Internship Visa Spain
Spain boasts a number of excellent educational institutions and professional opportunities. As such, it is a popular choice for many international students and recent international graduates who are looking to complete an internship.
Applying for a Spanish Internship visa can be complicated, however. If you wish to pursue this route, contact Total Law today online or on +34 919015010 to learn more about how we can make your application process as simple as possible.
What is the Internship Visa in Spain?
The Spanish Internship visa is a route intended for non-EU citizens wishing to complete a professional internship in Spain.
There are two main routes within the Internship visa: an agreement with a university and a contract with a company. In the case of the former, your visa will be valid for up to 6 months and can be renewed as required.
In the case of the latter, your visa will be valid for the duration of your internship. If you are made a formal job offer after your internship, you may then apply for a Work permit.
If you are a citizen of the European Union, you will not require a visa in order to complete an internship in Spain.
Page Contents
- What is the Internship Visa in Spain?
- Eligibility Requirements for Spain Internship Visa
- Two Different Paths: Contract and Agreement
- Required Documents for Spain Internship Visa
- Application Procedure for Spain Internship Visa
- Difference Between the Internship Visa and Student Visa
- Main Advantages of Spain Internship Visa
- Application Fee and Processing Time
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Eligibility Requirements for Spain Internship Visa
In order to be eligible for the Spanish Internship visa, you will generally need to fall into one of the following categories:
- Have a degree from a higher education institution and have graduated within the last 2 years
- Be in the process of pursuing a higher education degree
- Have either an agreement or trainee contract for an internship program or internship placement in Spain, with the aim of improving your professional and Spanish language skills
If you do not fall within any of these categories, applying for a Student visa might be a better fit, which will also allow you to pursue certain internships in Spain.
In general, the internship which you pursue must be related to your educational training in order for you to be eligible for an Internship visa.
Two Different Paths: Contract and Agreement
There are two different paths to pursuing an internship under the Internship visa route. These are as follows: a contract with a company or an agreement with a university.
Company Contract
If you have already completed your studies, this is likely to be the best route for you. This means that you will need to enter into a contract with a Spanish company. The contract should be from 6 months to 2 years in duration, and your visa will be valid for the length of your contract.
In the event that the company decides to hire you on a more long-term basis, you will be permitted to switch to a Work permit.
You will need to prove that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself for the duration of the internship. However, as you will be registered with Spain’s Social Security, you will be eligible to access Spanish public health services and so will not require private medical insurance.
University Agreement
If you are still pursuing your higher education degree, an agreement with a university is likely the best fit for your circumstances. In this case, you will be completing your internship via your university.
Internship visas which use this route will be valid for up to 6 months, depending upon the length of your internship, and can be renewed as necessary.
You will need to prove that you have the financial means to support yourself for the duration of your internship. You will also need Spanish private medical insurance. If you are already in Spain as a student, you will also need a Student visa in order to be eligible for this route.
Required Documents for Spain Internship Visa
There are a number of documents which you will be required to provide in order to apply for Spain’s Internship visa. These are generally as follows:
- Valid passport
- Completed visa application form
- Clean criminal record check certificate
- Proof of payment of visa fee
- Passport photo, to the Spanish specifications
- Internship agreement/contract
- Letter confirming your hire
- Private medical insurance (if applicable)
- Proof of Spanish accommodation
- Proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay (typically approximately €500 a month)
Application Procedure for Spain Internship Visa
There are a number of steps associated with applying for an Internship visa. The exact steps will depend on whether you are applying from within Spain or from your home country.
If you are applying from within Spain, you can submit your application via the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you are applying from your home country, you should apply via your local Spanish embassy or consulate, where you will need to book an appointment.
When emailing to book an appointment, you should enter ‘residence authorisation for internships’ into the subject line. In the body of the email, you should include your personal details, including your name, passport number, and contact information.
Once you have attended your appointment and your required evidence has been submitted, your application will be processed. If you are successful, you will be granted residence authorisation for a Spanish internship.
Difference Between the Internship Visa and Student Visa
In order to be eligible for a Spanish Internship visa, you will need to satisfy one of the following:
- Have a degree from a higher education institution and have graduated within the last 2 years
- Be pursuing a higher education degree
- Have either an internship agreement or trainee contract for an internship program. The program should be intended to improve your professional skills or your Spanish language skills
If you plan to complete an internship in Spain but do not satisfy one of the above criteria, a Student visa is likely to be a better fit for you. If you have an offer for an internship but do not have a university degree and are not working towards one, for example, it is likely that you will need to apply for a Student visa rather than an Internship visa.
Main Advantages of Spain Internship Visa
There are a number of advantages associated with pursuing an internship in Spain, many of which appeal to international students and recent non-EU graduates.
For one, Spain boasts a strong and thriving economy, presenting interns with numerous professional opportunities.
Additionally, Spain itself offers a wonderful living environment, with a warm climate, numerous areas of natural beauty, and many appealing travel opportunities.
As such, interning in Spain offers an appealing blend of professional opportunity and enjoyable downtime, ensuring that you can have the best of both worlds.
Application Fee and Processing Time
In general, the visa fee for an Internship visa application is €90-€200. However, there may also be additional costs associated with your application. For example, many applicants need to pay a translator in order to translate their documents into Spanish.
In the case of the University Agreement route, you will also need to pay for private Spanish health insurance. You may also choose to seek legal advice in order to streamline your application process. Contact Total Law today on +34 919015010 to learn more about our own packages.
In terms of processing time, you should generally receive an answer on your application within 10 days. However, this can vary based on factors such as how many other applications are simultaneously being processed and whether you are asked to submit further documentation.
In order to avoid delays, make sure to thoroughly check the required documentation list and to submit your application correctly. If any additional information is requested, make sure to provide it as soon as possible.
How Can Total Law Help?
Spain is a European country with a thriving economy and numerous professional opportunities. It also boasts excellent universities and educational institutions. As such, it is a popular choice for those looking to pursue internships overseas. Completing an internship in Spain gives you access to a strong market, great professional connections, and a wonderful living environment.
However, the process of applying for a Spanish Internship visa can often be complicated. There are different routes and identifying which one is right for you can often be confusing. At Total Law, our legal experts are adept at giving immigration advice on cases exactly like this.
We offer a range of packages which cover the entire process, from deciding which route is right for you to appealing the decision in the case of an unsuccessful application. Contact us online today, or on +34 919015010 to learn more about how we can help you navigate your own immigration journey.
Advice Package
Get clear, expert advice on your visa options, eligibility and application before you commit to applying.
Application Package
Let our immigration lawyers prepare, check and manage your application so you can apply with confidence.
Fast Track Package
Need to apply quickly? Get priority handling by our immigration lawyers from preparation to submission.
Appeal Package
Been refused or received an unfavourable decision? Get expert legal help to challenge it or determine your next step.
The Advice Package
During this Advice Session, an immigration lawyer will assess your circumstances, explain your options and tell you what you need to do to make a strong application.
We review your circumstances, explain the relevant requirements, identify potential problems or refusal risks, and advise you on the evidence and next steps.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will assess your case, prepare your application, check your supporting documents and submit your forms on your behalf.
We check your application for missing information, inconsistencies and potential issues before submission, helping you avoid common mistakes that could affect your case.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package gives your case priority with our immigration lawyers, helping you get your application prepared, checked and submitted as quickly as possible.
Your case receives priority handling, including accelerated document reviews, application preparation, communication with your caseworker and submission support.
The Appeal Package
Our immigration lawyers will review the decision, explain why it was refused and advise on the strongest option available to you, including an appeal, review or fresh application where appropriate.
We will examine the reasons for refusal, identify weaknesses or errors, assess your available options and provide the legal support and representation your case requires.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you are a non-EU citizen, you will require a visa in order to complete an internship in Spain. The exact visa will depend on your specific circumstances, as outlined in the main article.
The Internship visa itself does not provide a direct route to permanent residency. However, if the company with which you are interning offers you a long-term contract, you may be able to obtain a Spanish Work visa. In this case, you may eventually become eligible for Spanish permanent residency.
To learn more about the different routes to Spanish permanent residency, contact Total Law today on +34 919015010.
Yes, if you already have a Spanish Student visa and wish to pursue a paid internship in Spain, you can apply for an Internship visa.
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