Student visa in Spain: all you need to know

If you have ever thought about what it would be like to study in Spain, you will surely have heard of the concept of a «student visa», a document that allows you to obtain free passage into Spanish territory, being able at all times to access the documentation that legally regulates your stay in the European nation.

This is especially important if you plan to come to study in Spain, whatever your destination city.

In any case, here are the most important facts about student visas in Spain.

What is a student visa?

A student visa is a document that authorises the person who is granted it to stay in the national territory for a period of more than 90 continuous days, in order to study any university degree, academic course or any training programme in an official public or private institution, with which a certificate or diploma is finally obtained.

The regulation of this procedure can be found in the Council Directive 2004/114/EC of 13 December, modifying all the conditions according to the Organic Law 4/2000 of 11 January on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration, as well as in Royal Decree 557/2011 of 20 April.

Types of visa

The types of visa for students in Spain vary only in the time granted to the interested party to stay in the territory.

• The short-stay visa; which allows the stay in the territory for a period of between 90 to 180 days.
• The long-stay visa; which allows a stay of more than 6 months in the country.

What are the requirements and how can you obtain it?

You will be eligible for any of them depending on whether you meet the following requirements;

For the short-stay visa:

• You must be a citizen of a non-EU country.
• You must not be prohibited from entering Spanish territory or any other country with which Spain has signed an agreement.
• You must also have sufficient financial means to cover the cost of transport (there and back) and your stay.
• You must take out health insurance with an authorised entity.
• You must authorise the student’s parents or guardians if the student is a minor.
• Document certifying that you have been admitted to an authorised education centre in Spain.

In the case of a long-stay visa, it is necessary that:

• You do not have a criminal record in the country of origin and destination.
• You must not suffer from any of the serious diseases listed in the 2005 International Health Regulations.

To obtain this document, you must apply for it through the Spanish Consulate or Embassy in your country, paying the corresponding fees for the procedure.

At the time of submitting this application, you must present all the necessary documentation, which is described below.

Documentation required for the application

To apply for any of the above-mentioned visas, you must present the following documents;

• Original passport and copy.
• If you are a minor, you must present a legal authorisation from your parents or guardians.
• Medical certificate confirming that you are not suffering from any serious illness.
• Documentation proving that you have the financial capacity to pay for your trip and stays.
• Documents that justify the completion of studies in an official centre in Spain in order to obtain a final certificate or diploma.
• Fill in the EX-00 form with all the details.
• You must provide the details of your place of residence once you have arrived in the country.

Before applying, you should bear in mind that…

If you need some source of extra income during the course of your studies in the country, you should know that the student visa in Spain does not allow you to work, so you will have to apply for a document that regulates this situation.

Finally, we recommend that you find out how to apply for your student visa before you do anything else. It may be advisable to get specialised advice from a lawyer who is an expert in foreigners’ affairs.