Visas on the Brain
Okay. It’s been 72 hours (ish) since my visa appointment last Friday. I’m locked in my room, cold sweat dripping off my face, in the fetal position waiting for the phone to ring or my email to make that “New Mail Sound” (© Apple All Rights Reserved). I need that call. In an effort to build some confidence, I posted some meager tips I picked up about the application process, but I can’t seem to shake the nerves…
Now, it’s too late for me, but maybe, just maybe, I can help you to get through this ordeal tear-free.
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Okay so, whether you know it or not, here is the list of EVERYTHING you will need to obtain your very own student visa to Spain (at least from the Boston consulate, as of 2009):
- 2 Original Application forms
- 2 Passport photos – Don’t glue!
- Passport
- Driver’s License/Student ID
- Letter of Appointment – from Spanish government/University/CIEE, etc.
- Proof of Financial Means – often enclosed in letter of appointment
- Proof of health insurance (Covered by STA Travel if you have an ISIC card!)
- Police certificates from all places lived in during the past 5 years (I found that I did NOT need to include college locations – long story short, I spent $50 for a state wide police checkup from Maine that I didn’t need)
- Doctor’s Statement
- $100 Money Order (OR CASH!!)
Now, please don’t mistake the next few posts as insults to your intelligence – I’m sure you are more than capable of reading information about how to acquire each of these items. However, if I could save you just a little aggravation in the process by leaving you with some tips you probably won’t read about… well, it would bring a lot of joy into my life. So here’s tip #5, and it might just be the biggest tip of them all.
Useful Tip #5: Make copies of everything… and BRING THEM WITH YOU!
Sounds simple, eh? Sure, all of the resources that I read advised me to make copies of my original, which I assumed were for my own records. BUT, what actually happens, is that the consulate collects both original and copied documents during your appointment, and keeps the copies. The originals will be sent back with you, and you will need to bring them with you on your journey to present when you apply for a residency card.
What happens if you don’t? Well, 410 Boylston Street has a great copier that the consulate will be more than happy to direct you to… and then you can wait in line again. So just make the copies. Bring the copies.
More tips to come, real quick.
