Pre-departure information

Fall 2025 students should complete the visa process individually: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/chicago/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-de-estudios.aspx

Spring 2026 students may be offered a batch visa process. We will notify you when/if it is confirmed.

A student visa is required for all students who do not have citizenship in member countries of the European Union. You can apply for the visa entirely on your own if you are not participating in a batch process. You must make an appointment to submit your materials in Chicago to personally drop off the application for Schengen visa, the supporting materials, and your original passport. We encourage you to make an appointment as soon as possible. Appointments must be at least 2 months before the start of your program. Schedule your appointment accordingly, giving yourself as much time as possible to receive your visa. Your passport must be valid at least 1 year past your entry into Spain. Visa appointments will fill up quickly and if you wait for too long to schedule, you may not get in.

You will need your letter of acceptance from your host for your visa appointment, however you can make your visa appointment before you receive the letter. Again, it is advised that you get your appointment scheduled as soon as possible.

Note that for several of the requirements, you will receive the necessary supporting materials from your program provider or study abroad advisor. For more information, the application, and a list of the supporting documents, visit the Spanish Consulate website.

Students who are not from Illinois may go to the consulate in Chicago because you are a student in the state of Illinois. Fall participants should consider visiting their home consulates if returning during the summer break. To find your local Spanish Consulate, visit: http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Portal/en/ServiciosAlCiudadano/Paginas/EmbajadasConsulados.aspx

Your visa will usually be available within 4-6 weeks and will be located on one of your passport pages. We do not recommend scheduling any international travel around the time when you will be applying for your visa as there is no guarantee on the time you will get it back.

Please note that visa requirements can change at any moment and our offices will not be informed. It is the student’s responsibility to check the embassy website for updated procedures and required documentation.

If you have any questions, your best resource will be your host university or the consulate. Our office is happy to help as much as we can, but are not experts in immigration.