Course duration
Required for studies lasting more than 90 days
Permit duration
Up to 2 years, with the possibility of renewal
Possibility to work
Up to 30 hours per week during higher studies
Family members
Eligible relatives may apply to accompany you in Spain
Processing time
Usually 30 days, although some cases may take longer
After your studies
Options to seek employment or switch to a work permit
Any non-EU citizen who is planning to live in the Spain for more than three months, will need a residence permit. If you are considering moving into Spain to study in an educational institution (public or private), Spain’s Student Visa is your best option.
Aside from giving you the opportunity to learn and live in Spain, experience its culture, and meet its locals, Spain’s this visa is great because it lets you:
The student permit will allow you to study for your degree, masters or P.hD. for two years (with the possibility of renewal) and access to social security healthcare for foreigners.
Besides studying, this visa will enable you to work up to 30 hours per week
Apply for the student visa together with your family and let them also get their residence permit in Spain.
Once you have finished your studies, we can help you modify to a work permit and stay in the country for the long run.
We will help you with the entire initial application for your residence permit process plus the renewal (if needed).
We will fill out all the necessary documents for you and send them to the competent authority. You would just need to sign.
We will be in charge of all the legal translations into Spanish necessary during the application procedure.
The application procedure depends on whether you are applying from outside Spain or while already legally in the country.
From outside Spain
Gather all the necessary documentation.
Submit your application no later than two months before the start of the course at the nearest Spanish consular office in your country.
Wait for your visa to be approved within one month.
Collect your visa within two months.
Come to Spain.
Obtain your TIE.
From within Spain
Gather all the necessary documentation.
Submit your application at the immigration office in the province where you will be studying, or via Mercurio.
Wait for your application to be approved within two months.
Obtain your TIE.
Your application for a student visa in Spain may be rejected due to the following errors:
Incomplete documentation
Failure to pay the fees
Failure to prove sufficient financial means (100% of the IPREM)
Having health insurance that does not meet the requirements
Having a criminal record
The educational institution not being accredited
Not having all your documents translated and apostilled
A seemingly minor error can delay the process or lead to a refusal. Reviewing the application before submission can save you weeks of uncertainty.
Our immigration lawyers can review your case and help you submit a complete student visa application.
Here are a few recommendations to help you prepare your application and avoid unnecessary delays.
Start around four months in advance
Get everything ready well before the course begins. Authorities need time to respond, and your first application may require corrections or additional documentation.
Use recent and valid documents
Consulates often impose maximum document-age requirements. Make sure your certificates, insurance and financial evidence are still valid when you apply.
Check your consulate’s specific rules
Requirements and appointment procedures may vary slightly from one country or Spanish consulate to another. Verify the local instructions before preparing your file.
Prove sufficient financial means
You must demonstrate funds equivalent to 100% of the IPREM, currently €7,200 per year. Prepare this evidence clearly and in the format requested by the consulate.
The total cost will depend on your country, the documents required and whether you obtain professional assistance. These figures provide a useful initial estimate.
Costs are approximate and may vary depending on the consulate, insurer, translator and complexity of the application.
Visa tax
Usually around €60–€90
Document translation and legalisation
Around €50–€150
Medical insurance
Around €400–€600 annually
Legal advice
From €400–€500
TIE
Approximately €15
Get a personalised assessment of your student visa case
Tell us about your studies and current situation. We will explain the most appropriate application route and the documents you need.
It depends. Yes, you need a student visa to legally stay in Spain while you take your degree/masters/PhD.
Nevertheless, the only time you won’t need a student visa is if your course takes less than 90 days. You’ll be able to complete it with a tourist visa.
Yes, you can apply for a student visa while in Spain. You can submit your application a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 30 days before your classes start.
Keep in mind that you cannot apply for this visa if you are in an illegal situation.
Yes. The NIE is the basic ID number that is required of any foreigner in Spain. You will obtain it directly once you get your visa.
What you will need to apply for is the TIE in case you plan to stay in Spain for more than 6 months. This is the physical residency card that contains your NIE.
The process to obtain a student visa is quite fast. After submitting your application, the immigration office has 30 days to issue a response.
Nevertheless, it is true that your application may take longer to be processed, as some applications take up to 3 months.
As always, you must add an extra 2 to 4 weeks of extra time in order to gather all required documents and properly prepare your file.
You will have to demonstrate the possession of 100% of the IPREM for each month you stay in Spain. That is 600€ per month or 7200€ per year.
In case you come to Spain with your family, you will have to add up an extra 75% of that IPREM for your first relative (spouse), and an extra 50% for each child.
It is important to consider the cost of living in Spain to not having financial problems and opening a bank account in Spain.
You can work in Spain with a student visa if you are taking higher studies (i.e. a bachelors degree, masters, or PhD).
You will have a maximum of 30 hours per week to work or intern. However, the work hours should not coincide with class hours.
No, you cannot stay in Spain with an expired student visa. Its duration of your student visa is linked to the duration of your studies.
If your studies are extended, you can request for an extension and renew your student visa.
If you want to stay after even after your studies are completed, there are ways to modify to a work permit. You can also opt for the residence permit to intern.
As a general rule, yes. All studies are valid for your application, as long as they are not online, and are registered in the Official Public Registry.
If you would like to know the specifics of what constitutes a valid course, click here.
Depending on the duration of your course or studies, you will apply for one type of student visa or another.
Based on that, we find three different scenarios:
