Hey everyone! I just submitted my Spanish visa application in Birmingham and got it approved, so while it’s still fresh in my mind, I wanted to share my super-detailed guide with everyone on the forum, especially for fellow students at the University of Birmingham. You might also find this guide on the Spanish student visa useful. Hope this helps you all!
I got overwhelmed reading various guides online, like those about the student residence permit during a leave of absence, but I found the actual process to be quite straightforward as long as you have all your documents ready. Based in Birmingham, we apply for the Spanish Schengen visa at the BLS Visa Application Centre, not the consulate directly. Make sure to book your appointment as early as possible, especially before holidays, as slots get booked up very quickly!
Core Steps: Booking an Appointment and Preparing Documents
The first step is to book an appointment on the official BLS website. Select the Birmingham centre, then pick a suitable date and time. After successfully booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email. You must print this email out and bring it with you on the day of your appointment.
Key Document Checklist
Below is the checklist of documents I prepared, which you can use as a reference. It should cover all the basic requirements. I’m applying as a student; those who are working will need to adjust accordingly.
| Document Name | Notes |
|---|
| Passport (original and copy) | Copy all pages with stamps and visas |
| BRP card (original and copy) | Copy both front and back onto a single A4 sheet |
| Visa application form | Download from the official website, fill it out, and attach a photo |
| School attendance letter | Obtain from your university; must show course start and end dates |
| Bank statements (last 3 months) | Recommended to have sufficient funds to cover travel expenses |
| Travel insurance | Coverage must exceed €30,000 and cover the entire Schengen Area |
| Flight reservation | You can provide a booking confirmation first; no need to pay upfront |
| Hotel reservation | Must cover every night of your stay in Spain |
| Itinerary | A simple plan outlining your daily activities |
Special Reminder: The more recent your university letter and bank statements, the better! Also, I’d heard before that you needed to bring your old passport, but it seems that’s no longer mandatory, though I brought mine just in case.
On the day of the appointment, I arrived at the BLS centre in the city centre 15 minutes early. After going through security, I showed my appointment confirmation to a staff member to get a token number, and then just waited to be called. The staff will check every document very carefully, so make sure you prepare everything according to the checklist, similar to the process for a DIY Spanish student visa application. Once everything is checked and confirmed, you’ll pay the fee and have your fingerprints taken. The whole process took about an hour and went quite smoothly. Now, I’m just waiting for my passport to be mailed back, getting ready for my sunny beach trip to Barcelona!
I hope this guide is helpful to you all! Wishing everyone a smooth visa application process and a fantastic time in Spain!
