Nazareth College Valencia Program
Passport & Student Visa
Application Information
Updated: October 16, 2008
For application forms and updated information about obtaining a U.S. Passport please visit the
U.S. State Department website:
http://travel.state.gov/
For information about obtaining a Student Visa for Spain please read the following:
WHO NEEDS TO APPLY FOR A VISA?
WHERE ARE THE STUDENT VISAS ISSUED?
WHAT APPLICATION FORMS AND DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED?
DOWNLOAD THE VISA APPLICATION FORM
EXAMPLES OF HOW TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FORM
PRESENTATION OF DOCUMENTS & DEADLINES
VISA PROCESSING TIME
HOW TO ANSWER QUESTIONS #28 & #32 ON THE APPLICATION FORM
CHECKLIST
QUESTIONS?
This information has been updated on October 16, 2008 and replaces all previous literature regarding the student visa application process. Any significant changes are highlighted in red.
The Consulate is now requiring a notarized letter from your parents or legal guardians assuming full financial responsibility. See point F below.
The Consulate requires all applicants to apply for an appointment to present their docments. Apply online at: http://www.maec.es/subwebs/consulados/nuevayork/es/home/Paginas/Home.aspx
THEY RECOMMEND THAT YOU APPLY FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Please note that it takes at least 7 weeks to process applications.
WHO NEEDS TO APPLY FOR A VISA?
Official regulations from the Spanish Consulate require students staying longer than 3 months obtain a Schengen student visa. Since one semester lasts approximately 3 and a half months, all Valencia Program semester participants must apply for a student visa.
Summer Valencia Program participants do not need to apply for a student visa.
Remember - Nazareth College is not responsible for any problems you might have if you don't obtain a student visa.
WHERE ARE THE STUDENT VISAS ISSUED?
Student visas are issued in the United States . You cannot obtain a visa once you are in Spain .
The Spanish Consulate in New York has jurisdiction over the following States: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Even if your permanent residence is not within the jurisdiction of the New York Consulate you can still apply for your student visa at the New York Consulate because Nazareth College is located in New York.
The address of the Spanish Consulate in New York is:
Consulate General of Spain
Visa Department
150 East 58th Street , 30th Floor
New York , NY 10155
Web site: http://www.maec.es/subwebs/consulados/nuevayork/es/home/Paginas/Home.aspx
Office hours: M-F 9am-12:30pm
Telephone: (212) 355-4080
Fax: (212) 644-3751
WHAT APPLICATION FORMS AND DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED?
The Program Director will provide you with the following:
- Letter from the Valencia Program Director to the Consulate indicating acceptance into the program, enrollment as a full-time student at the Institute of Spanish Studies, that credits taken in Valencia will be applicable to your Bachelor's Degree, that Nazareth College verifies of payment for tuition and room & board for the length of your stay; that you as the student will be making and paying for your travel arrangements to and from Valencia; and that you will be provided with a traveler's insurance policy during the semester. Please note that the Consulate's website indicates that you need to turn in an original health insurance form but a representative from the Consulate has assured us that this is not necessary for Nazareth students because the insurance policy information is included in this letter.
YOU will need to complete your visa application with these other documents:
- Application form. Two (2) paper copies of the Schengen student visa application form. Download the Schengen student visa application form and the sample of how to fill it out. In order to view the forms you need to have the Acrobat Reader program installed. You can download the reader for free here.
Schengen student visa application form
Fill out the form carefully and neatly. Please note that the FRONT and BACK of the form MUST BE PRINTED ON THE SAME PIECE OF PAPER. Remember, you need two copies of the form.
SAMPLE FORM FOR FALL 2008 SEMESTER
SAMPLE FORM FOR 2008-2009 ACADEMIC YEAR
SAMPLE FORM FOR SPRING 2009 SEMESTER
- Two (2) passport size photos. These must be color photos with a white background. Staple one to each copy of the application.
- Passport (original and valid for at least six months and with one blank page to affix the visa).
- Second form of identification: US drivers license, US State ID card, Voters registration card, current student ID.
- Notarized letter from your parents or legal guardians assuming full financial responsibility for at least $1,000 per month for room and board. Suggested wording: "I hereby certify that I'm the (father/mother/other) of (...), will support him/her with a monthly allowance of at least $1,000 while he/she is in Spain and that I'm financially responsible for any emergency that may arise". The Consulate is now requiring this "financial means" letter in addition to the letter of acceptance from Nazareth College which already indicates financial responsibility. Click here for more information about how to have the letter notarized.
- If you are not a citizen of the United States you must also present your "alien registration card" or visa with I-20/I-AP-66.
- If the period of study in Spain is longer than 6 months, a medical statement. A doctor's recent statement on doctor's medical center's letterhead indicating that the student has been examined and found in good physical and mental health to travel and study abroad, and is free of contagious disease. This letter must be SIGNED by a medical doctor.
- If the period of study in Spain is longer than 6 months, a certificate by police authorities of the country 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. If you are only studying abroad for one semester you do NOT need to get the police certificate. If you are studying abroad for the full year you need to obtain this certificate of absence of police record (also referred to as a "record of good conduct"). Contact your local police station, instructions and process will vary by location. You will also need to obtain an Apostille Seal on the police record. Click here for more information about how to obtain the Apostille Seal.
- $100.00 money order for the visa processing fee for US passport holders or $93.60 money order for the visa processing fee for other nationalities. Payable to: Consulate General of Spain . Please note that only money orders will be accepted. No personal checks!!!! MAKE SURE YOUR NAME APPEARS ON THE MONEY ORDER!
- Self-addressed
and Pre-Paid US "Express-Mail" envelope from the USPS for return of your passport and visa (the visa is a sticker that is placed inside your passport). This is the only express delivery that will be accepted. Tracking of mailed items will be your responsibility so you must keep your customer copy with your tracking number.
- YOU MUST ALSO SUBMIT ONE (1) PHOTOCOPY OF ALL THE DOCUMENTS PRESENTED.
PRESENTATION OF DOCUMENTS
All applications be presented in person. The application must be submitted in person by the student or through an authorized representative (it must have a notarized authorization).
Nazareth College understands that traveling to New York City is an expensive and cumbersome requirement but there is nothing we can do to change the rules. We have tried to have the Consulate make an exception but they will not. We cannot do anything except follow the rules established.
YOU NOW NEED TO APPLY FOR AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE AT:
http://www.maec.es/subwebs/consulados/nuevayork/es/home/Paginas/Home.aspx
(click on the link on the right hand side of the page)
Address:
Consulate General of Spain
Visa Department
150 East 58th Street , 30th Floor
New York , NY 10155
Office hours: Monday-Friday 9am-12:30pm
Applications will not be accepted more than four months in advance nor less than 7 WEEKS before the date of departure.
The Spanish Consulate honors holidays in Spain as well as American holidays so you should call before going just to make sure they will be open: (212) 355-4080. A list of their official holidays is available on the Consulate's website. Click here for more information.
DEADLINES:
Spring semester participants should present their applications by November 15th.
Fall semester participants should present their applications by June 15th.
Please keep in mind that many students will be presenting their applications for the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters so the sooner you can get your appointment and present yours the better.
VISA PROCESSING TIME
It will take at least 7 weeks (if not more) to process your application.
HOW TO ANSWER QUESTIONS #28 & #32 ON THE APPLICATION FORM:
QUESTION #28
The Schengen States are those countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Austria, Italy, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland .
You should list any Schengen States that you have visited previously and the year you visited them. (Example: Germany 2000, France 2000, Italy 2002).
QUESTION # 32
Your answer to question 32 depends on your travel route to Valencia.
You need to indicate the city of the first Schengen State you enter. They all issue what is called a Schengen visa. Your Spanish student visa will actually be a Schengen visa. The following countries are Schengen States: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Austria, Italy, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
Therefore, the city you indicate as the border of first entry into the territory of the Schengen States will depend on your flight arrangements to Spain .
SOME EXAMPLES:
If you are traveling from New York to Madrid to Valencia , you should indicate Madrid as the point of entry.
If you are traveling from New York to Paris to Valencia , you should indicate Paris as the point of entry.
If you are traveling from New York to Milan to Valencia , then you should indicate Milan as the point of entry.
NOTE: The United Kingdom is not a member of the Schengen States so if you are traveling from New York to London to Valencia then you should indicate Valencia as your point of entry.
Checklist for completing the Spanish Student Visa Application
_____ 1. Use BLOCK CAPITAL letters. WRITE NEATLY!
_____ 2. Don't write in the right column where it says "ESPACIO RESERVADO PARA LA EMBAJADA O CONSULADO ".
_____ 3. Fill in the blanks as indicated on the Sample Application Form provided.
_____ 4. Be sure to sign and date the form.
_____ 5. Be very careful when filling out the form!
_____ 6. The following documents must accompany the two copies of your completed application form:
____ A. Letter from the Valencia Program Director to the Consulate.
____ B. Two (2) passport size photos. These must be color photos with a white background. Staple one to each copy of the application.
____ C. Passport (original and valid for at least six months and with one blank page to affix the visa).
____ D. Second form of identification: US drivers license, US State ID card, Voters registration card, current student ID.
____ E. Notarized letter from your parents or legal guardians assuming full financial responsibility for at least $1,000 per month for room and board. Click here for more information about how to have the letter notarized.
____ F. If you are not a citizen of the United States you must also present your "alien registration card" or visa with I-20/I-AP-66.
____ G. If the period of study in Spain is longer than 6 months, a medical statement. A doctor's recent statement on doctor's medical center's letterhead indicating that the student has been examined and found in good physical and mental health to travel and study abroad, and is free from contagious disease. This letter must be SIGNED by a medical doctor.
____ H. If the period of study in Spain is longer than 6 months, a certificate by police authorities of the country 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. If you are only studying abroad for one semester you do NOT need to get the police certificate. If you are studying abroad for the full year you need to obtain this certificate of absence of police record (also referred to as a "record of good conduct"). Contact your local police station, instructions and process will vary by location. You will also need to obtain an Apostille Seal on the police record. Click here for more information about how to obtain the Apostille Seal.
____ I . $100.00 money order for the visa processing fee for US passport holders or $93.60 money order for the visa processing fee for other nationalities. Payable to: Consulate General of Spain . Please note that only money orders will be accepted. No personal checks!!!! MAKE SURE THAT YOUR NAME APPEARS ON THE MONEY ORDER!
____ J. Self-addressed
and Pre-Paid US "Express-Mail" envelope from the USPS for return of your passport and visa.
____ K. One (1) photocopy of all the documents presented.
QUESTIONS?
Write to the Resident Assistant Director, Amy Sevcik, at asevcik1@naz.edu if you have any questions.