Student Visa Spain
Spain is a beautiful country with high-quality universities, research institutes, and business schools. With a student visa for Spain, you can explore all that the country has to offer in terms of academic activities and even learn some Spanish.
However, you need to understand all the intricacies that go into getting a student visa in Spain. At Total Law, we can help you navigate the processes of obtaining your Spanish student visa. You can reach out to us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 for more guidance
What is the Spanish Student Visa?
The Spain study visa is a visa program that enables non-EU/EEA citizens to stay in Spain and study at public or private schools, do research, and undertake training.
People who want to obtain a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree or enrol in professional training will need this student visa. You might also need it if you are performing a volunteer service for more than three months.
You should note that this study visa is not a regular residence permit. The visa only permits you to study and work for up to 20 hours while studying. You will need another visa if you want to remain in Spain after your studies. You can also work during the holidays with a Spanish student visa.
Page Contents
- What is the Spanish Student Visa?
- Do You Need A Student Visa to Study in Spain?
- Types of Student Visas in Spain
- Spain Student Visa Requirements
- How to Apply for a Spain Student Visa?
- Student Visa Length and Possibility to Work
- Spain Student Visa Cost and Processing Time
- How Can Our Spain Immigration Lawyers at Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Do You Need A Student Visa to Study in Spain?
Not all international students need to get a student visa to study in Spain.
International students from EU/EEA member states or Switzerland do not need to apply for a student visa in Spain. They only need to apply for a residence card (NIE) from the Spanish Authorities to study in Spain. They can also bring relatives along with a joint application.
If you are from a visa-required country, you will need a student visa to study in Spain. Every country that is not a member state of the European Union requires a student visa to study in Spain. This visa is your residence authorisation for study purposes in the country.
You might also not require a student visa in Spain if the duration of your study is less than 90 days, regardless of whether you are from an EU country or not. As a citizen of the United States or Canada, you can apply for a Schengen visa to study in Spain for less than 90 days.
Note that studying in Spain without a valid student visa can result in jail time or deportation. Always ensure that you have the proper student visa for your studies so that you won’t run into problems with the local authorities.
Types of Student Visas in Spain
Overview
The type of student visa you need depends on the length of your study. If your study program is between three to six months, you apply for a short-term student visa. For study programs over six months, you will need a long-term student visa.
Depending on the type of visa you apply for, you will need to provide certain documents and meet some requirements. The cost and processing time would also vary. Your student visa type would determine if you need to apply for a Spanish residence card.
Schengen Student Visa
The Schengen student visa is a short-stay visa that enables international students to study in Spain for up to 90 days (3 months). Citizens from all states in the Schengen area can apply for this visa.
If your study program, research project, or training does not exceed 90 days, this visa is a good option. You do not have to be a student in your home country to apply for the visa. Graduates seeking professional experience and knowledge in their field can also apply.
With this visa, you can travel to any of the 29 Schengen countries and spend up to 90 days in Spain within a 180-day timeframe. However, you cannot apply for a residence card or work with this visa. Working with a Schengen student visa is illegal and sanctionable.
Ensure you keep track of the days you spend in Spain. You cannot extend your stay with this type of visa. Overstaying your visa can lead to legal consequences like getting fined, deported, or banned from entering the Schengen area.
If you want to extend your stay in Spain, you have to go back to your home country and apply for a long-stay study visa or an appropriate visa. Note that the Schengen student visa is for international students from non-EU countries who need a visa. EU/EEA citizens do not need a Schengen visa to study in Spain.
Short-Term Student Visa
A short-term student visa enables international students to study in Spain for up to 180 days (6 months). This visa works for study programs that last for 91 to 180 days. You can also obtain a visa for training, volunteering, and research projects that will not last longer than six months.
You should note that you cannot work with a short-term student visa or apply for a Spanish resident card. All you can do is study while you are in Spain.
You have to provide proof of acceptance into an accredited Spanish educational, vocational, or research institute to obtain the visa. You might also be asked to provide other information about your studies, research project, or training.
You can start applying for the visa three months before you plan to travel. Note that gaining admission does not guarantee that you will be given a study visa. This visa can also not be extended. If you need to stay beyond 180 days, you will have to return to your home country and apply for a long-stay visa.
Visa Requirements
- A complete visa application
- Passport photograph
- Your original passport or an equivalent travel document with photocopies
- Provide proof of admission from the establishment where you’re going to be studying, indicating the start and end dates, along with an official stamp or signature.
- Proof of health insurance by a provider authorised to operate in Spain
- Payment of the visa application fee
How to Apply
- Prepare all your documents.
- Submit the application form at the local Spanish embassy in your country.
- Pay the visa fee and wait for your application to be processed.
Long-Term Student Visa
A long-term student visa enables international students to study in Spain for more than 180 days (6 months). With this visa, you can do part-time work while you study. You can also work during the holidays. Note that you can not take on full-time jobs with this visa.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not need this visa to study for a long term in Spain. Nationals of these countries can get a visa waiver with a valid passport and other key documents. All they have to do is register for an EU Certificate with the Central Register of Foreigners.
This certificate proves that you can legally reside in Spain. It would contain your address, length of stay, and NIE number. Note that it is not an identity card; you will need to get a residence card for identification. You would have to apply for the NIE card separately. But you can get it with your certificate.
All international students from countries outside the EU need to apply for a Foreign Identification Number, NIE. Once you have the NIE number, you can apply for a TIE card – tarjeta de identidad de extranjero. This card is a biometric card that serves as a means of identification. It contains your passport photograph, immigration status, stay duration, Foreign Identity Number, and other details.
The residence card proves your authorisation to reside in Spain and is key to applying for job opportunities as a student. You would also need it to pay your taxes, open a bank account, get a driver’s license, and access social services. If you travel to other Schengen countries, you will be able to return to Spain easily.
Note that you are expected to register for your residence card within 30 days of arrival in Spain. You would need a valid passport or travel ID, school acceptance letter, passport photos, medical insurance, proof of residency, bank statements, and a completed application form to apply.
Your TIE residence card is a temporary residency permit and is only applicable for the duration of your study program. You would have to renew it every academic year as it is only valid for one year.
Spain Student Visa Requirements
Admission to a full-time study program in an accredited university or language school in Spain is required before you can apply for a long-stay student visa in Spain. Your acceptance letter is crucial to your application, but it does not guarantee approval for a visa.
You would also need to prove that you can cover your expenses in Spain. Your working in Spain can only serve as a support to your primary financial source. You can show a bank statement, proof of sponsorship or financial aid, or a notarised letter from responsible parents or legal guardians to prove your primary financial means. If your school is financially responsible for you, you will need a confirmation letter to prove it.
To get your visa, you will need to meet the following requirements.
- Two correctly completed application forms
- Your valid passport
- Your identification card (ID card)
- Two recent passport photographs
- Letter of admission from your chosen university
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Proof of health insurance provided by a company authorised to operate in Spain.
- Proof of enrolment
- Proof of fee payment
- Medical certificate
- Certificate of criminal record (at most three months old)
How to Apply for a Spain Student Visa?
The application process for a long-stay visa depends on your country. You can check with your local Spanish consulate office to know the documents you need for your application.
Generally, the application process should go like this:
- Gain admission into an educational institution in Spain.
- Receive proof of enrolment from your education provider.
- Prepare all the required documents to apply for your student visa.
- Book an appointment at the local Spanish consulate.
- Provide all required documentation during your first appointment.
- The application is reviewed and approved in line with the requirements.
- Receive an invitation to collect your long-term student visa.
Student Visa Length and Possibility to Work
Your Spanish student visa is valid for the duration of your course or program. If your program lasts for six months, your visa will be valid for six months and no longer than that. The expiration date of the visa will be written on the visa.
However, you can apply for an extension if your program extends for longer than the envisaged period. You will have to turn in your application at least 60 days before the expiration of your visa. After applying, the immigration office will give you a document that makes you eligible to stay in Spain till your visa extension is granted.
You can also work with your long-term student visa. However, it has to be work that will not interfere with your studies. So, you can only work for 20 hours per week with your long-term student visa.
Spain Student Visa Cost and Processing Time
The cost and processing time for a Spanish student visa vary based on the type of visa you are applying for, whether a third party is helping you with the process, and your country of origin. However, one factor cuts across all visa types and countries – it is essential to apply as early as possible.
For a Schengen student visa, you might have to pay €80 and submit your application between 1 month to 3 months before your intended travel date. Applying early will give the embassy enough time to process your visa.
For a short-term or long-term student visa, you might have to pay about €80 for the application. This fee may different based on the country you are applying from. Though the application itself can be processed within 15 days, the entire process can take up to 3 months. You must file your application at least two months before your intended travel date.
How Can Our Spain Immigration Lawyers at Total Law Help?
Obtaining your student visa requires a lot of paperwork and several interactions with the local authorities. It can get pretty stressful, but you do not have to do it alone. At Total Law, our Spanish immigration lawyers can help you navigate the visa application process.
Based on your eligibility and travel plans, our competent immigration lawyers can help you decide on the best visa type for you. Our services include:
- Submitting and tracking your visa application
- Getting your Foreign Identity Number and residence card
- Arranging for a family unification or a visitor visa for family and friends
- Securing a work permit after your studies
Our immigration lawyers have an in-depth understanding of the Spanish and Schengen immigration laws. We can provide you with reliable information and guidance on getting your documents ready and filling out application forms. You can call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or contact us online for help with your Spanish student visa.
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During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can stay in Spain for one year after your student visa expires by extending it with a job search visa after your program ends. This residency permit allows you to look for a job in Spain. However, you may not extend or renew this permit. Once you have a job, your employer can then apply for a work permit for you.
No, your student visa will not count towards your residency in Spain. A student visa is just an authorisation to live in Spain while you study.
Yes, you can apply for a work permit after your study program in Spain. Once you sign an employment contract, your employer must secure a work permit for you before you start working.
You can only bring your family members with you on a student visa if you apply for a long-term student visa. As your stay will be more than six months, you will qualify for family unification. You will also have to prove your financial capability to support their stay.
You can only have family members with the following relationship – spouse, registered partner, and dependent minor children (under 18 years). You will need to provide evidence of your relationship.
You will need a monthly 100% of the IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples), which is about €600 per month. This bank balance will prove that you have sufficient funds to sustain yourself during the period of your studies.
