One of the most important requirements to successfully obtain a student visa in Spain has to do with the specific course and study you enroll in. No matter if you have your private health insurance and sufficient funds, if the academic institution or course does not meet the right requirements, your application won’t be valid.
In this article, you are about to learn how to know if your studies or course are valid to obtain a Spanish student visa, and in which type of institution you should enroll.
A study visa is the authorization that allows a foreign national to reside in Spain for more than 90 days to pursue studies, participate in a mobility program, do volunteer work, or engage in certain training activities.
But then, are all types of studies eligible?
Good news: the answer is yes. Nearly all types of courses and studies are valid to obtain a student visa in Spain.
It is not uncommon to discover that a foreigner who wants to obtain a student visa mistakenly thought that just a university degree or master’s would make their application work.
And the truth is that year after year, foreigners from all around the world get their student visas after enrolling in any type of education program, no matter its level or content.
One important thing you must consider is that online courses are not valid. So as long as you must attend your classes in person, it will work.
The reason for having a student visa is to come to Spain to a specific academic center. Thus, being able to study online makes the move unnecessary.
Hence, as long as your studies are not online, you can successfully complete your application by enrolling in:
- University degrees and bachelor’s programs
- Master’s and PhDs
- Professional training
- Higher artistic or sports education
- And even language courses!
Bear in mind that the institution does not have to be private. Studies at both public and private centers are valid.
Which courses are eligible for a student visa in Spain?
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Higher education | Bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral programmes, university-specific qualifications and advanced vocational training specialisation courses |
| Post-compulsory secondary education | Upper secondary education and intermediate vocational training |
| Student mobility | Compulsory or upper secondary education through recognised exchange programmes |
| Volunteering | Activities with NGOs under an agreement that includes accommodation and living expenses |
| Training activities | Accredited language courses, language assistant programmes and level 2–3 professional certificates |
As we have just seen, all types of education are valid to obtain a student visa. This means that early childhood education, primary and secondary, vocational training, and university degrees are valid for application of the student visa.
However, the course must lead to receiving a title or degree. For example, if you take a training course that does not provide a title at the end, it would not be valid for the student visa.
Other things that may generate red flags are the characteristics of the program or studies.
If you want to get your student visa, make sure that the course you’re taking meets the following requirements:
- As a general guideline, the course should have a minimum workload of 20 hours per week (or at least 12 hours of in-person instruction in the case of intensive programs), and students must be enrolled in at least 90% of the curriculum.
- The studies must be held at an authorized institution by the Ministry of Education (or by the government of the region in which you are currently living). This means it must be registered in the Official Public Registry or in the registry of the autonomous community that you are applying in
- It must provide an official certification upon course completion
You can check whether the institution is accredited in the Registry of Universities, Institutions, and Degrees (RUCT) for university programs, or in the State Registry of Non-University Educational Institutions for vocational training, high school, or language programs.
And, in case you are enrolling in any language course (something quite common for foreigners), the academy must be accredited.
That is, if you are taking a Spanish course, the center must be accredited by the Cervantes Institute; and if the program is on any other language, by the analogous institution.
Which programs do not qualify for a student visa?
The following are not covered by this authorization:
- Courses that are entirely online, with no in-person component
- Non-official programs or those without academic recognition
- Part-time programs that do not meet the minimum course load
- Courses offered at institutions not registered in any official registry
Use this extra filter to stay in the country for the long-run
Many foreigners use the student visa as the entry gate to stay in the Spanish territory for the long run.
They obtain their student permit but don’t take the time to analyze what will be required to move to any other type of residency once they complete the course.
And that is a big mistake, as many times the studies themselves and the specifics about the program will be the most important factor to allow them to stay for extra years.
You can learn more about how to move from a student visa to a work permit here.
One of the most common paths when finishing your studies is the residency to look for a job.
This option is regulated by Royal Decree 1155/2024 and is available only to those who have completed higher education at Level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework or higher (i.e., a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or equivalent).
The RUCT (Register of Universities, Institutions, and Degrees) is used to verify that your university and degree are officially recognized, but it is not, in and of itself, a list of programs that qualify you to seek employment.
If your studies consist of intermediate-level vocational training, high school, or a language course, this specific route does not apply; you should explore other alternatives with an immigration attorney.
Frequently asked questions on the valid courses for the student visa
Are online courses valid for a student visa?
No. The regulations require that the program be in-person or, at a minimum, a blended learning program with more than 50% in-person instruction.
What happens if I enroll in a non-accredited institution?
The Immigration Office may deny your application. Always verify that the institution is registered with the RUCT (universities) or the State Registry of Non-University Educational Institutions (vocational training, high school, language schools) before enrolling.
Can I stay in Spain to look for work after finishing my course?
Not necessarily. Only those who complete higher education (MECU Level 6 or higher) may change their status from student to residence and work in accordance with Royal Decree 1155/2024.
Can I work while I’m studying?
Yes, up to 30 hours per week without needing an additional work permit, provided it is compatible with your studies.
And in case you have any other questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with our immigration lawyers.
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