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Dreaming of studying in Spain as a non-European citizen? The first step towards making this dream a reality is to apply for a student visa in the Spanish territory. Studying in Spain comes with numerous advantages, especially for foreigners. In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore the benefits of studying in Spain, the process of obtaining a student visa, and address essential questions that every aspiring student should know. From post-study opportunities to the possibility of working while studying, we have you covered!
- Advantages of Studying in Spain as a Non-European Citizen: Studying in Spain offers a myriad of advantages, making it an attractive destination for international students. From world-renowned universities to a rich cultural experience, we delve into the enticing benefits that await you.
- How to Obtain a Student Visa for Spain: Navigating the student visa application process can be overwhelming. Fear not! We break down the step-by-step guide on how to secure your student permit for Spain, ensuring a smooth journey to your academic pursuits.
- Post-Study Options: Modifying Your Spain Study Visa: Wondering what happens after completing your studies? Discover the possibilities of modifying your Spain study visa to explore further opportunities in the country.
- Balancing Work and Study: Working on a Student Visa: For those seeking to gain work experience while studying, we explore the regulations and opportunities available for international students in Spain.
- Valid Courses for the Student Visa: Which courses are eligible for the student visa? Unravel the types of educational programs that qualify for this visa and align your academic goals accordingly.
- Extending Your Stay: Staying in Spain After Your Student Visa Expires: Do you wish to extend your stay in Spain beyond your student visa’s expiration? Learn about the options and procedures for prolonging your time in this captivating country.
Types of student visas
There are two different types of student visas depending on the length of your course or studies:
- Short-term student visa, the option designed for those studying from 91 to 180 days in the country.
- Long-term student visa, in case you are studying for more than 6 months in the country.
Bear in mind that no matter if you are a non-EU citizen or not, if your studies take less than 90 days you don’t need to apply for a student permit. Your tourist visa will be enough (in case you need one to enter the country).
Student visa for more than one year
The maximum number of years that you can apply for a student visa is two years.
This means that if the course or master’s degree in which you are enrolled lasts 2 years, you will not have to renew your visa between the first and second years or extend the stay.
However, upon arrival in Spain, you will still have to make an appointment at the Immigration Office to process and obtain your physical residence card.
Find out here how to extend your stay for studies step by step.
Student visa for one year or less
If your academic year lasts more than 6 months, you will be given a residence card. This basically means that you’ll take an extra step in the process, which is getting an appointment at the immigration office while in Spain to process your residency card.
But if it is shorter than six months, you will only get a stamp on your passport. Meaning that you won’t have to process any physical card later on.
Student Visa Requirements in Spain
Before starting with the actual application procedure it is crucial that you understand all the requirements that any foreigner wishing to attain a student visa must meet. Otherwise obtaining this permit is not possible:
- As we already mentioned, you can’t be a European Union Citizen in order to get this visa
- Being in legal status in Spain and not being forbidden from entering the country is necessary.
- You must possess sufficient economic funds in order to sustain yourself in the country for 1 or 2 years (depending on the length of your studies). How much bank balance is required? A monthly 100% of the IPREM, which is about 600€ per month
- Having a private or public medical insurance contract with full coverage in Spain. Learn more about the health insurance requirements here
- You will have to be admitted to the course/university you are planning to study at. This means that before starting your application you must get your acceptance or admission letter from the learning course
- Even though the vast majority of courses and educational centers will be valid, you must make sure to verify that they comply with these requirements
- Having clear criminal background records
- For short-term study visas, you must also include round-trip flight tickets from and to your country of origin. Don’t make any payment until your visa is issued
- For higher-education studies such as a master’s or postgraduate degree, it is very likely that you will be asked for the homologation or validation of your university degree if you obtained it in your country of origin
Required Documents
Which are the documents will you need to submit in order to become a legal student in the country?
- If the student is below 18 years old and does not come accompanied by his or her parents, a legal authorization signed by them
- Medical certificate demonstrating that the application does not suffer from any disease recognized by the International Health Regulation of 2005
- Your passport and a copy
- 3 ID photos
- Documentation that accredits the possession of sufficient economic funds
- The document that certifies how the academic institution in which you will be studying has accepted you and you have a spot for the next course
- Model EX-00 filled out
- Admission letter from your university or school
- Specific information about your accommodation or the place you will be living exactly
Bear in mind that all the documents must be properly legalized and translated into Spanish.
Can I apply for a student visa while in Spain?
After the last change in the Spanish Immigration Law, you can now apply for your student visa from both your country of origin (at the Spanish consulate), or directly from Spain while on a tourist visa.
The application time must take place within 90 days before beginning your studies in Spain and no less than 30 days before.
Having this time frame in mind is essential.
In case you do it directly from Spain, you will need to first get an appointment with your local Immigration Office, which you can find here. This is as long as you are not in an illegal situation.
Nevertheless, whichever municipality you are in, you will need to register your empadronamiento, which is a census registry.
An important piece of advice: make sure that before entering the Spanish territory you have all the documents prepared.
Why? Because you need to submit them before your last 30 days of legal status in the country.
If you are under a tourist visa for 3 months that won’t be such a problem. But if the time you are granted is lower than that, you must hurry up.
Can you bring your relatives or family members with you?
Yes, there is the possibility to bring your family so they can accompany you during your student stay in Spain.
Who exactly can you bring?
Your spouse or registered civil partner and children who are below 18 years old.
How? Through a joint application, including them when applying for your own student visa. Nevertheless, it is also possible to do it afterward within the validity of your student visa.
You will be required to demonstrate the possession of an extra 75% of the IPREM for the first relative, and 50% more for any additional one. Furthermore, it is also necessary to submit documents that demonstrate the kinship relationship between the student and the relative.
The validity of their residence authorization will be linked to the one from the student, and they will be allowed to reside in the Spanish territory for the same time period as her.
Bear in mind that within that period, they won’t be allowed to work in the country.
Can you work in Spain while studying with a student card?
Yes, it is totally possible to work in Spain with your student visa.
If your student visa was issued after August 16, 2022, you can work automatically with this visa for a maximum of 30 hours per week, without having to do any extra paperwork (the card itself already authorizes you to work).
Any type of work will be valid, and it can be all over Spain, since there is no geographical limitation.
On the other hand, as a foreign student in Spain, you have 4 different options to work in the country once you finish and fully complete your studies.
These are ways to modify your student visa.
Below you can find this list, but if you would like to know how to get a work permit in Spain as a student, you can find a complete guide here.
Get legal assistance obtaining your student residence permit
If you consider that doing all the required paperwork and submitting it to the competent authorities is something a bit complicated, don’t worry.
Our team of immigration lawyers is here to help you out.
We will manage the whole application procedure so you can get your residence authorization as a foreign student in the country. Furthermore, we will also apply for the residencies of your relatives, so you can come all together.
We will prepare and submit all the documentation (plus assist you with your translation and legalizations) so you don’t need to worry about anything. Furthermore, we will advise you on how to work in the country while studying.