The Spanish Student Visa Guide

The Spanish student visa
guide:

Visa―something about the word is daunting. I get overwhelmed just thinking about the
paperwork, and the organization, and the planning that went into getting mine. I think
a lot of the stress I encountered in the process of getting my visa was due to (a) inaccurate
information and (b) contradicting information that I found on the internet and on
various blogs. So for you, my sweet future <estudiante intercambio>, I have removed
the discrepancies and streamlined the process so you can make it to España without
having to learn any Spanish swear words before you get there.

1. PSA: YOU HAVE TO GO TO
SAN FRANCISCO TO DROP OFF AND
PICK UP YOUR VISA IN PERSON.

I wish I had found this information as blatantly clear back when I started my visa quest.
Unfortunately, I didn’t find out until I dropped off my visa that I need to go back to
San Francisco in person to pick it up.

Depending on where you are a resident, you might be able to visit your home
state’s consulate, and their procedures may be different (email them to be sure!),
but please be aware that in San Francisco you have to drop off and pick up your
visa in person.

***There is one exception. You don’t necessarily have to drop off your visa paperwork
in person. There is the possibility that your parents can drop off the paperwork for you,
however you, and only you, can be the one to pick it up. As put more formally by the
San Francisco consulate:

“Visa applications must be filed in person. However, applications may also be filed by a
duly accredited representative if you do not reside in the town or city where the Diplomatic
Mission or Consular Office is located and you can demonstrate due cause preventing you from
travelling, such as the distance from the Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office in question,
transport difficulties that make the journey particularly problematic or accredited reasons
related to a sickness or physical condition that significantly reduces your mobility.”

Now that you are well aware of the logistics of dropping off and picking up the paperwork,
it’s time for the next step.

2. Book an appointment!

Go to the San Francisco consulate website (there is an English option in the top
right hand corner) to book it:

http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/SANFRANCISCO/en/Pages/InfoCitas.aspx

These appointments fill up QUICKLY. Seriously, I’m not joking it’s booked
out sometimes 4 months in advanced.

You can’t book an appointment 3 months prior to your date of departure,
so keep that in mind. Also, your visa will take somewhere between 2-4 weeks
until it is ready, so you’ll need to account for that when planning your appointment.
You wouldn’t want to drop it off in late July and have to leave for school in early
August and it not be ready, you understand what I mean.

My best advice is to get it done with sooner rather than later. After your visa is ready,
it can stay at the consulate for as long as you like. For example, I dropped mine off in
early November and then came back in January to pick it up on my way to Spain.
First thing first though, book an appointment!

3. Papers, documents, information, oh my!

FOR A SEMESTER you will need:

National visa application form and one copy (USE DAY/MONTH/YEAR FORMAT!!!)

Passport and ID, original document + one copy of each

Two passport sized photos (2in x 2in)

Original university acceptance letter and one copy

Evidence of funds - this can mean a notarized letter from your parents,
or a letter from the university saying that you are fully financially covered.

Here’s an example of the one that my parents wrote for me:

Public or private health insurance that covers you internationally while you 

are abroad. I used CISI which is very comprehensive and doesn’t do too much 

damage on your wallet.

FOR AN ACADEMIC YEAR you will need:

Everything I listed above.

All of this too:

4. Visa fee

Check the fees on this website:
http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/SANFRANCISCO/es
/ServiciosConsulares/ServiciosenSanFrancisco/Paginas/
Tasas-Consulares.aspx

You can either pay in check or cash. Checks can be made out to
the General Consulate of Spain in San Francisco.

5. Other important information
to consider:

6. Make the most of your
time in San Francisco picking
up and dropping off your visa

Pacific Tradewinds Hostel is a great spot to stay that won’t live up to 

San Francisco's spendy reputation. 

Download the Muni Mobile App. You can get a 24 hour bus pass 

for $5 on your phone. It’s super easy and you can use it to get around 

everywhere without having to rent a car. 

Check out Dandelion Chocolate (get the mission style hot chocolate) 

and La Taqueria (in the Mission District). 

I’m not kidding when I say these will be the best tacos you have 

ever had. Ever. 

Walk or Run across the Golden Gate Bridge! It’s free and has amazing views. 

Wander around Chinatown and North Beach (Little Italy area) and find yourself pleasantly surprised with the sights, smells, and sounds of the city. 

If you are a “plant person” like me, then check out the Conservatory of Flowers.

There’s a small entrance fee, and it’s cheaper if you are a student, so bring your student ID

and a good book to read.

7. ENJOY ESPAÑA!

The lifeblood of London: The Tube

If you want to get around London, the fastest and most organized way is via the 'Tube': aka the London Underground. No matter how far your want to go within the city, there is always an Underground station within reach. From the Circle Line to the Jubilee Line, the tube ensures you can get to any direction within London city as quickly as possible.

Finding an Underground station is fairly easy. Look out for the iconic red and blue circular symbol that marks the entrance to a station. Signs along the streets also point out the nearest station and how far they are walking distance.
                                              

To pay your fare, you can choose one of three options: pay for a ticket at a machine, use an Oyster Card, or use your contactless credit card. During my months in London, I primarily used an Oyster card to get around the train system. For many students, the Oyster card is the best choice for London public transport. Not only can you pay for the Underground, but all of the London buses take Oysters as payment too. In addition, as a student, you can apply for a student Oyster card that can save you on travel fare, which may be beneficial to you if you plan on commuting to school or going to town daily via the Underground. It is also very easy and quick to top up your card if you are running low: just insert it into a marked add-value machine, choose how much you would like to add (minimum 5 GBP), and pay via card or cash.
                           
You might also want to download CityMapper: a free city-navigation map that is far more helpful than Google Maps off the shelf. With CityMapper, you have the entire London Underground system map stored on your phone. Furthermore you can even plan out your trip to work out how long will it take you to get to the destination, which carriage is best to get on to avoid getting into a jam, what lines you need to take (including transfers), and get an estimated time of arrival (based on my experiences, fully accurate). It is very useful due to the fact that it will notify you when you need to get off.  Do be aware though that in most Underground lines, there is no phone service or data available due to the lack of phone reception unlike some cities; therefore if you do need to rely on Citymapper: activate your phone carrier's Underground wi-fi service so you can continue using data-reliant apps while on the train.

Here are some more tips and advice when it comes to using the Tube:

• If a transfer between lines requires you to tap in or out your Oyster card/credit card, ensure you do it before you leave the line. Same goes for entering a paid area of a station: ensure the scanner reads the card. If you don't, you could be charged the full fare of 80 GBP as a penalty! 
• There are no trash cans along the platforms. Following the terrorist attacks on July 7, 2005, the Transport for London removed all trash cans to eliminate any possible threats from hidden devices. So ensure you take your trash, or throw it away before getting on the train. 
• Especially in the hotter periods of the year, it can get very stuffy and hot in the Tube. Ensure to bring plenty of water to hydrate yourself and wear loose clothing. 
• You can bring food or drink onto the train, but be considerate and don't make too much of a mess in the carriage. 
• While the risk of pickpockets is still present, currently the threat is minimal. But be vigilant of any unsavoury or suspicious passengers around you, especially if you are taking a late-night train or going to the outskirts of town. 
• Most lines run until 1 or 2 AM, though there are night lines operational on some, that will keep going until the early morning. 
• As the TfL reminds everyone: "If you see something, say something." Report any suspicious activities or possible dangers to a Transport police officer or Underground staff.