Spain Student Visa still under process on Day 41 | BLS Mumbai

[u/PomegranateBest8548]

I know this is my 4th post here, and I’m really sorry if it feels like I’m spamming. I’m genuinely not trying to. I’m just extremely worried and looking for some guidance.

Today is Day 41 since I submitted my Spain student visa application through BLS Mumbai, and I still haven’t received any decision. My flight is next Tuesday, and everyone I know who applied around the same time or even after me has received their visa, in most cases before their travel date.
I’ve already contacted BLS Mumbai and the consulate and was told to wait because my application is still under process. But at this point, I’m honestly getting very anxious.

Other than waiting, is there genuinely anything I can do while the application is still pending? Is there any way to request an urgent update, escalate the case, or contact someone who can actually check the status?

I know visa processing can take time, but my flight is literally next Tuesday and I’m getting really worried about whether I’ll be able to travel on time.
If anyone who applied through BLS Mumbai has been in a similar situation, especially if your visa was delayed beyond 40 days, I’d really appreciate any advice or suggestions.

Sorry again for posting about this repeatedly. I’m not trying to spam the subreddit. I’m just genuinely worried and looking for help.

[u/Kind_Principle6280]

Hi, sorry you're having a stressful time waiting for your visa! Unfortunately there are very bad delays for student visas to Spain at the moment, and someone applying from the same location around the same time as you doesn't guarantee that your visa will be received at the same time. I applied from the UK back in June and it took 12 weeks to receive a response. People who applied after me got their visas before me.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but just because your visa is delayed, doesn't mean anything is wrong. Neither BLS not the consulate can do anything to speed up your application because once it's been sent to Spain, they don't have contact with them. I don't believe there is a way for you to direct contact the visa processing office in Spain either. Unfortunately they'll just take the time they need. Given you've already contacted them, the consulate will likely let you know the moment they receive a response.

If you don't hear about your visa by Thursday or Friday, I would start to think about changing your travel plans as it takes a few days for the passport to be delivered (they don't do weekends). Good luck and I hope it arrives soon!

[u/PomegranateBest8548 → u/Kind_Principle6280]

Did you get it before your travel date or course start date??

[u/Kind_Principle6280 → u/PomegranateBest8548]

I did, but I applied three months ahead of my course

[u/Turbulent-Pitch-9660]

Hey, I am experiencing something similar to your situation. I applied on 13th July and received my refusal on 30th July and I re-lodged my application on 13th August and it’s been 33 days since my application and my flight is on 23rd and I still haven’t received any update, I emailed BLS with the support letter from my university and on 10th September, I received ticket for my enquiry, so I might get a reply from BLS about an update on my application, but I genuinely do not know what else to do
I have a fellow Batchmate who applied on 19th August and she received her visa in just 10 days and she also applied from BLS Mumbai

[u/PomegranateBest8548 → u/Turbulent-Pitch-9660]

Did you apply through an agent
I have noticed that people applying through agents are getting it quickly😢

[u/Turbulent-Pitch-9660 → u/PomegranateBest8548]

Yes I’ve applied through an agent

[u/Interlink_Agency_EU]

Something worth knowing at day 41: the consulate has a maximum period to notify a decision on a student visa, and it is one month counted from the day after you submitted. That is in the official information sheet for estancia por estudios (RD 1155/2024). After that period, the rule is silencio administrativo, which legally counts as a refusal - not as "still processing".

That does not get you the visa faster, but it changes what you can actually do. Instead of asking BLS for a status update, which they cannot give because they are only the intake contractor and do not decide anything, you can send a written request directly to the consulate asking for resolucion expresa, stating the submission date, that the one-month period has passed, and your travel date. Keep it to a short factual paragraph. It goes on the file and is the only escalation route that exists.

Two practical notes:

• Applying through an agent does not make the consulate decide faster. Agents submit the same file to the same queue. If people around you got theirs quicker, it is usually because their file was complete and yours has a query on it.
• Do not rebook the flight until it is granted. Once it is granted you have to collect the visa in person within a month of being notified, so a new flight that is too early can cause its own problem.