If you’ll be studying in Spain for longer than three months, you will need to apply for a student visa. Student visa applications must be turned in at the nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate in your home country in person or by an authorized representative, who must have a notarized authorization. Visa requests for your spouse and children may be submitted as well.
The following documentation must be submitted with your completed and signed student visa application form:
- Four recent passport photos with a white background.
- A current State ID or Driver’s License.
- A passport valid for a minimum of six months and three photocopies of the personal information and photo page.
- An original letter from your insurance company confirming a minimum coverage of €30,000 plus two copies.
- Original and two copies of a medical certificate on doctor’s stationary verifying that you do not suffer from drug addiction or mental illness and do not carry any of the following diseases: yellow fever, cholera and the plague. The certificate should be translated into Spanish.
- Two copies of proof of travel (Accommodation or flight booking).
- Reference letter from the educational institution in Spain at which you’ll be studying, including the name, address and registration number of the school with Spain’s Department of Education, confirmation of full payment of tuition, duration of the program, subjects of study and hours of study per week, which must be a minimum of 20 hours.
- Proof that you will be financially capable of supporting yourself during the time you are in Spain. This proof must be one of the following:
- Letter from the educational institution in Spain or in the USA assuming full financial responsibility (often included with the acceptance/reference letter)
- Proof of financial aid or scholarship for a minimum of $1,000 per month for room and board.
- Notarized letter from parents or legal guardians assuming full financial responsibility. Suggested wording: “I hereby certify that I am the (father/mother/other) of (…), will support him/her with a monthly allowance of at least $1,000 while he/she is in Spain and that I’m financially responsible for any emergency that may arise.” This letter does not have to be translated into Spanish.
- Bank account statement showing a total of at least $1,000 per month of study.
Upon submission of the application, you will also be required to submit a money order in the amount of the visa fee. The fee is currently $100.00, but may change at any time, so it is always best to call the embassy or consulate to confirm the total cost of application, as well as the required documentation.
Processing a student visa takes a minimum of seven weeks, so apply with plenty of time! During this period, you must leave your passport with the Spanish Embassy or Consulate, as the visa is affixed directly to your passport. In the USA, a self-addressed, Pre-Paid US “Express-Mail” envelope must be submitted with with your application if you wish to have your passport returned by mail. No other type of courier or messenger service is accepted. Residents of other countries should check with the consulate or embassy regarding specific instruction for passport return.
Even though your visa will state the period of study indicated on your visa application, if your stay in Spain is longer than 180 days, within one month of your arrival in Spain, you will have to request an authorization for the completion of your studies and a student ID card from the National Police Department in Spain. Refer to the NIE and Residency section of this guide.
