How to pay at BLS USA: money orders and cashier's checks
Avoid being turned away at BLS US centers: why credit cards and personal checks fail, exact Money Order guidelines for consular visa fees, and BLS add-ons.
You cleared your schedule, took a day off work, and arrived at the BLS International center in Los Angeles, New York, or Miami with your complete visa dossier. You pull out your Visa or Amex card to pay the statutory consular fee, and the desk agent bluntly turns you away: 'We do not take cards or cash for consular fees; you need a Money Order with the exact cent amount'. How do you navigate these primitive payment rules?
The Separation Between Consular Fees and BLS Service Charges
To understand the payment complexity, you must understand Spanish administrative accounting. There are two completely separate financial transactions occurring at the counter:
- The Consular Visa Issuance FeeThis is an official tax of the Kingdom of Spain mandated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC). For US citizens, the visa fee is historically reciprocal (e.g., $140 to $190+ depending on visa category). Spanish consulates mandate that this fee must be collected via certified funds: strictly a USPS Postal Money Order or a Bank Cashier's Check payable to the 'Consulate General of Spain'.
- The BLS Logistics Service FeeThis is the private operational handling fee charged by BLS International (approximately $18 to $25 per applicant, plus optional add-ons like courier delivery or SMS). This secondary fee is frequently payable via debit card or credit card at the center.
Why Credit Cards and Personal Checks are Rejected for the Visa Fee
Spanish consular regulations prohibit the acceptance of personal checks due to the administrative risk of returned checks (bounced payments).
Similarly, consular offices generally refuse credit cards for statutory fees due to merchant processing transaction fees and the risk of credit card chargebacks from disgruntled applicants whose visas are ultimately denied.
Keep readingTracking your Spain visa at BLS Colombia: Understanding your actual file statusThe Golden Rule of the USPS Money Order
The safest and most universally accepted payment instrument across all BLS centers in the United States is an official Money Order purchased at any United States Postal Service (USPS) branch.
- The Payee line must read with exact legal precision (e.g., 'Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles' or 'Consulado General de España en Nueva York', matching your jurisdiction's published guidelines).
- The amount must reflect the exact published dollar amount on the day of your appointment down to the precise cent.
- Keep the serial stub in your records as proof of payment.
US BLS Visa Payment Standards & Methods Accepted
| Payment Instrument | ¿Accepted at BLS US? | Payee Name Format | Critical Trap to Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Money Order | ACCEPTED 100% (Gold standard) | 'BLS International Services USA Inc.' | Leaving payee blank or spelling name incorrectly |
| Bank Cashier's Check (Chase, BofA) | ACCEPTED 100% | 'BLS International Services USA Inc.' | Must be exact amount down to the cent |
| Credit / Debit Cards (Visa/MC) | CONDITIONAL (Prime lounge only) | Heavy card surcharge fees applied | Fails frequently due to counter POS issues |
| Personal Checks / Cash | STRICTLY REJECTED | N/A | Immediate rejection at entrance door |
| Separate Payment Splits | Mandatory two checks in some offices | Consular fee vs. BLS service fee | Confirm specific branch policy before arriving |
Key Practical Tips
What the team recommends before you file anything:
- Do not purchase a Money Order weeks in advance without checking the consular website. Exchange rate recalculations take place periodically and consular fee tables are revised without prior notice.
- Locate the nearest USPS branch to your BLS center before your appointment date, in case you need to run out and replace a money order due to a last-minute fee adjustment.
Required Documentation Checklist
- USPS Postal Money Order or certified Bank Cashier's Check for the exact consular fee.
- Payee line completed matching official consular instructions.
- Secondary debit or credit card ready to cover BLS service fees and return courier costs.
- Postal Money Order receipt stub safely stored in your travel folder.
- Printed copy of the official consular fee schedule matching your visa category.
Sources: Consulate General of Spain in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco - Fee Schedules; BLS International USA - Payment Terms and Consular Financial Guidelines; USPS Postal Money Order Regulatory Standards.
