Student Visa Spain from Philippines
Spain is home to some of the world’s finest universities and higher education facilities, attracting international students from around the world. Filipino citizens can obtain the right to enter Spain and stay in the country for the duration of their studies there with a Spanish Student Visa.
Need guidance or support on your national visa application to study in Spain? Total Law have worked with hundreds of students from the Philippines to get their relevant travel permissions and can help you, too. Call our team now on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to learn more on our legal immigration services.
Do I Need a Visa to Study in Spain?
Those who may enter Spain for the purposes of studying without a visa include citizens of the EU (European Union), EEA (European Economic Area) and the United States (for periods of up to 90 days). This means that Filipino citizens must obtain a Spanish Student Visa to travel there for educational purposes; unless they hold a passport from a visa-exempt state.
With a Spanish Student Visa granted, international students may do the following in Spain:
- Study for a graduate or advanced degree
- Enrol in a student exchange programme (at an academic or scientific institution that has been formally recognised by the Spanish government)
- Participate in training
- Conduct research
- Perform an internship in their field of study
- Perform a long-term (over three month) volunteer service in their field of study.
What’s more, visa holders may work up to 20 hours per week alongside their studies while in Spain, and may work on holidays.
Types of Spanish Student Visa
There are three types of Spanish Student Visa. Applicants should undergo the national visa application process for whichever is relevant to their circumstances. The options are as follows:
Schengen Student Visa
The Schengen Student Visa is valid for a period of up to 90 days in a 180-day period and permits the holder to not just study in Spain but also to travel to and study within any other Schengen Area state. As well as Spain, this includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Short-term Student Visa
Where a student’s study term is set to last over 90 days (three months) but less than 180 days (six months), they may apply for a short-term Student Visa. This visa type cannot be extended but is fairly easy to obtain.
Long-term Student Visa
Where a student’s study commitment is to last over 180 days (six months), a long-term Student Visa must be applied for. This facilitates the holder enrolling in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree program.
Student Residence Card
Whichever Student Visa is obtained, the holder is required to then obtain a Student Residence Card within one month of arrival in Spain. This can be done at a local immigration office or police station.
Unsure which student visa for Spain is most appropriate for you? The Total Law team are available to help on +44 (0) 333 305 9375.
Spain Student Visa Requirements
To be duly granted a Spanish Student Visa, there are various requirements that applicants must fulfil to demonstrate their eligibility.
Firstly, applicants must have been accepted in a recognised educational or research institution or in an organisation intended for your internship or volunteer service ahead of any attempt to file a Spanish Student Visa. Alongside providing an acceptance letter or a confirmation document proving this, applicants must also provide:
- A copy of a valid passport
- 2x copies of the visa application form
- 2x passport photos (no older than six months)
- A certificate of sponsorship; OR demonstration of sufficient financial means to cover all costs for the duration of the stay in Spain
- Details of a legal residence to live in once arrived in Spain
- Valid medical insurance (for a short-term Schengen Study Visa this must include medical insurance coverage across all Schengen countries)
- A medical certificate detailing a clean bill of health
- A criminal record certificate detailing a clean criminal record (authorised by the apostille of the Hague and no older than three months).
For support on providing supporting documents or to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria, call +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to speak to an immigration specialist at Total Law.
How to Apply for a Spain Student Visa?
To obtain a Student Visa for Spain, applicants are advised to follow the below process:
Gain acceptance to a relevant university or educational institution
The Spain Student Visa requirements dictate that applicants must already hold an offer letter from a recognised university or educational establishment in order to be successful in their application. It is imperative, therefore, that applicants have this in plenty of time to be granted their offer and commence their studies; usually two to three months ahead of time.
Compile all evidential documentation
All supporting documents must be ready ahead of a Spain Student Visa application appointment and so it is advised that applicants have evidence ready before they complete the application form. Documents must be accompanied by a certified translation into Spanish unless they already are in the Spanish language. Filipino and English will not suffice.
Complete application form
The application form for a Student Visa for Spain can be downloaded from the Spanish government’s website. This should be printed and completed wholly and accurately before being signed by the applicant. Be advised that the Spanish government does not charge for the download of this application form – so avoid any companies who say they will source it for a fee.
Book and attend visa application appointment
An appointment should be booked and attended at the applicant’s local Spanish Embassy or Spanish Consulate. They must take with them the two copies of the application form along with all supporting documents, and be prepared to answer questions on their studies and intended stay in Spain.
Await visa decision
Once all documents have been submitted and the visa fee paid, the applicant is free to leave the visa application appointment and may await the outcome of the visa decision at home.
Travel to Spain
When a Student Visa for Spain has been granted, the holder is free to travel to Spain and commence their studies and work.
Apply for Student Residence Permit
Visa holders must apply for a Student Residence Permit within one month of arriving in Spain. This is done at a local immigration centre or police station.
Need guidance through any part of the Student Visa application process? Speak to an expert today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 by getting in touch with Total Law.
Spain Student Visa processing time and cost
The Spain Student Visa is not the fastest visa to be processed, and it can take up to three months to receive a decision. The processing period may be halted at any time for Spanish authorities to request further information or documents; and will not be resumed until these are supplied. It is recommended that applicants apply no less than two months before their intended study commencement date in order to avoid disappointment.
The Student Visa for Spain costs €80.
How Total Law can help
The visa application process can be daunting, and there’s lots to do in order to even initiate the process. As a team of expert solicitors with years of experience in the field, Total Law can ease even the most complex of visa applications by providing support, guidance and peace of mind.
Call our team today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 and learn more on how we can help you. No matter how tricky your circumstances (or studies), we can offer advice.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
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.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Language proficiency must be demonstrated as part of the Student Visa application appointment process and is dependent on the language of the intended study programme. If the course is to be taught in Spanish, applicants are advised to take a Diploma de Español Como Lengua Extranjera to prove their knowledge. If the course is to be taught in English, IELTS, PTE Academic, or C1 Advanced can be taken to prove proficiency.
Only speaking Filipino will not be considered acceptable for a Student Visa application.
Providing that any pre-existing conditions detailed on your medical certificate are covered by sufficient health insurance cover, and authorities are sure you do not intend to use Spain’s public health system, there should be no issue. However, it’s best to discuss your circumstances with a lawyer. Call +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to talk to Total Law today.
Yes. Visa holders are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week alongside their studies, but it should be noted that any income generated as such cannot count toward the ‘sufficient financial means’ with which to support themselves while in Spain.
It is highly unusual for a Spanish university to issue an acceptance letter in any language other than Spanish or English, however, if they have done so, it can be combined with a notarised official translation.
There is a Spanish Embassy and Spanish Consular offices in the Philippines; both in Manila. The Embassy of Spain can be found at L27, Equitable Bank Tower, 8751 Paseo de Roxas, Makati, Metro Manila and the Consulate at 5th Floor, A.C.T. Tower. 135 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue.1227 Makati City, Metro Manila.
