Is this the right consulate for you?
You must apply at the consulate that covers your place of residence. The London consulate covers England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland is covered by Edinburgh, and parts of northern England are covered by Edinburgh too — check carefully.
| London covers | England, Wales, Northern Ireland |
| Edinburgh covers | Scotland, Northern Ireland (shared), Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, and Tees Valley (Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton on Tees, Hartlepool, Darlington, Middlesbrough) |
| Manchester covers | Rest of northern England not covered by Edinburgh |
Your application will be rejected if you apply at the wrong consulate. If you live in Newcastle, Durham, or the Tees Valley — even though you're in England — you must apply at Edinburgh, not London.
Required documents — complete list
The London consulate requires the following documents. Bring originals and photocopies of everything unless stated otherwise. Documents not in English or Spanish must be translated by a sworn translator.
1
National visa application form (Modelo EX-01)
Download from the London consulate's website — do not use a generic version. Complete every section, sign and date on the day of submission. Minors must have a parent or legal representative sign.
Use our form helper tool for field-by-field guidance.
2
Passport photograph
Recent, passport-size, colour photograph against a light background, facing forward, no dark glasses or face coverings. The London consulate specifically states it does not accept digitally retouched photographs.
No digital retouching. This is explicitly flagged by London — do not use online photo editing tools to "improve" your photo.
3
Valid passport
Original plus photocopy of the biometric data page. Must have a minimum validity of 1 year and contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted — even if still within the expiry date. You must leave your passport with the consulate during processing.
⚠️ Passports issued more than 10 years ago are rejected outright by London — this is a London-specific rule. Even if your passport expires next year, if it was issued over 10 years ago it won't be accepted. Renew it first.
4
Proof of acceptance at an accredited school
Original and copy of the acceptance letter from your Instituto Cervantes accredited school. Must confirm: your full name, course name, Instituto Cervantes accreditation number, start and end dates, full-time attendance (minimum 20 hours/week), and proof that fees have been paid (post May 2025 requirement).
All schools on this site are Instituto Cervantes accredited and issue acceptance letters that meet London consulate requirements.
5
Proof of financial means
Minimum €600/month of your stay (100% IPREM 2025). London requires 6 months of bank statements, originals stamped by your bank. Statements must show your name, account number, and transaction history.
London also accepts: scholarship letter, UK student loan certificate, or a sponsorship letter. If a parent or guardian is sponsoring you, the notarised sponsorship letter must include: birth certificate or custody documents, sponsor's passport, employer letter showing role and salary, and 6 months of the sponsor's bank statements (originals, bank-stamped). Everything must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.
⚠️ London requires originals stamped by the bank — not just printed online statements or PDFs. Request these from your branch in advance as it can take 1–2 weeks.
6
Health insurance
Original and copy of a policy from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain. Must cover all risks insured by Spain's public health system, with no copayments, no reimbursement clauses, no waiting periods. If the policy has a coverage limit, it must be at least €30,000. Travel insurance is explicitly rejected by London — even with €30,000 coverage.
✓ GHIC explicitly accepted: The London consulate's requirements page states the UK Global Health Insurance Card is accepted as medical insurance for all student visas. However, GHIC only covers public healthcare inside Spain — private insurance gives you faster access to care.
7
Criminal record certificate Stays over 6 months
Required for applicants over 18 whose course lasts more than 6 months. Must cover all countries where you have lived in the past 5 years.
⚠️ London-specific: you need the ACRO Certificate of Criminal Record — not a standard DBS check. Apply at acro.police.uk. Must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. Allow 4–6 weeks.
If you have lived in other countries in the past 5 years, you need criminal record certificates from those countries too — each apostilled and translated.
8
Medical certificate
Required for all applicants from May 2025 onwards. Must be issued by a registered medical practitioner no more than 3 months before your application date. Must state, in the following terms or similarly:
"This health certificate states that Mr./Mrs. [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."
Must be apostilled and accompanied by a sworn translation into Spanish (since the UK left the EU, UK documents require the Hague apostille). The London consulate only accepts medical certificates issued in the United Kingdom or Spain — certificates from other countries will not be accepted.
⚠️ Only UK or Spain-issued certificates accepted. If you're travelling before applying, get the certificate in the UK before you go.
9
Proof of residence in the consular district
You must prove you live within the London consulate's jurisdiction (England, Wales, or Northern Ireland — with the exceptions noted above). Any document showing your name and address is acceptable: utility bill, bank statement, driving licence, etc.
10
Proof of accommodation in Spain
A rental contract, confirmed student housing letter from your school, or a notarised invitation letter from someone you'll be staying with (with a copy of their ID and NIE number, and their address). Must cover at least the first 4 weeks of your stay.
11
Visa fee payment
Paid in GBP at the time of submission. Current fees: £74.65 for stays up to 180 days, £345 for stays over 180 days. Check the current consular fees list before your appointment as these fluctuate with exchange rates. The BLS International service charge (approx. £14.85 including VAT) is separate and also non-refundable.
⚠️ Visa fees are non-refundable even if your application is rejected. Ensure all your documents are in order before submitting.
12
Additional documents for minors (under 18) Under 18 only
In addition to all the above, minors must also provide: original birth certificate translated into Spanish and apostilled; notarised copies of both parents' IDs or passports; notarised authorisation letter from both parents (in Spanish) authorising travel to Spain and naming the person who will care for the minor in Spain, including their NIE number and address; and a notarised declaration from the person caring for the minor in Spain, with a copy of their DNI/NIE and a certificate from the Sexual Offenders Registry.
Step-by-step application process
1
Enrol at an accredited school and get your acceptance letter
Your school must be Instituto Cervantes accredited. The acceptance letter must confirm fees have been paid and include the school's accreditation number. This document drives the rest of your application — start here.
As soon as you decide to go
2
Order your ACRO Certificate of Criminal Record
Apply at acro.police.uk. This is not a DBS check — it's a specific ACRO certificate. Once received, it needs to be apostilled (the UK joined the Hague Convention so this is straightforward) and translated by a sworn translator. Allow 4–6 weeks total.
Start immediately — longest lead-time item
3
Get your medical certificate
Book an appointment with your GP or a private doctor. The certificate must be issued within 3 months of your application date — don't get it too early. It needs to use the specific wording about the 2005 International Health Regulations, then be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.
6–8 weeks before your BLS appointment
4
Buy health insurance
Purchase a DGSFP-authorised Spanish health insurance policy. GHIC is accepted by London for the application, but private insurance gives better access to care in Spain. Get your policy certificate — it must show your name, coverage dates starting at least 1 month before your course, and no copayments.
6–8 weeks before your BLS appointment
5
Get bank-stamped statements
Request 6 months of original bank statements, stamped by your bank. Online printouts are not accepted by London. Visit your branch — allow 1–2 weeks as some banks take time to produce stamped originals.
3–4 weeks before your BLS appointment
6
Book your BLS International appointment
All London applications go through BLS International at 20 St Andrew Street, London EC4A 3AG. Book at uk.blsspainvisa.com/london. You must apply at least 2 months before your course start date. Appointments are in person — you cannot apply by post.
Book as early as possible — slots fill up
7
Complete and sign the application form
Download the form from the London consulate website. Complete every field, sign and date it on the day of your BLS appointment. Do not pre-sign and leave it for weeks.
1–2 days before your appointment
8
Attend your BLS appointment
Arrive on time with originals and photocopies of everything. BLS submits your documents to the consulate the next working morning. The legal maximum processing time is 1 month. You will leave your passport with BLS — they will hold it until the visa is issued.
Day of appointment
9
Collect your visa — in person at the consulate
You must collect the visa in person at the consulate (20 Draycott Place, London SW3 2RZ) — not at the BLS centre. If a representative submitted your application, you still must collect in person. Collection period for study visas is 2 months from approval.
After notification of approval
London-specific quirks
The London consulate has several requirements that differ from other Spanish consulates worldwide. Make sure you know these before preparing your documents.
ACRO certificate — not DBS. London explicitly requires the ACRO Certificate of Criminal Record, not a standard DBS check. This is a common mistake. Apply at acro.police.uk — allow 4–6 weeks, plus time for apostille and sworn translation.
Bank-stamped originals required. Online bank statements are not accepted. You need original printed statements stamped by your bank. Most high street banks can do this at a branch — some charge a fee and take 1–2 weeks.
Passports over 10 years old rejected. Even if your passport is within its expiry date, London will not accept it if it was issued more than 10 years ago. Renew before applying.
No digitally retouched photos. London explicitly states it will not accept photographs that have been digitally edited. Use a professional passport photo service and do not apply any filters or corrections.
UK or Spain-issued medical certs only — must be apostilled. Certificates issued in other countries are not accepted. UK-issued medical certs require a Hague apostille (the UK joined the Hague Convention, so this is straightforward). If you're travelling before you apply, get your certificate in the UK first.
GHIC accepted in full. Unlike some sources suggest, the London consulate explicitly accepts GHIC as full medical insurance for all student visas — not just supplementary. You can use GHIC for your application. However, GHIC only covers public healthcare in Spain — private insurance is better for day-to-day care.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the London consulate take to process? +
The legal maximum is 1 month from the day after submission. In practice, London is one of the faster UK consulates — most applicants hear back in 3–4 weeks. However, this can extend if additional documents are requested or during peak seasons (July–September). Do not book non-refundable travel until your visa is in hand.
Can I use my GHIC instead of buying private health insurance? +
Yes — for the visa application, the London consulate explicitly accepts GHIC as full medical insurance. However, once in Spain, GHIC only covers public healthcare. Public hospitals in Spain are generally good, but waiting times can be long and you may not be able to see an English-speaking doctor. Most students prefer private insurance for faster appointments. Private Spanish insurance starts from around €40–55/month — we can help you get a quote.
My passport is 9.5 years old — will London accept it? +
Probably not. London's rule is passports issued more than 10 years ago are rejected. A passport issued exactly 10 years ago sits in a grey area — some applicants report success, others don't. If your passport is approaching 10 years old, renew it to be safe. It's not worth the risk of having your entire application rejected on this technicality.
What is the BLS International service charge? +
BLS International charges a service fee (approximately £14.85 including VAT) on top of the consulate's visa fee. Both fees are non-refundable. You pay these at the BLS centre on the day of your appointment. There are also optional extras — premium lounge service (~£100) and a courier return service (~£29.99) if you want your passport returned by courier rather than collecting it yourself.
I live in Newcastle — do I apply at London or Edinburgh? +
Edinburgh. The Edinburgh consulate covers Tyne and Wear, which includes Newcastle. Despite being in England, Northumberland, Durham, Cleveland, Cumbria, and the Tees Valley area all fall under Edinburgh's jurisdiction. Check the full jurisdiction list carefully — applying at the wrong consulate is grounds for immediate rejection without refund.
Can I appeal if my visa is rejected? +
Yes. You can submit an appeal for reconsideration to the London consulate's Visa Department within 1 month of receiving the refusal notification. Send it by Royal Mail or courier to the consulate at 20 Draycott Place, London SW3 2RZ. You can also file a judicial review with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within 2 months of the refusal. In practice, most successful appeals involve providing additional documents that were originally missing.