Please see the “Types of Visas” section for requirements that apply to all visa applications, as well as a simple overview of the aspects of each specific visa.
If you are coming to Barcelona for the purpose of studying, undertaking research, training, or taking a non-lucrative job in any Spanish educational or scientific, public or private, officially recognized center, than you need to apply for the student visa.
There are three kinds of student visas:
- Student visas for up to 90 Days
- Student visas for up to 180 Days
- Student visas for More Than 180 Days
Applying for Student Visas for up to 90 Days:
If you are thinking of applying for this one – don´t. It is much less painful to sail into Spain on an automatic Shengen visa, which give you 90 days to finish whatever you are doing in Spain, including studying.
Applying for Student Visas for up to 180 Days:
You will need to go to the Spanish embassy or consulate nearest you, in your home country. Allow at least four months prior to your planned departure date.
Required Documents:
- Two completed and signed Schengen application forms
- Two recent passport-sized photographs in color and stapled on each of the application forms.
- Your original, physical passport or travel document; you must have at least one blank page in it.
- Your driver’s license, student ID, or other ID as directed by the Spanish embassy.
- Acceptance letter as a full-time student; the letter must contain the name of the university or school, as well as their address and registration number with the Ministerio de Educación, confirmation that you have paid the tuition or school fees, the length of the program, what you will be studying, and the number of hours per week.
- Proof of available financial resources in one of four ways: a letter from your university assuming financial responsibility for you, a letter from your parents assuming financial responsibility for you, your personal bank statements showing at least €1,000 per month for the length your stay, or proof of financial aid showing at least €1,000 per month for the length your stay.
- Proof of international health insurance.
- Payment to cover the current visa processing fee.
- Self-addressed, pre-paid envelope to receive your passport back.
- A photocopy of every document listed above (make more than one, depending on the person you meet with, more could be required.)
Applying for Student Visas for More Than 180 Days:
Required Documents:
- You will need everything listed above, plus:
- A Certificate of Absence of Police Records (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales) to show you are not a criminal
- A letter from your doctor saying that you are in good health.
When you are approved, you will be given a three-month student visa. They haven´t made a mistake, it’s just how it works.
Registration
When you get to Spain, within one month of your arrival, go to a Foreigners’ Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or an office of the National Police (Policía Nacional) closest to where you live and apply for a student card for your Autorización de Estancia por Estudios. The student card will replace the student visa that you were issued in your home country. The card is generally valid for one year, but it can be renewed every year as long as you continue to fulfill the requirements.
To apply for the student card, you will need to bring to the Foreigners’ Office or office of the National Police (http://www.policia.es/):
- An EX-15 form that you have filled out.
- Your passport.
- Three recent passport-sized photographs in color.
- Proof that you have been accepted into a program of study in Spain.
- Proof that you have sufficient financial resources during your program of study in Spain.
- A receipt that you have paid the student card fee.
One month later you must return to be fingerprinted, and another month later you will be able to pick up your student card.
