Visas: Spanish Student Visa Status Inquiry

As of January 2008, some U.S. students are experiencing delays in receiving Spanish student visas. The Ministry of Education and Science Commissioner’s Office within the Spanish Embassy is working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' consular services, as well as NAFSA and U.S. universities and programs, to help all students who have chosen a Spanish university get their visas as soon as possible. The delays are due to relatively recent legislation applicable to student visa applicants from all over the world, reciprocity issues and a significant increase in demand.

The Consulate General offices vary in terms of processing times (see the Consular Web sites for information for the specific consulate). Average processing times are 3-4 weeks; 8 weeks should be the worst case scenario.

If a student has not received his/her visa after 4 weeks since the day the applications were submitted, a university official or program representative can use this Excel spreadsheet to provide the Commissioner’s office with the following information for each affected visa applicant:

• Last name
• First name
• Program name/Host University in Spain
• Program start date
• Planned date of departure (date of flight to Spain)
• Whether the student has already applied for a visa
• Consulate General of Spain where the visa application was submitted
• Date of application submitted to the Consulate General office