BLS USA Hub

BLS Spain Visa Application Centres in the USA

BLS International operates the official Spain visa application centres across the USA — New York, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC — handling NLV, DNV, Student Visa, Family Reunification and other long-stay visa submissions before they reach the Spanish Consulates for decision. This hub guide compares the eight US BLS centres, explains the submission process, and links to detailed pages for each. Current addresses, opening hours and process details are subject to change — always confirm against the current BLS website before booking.

The application flow currently runs: Applicant → BLS Centre (submission) → Spanish Consulate (assessment) → Decision → BLS/Consulate collection. BLS handles documents, biometrics and fees. The Spanish Consulate makes the decision.

Puerto Rico note: the submission route for the Spanish Consulate in San Juan is currently under verification — this hub covers the eight mainland US BLS centres. Puerto Rico applicants should check the current consulate website for the correct submission route.

Preparing for Your US BLS Submission?

247 Expat Insurance prepares Spanish-licensed visa health insurance certificates ready for your BLS submission across any US centre. Seven days a week.

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The eight US BLS centres

BLS International operates eight Spain Visa Application Centres on the US mainland, each linked to a Spanish Consulate:

BLS centre vs Consulate comparison table

BLS CentreSpanish Consulate (decisions)Typical catchmentDetail page
BLS New YorkConsulate General New YorkNY, NJ, CT, DE, PABLS NY
BLS BostonConsulate General BostonMA, ME, NH, VT, RIBLS Boston
BLS ChicagoConsulate General ChicagoIL, IN, OH, MI, WI, MN, IA, MO, KS, NE, ND, SDBLS Chicago
BLS MiamiConsulate General MiamiFL, GA, SC, NC, AL, MS, TN, parts of VA/WV/KY/AR/LABLS Miami
BLS HoustonConsulate General HoustonTX, parts of OKBLS Houston
BLS Los AngelesConsulate General LASouthern CA, NV, AZ, NM, CO, UT, HIBLS LA
BLS San FranciscoConsulate General SFNorthern CA, OR, WA, ID, MT, WY, AKBLS SF
BLS Washington DCSpanish Embassy DCDC, MD, parts of VABLS DC

Important: catchments can shift — currently the table above reflects typical jurisdiction patterns, but confirm against the current consulate website for your residence before booking your BLS appointment. Addresses are also subject to change.

Which BLS centre do I use?

Use the BLS centre matched to the Spanish Consulate covering your state of legal residence. Submitting at the wrong centre may result in rejection or redirection. State jurisdictions can change — check the current consulate website.

How the BLS submission process works

  1. Applicant prepares the visa file (forms, supporting documents, health insurance certificate and payment receipt)
  2. Applicant books a BLS appointment via the BLS USA website for the appropriate centre
  3. Applicant attends BLS in person for document submission and biometric capture
  4. BLS forwards the file to the relevant Spanish Consulate
  5. The Consulate assesses the application
  6. Decision is made
  7. Applicant collects the visa or refusal notice via BLS or the Consulate

Visas handled at US BLS centres

  • Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) — the most common US retiree route
  • Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
  • Student Visa
  • Family Reunification
  • Work Visa
  • Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) Visa
  • Entrepreneur / Startup Visa
  • Researcher Visa
  • Other Spanish long-stay visa categories

Booking BLS appointments

Appointments are booked via the BLS USA website for your relevant centre. Book well in advance — US BLS centres can have wait times. Some centres have higher volume than others.

Document collection at BLS

  • Visa application form (signed)
  • US passport (valid for the visa period)
  • Photos to specification
  • Supporting documents for the visa type
  • Health insurance certificate and proof of payment
  • Translations and apostille where required
  • BLS fee plus consular fees

Biometric appointments

Biometric data (fingerprints, photo) is typically captured at the BLS appointment.

Fees at BLS USA

BLS service fee plus consular visa fee at submission. Amounts vary — check current BLS USA information.

Processing expectations

After BLS submission, the file is forwarded to the Spanish Consulate. Typical NLV processing takes several weeks to a few months. Specific timings vary by consulate workload and case complexity.

Insurance documents for BLS

For NLV submissions at any US BLS centre:

  • Certificate from Spanish-licensed insurer (DGSFP), NLV reference, sin copago, sin carencias, annual cover
  • Proof of payment showing the first 12 months paid upfront
  • Policy schedule
  • Repatriation cover where required — check current consulate checklist

See our NLV certificate guide. Payment options: Spanish or EU IBAN, bank transfer, or credit/debit card. Annual upfront on credit/debit card is the cleanest route for visa files.

Why US health insurance is typically not accepted for NLV

Most Spanish Consulates require health insurance that complies with Spanish visa requirements. Many applicants choose a Spanish-licensed insurer because these policies are specifically designed to meet Non-Lucrative Visa and Digital Nomad Visa requirements. Spanish-licensed insurers hold DGSFP authorisation and the policies typically include the sin copago and sin carencias features the visa file expects. Cover from US-based insurers, or multi-national insurance brands without Spanish DGSFP authorisation, may not meet the visa requirements.

BLS New York

BLS New York serves the NY Consulate catchment.

Read our BLS New York guide · USA Consulates directory

BLS Boston

BLS Boston serves the Boston Consulate catchment (New England).

Read our BLS Boston guide

BLS Chicago

BLS Chicago serves the Chicago Consulate catchment (Midwest).

Read our BLS Chicago guide

BLS Miami

BLS Miami serves the Miami Consulate catchment (Southeast).

Read our BLS Miami guide

BLS Houston

BLS Houston serves the Houston Consulate catchment (Texas).

Read our BLS Houston guide

BLS Los Angeles

BLS Los Angeles serves the LA Consulate catchment (Southern California + Southwest).

Read our BLS Los Angeles guide

BLS San Francisco

BLS San Francisco serves the SF Consulate catchment (Northern California + Pacific Northwest).

Read our BLS San Francisco guide

BLS Washington DC

BLS Washington DC serves the Embassy catchment.

Read our BLS Washington DC guide

Common mistakes

  • Booking the wrong BLS centre based on geography rather than state catchment
  • Using a US-based health insurance plan that doesn’t hold Spanish DGSFP authorisation
  • Multi-national insurance brands without specific Spanish DGSFP authorisation
  • Arriving with incomplete documents
  • Confusing BLS submission with the consulate decision
  • Travel insurance, copago, carencias policies
  • Monthly-only payment evidence
  • Late arrival or missed appointments

Why applicants choose 247 Expat Insurance

247 Expat Insurance prepares Spanish-licensed visa health insurance certificates ready for your BLS USA submission. Seven days a week. Contact us via contact, quote form or WhatsApp. Related guides: USA Consulates directory, NLV certificate, proof of payment, repatriation, NLV for retirees, BLS UK hub, visa health insurance hub.

FAQs

What is BLS International in the USA?

BLS International is the official Spain visa application centre partner in the USA. BLS handles front-end submission — documents, biometrics, fees — before forwarding the file to the relevant Spanish Consulate for decision.

Where do I submit my NLV in the USA?

Currently most NLV applications are submitted through one of eight US BLS centres: New York, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Houston, LA, San Francisco or Washington DC, based on your state of residence.

Who decides on my visa application?

The relevant Spanish Consulate (or Embassy DC). BLS handles submission; the Consulate decides.

Which BLS centre do I use?

Use the BLS centre matched to the Spanish Consulate for your state. See the comparison table above.

Can I choose any BLS centre?

No — jurisdiction is based on state of residence. Submitting at the wrong centre may result in rejection or redirection.

What visas do US BLS centres handle?

NLV, DNV, Student, Family Reunification, Work, HQP, Entrepreneur, Researcher and other Spanish long-stay categories.

What about Puerto Rico?

The submission route for the Spanish Consulate in San Juan is currently under verification. Puerto Rico applicants should check the current consulate website.

How do I book a BLS appointment?

Via the BLS International USA website for your relevant centre.

How long does NLV processing take?

Typically several weeks to a few months from BLS submission to consulate decision.

Can I use US health insurance for NLV?

Generally no — Spanish-licensed insurer (DGSFP) is normally required. US-based insurers and multi-national brands without DGSFP authorisation are typically not accepted.

Can I pay BLS fees with a US card?

Yes typically. Check current BLS USA payment instructions.

Are biometrics taken at BLS USA?

Yes typically — fingerprints and photo at the BLS appointment.

What if I’ve moved between states?

Use the BLS centre matching your current state of residence, not where you previously lived.

Where do I collect my visa after decision?

Document collection after decision is normally via BLS or the Consulate depending on current process.

What if my visa is refused?

Refusal notice via BLS or Consulate. Resubmission may be possible with corrected documents.

Are BLS addresses subject to change?

Yes — verify current BLS addresses on the official BLS website before your appointment.

Prepare your insurance pack for your US BLS submission

Send us your BLS centre, appointment date, ages and visa route. We’ll prepare the insurance certificate, payment receipt and policy schedule ready for submission.

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