How much does a Spanish student visa cost from the US?
Budget roughly $700 to $1,600 all in. The consular fee for US citizens is about $160 plus a $20 BLS service fee, and the documents around it add up: the FBI check from about $18, a federal apostille around $20, sworn translation roughly $40-$120, a medical certificate around $50-$200, and private health insurance, which for US students is mandatory and typically the largest single line at several hundred dollars.
Itemised estimate
- Consular visa fee, US citizens: about $160 (other nationalities applying from the US pay less)
- BLS service fee: about $20
- FBI background check: about $18 direct, more via a Channeler
- Federal apostille: about $20 per document, more through an agency
- State apostille, if you need one: varies by state
- Sworn translation: roughly $40-$120 per document
- Medical certificate: roughly $50-$200
- Health insurance: several hundred dollars, and unavoidable
- Passport photo: $10-$20
- In Spain: the TIE card fee, paid in euros, roughly EUR16-EUR25
Where the money actually goes
For US students the insurance line usually dwarfs the document fees, because there is no free alternative the way UK students have the GHIC. Meanwhile the document services people worry about, translation especially, are often smaller than expected: a typical applicant needs only one translation job, because the consulate's bilingual medical template needs none and bank statements are frequently accepted in English.
The other swing factor is speed. Channelers, agency apostilles and rush translations can double your document costs. They are worth it if you started late and pointless if you started four months out.
Streamline the whole process
Visado puts every step in the right order for your course date and walks you through them one at a time. Nothing missed, nothing late.
Start my free planFrequently asked
How do I pay the Spanish consulate visa fee?
By money order made out to the consulate. Cash, cards and personal cheques are not accepted, and USPS money orders are no longer accepted either.
Are the fees refundable if I'm refused?
No. The consular and BLS fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome.
What's the cheapest way to do this?
Start early and use the standard services: direct FBI submission, the Department of State's own apostille, and one translation job. Speed is what costs money.