To obtain a student visa, you must be enrolled in one of Spain’s educational institutions. And no, we’re not talking about underground paella-making courses! We’re talking about official language schools, universities, colleges, and other sites of knowledge.
If you’ve decided to conquer the Spanish language and are ready to dedicate at least 40 weeks (almost a year, mind you!) to this noble endeavor, then go ahead and apply for language courses. Just imagine how many new words you’ll learn during this time! «I love you, jamón» — «Te amo, jamón» — already sounds intriguing.
Если вам нужна помощь в получении ВНЖ Цифрового Кочевника, ВНЖ по Стартапу, открытие аутономо, оптимизация налогов и ведение бух.учета, студенческая виза, то пишите нам в Телеграм:
For those who want to pursue higher education, the doors of Spanish universities are quite open. Bachelor’s, master’s, postgraduate — choose as you like. The main thing is that the program is full-time and that you have enough patience and diligence.
But if you’re not ready to dedicate your life to science, don’t worry! There are other options: internships, volunteer programs, secondary education. The main thing is to have a goal and a tremendous desire to immerse yourself in the unique Spanish culture.
Main requirements for obtaining a study visa
So, you’re already imagining yourself as a lively student who studies hard during the day and sips sangria with new friends in the evening. But, to turn this dream into reality, you need to meet a few important requirements. Don’t worry, we’ll tell you about them.
Enrollment in an accredited educational institution
First and foremost, you must be enrolled in one of Spain’s educational institutions. And no, we’re not talking about churros-making courses! We’re referring to official language schools, universities, colleges, and other temples of knowledge.
How do you know if an educational institution is accredited? Very simple! If you choose language courses, the school must be recognized by the Cervantes Institute. And if you’re pursuing higher education, the university must be listed by the Spanish Ministry of Education.
Not sure where to find these lists? No problem! Here’s a link to the list of accredited language schools. And if you’re dreaming of higher education, just Google «list of universities in Spain» — and voila!
Proof of financial sufficiency
Student life in Spain is not just about classes and parties, but expenses too. Therefore, to obtain a student visa, you have to prove that you have money for living and studying. And no, we’re not suggesting you rob a bank!
The minimum amount you need to show in your account is 7200 euros per year. Yes, it’s not little, but believe me, it’s worth it! Imagine how much jamón and sangria you can buy with that money. And seriously, this amount will cover your expenses for accommodation, food, textbooks, and other student needs.
But don’t rush to the bank to take out a loan! You can show the money in foreign accounts, not necessarily in Spanish ones. The main thing is that the statement is in your name and stamped by the bank. And if you have a wealthy uncle ready to sponsor your studies, ask him to write a sponsorship letter.
Comprehensive health insurance
Studying in Spain is not only about joy and fun, but there’s also a risk of catching some illness. Therefore, to obtain a student visa, you must get comprehensive health insurance.
What does this mean? It means that your insurance must cover all medical expenses, including hospitalization, medications, and even transportation back home in case of serious illness. And no, we’re not trying to scare you! It’s just better to be safe than sorry and end up spending a hefty sum on treatment.
Where to find such insurance? Anywhere, really! The main thing is that the insurance company is Spanish and licensed to operate in Spain. And if you don’t know Spanish, don’t worry — many insurance companies offer services in English.
So, to sum up:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Enrollment in an educational institution | Language courses accredited by the Cervantes Institute or a university from the list of the Ministry of Education of Spain |
| Proof of financial stability | At least 7200 euros per year, can be shown on foreign accounts |
| Medical insurance | Full coverage, including hospitalization, medications, and repatriation |
Document submission process
Well, friends, are you ready for the most interesting part? Yes, yes, we’re talking about submitting documents for a student visa! Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it seems. The main thing is to be patient, stay positive, and, of course, gather all the necessary paperwork.
So, where to start? You need to start by choosing a method for submitting documents. You have two options here:
Submission from the country of citizenship/residence
If you decide to submit documents from your country, you will have to contact the Spanish consulate or visa center.
But don’t worry, consulates are not as scary as they seem. The main thing is not to forget to bring your passport, photos, and, of course, all the necessary documents. We have prepared a list for you:
- Visa application form (filled out online)
- Passport (must be valid for at least 1 year)
- Two color photos 3.5×4.5 cm
- Enrollment certificate from an educational institution
- Proof of financial stability (bank statement or sponsorship letter)
- Medical insurance
- Documents confirming your ties to the country of residence (for example, a certificate from work or school)
Gathered all the documents? Great! Now it’s time to schedule an appointment at the consulate. You can do this online or by phone.
Submission from Spain
If you are already in Spain with a valid Schengen visa or under a visa-free regime, you can submit the documents right there. I recommend this option.
So, what needs to be done? First, find the nearest immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería). There are many in Spain, so there will be no problem finding one.
Next, gather all the necessary documents (the list is the same as for submission from your country) and head to the immigration office. There, you will be greeted by friendly staff who will help fill out the application and check the documents. Just don’t forget to bring a translator if you don’t speak Spanish!
Processing times and validity of the student visa
After submitting your documents, all that remains is to wait. Usually, a student visa is processed in 3-4 weeks, but sometimes the process can take a couple of months.
By the way, did you know that a student visa allows you to work? Language course students can work up to 20 hours a week, and university students have no restrictions.
But that’s not all! After finishing your studies, you can extend your stay in Spain for another 2 years. To do this, you will need to apply for a residence permit to look for work. And if you find a job in your field during these two years, consider yourself almost Spanish!
Opportunities after completing your studies
Well, friends, your educational journey in Spain has come to an end. You’ve got your diploma, your suitcase is packed, and thoughts of returning home are swirling in your head. But don’t rush to say goodbye to Spain — there are still plenty of opportunities for you here!
First of all, don’t forget about the residence permit for job hunting. Yes, you can stay in Spain for another 2 years and seek a job in your field.
You need to submit an application to the immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería) and provide the following documents:
- Diploma of completion of studies
- Certificate that you have no criminal record
- Medical insurance
- Proof of financial means for living expenses (about 6000 euros per year)
If all the documents are in order — consider that you have a residence permit in your pocket! Now you can confidently set off to find your dream job. By the way, did you know that Spain has special programs for young professionals? For example, the «Emprende» program helps aspiring entrepreneurs start their own business in Spain. So, if you’ve been dreaming of your own business for a long time — now is the time to act!
If you graduated from a Spanish university and received a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you can apply for a residence permit with the right to work. Then, no restrictions will scare you — work as much as you want and wherever you want!
And for those who don’t want to be tied to one place, there is another option — a residence permit for digital nomads. This is a special program for freelancers and remote workers that allows you to live in Spain and work for a foreign company. However, to obtain such a residence permit, you will need to prove that you have a stable income from abroad.
| Residence permit | Validity period | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| For job search | 2 years | Diploma, no criminal record certificate, insurance, funds for living |
| With the right to work | 1 year with the possibility of extension | Spanish university diploma (bachelor’s or master’s) |
| For digital nomads | 1 year with the possibility of extension | Stable income from abroad |
Useful links to official sites:
Important points about a student visa to Spain
- If you received a student visa at the consulate and plan to study for more than 6 months, after arriving in Spain, you must apply for a student residence permit (permiso de estancia) and submit fingerprints. Students with short courses are not issued a TIE.
- A student residence permit can be extended an unlimited number of times as long as you continue your studies and successfully pass exams. However, Spanish language courses are difficult to stretch beyond one extension, so for further extensions, it will be necessary to change the type of study.
- Learning is allowed even if you are in Spain on a short-stay visa or if your application for a student residence permit is under review.
- Students can participate in the ERASMUS exchange program and study in another EU country, but the travel dates must coincide with the TIE validity period.
- After a year of studying in Spain on a student visa, you can change the type of residence permit to open your own business, providing a certificate of graduation.
- Formally, applications for a student residence permit must be processed within 30 days, but in large cities like Madrid, Barcelona, or Valencia, the process may take 4-5 months due to the high volume of applications.
Let’s summarize
- A study visa is a great way not only to gain new knowledge but also to immerse yourself in Spanish culture, make new friends, and just have a great time.
- To obtain a study visa, you must be enrolled in an accredited educational institution, have enough funds for living, and obtain medical insurance.
- You can apply for a visa either in your country through the Spanish consulate or while already in Spain on a tourist visa.
- A study visa allows you to live in Spain for 6-12 months and also gives the opportunity to work (albeit with some limitations).
- After finishing your studies, you can stay in Spain for another 2 years with a residence permit for job search, or obtain a residence permit with the right to work if you have a Spanish university diploma.
Если вам нужна помощь в получении ВНЖ Цифрового Кочевника, ВНЖ по Стартапу, открытие аутономо, оптимизация налогов и ведение бух.учета, студенческая виза, то пишите нам в Телеграм:
Hasta la vista, amigos! See you in Spain!
Другие статьи про переезд
- Как переехать в Испанию в 2024
- Как получить визу цифрового кочевника в Испании в 2024 году
- Как получить студенческую визу
- Как открыть банковский счёт в Испании
- Как открыть Autónomo (ИП) и сколько платить налогов
- Аутономо или SL: разбираемся в испанских юрлицах с нуля
- Как получить права в Испании: подробная инструкция
- Как дешево купить квартиру в Испании
- Как получить гражданство Испании
