guide you through the regulations. As always, we are advising you to the best of our ability, but we have no sway over the consulate of Spain, the Spanish Government, State or Federal Governments. 

• If you are not a U.S. citizen, or if you have international travel plans over the next few months, please notify the Office of Study Abroad immediately so we can guide you through the process. You should not plan to travel internationally between now and your departure for Spain.

• Expect changes and updates. All updates, instructions and materials will be sent out to you via email.

• We highly suggest you involve your parents/guardian and that you share all visa and study abroad information with them as well. Please have a conversation with them to talk about your shared responsibilities. If you do not have a guardian who can help you with the visa process, please let me know and I will work with you.

• The Consulate reserves the right to solicit additional documentation.

• This visa process is discretionary, meaning it could be denied for any reason. 

• Holy Cross is not responsible for the outcome of your application. In the recent past, a handful of students have had their visas denied at the sole discretion of Extranjería in Spain through no fault of their own, our office, or our partners abroad. As such, there is a possibility that your visa could be denied or significantly delayed.

• If your visa application is denied, we will try to offer you an alternative program in Spain that is less than 90 days. This alternative is not guaranteed. Additionally, the academic offerings in a 90 day program significantly differ from semester offerings and may not suit every major. 

• All students who wish to study abroad in Spain must be prepared for the reality that their visa could be denied, and they may, as a result, need to remain at Holy Cross for the fall semester. 

• Important: You cannot travel internationally while your visa is being processed. Do not plan or schedule any international travel between April 1st and your departure for Spain. 

Below, you will find a list of items you need to gather by March 26th, 2026. Once you gather items one through twelve, please email Emma to schedule an appointment to review your materials. Appointments are available upon request until March 26th, 2026. Please be advised that you should gather these documents as quickly as possible, and plan to see me BEFORE March 26th. 

Items Provided by Students

1. Two professional passport-sized photographs. 

RECENT passport-size, in color, with a light background, taken from the front, without dark glasses, reflections, or clothing that hides the oval of the face. You need to get this done professionally- try CVS, Walmart, or Walgreens. Sign and date the back of each photo. 

2. Valid and current passport 

With at least 2 blank pages and valid until at least July 2028. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted. 

3. Color copy of your Holy Cross Student ID Card, signed & dated in BLUE INK and notarized 

You can come to my office (Smith 331) to make these copies (please email me first). Tammi Valeri (tvaleri@holycross.edu |Smith 334) is a notary. You can stop by her office on Thursdays between 2 and 4pm to have your ID scan notarized. 

4. Notarized letter of financial support from Parent/Guardian, signed in BLUE INK ORIGINAL & COPY 

See sample here | See blank/fillable version here

You need to provide a notarized letter from your parents or legal guardians assuming full financial responsibility for at least $1000 per month while you are away. Please note- this letter is a FORMALITY. Your parents do not actually need to give you $1000 per month. Holy Cross takes care of paying for your room, board and tuition, however the Spanish consulate still requires this letter. Be advised that your parents need to sign this letter in front of a notary- they can find a notary in their hometown, wherever that may be, at a bank or post office. 

5. Personal Bank statements from December, January, and February showing access to at least $3500. If your personal bank statements do not reflect this amount, you may provide bank statements from the Parent/Guardian who completed step 4, so long as that Parent/Guardian has the same last name as you.

Bank statements must show the name of the account holder. Please note, you’ll eventually need to also provide me your bank statement for March, but you won’t have this until early April. I’ll send you an email reminder when the time comes!

6. Original birth certificate & copy 

This is to prove that the Parent/Guardian who helped you with steps 4 and 5 is legally your Parent/Guardian

7. Disclaimer form​, signed in BLUE INK ORIGINAL & COPY 

See sample here | See blank/fillable version here

8. Medical Certificate

Original and copy of a medical certificate accrediting that "the applicant does not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for public health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations." your doctor MUST print this on OFFICIAL LETTERHEAD. Alert: A PA or RN CANNOT complete this form- it must be a DOCTOR

 See sample here | See blank/fillable version here. 

9. FBI Background check in English (see instructions below)

10. FBI Background check in Spanish (see instructions below)

11. Apostille of the Hague for FBI Background check (you will get this in the mail) (see instructions below)

12. $188 Cash- exact change only. 

Documents Provided by Holy Cross

1. National Visa Application form ORIGINAL AND COPY 

2. Color copy of photo page of passport 

3. NOTARIZED COPY of proof of residence in this jurisdiction. ORIGINAL AND COPY. 

Holy Cross will provide you a notarized proof of enrollment letter

4. Health insurance from an insurer recognized and authorized to operate in Spain (Spanish & English). MUST COVER 365 days. ORIGINAL AND COPY. The insurance must cover all risks normally covered for nationals and must be valid during the whole stay in Spain. It must cover at least all the preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation assistance activities that are carried out in health centers or socio-health centers, as well as urgent health transport. The health insurance must not have a deficiency, copayment, or coverage limit, that is, it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital, and out-of-hospital expenses. The document from your health insurance company must show that covers you:

- At least $500,000 

- Without deductibles, copays or waiting periods

- 100% of medical/hospital/out-of-hospital expenses (all risks insured by the Public Health System in Spain).

- The entire length of your stay in Spain.

5. Holy Cross Affidavit Letter in English & Spanish ORIGINAL AND COPY.

6. Letter from Holy Cross Assuming Full Financial Responsibility  ORIGINAL AND COPY. 

7. Acceptance Letter in English and Spanish ORIGINAL AND COPY. 

Verifying enrollment as a full-time student, leading to obtaining a degree or certificate. The certificate must detail: name of the program, duration (start and end dates), address, phone number, name of the person in charge of the program (the certificate of admission must be presented in Spanish) and his/her signature (handwritten or electronically). It must be translated into Spanish if the original is in English.

FBI Background Check & Apostille Instructions

FBI Background check w/translation: Due date: Tuesday, March 3rd 

• Click here. Click 'learn more' under 'Obtaining your Identity History Summary'. Scroll down to where it says "enter your email to get started" on the right-hand side of the screen and follow the instructions! Be advised: One of the steps is to get fingerprinted at a participating electronic fingerprinting location. You can find the list of participating locations here. There is a location in Worcester, and you can call 888 472 8919 to make an appointment. You cannot delay this appointment. It is critical you attend by no later than Tuesday, March 3rd

• After you receive your completed background check (normally within 3-5 business days), you need to send the document to a professional translation service. For this service, we recommend you use Robyn Nelson. Once you email her the document and the translation request, she will send you a fair price and instructions for payment! Robyn Nelson <robyn@verbatimsolutions.com> The deadline to email Robyn your background check is Friday, March 6th. Send the doc to her as soon as you receive it! PLEASE CC EMMA when you email her! Robyn will get your translations back to you as soon as possible. 

Apostille of the Hague: Deadline: Thursday, March 5th

After you receive your background check, you must immediately seek an Apostille of the Hague for that background check. An Apostille of the Hague is a certificate that authenticates a document for international use and can only be obtained using good old fashioned snail mail! Follow these steps BY NO LATER THAN THURSDAY, MARCH 5th

1: Obtain a USPS FLAT PACK envelope (document sized)

2: Place the ENGLISH version of your background check inside of the USPS flat-pack envelope. Do not fold the document. DO NOT INCLUDE THE SPANISH TRANSLATION. 

3. Place a complete Form DS-4194 inside the envelope. Do not fold the document. Here’s an example of how to fill out the form. 

4. Place a money order for $20 inside the envelope.You can get the money order from the mailroom in Hogan or most post offices- even 7/11s sometimes have them!. When you fill out the Money order, make it out to US Department of State office of Authentications. In the memo section write ‘for Apostille of the Hague on FBI background check’. Include your name and address on the money order (either your HC address or another address- your choice)

5. Place a pre-paid self addressed flat-pack envelope inside of your envelope. You must put the postage or air bill on the envelope. Use USPS or UPS. Please do not use FedEx on the return envelope. Use whichever address you are most likely to check mail at, be that your parents' house, your Holy Cross address, or another address.

6. Mail your FLAT envelope using trackable mail from USPS to:

Office of Authentications

U.S. Department of State

44132 Mercure Circle

P.O. Box 1206

Sterling, VA  20166-1206

It can take up to 8 weeks to get your Apostille back in the mail. Without the Apostille, you cannot apply for a student visa. It is IMPERATIVE that you engage with this process as quickly as possible to avoid delaying your visa, or possibly not being able to apply at all. We are expecting delays at the Consulate this semester. It is your FULL responsibility to take ALL steps towards obtaining your visa in a timely manner. 

If you are lucky enough to be a European Passport Holder, you do not need to apply for a student visa to study in Spain. Simply travel using your European passport!