Visa to the USA from Spain

You can live in Madrid for ten years, hold a Spanish residence permit, and still apply for a US visa under your passport. And while Spaniards can travel to the US visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program for up to 90 days (if they have obtained an ESTA and meet the program's requirements), the situation may be quite different for Spanish residents with other citizenships.

The good news: if you need a US visa from Spain, you can apply in your country of residence. However, the Spanish address itself is no longer important, but the visa category, a correctly completed DS-160, and the convincing evidence of the circumstances of your trip. And when working with its clients, Visa Agency begins with precisely this: it analyzes the case and then tailors the application process and interview preparation to it.

What documents are needed to obtain a US visa from Spain?

The documents serve two different purposes. The passport, DS-160, and proof of payment are required for the visa application process itself. The remaining documents will help answer the consul's questions: are you legally residing in Spain, what are you doing, how are you traveling, and what ties you to your country of residence. Therefore, both the required formalities and the evidence specific to a specific case are included in one set:

• Passport;
• DS-160 confirmation page;
• Visa fee payment confirmation;
• Photograph (if unable to upload);
• Spanish residence permit, visa, or document on protected status;
• Employment certificate, education or business documents;
• Bank statements and proof of sufficient account balance;
• Residence information and travel plans to the United States;
• Sponsor's documents, if expenses are covered by another person;
• Marriage certificates and birth certificates of children, if relevant Case;
• Documents of relatives (if the purpose of the visit is to visit them)

The State Department does not set a fixed amount that must be shown on the account. The financial portion must be logical in relation to income, duration of trip, and expenses. And if the applicant is applying in Spain as a resident, they must be able to prove their residency in the country.

US Visa Processing Time via Spain

There is no set time frame for a US visa ""from application to passport."" First, you need to complete the DS-160, pay the fee, and schedule an interview. Waiting for an available date often takes up the majority of the time, and slot availability in Madrid is constantly changing. Therefore, it is better to begin the application process early rather than counting on a specific number of weeks.

After the interview, the consul may make a decision immediately or refer the application for additional administrative review. Its duration is not determined in advance, and the passport delivery time is also not included in the official deadlines.

Visa Processing Cost in Spain

The B1/B2 application processing fee is $185. This fee is non-refundable: it will not be refunded even if the consul denies the visa after the interview. A separate application form is prepared for each family member, and a separate fee is paid.

After approval, citizens of some countries may be charged an additional visa fee. This fee depends on citizenship, not residency in Spain. For example, for Ukrainian citizens with B1/B2 visas, there is currently no such surcharge.

Why Apply for a Visa through Visa Agency

With an American visa, most of the work is done before the consular appointment. You need to gather confirmations for your specific case, fill out all the necessary online forms, and understand how to explain the purpose of your trip, your finances, and your life in Spain. And Visa Agency doesn't delegate this preparation to the client. Our team:

• Selects documents based on the applicant's situation;
• Completes and verifies the DS-160;
• Assists with scheduling an interview;
• Checks the financial portion of the case;
• Prepares for questions from the consular officer;
• Helps gather additional documents in case of an administrative audit.

More on the latter: we prepare a list of all possible questions and answers in text format for the client. During the preparation (during a phone call), we explain the application process step by step, accompanied by a presentation. Then we go through each question and answer, working through them. The final stage is a rehearsal at the embassy, ​​where we ask questions of the client on behalf of the consul and check their readiness.

In other words, the client comes to the interview with a completed application and an understanding of their own story, rather than trying to figure it out at the consulate counter. Submit a request so that Visa Agency specialists can understand your situation and offer the best visa option specifically for your case!