INFORMATION ABOUT APPLYING FOR A STUDENT VISA
Do you need a student visa?
Students who wish to study for longer than 90 days in
Below we have outlined the general steps towards obtaining a visa; however, because all countries are different and ever changing, we recommend that you consult the Spanish embassy in your country in order to be sure that you have all of the necessary updated documentation and information prior to soliciting the visa.
In general:
- When you wish to study in
- If you are from a member country of the European Union, you do not need a visa for your stay in
- If you are from a country outside the European Union, you should consult the Spanish Embassy or Consulate nearest to you to find out if you need a visa for
- If you are going to study in
- It is recommendable to request a student visa in your home country before coming to
Who is considered a student?
Foreigners coming to Spain with the only purpose of studying or undertaking research, training or a non-lucrative job in any Spanish educational or scientific, public or private, officially recognized center.
Visa Necessity
Foreign students who want to carry out studies in
Upon Arrival to
Once in
to stay during the specified time, at the Foreign Office or Police Station. The students will need to submit certain documents, along with passport sized photographs, and a copy of their visa, and will, in turn, receive a student card (tarjeta de estudiante), validating their residence in Spain during a determined period of time.
Who requires a visa?
Depending on the length of study and nationality, a visa may not be required.
Nationals of the following countries may not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days:
(a) EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan and US;
(b) Andorra, Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, 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, Vatican City and Venezuela
Those studying longer than 90 days may require a student visa.
Nationals of countries not appearing above may require a visa to enter
What are the requirements to obtain a Student Visa?
The following requirements must be met:
The student has been accepted in any approved private/public educational or scientific centre to undertake/extend studies or undertake non-lucrative jobs in research or educational centers.
- The student must turn in documentation proving that they have paid for the entire course or program fees, as well as proof of having reserved residence in the country they will be visiting (all of this information will be provided by the host university, unless otherwise requested by the student).
- The study plan implies attending for no less than 3 months, including the approved studies, research or educational itinerary.
- Should the student be under-aged and is not accompanied by his parents, they
will need to provide written authorization for the student's trip, as well as for
his studies. This authorization must include the details of the school and the duration of the stay.
- Students must prove and guarantee that they have the financial means to live, support their studies, their stay and return to their country, as well as, if necessary, that of their relatives.
Interesting Links:
· Spanish Embassy in the United States
· Spanish Embassy in Canada
· Spanish Embassy in Australia
· Spanish Consulate in Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
· Spanish Consulate in Sao Paulo - Brazil
Frequently Asked Questions About the Student Visa:
What documents will be required?
The following may be required:
- Completed application form
- 4 passport-size photos
- Valid passport (For a minimum of 180 days prior to your arrival in
- Return travel tickets or itinerary and proof of payment for tickets.
- Estudiafuera will provide you with the Letter of Acceptance
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay in
- Proof of attendance at educational institute
- Medical certificate from physician
- Police clearance certificates (for any countries of residence during the previous 5 years)
- Proof of medical insurance coverage valid for your stay in
How long does the student visa last?
It is granted for the whole duration of the course.
Is the student visa renewable?
Yes, the Student Visa is renewable once in
When does the visa expire?
- When the activity for which it was granted comes to an end.
- When the period for which it was granted is over.
Can foreign students work in
Basically, foreign students cannot carry out any profitable activity, but it will be allowed if it does not limit the studying aims.
Can foreign students´ relatives come to
Students who have obtained a visa for studying can apply for the corresponding stay visas for their relatives to enter and stay in
To keep in mind..
The process of obtaining visas can, in some cases, take time. We recommend that you begin this process as soon as possible. In some cases the embassy will not allow you to turn in the application and necessary documentation until three months prior to your departure date. However, you can go ahead and begin compiling the documentation that you will need to present, and it is a good idea to get started on that ahead of time. In many cases, students must present the documentation for their visa in person to the embassy or consulate assigned to their state or region. In the vast majority of cases, the visa is granted in the end, so try to be patient and aware that it simply takes a little time.