Student Visas for International Travel

While this may be the first time you apply for a student visa, this isn't our first rodeo. Every year our team of visa specialists support thousands of IES Abroad students to have the proper documents to study abroad their host country. More detailed instructions are available in your MyIESabroad account once you are accepted to an IES Abroad program.

A student visa is a government-issued immigration document granted by a consulate general or embassy which allows you to legally study abroad in a specific country for a specific date range. Typically, a visa is an endorsed sticker or stamp placed on the inside pages of your passport. Your student visa is as important as your passport; without it you will not be able to study abroad if your program requires a student visa. 

Depending on your study abroad program and legal citizenship, you may need a student visa to study abroad. Every country has their own process, requirements, and fees for applying for a visa. Some countries may require you to travel to an in-person appointment at a consulate or embassy in select U.S. cities.

We can't wait for you to embark on your adventure abroad. We're here to help—every step of the way.

NOTE: Visa processes and requirements are determined by the government and consulate of each country, not by IES Abroad. While our team of visa specialists regularly updates information on our website, the most up-to-date and official information can be found on government and consulate websites.

United States Citizens: What to Know

You may need a visa depending on where and when you study abroad and your legal citizenship. Once you are accepted to an IES Abroad program, more detailed instructions are available in your MyIESabroad account to determine if you need a visa, what type of visa you need, and what the process will be to apply for your visa.

Not a U.S. citizen? Consult the consulate website of your passport country and contact your IES Abroad Advisor with further questions.

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You Need a Passport

Before you can apply for a visa, you need a passport that is valid for at least six months after your program end date. Find your program dates in your MyIESabroad account and on the webpage for your program.

Apply for Your Passport ASAP
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Visas Cost Money

The cost to apply for a visa varies by country, but typically includes a fee paid directly to the consulate (ranging from $55-$1,000). These fees are set by the consulate, not by IES Abroad, and can fluctuate.

Browse Visa Resources by Country
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You Apply to a Consulate

A consulate general or embassy is a government office operated by the country you will be studying in, but located in your home country. Note that visa requirements, processes, and timelines may vary between consulates of the same country.

Browse Visa Resources by Country
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You May Need to Travel to Your Consulate

Visa processing procedures vary by country. In most cases, students are required to appear in person, with a scheduled appointment, at the consulate. Keep in mind that your consulate may be out-of-state, requiring you to fly, drive, and/or stay overnight to make your appointment.

Browse Visa Resources by Country
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There Are Processing Times

Most consulates accept visa applications 90 to 120 days before your program start date. When requesting an appointment, account for your program start date, the 90 to 120-day timeframe, and the processing time required for the consulate to issue your visa. Processing times vary and can take up to 8 weeks.

Browse Visa Resources by Country
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IES Abroad ACCeSS Saves You Time

If you're studying abroad in Italy or Spain, you may have the option to skip a visit to the consulate by participating in our ACCeSS service (for an additional fee).

Learn More About ACCeSS

Need a student visa for Spain or Italy?

Save yourself a trip to the consulate with IES Abroad's ACCeSS. With ACCeSS, we review and submit your visa materials to the consulate, and pick up your issued visa on your behalf—talk about a game-changer!

Learn More

Visa Resources by Country

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IES Abroad

Spain & Italy: IES Abroad Visa ACCeSS

If you need a visa for Italy or a visa for Spain, you may be eligible to use the IES Abroad ACCeSS program. ACCeSS, or the Application Check and Consular Submission Service, is our visa processing service in which we submit your visa application materials to the consulate for you (for an additional fee). Step-by-step instructions for participating in ACCeSS are available in your MyIESabroad account after you are accepted to your program.

What makes you eligible?

  • Study abroad with us in Spain or Italy for a semester or longer
  • Full-time semester Italy and Spain interns are eligible for ACCeSS. 
  • Have a home and/or school address in a consulate jurisdiction that participates in our ACCeSS program. Find your consulate and whether they participate in ACCeSS using our tools for Italy ACCeSS and Spain ACCeSS.
  • You will NOT be traveling internationally before your program starts.

If you are not eligible for ACCeSS or choose not to participate, keep in mind that Italian and Spanish consulate appointments are very limited. You will need to be proactive in scheduling and planning your visit to your consulate on your own.

After you are accepted to an IES Abroad program, consult the Predeparture Guide in your MyIESabroad account for more information.

Spain & Italy: Upcoming ACCeSS Deadlines

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  • Spain ACCeSS Deadlines
  • Italy ACCeSS Deadlines

Spain ACCeSS Deadlines

Fall 2025 Deadlines

We set ACCeSS deadlines based on our appointment date with each consulate. The ACCeSS fee is $310 for consulates not requiring a money order and $150 for consulates who require a money order. Additional fees may apply if the consulate is working with BLS.

  • Boston: early to late May
  • Chicago: early to late May
  • Houston: early to late May
  • Los Angeles: early to late May
  • Miami: early to late May
  • New York: early to late May
  • San Francisco: early to late May
  • Washington D.C.: early to late May

Find Your Spanish Consulate

“IES Abroad staff were resources for everything from visa applications to independent travel. They made my study abroad experience amazing from acceptance into the program to when I arrived home!”
 Hannah H. • Loyola University Chicago • Auckland Direct Enrollment - University Of Auckland

We’re Here for You

Our team of visa specialists are here to help. Step-by-step instructions to ensure you have the proper visa and/or entry documents to study abroad are available in your myIESabroad account once you are accepted to a program.

Apply to Study Abroad
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