Applying for a visa to Spain to study or tourism

To apply for a short-term Schengen visa to Spain, you will need to submit the package of documents to the visa department:

1. Complete the application form for a Schengen visa to Spain. Follow the instructions on how to fill in the form accurately.

2. Provide a valid foreign passport that has an expiration date no earlier than 3 months after your planned return from Spain. If you have two valid passports, it is recommended to provide both.

3. Include copies of all pages of your passport, as well as copies of all pages of your national passport if applicable. Also, include any canceled passports you may have.

4. Provide two color photos with a white background, measuring 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, without ovals or angles.

5. Provide a certificate of employment on the company letterhead, including seals and signatures. The certificate should indicate your salary level, position, and contact details of the company, including phone number and address.

6. If you are a student or a schoolchild, it is required to provide a certificate from your place of study.

7. Provide confirmation of sufficient funds in the form of an extract from your bank account.

8. Include a copy of your birth certificate if you are under the age of 18.

9. If your trip is sponsored by someone else, include a sponsorship letter and a copy of the sponsor's passport.

10. Provide a flight reservation, which confirms your travel plans.

11. Obtain medical insurance coverage for the entire period of your tourist trip, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR.

12. If you are a minor, you must include a notarized consent from your parent(s) and a copy of your birth certificate.

Ensure that all documents are complete correctly and meet the requirements before submitting your application.

Please note that all documents must be translated into Spanish and certified by the Consulate General (except passports). All original documents should be submitted with one attached copy (copies are taken after translation certification and/or document legalization). If applying for a student Spanish visa, the following documents need to be notarized:

• Certificate of non-conviction
• Medical certificate
• Certificate of income

1. At any stage of the visa processing, the Consulate General may require the applicant to appear in person and, if necessary, conduct a personal interview.

2. The Consulate General reserves the right to request any additional documents.

To apply for a long-term student Spanish visa, you must comply with several conditions

1. The applicant must not be a citizen of Switzerland or any other EU country, nor be a family member of citizens of these countries.

2. There should be no ban on staying in Schengen countries, especially Spain.

3. The applicant must have sufficient funds to cover all expenses required for residing in the country and returning to their homeland. The required amount is calculated on the cost of living base.

4. A contract for health insurance must be obtained from a Spanish insurance company (private or public). A visa for studying in Spain of type D will not be issued without it.

5. If the applicant is a minor and will be in the country without parents, a notarized exit permit must be submitted to the consular department. This document should indicate the name of the organization responsible for the education and residence of the underage student during the study period (the student's Spanish visa will be issued for the same period).

6. The student must study only in accredited Spanish educational institutions on a full-time program that issues a certificate or diploma.

7. If the stay in Spain exceeds 6 months, the applicant will need a certificate of no criminal record within the past five years and confirmation of freedom from infectious diseases.

8. Parents of minor children should know the following:

• Spain does not issue visas for guardianship purposes, so a guardian for the child must be found in advance.
• The student's minimum income level must be equivalent to 100% of the minimum subsistence level per month, which is 550 EUR. Exceptions can be made if accommodation is paid for the entire period of studying in advance.
• The minimum standard of living for each parent of the student should be 75% of the subsistence level (420 EUR) and 50% of this level (280 EUR) for other family members. Exceptions can be made if accommodation is paid in advance for the entire period of the stay.
• These funds do not include amounts used or planned to cover the cost of study, exchange programs, or internships.

9. For students under the age of 18 years old:

• A birth certificate, translated into Spanish and certified by the Consulate General of Spain or a sworn translator in Spain.
• Consent from parents or guardians to move the child to Spain (including the detailed information about the person responsible for the child in Spain, the child's address of residence while in Spain, the name and address of the educational institution, the authority responsible for its activities, and the dates of the student's planned stay), notarized with the Hague Apostille and translated into Spanish, certified by the Consulate General of Spain or a sworn translator in Spain.
• An application from a Spanish notary for a person responsible for a minor in Spain, confirming that the person will be responsible for the child during the entire period of his stay in Spain is required. In addition,  it is necessary to provide the address where the child will reside in Spain and the identity document of the responsible person.

The application for a type D visa for studying in Spain can only be submitted to the Spanish consulate

To obtain a long-term student Spanish visa of category D, the following documents (originals and copies) are required:

1. A signed and completed application for a national visa (2 copies) in the Spanish language. In the case of a minor applicant, it should be signed by their legal representatives.

2. Passport with validity  for a minimum 3 months after returning to the home country from Spain, along with copies of all its pages. Also, submit the national passport and copies of all its pages.

3. Financial guarantees confirming sufficient funds for education, residence in Spain, and return, such as a sponsorship letter, certificate of employment, and bank account statement.

4. Consent from parents, guardians, or organizations responsible for sending the student to study in Spain if they are under 18 years old. This consent must be notarized.

5. A document confirming the availability of accommodation for the student during the entire study period, such as a rental contract, housing payment confirmation.

6. Medical policy issued by an accredited insurance company in Spain, which covers the entire period of stay in Spain, including medical expenses and repatriation costs in case of accidents or sudden illnesses. This medical policy must be  translated into Spanish.

7. Confirmation of enrollment in an educational institution, where the information about the student's name, university/school name, course name, study period, and total weekly hours of education is provided.

Additional documents may be required depending on the purpose of stay, namely information related to studies, scientific research, educational programs, or participation in student exchange programs.

If the period of stay in Spain exceeds 6 months, the student will need a medical certificate and a certificate of no convictions with an Apostille, issued by official bodies within the last 5 years (for adults).

All documents must be translated into Spanish and officially certified by the Consulate General of Spain.

Fundamental Rules are the following:

• The application for a  student visa of category D should be submitted in person by the applicant or their legal representatives (parents or guardians) if the applicant is a minor.
• The application should be submitted with the Spanish consulate or diplomatic service in the applicant's country.
• A visa fee of 60 EUR must be paid at the time of submitting an application. The fee is non-refundable in case of visa refusal.
• The application for a long-term visa is processed within 30 days from the date of submission. If no response is received within a month, it is considered that the decision was not made in favor of the applicant, and the visa was denied.
• The applicant may be invited to the embassy for an interview.
• Additional documents may be requested at any time.
• If the application is approved, the applicant must obtain a student Spanish visa within 2 months from the notification date. Failure to do so will be considered as a refusal of the visa, and the documents will be archived.
• The validity of the visa cannot exceed one year and always coincides with the  period of study.
• Upon receiving a national visa, which is issued for a period of only 3 months, it is necessary to apply for a student residence (tarjeta de estudiante) during one month after arriving in Spain, usually for the entire period of the studies.

To apply for the residence card, the following documents are required:

• Valid passport with a visa
• Completed application form (EX-17) for issuing a plastic card
• Receipt for payment of the fee (10.20 EUR)
• Color photos (3 pieces) with a white background, measuring 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm

If the opportunity to work and study simultaneously exists, the student has the right to work as a self-employed person or as an employee with the proper authorization.

Extension of the category D visa is possible without leaving Spain.

Visa holders in the category D for studying in Spain have the right, on equal terms with residents, to invite their relatives to Spain. To do this, a photocopy of the residence card and a document proving the relationship are required.

DOCUMENTS:

In addition to the provided documents, the consular service reserves the right to request any additional information it deems necessary, such as curriculum content, ongoing research confirmation, certificate of previous studies, confirmation of payment or booking of the course (including the payer's information for minor applicants), or a copy of the Nota Simple informativa from the property owners' register when submitting a lease or invitation from a private person, etc.

COPIES:

Please note that each document must be submitted with one copy. Copies are made after translation certification and/or document legalization.

TRANSLATION:

Translation into Spanish is required for all documents presented in other languages.

INTERVIEW:

At any stage of the application process and student Spanish visa procedure, the Consulate General may request the applicant's personal appearance if deemed necessary.

ATTENTION: This information does not replace existing rules that apply in all cases

The student's residency in Spain can be obtained based on a visa, whether it's a national, Schengen, or Spanish student visa. This visa confirms legal residence in Spain and allows for free movement within all Schengen countries.

Upon arrival in Spain, it is important to complete the following steps during one month from the date of obtaining a long-term visa:

1. Register at the local municipality where you will be residing. If you have chosen Barcelona as your place of residence, you can find information about the registration procedures on the website www.barcelona.cat. For other cities, it is necessary to visit the official websites of those cities.

2. To obtain a student residence card, visit the nearest police station in your place of residence. This must be done no later than 30 days after entering the country and after obtaining a registration certificate. Police stations are typically open from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 and 14:00.

At the police station, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Passport and copies of pages containing personal data, photos, and the visa.
• Color photos with a white background, measuring 3 cm x 3.5 cm (3 copies).
• Certificate of registration (certificado de empadronamiento).
• Application form EX-15 (2 copies).

It is recommended to bring the original and a copy of the confirmation of enrollment in an educational institution, as the police officers may request it.

At the police station, you will be given a receipt and required to pay a fee (model 790, code 2). After receiving the documents, the police officer will inform you when to provide confirmation of payment.

Once the initial period of student residence has passed, you can extend it by providing documents that confirm your continued education.

When applying at the extranjeria (foreigner registration body), you have a right to obtain a work permit for part-time employment, allowing up to 20 hours per week. If your student status exceeds three years, you may also apply for a residence permit that grants the right to work full-time.

Documents for such a visa must be submitted directly to the Consulate General of Spain, having previously registered for an appointment by phone or online.

Those wishing to apply for a national visa or a Spanish student visa must submit the documents in person or through a trustee (on the basis of a notarized power of attorney) directly to the Consulate General.

*Note: When applying at the Spanish embassy/consulate in the home country, the guardian or parent should accompany their under-age children.