Is this the right consulate for you?
The Edinburgh consulate covers Scotland (including the Scottish Isles), all of Northern Ireland, and a specific set of NE England counties. If you're in England but not in one of the counties listed below, apply at London or Manchester.
If you live in Wales, apply at Manchester. If you live in most of England (outside the NE counties listed above), apply at London. Applying at the wrong consulate will result in your application being rejected.
Visa fees
Fees are paid in cash or by card at the BLS centre on the day of your appointment. All fees are non-refundable even if the visa is refused or you cancel your application.
| Nationality | Stay under 180 days | Stay over 180 days |
|---|---|---|
| UK citizens | £74.65 | £345 |
| USA citizens | £126.40 | £126.40 |
| Australia citizens | £356.70 | £356.70 |
| Canada citizens | £74.65 | £74.65 |
| All other nationalities | £74.65 | £74.65 |
| BLS service fee (all nationalities) | £14.55 | |
✓ Fees are subject to change due to currency fluctuations — verify the current amounts on the BLS Edinburgh website before your appointment.
Required documents
Bring originals and photocopies of everything — screenshots will not be accepted. Note: if your ACRO certificate or medical certificate are not ready on the day of your appointment, you can still attend and post them to BLS later. All other documents must be complete on the day or your application may be refused.
1
Valid passport
Original and photocopy of the biometric data page(s). Must be valid for at least 1 year and contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted. Your passport will be held at the Consulate General during processing — not at BLS.
✓ Edinburgh allows emergency passport withdrawal during processing. If you need your passport urgently (e.g. for travel), submit a written request to BLS and it will be returned within one working day via BLS. You must then return it as soon as possible to continue your application. Alternatively, inform staff at your appointment if you need to take your passport with you on the day — they can accommodate this, though it may cause slight delays.
2
National visa application form
Download the bilingual Spanish/English national visa application form from the Edinburgh consulate website. Complete every section and sign it. If applying through a representative, include a copy of the representative's ID and a power of attorney.
Use our form helper tool for field-by-field guidance on completing the form.
3
Passport photograph
Recent passport-size colour photograph, taken within the last 6 months. Must meet ICAO specifications — plain light background, facing forward, no glasses or face coverings. Edinburgh follows ICAO photo standards strictly.
4
Proof of residence in the consular district
A document showing your name and address within the Edinburgh consulate's jurisdiction — utility bills, bank statements, or university correspondence are all accepted. If you don't live in the jurisdiction but study at a local institution, proof of enrolment at that institution is also accepted.
5
School acceptance letter and proof of tuition payment
From your Instituto Cervantes accredited school in Spain. Must confirm: programme name, start and end dates, full-time attendance, fees paid. For language training courses (the most common route for language students), the acceptance letter must confirm both admission and payment.
✓ SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland) letters are explicitly accepted as proof of tuition payment for Scottish students whose fees are covered by SAAS. All schools on this site are Instituto Cervantes accredited and issue acceptance letters meeting Edinburgh consulate requirements.
6
Health insurance
From a Spanish DGSFP-authorised insurer. Must cover all healthcare without limitations, no copayments, no deductibles, valid for the full duration of your stay. Standard travel insurance is not accepted. EHIC (the old EU card) is not accepted.
✓ GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) is explicitly accepted as medical insurance for student visas at Edinburgh — a significant advantage for UK nationals. Most Scottish University Health Insurance schemes are also valid — check with your university if you're currently enrolled.
For non-UK nationals or those without GHIC or Scottish university insurance, we partner with Atlántida — a DGSFP-registered Spanish insurer. Get a quote →
7
Medical certificate Apostille + translation required
Required for all applicants. Must be signed and stamped by a registered GP (general practitioner). Must state specifically that you "does not suffer from any illness which represents a risk or a danger to the public according to the International Health Regulations of 2005." Valid for 3 months from date of issue.
⚠️ Unlike London, Edinburgh does not provide a bilingual template. You must obtain a certificate from your GP and then have it apostilled by the Hague apostille and translated by a registered sworn translator. The apostille must certify the GP's signature — not a solicitor's or notary's signature. The translation does not need to be apostilled, and the apostille does not need to be translated.
⚠️ Certificates issued in countries other than the UK or Spain are not accepted. If you are currently abroad, your certificate must be issued there only if it's Spain; otherwise, return to the UK for your GP appointment.
✓ If your medical certificate is not ready on the day of your appointment, you can still attend and post it to BLS (with a photocopy and a copy of your passport) as soon as you receive it.
8
ACRO background check Stays over 180 days
Required for applicants over 18 whose stay will exceed 180 days. Must be the ACRO Police Certificate — the UK criminal record check from the ACRO Criminal Records Office. Must be apostilled and translated by a registered sworn translator into Spanish. Must be issued within 6 months of your application submission date.
⚠️ Disclosure Scotland is not accepted — even for Scottish residents. You must use the ACRO certificate regardless of where in the UK you live. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificates are also not accepted.
✓ For language assistants (NALCAP): the ACRO International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) is also accepted in addition to the standard ACRO certificate.
✓ If your ACRO certificate is not ready on the day of your appointment, you can still attend and post it to BLS later, along with a photocopy and a copy of your passport as reference.
9
Proof of financial means
Minimum €600/month (approx. £510/month) for the main applicant. Edinburgh requires the last 6 months of personal bank statements — longer than the 3 months required by most US consulates. Statements can be in euros or pounds; no translation required. Alternatively: evidence of a scholarship, UK student loan certificate, or a letter from your university covering accommodation and meals.
If a parent or guardian is financially supporting you: a written and signed letter of commitment (presented in person by the parent at BLS on the day of your appointment), their last 6 months of bank statements, their passport and photocopy, and your original birth certificate and a photocopy.
✓ UK student loan certificates are explicitly accepted as proof of financial means — useful for students whose maintenance loan covers their living costs in Spain.
10
Passport return method
Edinburgh does not automatically return your passport — you must choose a return method at your appointment. Two options: bring a pre-paid Special Delivery envelope (up to 500g) from the Post Office, or use BLS's guaranteed courier service at an additional fee paid on the day.
✓ Bring a pre-paid Special Delivery envelope on the day to avoid the BLS courier surcharge. The envelope must be up to 500g capacity — a standard A4 padded envelope works well.
11
Visa fee payment
Paid in cash or by card at BLS on the day of your appointment. All fees are non-refundable. Verify current amounts on the BLS Edinburgh website before attending.
Step-by-step process
1
Order your ACRO certificate immediately
If your stay will exceed 180 days, apply for the ACRO Police Certificate as soon as you decide to go. Allow 4–6 weeks for ACRO processing, then further time for the Hague apostille and sworn translation. Budget 8–10 weeks total. Remember: Disclosure Scotland is not accepted — you must use ACRO regardless of where you live.
⏰ Start immediately if stay exceeds 180 days
2
Enrol at an accredited school and get your acceptance letter
Your school must be Instituto Cervantes accredited. The letter must confirm admission, programme dates, full-time attendance (minimum 20 hours/week), and that fees have been paid. SAAS letters accepted as proof of payment for Scottish students.
⏰ As soon as you decide to go
3
Sort your health insurance
If you have a GHIC, check that it's valid for the full duration of your planned stay — GHIC is explicitly accepted at Edinburgh. If you're enrolled at a Scottish university, check whether your university health insurance is valid. Otherwise, purchase from a DGSFP-authorised Spanish insurer.
⏰ Before booking your BLS appointment
4
Get your medical certificate from your GP
Book a GP appointment and request the medical certificate. It must state the correct phrase about International Health Regulations 2005. No template is provided — bring a copy of the required wording from the consulate checklist to your GP. Once issued, get it apostilled by the Hague apostille (certifying the GP's signature), then translated by a registered sworn translator. Valid for 3 months.
⏰ Within 3 months of your planned appointment
5
Book your BLS appointment
Book at uk.blsspainvisa.com/edinburgh. Apply at least 2 months before your course start date. If your ACRO or medical certificate won't be ready in time, you can still book and attend — these two documents can be posted to BLS later.
⏰ As soon as possible — at least 2 months before start date
6
Complete the application form and gather all documents
Download from the Edinburgh consulate website. Prepare originals and photocopies of everything — no screenshots. Decide on your passport return method and bring either a pre-paid Special Delivery envelope or budget for the BLS courier service.
⏰ 1–2 days before your appointment
7
Attend your BLS appointment in person
At 6 Dock Place, Suite 1A, Edinburgh EH6 6LU. Bring originals and photocopies of all documents. Pay fees by cash or card. Select your passport return method. If ACRO or medical cert aren't ready, inform staff — you'll need to post them to BLS as soon as possible after your appointment.
⏰ Day of appointment
8
Track your application and collect your visa
Track at sutramiteconsular.maec.es using the reference code BLS gives you. The consulate will not provide status updates by phone or email. Processing takes up to 1 month. You must be physically present in the UK when your visa is ready. Collect via your chosen method (pre-paid envelope or BLS courier).
⏰ After submission — allow up to 1 month
Edinburgh-specific quirks
Disclosure Scotland is not accepted — ACRO only. This is the most common mistake Scottish applicants make. The ACRO Police Certificate is the only valid UK criminal record check for a Spanish student visa, regardless of where in Scotland (or the UK) you live. Disclosure Scotland, basic or standard, is explicitly not accepted. Apply for ACRO at acro.police.uk.
No template for the medical certificate. Unlike London, Edinburgh does not provide a bilingual template for the medical certificate. You need to obtain a certificate from your GP containing the exact required phrase, then have it apostilled and translated by a sworn translator. Bring a printout of the required wording from the consulate checklist to your GP appointment.
Medical certificate must be apostilled AND translated. Edinburgh requires both steps — unlike London which accepts the bilingual template as-is. The apostille must certify the GP's signature directly (not a solicitor's or notary's). Have it apostilled first, then translated. The Hague Apostille itself does not need translating.
GHIC is explicitly accepted. The Global Health Insurance Card is confirmed as valid medical insurance for student visas at Edinburgh — stated clearly on both the official consulate page and the BLS checklist. If your GHIC is valid for the duration of your stay, you don't need to buy a separate Spanish health insurance policy.
Scottish University Health Insurance may also be valid. The BLS Edinburgh checklist explicitly states that most Scottish University Health Insurance schemes are valid for visa purposes. If you're currently enrolled at a Scottish university, check with your international student office whether your university's health insurance scheme qualifies.
ACRO and medical cert can be posted after your appointment. If your ACRO certificate or medical certificate aren't ready in time for your appointment, you can still attend — your application won't be refused just for these two missing documents. Post them to BLS with a photocopy and a copy of your passport as a reference as soon as you receive them.
Emergency passport withdrawal available. If you need your passport urgently during the processing period, you can request it back by submitting a written request to BLS. It will be returned within one working day. Once you no longer need it, return it to BLS promptly — retaining it may cause slight delays. You can also inform staff at your appointment if you anticipate needing to take your passport with you on the day.
Must be physically present in the UK to collect your visa. The consulate requires you to be in the UK when your visa is issued. If you've left the country during processing, your visa cannot be returned to you.
Bring a pre-paid Special Delivery envelope. To avoid paying the BLS courier surcharge, bring a pre-paid Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope (up to 500g capacity) from any Post Office. This is the most cost-effective way to get your passport and visa returned.
Frequently asked questions
I'm Scottish — why can't I use Disclosure Scotland? +
Because the Spanish consulate only recognises ACRO as the valid UK criminal record check for student visa purposes. Disclosure Scotland, DBS, and other UK checks are not accepted. This is a firm rule on both the official consulate page and the BLS Edinburgh checklist, and applies regardless of where in the UK you live. Apply for your ACRO at acro.police.uk — allow 4–6 weeks for processing before factoring in the apostille and translation time.
My ACRO certificate won't arrive before my BLS appointment — what do I do? +
Attend your appointment anyway. Edinburgh is one of the few Spanish consulates that allows the ACRO certificate (and the medical certificate) to be submitted late by post rather than requiring them on the day. You won't be refused for those two documents alone. As soon as your ACRO arrives (apostilled and translated), post it to BLS with a photocopy and a copy of your passport as a reference, and inform BLS you've sent it.
I have a GHIC — do I still need to buy Spanish health insurance? +
No — if your GHIC is valid for the full duration of your intended stay in Spain, it's explicitly accepted as sufficient medical insurance at Edinburgh. Check the expiry date on your card carefully and make sure it covers your entire stay including the month before your course starts and 15 days after it ends. If it doesn't cover the full period, you'll need to buy a Spanish health insurance policy to fill the gap.
What should I say to my GP to get the right medical certificate? +
Ask for a medical certificate for a Spanish student visa and bring a printed copy of the required wording from the Edinburgh consulate's checklist. The certificate must literally state: "This health certificate states that [your name] does not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with what is stipulated by the International Health Regulations of 2005." The certificate must be signed and stamped by a registered GP (not a nurse practitioner), on headed paper, and include their name, signature, stamp, and the date.
Do I need to go to Edinburgh for my appointment even if I live in Newcastle? +
Yes — if you live in Tyne & Wear, Durham, Northumberland, or another NE England county in Edinburgh's jurisdiction, you must apply at the Edinburgh consulate (BLS Edinburgh, 6 Dock Place). You cannot apply at London even if it's geographically closer. Check the full county list above to confirm which consulate applies to your area.
My parents are supporting me financially — what do they need to bring? +
Edinburgh requires your supporting parent or guardian to attend the BLS appointment in person to present a signed written letter of commitment. They also need to bring their last 6 months of bank statements, their passport and a photocopy, and you'll need to bring your original birth certificate and a photocopy. This is more involved than other consulates where a notarised letter by post is sufficient — factor in the in-person requirement when planning your appointment.