Is this the right consulate for you?
The Miami consulate has jurisdiction over three states. You must apply based on your permanent address — not your school address or temporary location.
Miami is the fastest Spanish consulate in the US. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks — significantly faster than Boston (8 weeks) or New York (5 weeks). If you're in the jurisdiction, this is a meaningful advantage.
Only permanent residents of Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina can apply here. If you've recently moved, make sure your ID shows your current address in the jurisdiction. Check the BLS website to confirm which consulate covers your specific address before booking an appointment.
Visa fees
The fee depends on your nationality. For individual applications, payment is by debit card at the BLS centre. For batch/university group submissions, payment is by money order or cashier's check payable to "Consular Outsourcing BLS Services Inc".
| Nationality | Consulate fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States citizens | $160 |
| UK nationals — stays over 180 days | $462 |
| UK nationals — stays under 180 days | $106 |
| Australia | $472 |
| All other nationalities | $106 |
| BLS service fee (all nationalities) | $20 |
⚠️ All fees are non-refundable, including if your visa is rejected. Consular fees are subject to change — verify the current rate at the time of your application.
Required documents
Documents 1 through 7 are essential — BLS will not accept an incomplete application. Bring originals and photocopies of everything. Documents not in English or Spanish must be translated by a certified sworn translator.
1
National visa application form (Modelo EX-01)
Download from the BLS Miami Download Forms section. Complete every field. Include your email address clearly in section 17 — this is how BLS will contact you if there are any issues. Sign and date on the day of your appointment.
Use our form helper tool for field-by-field guidance on completing the form.
2
Passport photograph
US passport size (2"×2" / 51×51mm). Light and uniform background — white preferred. No dark backgrounds, objects, or other people visible. Do not paste or staple the photo to the form — submit it loose. Do not crop the photo to fit the form.
3
Visa fee payment
Individual applications: debit card at BLS. Batch/university group applications: money order or cashier's check payable to "Consular Outsourcing BLS Services Inc". The $20 BLS service fee is paid separately by debit card or cash. All fees are non-refundable.
✓ Miami individual applicants pay by debit card — no need to prepare a money order (unlike LA, where money order is required for all applicants).
4
Valid passport
Must be valid for the full duration of your stay and for at least one year from your application date. Must have at least two blank pages. Bring original plus a photocopy of the biometric data page. Your passport will be held by BLS for the entire processing period.
⚠️ Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted at Miami — even if still within the expiry date. Renew your passport before applying if it's approaching 10 years old.
5
Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction
A driver's licence or student card proving your legal residence in Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina. If you don't have one of these, you can provide multiple supporting documents such as a rental contract, utility bills, phone bill, tax return, or vehicle insurance — a notarised copy is required for a driver's licence or student card.
✓ Unlike Boston, Miami accepts a driver's licence as proof of residence. A student card from a university within the jurisdiction is also accepted.
6
School acceptance letter
From your Instituto Cervantes accredited school in Spain. Must detail: name of the programme, start and end dates, address, telephone, and name of the person in charge of the programme. Must confirm fees have been paid (post May 2025 requirement). Must be signed (handwritten or electronically) by a representative of the school and translated into Spanish.
All schools on this site are Instituto Cervantes accredited and issue acceptance letters meeting Miami consulate requirements — including the post-May 2025 fee payment confirmation.
7
Health insurance
From a Spanish DGSFP-authorised insurer. Must cover all risks insured by Spain's public health system. Must have no waiting periods, no copayments, no deductibles, and no coverage limit below €30,000. Must be valid from at least one month before your course starts through 15 days after it ends (or for one full year if your course is longer than one year). Travel insurance is not accepted. Insurance cards are not accepted as proof.
We partner with Atlántida — a DGSFP-registered Spanish insurer. Get a quote →
8
Disclaimer form
Miami requires a signed disclaimer form — download it from the BLS Miami Download Forms section. Also required at Boston and LA. Sign and include with your application.
9
Proof of financial means
Minimum $700/month for the duration of your stay. Miami accepts any of the following: a declaration from your Spanish school or US programme assuming full financial responsibility (stamped, signed, and translated into Spanish); proof of financial aid or scholarship of at least $700/month; a notarised letter from parents or guardians committing to $700/month plus their last 3 bank statements and your birth certificate; or your own last 3 personal bank statements showing at least $700/month.
For family members accompanying the student: $480/month for the first family member and $320/month for each additional family member.
10
Medical certificate Bilingual template available
Required for all applicants. Must be issued by a licensed doctor on official letterhead, with their signature, seal, and licence number. Must state that you do not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health implications in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005. Valid for 3 months from the date of issue.
✓ Miami provides a bilingual English/Spanish template — download it from the BLS Miami Download Forms section. If you use the official template, no separate sworn translation is needed. A significant time and cost saving.
11
FBI background check Stays over 180 days
Required for applicants over 18 whose stay exceeds 180 days. Must be the federal FBI Identity History Summary check — state and local police checks are explicitly not accepted. Must be apostilled by the US Department of State and translated into Spanish by a certified sworn translator. Must be issued within 6 months of your application date. If you have lived in another country for 6 months or more in the past 5 years, you also need a background check from that country.
⚠️ The 6-month validity window applies to your application date — not your course start date. The FBI check alone takes 8–12 weeks without a channeler or 3–5 weeks with an approved channeler. Add apostille (2–4 weeks) and translation (1–2 weeks) and the full process can take 3–4 months. Start immediately after deciding to go.
12
US immigration status Non-US citizens only
If you are not a US citizen, you must provide a notarised copy of your US immigration status: green card, valid US student visa, work permit stamp in passport, or parole documentation.
Step-by-step process
1
Start your FBI background check immediately
If your course will be over 180 days, this is your longest lead-time item. Submit fingerprints via an FBI-approved channeler (3–5 weeks) or directly to the FBI (8–12 weeks). Once received, get the apostille from the US Department of State, then have it translated by a certified sworn translator. Budget 3–4 months total.
⏰ Do this first if your course is over 180 days
2
Enrol at an accredited school and get your acceptance letter
Your school must be Instituto Cervantes accredited. The acceptance letter must be in Spanish, signed, and confirm fees have been paid. This sets your course dates — everything else is timed around them.
⏰ As soon as you decide to go
3
Buy health insurance
Purchase from a DGSFP-authorised Spanish insurer. Coverage must start at least 1 month before your course and run 15 days after it ends. Get the policy certificate showing your name, dates, no copayments, and minimum €30,000 coverage.
⏰ 6–8 weeks before your BLS appointment
4
Get your medical certificate
Download the bilingual template from the BLS Miami Download Forms section. Take it to a licensed physician. The certificate must be dated within 3 months of your application date — don't get it too early. No separate translation needed if you use the official template.
⏰ Within 3 months of your planned BLS appointment
5
Book your BLS appointment
Book at usa.blsspainvisa.com/miami (National Visas section). You must apply at least 2 months before your course start date. Miami appointments can fill up — book as soon as your documents are ready.
⏰ Book early — slots fill fast in summer
6
Complete the application form and disclaimer
Download both from BLS Miami's Download Forms section. Fill in every field on the visa form. Include your email in section 17. Sign and date both documents on the day of your appointment.
⏰ 1–2 days before your appointment
7
Attend your BLS appointment in person
At 3191 Coral Way, Suite 611, Miami FL 33145. Bring originals and copies of everything. You must attend in person. Your passport will be held by BLS for the entire processing period (2–4 weeks).
⏰ Day of appointment
8
Collect your visa in person at BLS
BLS will notify you when your passport is ready. You must collect it in person at the BLS Miami office, Monday to Friday between 3:00–4:00 PM. Collection window is 2 months from approval — if you don't collect within this period, the visa is considered renounced.
⏰ After approval notification — do not book travel until approved
Miami-specific quirks
Miami is generally more straightforward than other US consulates, but there are several things worth knowing before you prepare your documents.
Fastest US consulate. Miami typically processes in 2–4 weeks — far faster than Boston (8 weeks) or New York (5 weeks). This is a genuine advantage if you're in the jurisdiction and trying to time your application carefully.
Bilingual medical certificate template. Miami provides an official bilingual English/Spanish template. Using it means no separate sworn translation is required — just a doctor's signature, seal, and licence number. Download it from the BLS Miami Download Forms section.
Disclaimer form required. Miami requires a signed disclaimer form, like Boston and LA. Download from the BLS Miami website, sign it, and include it with your application. Easy to miss if you're using a generic guide.
Passports over 10 years old not accepted. Even if your passport is within its expiry date, Miami will not accept it if it was issued more than 10 years ago. Renew your passport before applying if it's approaching that age.
FBI check must be within 6 months of your application date. Not your course start date — your actual submission date. If you start your FBI check too early and the process takes longer than expected, you may need to redo it. Time your application carefully.
Individual applicants pay by debit card. Unlike LA where money order is required for all, Miami individual applicants pay the consulate fee by debit card at BLS. Batch/group applications pay by money order or cashier's check payable to "Consular Outsourcing BLS Services Inc".
Collect your passport 3:00–4:00 PM only. Visa collection at BLS Miami is only available Monday to Friday between 3:00 and 4:00 PM. Plan your schedule around this — you must collect in person within 2 months of approval or the visa is forfeited.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Miami so much faster than other US consulates? +
Miami doesn't publish a specific explanation, but it has historically been the fastest Spanish consulate in the US — most applicants receive a decision in 2–4 weeks. This is likely due to lower application volume compared to New York or LA, and a more streamlined internal process. Unlike Boston, Miami doesn't require central Spain authorization for all applications, which removes a significant bottleneck.
Can I apply at Miami if I'm a student at a Florida university but my permanent address is in another state? +
This depends on your specific situation. The Miami consulate's jurisdiction is based on your permanent residence — Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina. If your permanent address is in another state but you're enrolled at a Florida university, check the BLS Miami website directly. Some consulates allow applications from students enrolled within the jurisdiction even without permanent residency there — but Miami's rules on this are stricter than Boston's. When in doubt, contact BLS at info.miaminational@blshelpline.com before booking.
Do I need an FBI check if my course is exactly 180 days? +
The FBI check is required for stays over 180 days. A course that is exactly 180 days does not trigger this requirement. However, remember that your visa is issued to cover one month before your course starts and 15 days after it ends — so a 180-day course results in a visa period of approximately 226 days, which does exceed 180 days. In this case, the FBI check would be required. Check your exact dates carefully.
Can I use the bilingual medical certificate template in English only? +
No — the template is bilingual, meaning both English and Spanish are on the same document. Your doctor signs the bilingual version. You don't need a separate sworn translation because the Spanish is already included in the template. If you use a certificate issued entirely in English (not from the official template), you will need a sworn Spanish translation.
Can someone else collect my visa for me? +
No — you must collect your passport and visa in person at BLS Miami, Monday to Friday between 3:00–4:00 PM. The collection window is 2 months from approval notification. If you don't collect within this period, the visa is considered renounced and archived.
I'm not a US citizen — what extra documents do I need? +
Non-US citizens must provide a notarised copy of their US immigration status: green card, valid US student visa, work permit stamp in passport, or parole documentation. This must be valid and current. US citizens with dual nationality should apply with their US passport.