Read these Spanish student visa requirements before you apply to study in Spain

Spain is a beautiful and diverse country with a relatively low cost of living as compared to its other European neighbours. This can be a big deciding factor for students who are not looking to break the bank with their move abroad. The mild Mediterranean Spanish climate, with its pleasant summers, is also a big draw for Americans and Canadians who are looking to retire, study, or open a business here. Moreover, Spain’s commitment to high-quality education, with a large number of educational programs offered by its top-tier universities, is equally compelling.

There is always something to do or see in Spain, striking a perfect work-life balance for couples, students, families, and professionals. Plus, the Spanish universal healthcare, Sistema Nacional de Salud, really tips the scale in Spain’s favour among the list of possible foreign education and future residency options for students. 
   
In this blog post, we aim to simplify this process for you. We have compiled a comprehensive guide on the Spanish student visa requirements for individuals aspiring to study in Spain. This guide will walk you through the eligibility criteria, necessary documentation, the application process, and what to expect after submission. Our goal is to provide a streamlined roadmap to navigate the visa process, bringing you one step closer to realizing your dream of studying in Spain. So, let's dive in and start the journey towards your Spanish student visa.
 

Living and studying in Spain can be an exciting learning opportunity for an international student. Your learning process will actually start from your visa application, where you will have to go through each visa type’s description and understand what type is the perfect fit for you.  

A Spanish student visa grants you the legal right to live and study in the country for the duration of your chosen program. However, not all student visas are going to be applicable to your education plans. You’ve got plenty of options to choose from, depending on the duration and type of your chosen degree, diploma, or certification.

Let's take a look at the different Spanish student visa types.

Short-Term Student Visa (Type C): 

This visa is designed for students enrolled in short-term study programs. You can go with this visa if your course is going to be longer than 90 days but conclude within 6 months. The Short-term Student visa is also part of the Schengen Visa, meaning you can travel freely to the 26 countries in the Schengen Area as long as your visa is valid.

Long-Term Student Visa (Type D): 

You will require a Long-Term Student Visa, if your study program extends beyond the 180 days period. This D-type Spanish student visa is typically used by students pursuing full-time degree programs and long-term language courses. The Long-Term Student Visa allows you to stay in Spain for the entire duration of your studies. You will have to renew your visa if your program/study lasts for more than a year.

Student Internship Visa: 

This visa is specifically designed for students and professionals who plan to do an internship or attend a training program in Spain. The duration of this visa depends on the length of your internship, but it typically doesn't exceed a year.

Student Exchange Visa: 

You will have to use this visa if you are participating in a student exchange program. The Student Exchange Visa is available for those students who are participating in exchange programs in Spanish educational institutions.
 

We hope you have got a basic understanding of the Spanish student visa types by now. Now, as the next step of the process, you should check to see if you meet the eligibility criteria before you start the application process. 

These are the requirements that you must fulfill:

Get an Acceptance letter from an Accredited Institution: 
You must first get acceptance for your preferred course by a recognized educational institution in Spain1. The letter of acceptance can come from a college, language school, or a university in Spain. Your acceptance letter is the most important piece of documentation in your visa application, so you must get one first before moving to the next steps.
Moreover, your course should be full-time and have a duration of more than three months. For courses lasting less than 3 months, you do not need a student visa. A tourist visa to Spain will be enough to gain entry into the country.

Show Financial Record: 
You must also be able to prove that you have the money available to take care of your educational and personal expenses. Spain allows up to 30 hours of work per week on its Student visas, so we’d suggest you prepare your financial proof documents accordingly. If you are coming to Spain on a scholarship,m then you can simply attach your scholarship approval letter, instead of bank statements. 

Provide Health Insurance Proof: 
Your health insurance must cover the entirety of your stay in Spain and it must also be valid for use in the country. 

Provide Proof of Accommodation: 
You would either be provided accommodation by your university/college in Spain or have to book your own place. In either case, proof of accommodation must be submitted to Spanish immigration. 

Have a Clean Criminal Record: 
Proof of a clean criminal record is necessary for long-term Spanish visas that last more than 180 days. Canadian students have to apply for a certificate from the RCMP and American students have to apply through the FBI to get their police clearance certificates. Criminal history letters from other countries that you have stayed in may also be required.
  
Be Medically Fit: 
You must also produce a medical certificate proving you are in good health and do not have any contagious diseases.

Meet the Age Criteria: 
Courses, especially at the undergraduate level, usually have minimum and maximum age restrictions. Check in with your specific institution for age restrictions details, just to be on the safe side.
This is a general list of criteria that you need to meet to be eligible for a Spanish student visa. There can be additional requirements, depending on your specific situation and the Spanish consulate that processes your application. Always check in advance to avoid any surprises.
 

Applying for a student visa can be quite some process, but you can manage it with proper planning in advance. The Globeia team is always ready to offer advice and help with preparing your documents for the Spanish Student visa. You will need to :

• Ensure that the validity period on your passport is at least six months beyond your stay in Spain.
• Provide two of your recent photos, in passport size. Do check in with the Embassy of Spain to see if they have any additional requirements on photo size, type, and number.
• Attach your conditional letter from the Spanish educational institute where you are planning to pursue your education. The letter usually mentions the course name, duration, and hours of study per week.
• Gather paperwork proving that you have sufficient funds to support your studies and daily living needs throughout your time in Spain.
• Scholarship letters, financial aid proofs, and bank statements can be attached.
• Get a private healthcare insurance plan certificate. The insurance must also work in Spain. 
• Proof of an apartment lease or other documentation proving that you have accommodation for the period of your stay in Spain. 
• Attach copies of your previous educational certificates, transcripts, or diplomas. These copies may also need certified translations.
• Submit a medical clearance certificate. 
• Attach your FBI check if you’re from the U.S. or an RCMP certificate if you’re from Canada. 

All of the above-mentioned documents need to be in Spanish to be accepted by Spanish immigration. Notarization and apostillization may also be needed for some document copies. You can use a team of experienced professionals, like Globeia, to help you fulfill these document verification requirements set by the Spanish immigration. 

Have you gathered your documents and checked to see if you are eligible for a Spanish student visa? Perfect! Now, let’s fill out your visa application to get things rolling. 

Over here at Globeia, we have seen a lot of our clients struggling with their visa applications because they started the process pretty late. This ends up costing them their semester fee or errors in the process itself. This is why we would recommend you apply at least 2-3 months before the commencement date of your course. Here it must also be noted that you cannot apply earlier than four months.

You will need to submit your application in person at one of the 9 Spanish embassies or Consulates in the U.S. Canada also has 7 Spanish Embassies and Consulates spread across its provinces. You might need to book an appointment ahead of time if you are in a high application load area. 

You may be required to attend an interview to explain your reasons for applying for the Spanish Student visa. You will be asked about your study goals, your financial sources, and also your plans after your studies are completed