BLS International operates the official Spain visa application centres in the UK — London, Manchester and Edinburgh — 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 three 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.
247 Expat Insurance prepares Spanish-licensed visa health insurance certificates ready for your BLS submission — whether London, Manchester or Edinburgh. Seven days a week.
Get a QuoteTalk to an AdviserBLS International operates three Spain Visa Application Centres serving the UK:
Use the centre for your residence catchment. Submitting at the wrong centre may result in rejection or redirection.
| BLS Centre | Spanish Consulate (decisions) | Typical catchment | Detail page |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLS London | Spanish Consulate London (20 Draycott Place, SW3 2RZ) | Greater London, South East, South West, Midlands, East Anglia, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands | BLS London |
| BLS Manchester | Spanish Consulate Manchester (Brook House, 70 Spring Gardens, M2 2BQ) | North West England, Yorkshire and the Humber, North East England, parts of Midlands | BLS Manchester |
| BLS Edinburgh | Spanish Consulate Edinburgh (63 North Castle Street, EH2 3LJ) | All of Scotland | BLS Edinburgh |
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.
The rule: use the BLS centre matched to the Spanish Consulate for your residence catchment, not the one geographically closest to you. Catchment is based on legal residence address.
If you’ve moved between catchments, use the centre matching your current residence — not the one you previously used.
The typical NLV process for UK applicants:
BLS does not make visa decisions. The Spanish Consulate is the decision-making authority.
All three BLS UK centres currently handle the main Spanish long-stay visa categories:
Categories and processes can vary — check current BLS information for your specific visa type.
Appointments are booked via the BLS International website for the relevant centre. Practical considerations:
At your BLS appointment, expect to submit:
Incomplete files may need to be rescheduled or supplemented.
Biometric data (fingerprints, photo) is typically captured at the BLS appointment and forms part of the visa file forwarded to the consulate.
After BLS submission, the file is forwarded to the Spanish Consulate. Typical NLV processing time is several weeks to a few months from BLS submission to consulate decision. Specific timings vary by consulate workload and case complexity.
For NLV submissions at any BLS UK centre, the health insurance component normally includes:
See our NLV certificate guide and proof of payment 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.
BLS London serves the Spanish Consulate London catchment. Currently the largest UK BLS centre by application volume.
BLS London full guide NLV London Consulate guide
BLS Manchester serves the Spanish Consulate Manchester catchment covering northern England.
BLS Manchester full guide NLV Manchester Consulate guide
BLS Edinburgh serves all of Scotland under the Spanish Consulate Edinburgh catchment.
BLS Edinburgh full guide NLV Edinburgh Consulate guide
247 Expat Insurance prepares Spanish-licensed visa health insurance certificates ready for your BLS submission — certificate, payment receipt and policy schedule in the format the Spanish Consulate commonly accepts. Send us your BLS centre, appointment date and visa route — we’ll prepare the insurance pack correctly. Seven days a week. Contact us via contact, quote form or WhatsApp. Related guides: BLS London, BLS Manchester, BLS Edinburgh, NLV London Consulate, NLV Manchester Consulate, NLV Edinburgh Consulate, NLV certificate, proof of payment, repatriation, visa rejected, NLV for retirees, visa health insurance hub.
BLS International is the official Spain visa application centre partner in the UK. BLS handles front-end submission — documents, biometrics, fees — before forwarding the file to the relevant Spanish Consulate for decision.
Currently most NLV applications are submitted through one of three BLS centres in the UK: London, Manchester or Edinburgh, based on your residence catchment.
The relevant Spanish Consulate (London, Manchester or Edinburgh). BLS handles submission; the Consulate decides.
Use the BLS centre matched to the Spanish Consulate for your residence catchment. Southern England + Wales + NI → BLS London. Northern England → BLS Manchester. Scotland → BLS Edinburgh.
No — catchment is based on residence, not preference. Submitting at the wrong centre may result in rejection or redirection.
NLV, DNV, Student, Family Reunification, Work Visa, HQP, Entrepreneur, Researcher, Au Pair, Internship, Volunteer, and other Spanish long-stay visa categories.
Via the BLS International website for your relevant centre.
Typically several weeks to a few months from BLS submission to consulate decision.
Spanish-licensed insurer certificate (DGSFP) with NLV reference, sin copago, sin carencias, annual cover, plus annual payment receipt. Repatriation cover where the consulate requires it.
Fees are normally paid at submission. Check current BLS information for payment instructions.
Yes typically — fingerprints and photo at the BLS appointment.
Use the BLS centre matching your current residence, not the one you previously used.
BLS may not accept the submission or may request rescheduling. Bring complete documents.
Document collection after decision is normally via BLS or the Consulate depending on current process. BLS notifies applicants when documents are ready.
Refusal notice via BLS or Consulate. Resubmission may be possible with corrected documents. Consult an immigration adviser about specific cases.
Family applications are typically processed together. Check BLS booking instructions for specific family group requirements.
Yes — verify current BLS addresses on the official BLS website before your appointment.
Late arrival typically forfeits the appointment. Rebook through BLS — potential additional fees may apply.
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.
Get a QuoteTalk to an Adviser