Any foreign student who wants to stay and study in Spain for more than 90 days will have to obtain a long-term Student Visa. This visa is granted to students who have already been admitted to a recognized educational institute in Spain.
The student visa is applicable for studying, conducting research, participating in student exchanges, training, unpaid internships, or performing volunteer services. However, citizens of certain selected countries are exempt from the visa requirement, provided their stay in Spain is no more than 3 months.
Foreign students who want to study in Spain must apply for and obtain a student visa before arriving in Spain. After they arrive in Spain, foreign students are required to apply to the Foreign Office or Police Station for authorization to stay in the country for the specified period.
Eligibility Criteria For Spain Student Visa
To be eligible for a Spanish student visa, you must fulfil the following conditions:
- You must provide proof of being enrolled as a full-time student in one of Spain’s educational institutes that is recognized by Spain’s Department of Education
- You must provide proof of full payment of the tuition fee for the course
- You must have a passport with a validity that extends the duration of the visa you are applying for by at least 3 months
- Your passport must have at least two blank pages, and it must have been issued within the previous 10 years
- You must have a copy of your completed application form
- You must provide proof of your financial ability so as to support yourself financially during the course of your study in Spain, and for your return transportation
- You must provide personal bank account statements
- You must have acceptable insurance for health and accident, covering the total number of days you will be staying in Spain as a student
- You must not have a criminal record
- You must provide a Medical Certificate indicating that you are in good physical and mental health and are free from any kind of contagious diseases
- You intend to leave Spain at the end of your authorized stay
Steps To Follow To Apply For Spain Student Visa
Before you apply for Spain student visa, find out about the required documents and the processing time needed for the visa to be issued. Once you are aware of all the details regarding the application, you can go ahead with the following procedure:
Step 1: Download the visa application form
Your first step is to obtain the student visa application form for Spain. You can obtain it either from Spain’s Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post in your country, or you can download the National Visa Application Form from the internet.
Step 2: Fill out the visa application form
Fill out the application form carefully, including all required details. Do not forget to put your signature on your application form.
Step 3: Gather the required documents for the visa application
Make a checklist of the documents that you need to submit along with your application form. Gather all the documents and keep them ready for submission.
Step 4: Provide a photograph for your visa application
Provide your recent colour photograph for the visa application. Make sure your photograph meets all the requirements for visa photographs. In any case, your photograph must not be more than 6 months old. You will need to submit two passport photographs with your visa application form.
Step 5: Check the visa application fee
Check the fees required for your visa application. Keep the fee ready for submission along with your visa application form. Remember that the application fee and payment method vary by country.
Step 6: Submit your visa application form
Fix an appointment at the application centre to submit your application. Submit your completed visa application form in person at the Spanish Consulate nearest to you, along with all the required documentation.
Step 7: Pay the required visa application fee
Pay the applicable visa application fee at the time you submit your application form.
Step 8: Track your visa application
After you submit your application, you can track your visa application online.
Step 9: Collect your visa
After your visa is issued, you will be notified. You must collect the visa in person from the relevant Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post. It is also possible to send a duly authorized representative to collect the visa on your behalf. Make sure that you collect the visa within a month of being notified about its issuance.
Duration of Spain Student Visa
Generally, a student visa in Spain is granted for the entire duration of the course of study.
Required Fees for Spain Student Visa
- Fees for Spain Student Visa – EUR 160 (INR 12,428.88)
Note:
- Your application fee will not be refunded if your student visa application is refused or rejected for any reason.
- The conversion into Indian currency is based on current conversion rates, which may change.
- The visa application fee is subject to change at any time.
Renewal of a Spanish student Visa
You can renew your student visa to further extend your studies or take up a new course of study in Spain.
Exemption of Spain Student Visa
Citizens of certain countries are exempt from requiring a student visa if they intend to stay in Spain for no more than 90 days. A list of such countries is provided below:
| Andorra | Argentina | Aruba |
| Australia | Bolivia | Brazil |
| Brunei | Canada | Chile |
| Colombia | Costa Rica | Croatia |
| Cyprus | Czech Republic | Ecuador |
| El Salvador | Estonia | Guatemala |
| Honduras | Hungary | Iceland |
| Israel | Japan | Korea (Rep. of) |
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania |
| Malaysia | Malta | Mexico |
| Monaco | Netherlands Antilles | New Zealand |
| Nicaragua | Norway | Panama |
| Paraguay | Poland | San Marino |
| Singapore | Slovak Republic | Slovenia |
| Switzerland | Uruguay | USA |
| Vatican City | Venezuela |
Note that citizens from EU countries do not require a student visa regardless of the length of their stay in Spain. Citizens of all other countries require a student visa to stay and study in Spain for more than 90 days.
Dos and Don’ts of a Spanish Student Visa
You must remember the following dos and don’ts while applying for a Spanish student visa.
Dos
- Apply for a student visa at least 12 weeks in advance of your planned travel date to allow enough time for the application procedure to be completed on time for you to join your course
- Fill out your application form carefully with all accurate details
- Bring original copies and photocopies of all supporting documents when you come to submit your visa application form at the Spanish Consulate
Don’ts
- Do not attempt to submit your student visa application more than four months in advance or less than 7 weeks before the departure date, or the application will not be accepted
- Do not present false documents for your student Visa
- Do not hide or misrepresent facts in your application