Visa for stays exceeding 90 days for studies, training, internships or voluntary work. This visa may also be issued for stays for au pairs and for conversation class assistants.
Study stays of less than 90 days do not require a study visa. Depending on the applicant's nationality, a short-stay visa may be required (see “Schengen visas").
The following family members may obtain a visa to accompany the student:
- The spouse or unmarried partner.
- Children who are minors or who have a disability.
Visas for students' family members do not constitute work permits.
Activities for which a study visa may be obtained
- Full-time studies at an authorized school that will lead to the obtainment of a degree or certificate of studies.
- Doctorate studies.
- Training activities.
- Student mobility programmes at compulsory and/or non-compulsory secondary education level at an officially recognized teaching or scientific centre.
- Training placements at public or private bodies or entities that cannot be covered by internship visas (see “Internship visa").
- Volunteer services in the framework of programmes pursuing public interest goals.
- Au pair programmes.
- Conversation class assistants.
Required documents for the student
1. National visa application form
. Each applicant must complete and sign a visa application, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents or a duly accredited representative must sign the application.
2. Photograph. A recent, passport-size, colour photograph, taken against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face.
3. Valid, unexpired passport. Original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must be valid at least for the duration of the planned stay and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
A special delivery pre-paid envelope for up to 500g will be provided by the applicant, this can be purchased at any UK post office. Once the visa application has been processed, the Passport will be returned to the applicant by post in said envelope. The applicant will also need to fill in a form related to this Disclaimer.pdf .If the applicant needs the Passport during the visa process they can request to keep it on the day of their appointment or later on by emailing cog.edimburgo.vis@maec.es . In these cases, we will need the Passport returned to us by post (from within the UK) as soon as possible in order to complete the visa application process.
4. Proof of acceptance for the study, training or volunteer activity or internship. Original and a copy of the document proving:
- Acceptance at an authorized teaching centre to carry out a full-time study programme.
- Acceptance at a research or training centre.
- Acceptance into a student mobility programme (in this case, the applicant must also provide proof of acceptance at a study centre, of having found accommodation with a family or at an institution, and the commitment of the organizer of the programme to bear the costs).
- Acceptance for a non-remunerated internship on the basis of a signed agreement.
- An agreement with the organization responsible for the volunteer programme.
5. Proof of financial means. Original and a copy of the documents proving that the applicant (or their legal representative or the family member supporting them) has sufficient financial means to cover the expenses of the student's stay and return, as well as the stay and return of the family members accompanying them. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of Spain's Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM). To this amount must be added 75% of the IPREM for the first family member and 50% of the IPREM for each additional family member. If proof is provided that accommodation for the entire stay has been paid for in advance, this amount will be deducted. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
Means of maintenance can be proven with the following documents:
- Bank statements for the past 6 months (original and stamped by the bank)
- Loan or grant showing amount to be received for studies.
- University letter specifying that accommodation and food are covered.
- If parents are going to be taking care of the applicant´s expenses in Spain: Written letter stating this signed by the parents along with applicants birth certificate and the parent´s passports and a photocopy.
Legalisation and translation of documents related to financial means won´t be required. Nevertheless, during the visa process we may require legalisation or translation of these documents if there are doubts about the authenticity of any documents.
6. Health insurance. Original and a copy of the certificate accrediting the public or private health insurance contracted with an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain. The insurance policy must cover all the risks insured by Spain's public health system.
The Global Health Insurance Card is accepted and the majority of University health Insurance that cover economic means. Travel insurance or the European Health Card EHIC are not accepted.
If the applicant is participating in a volunteer programme, in addition to the medical insurance, they must provide a copy of the civil liability insurance policy taken out by the organization.
7. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants of legal age who apply for a visa for a stay of more than 180 days must submit the original and a copy of the criminal record check certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 5 years. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
These certificates will be valid for three months from the date they were issued. The valid certificate in the UK is the ACRO certificate. The DBS is not valid. In the case of language assistants, the ACRO ICPC certificate is accepted. The certificate must be legalised with the Hague Apostille and translated by a sworn translator. In case the certificates have been issued by another country that isn’t the UK, they must be legalised by the Spanish Consulate in that country or by the Hague Apostille if the country is a member.
8. Medical certificate. Applicants requiring a visa for a stay of more than 180 days must submit the original and a copy of a medical certificate accrediting that they do not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for public health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
It must show specifically that “this health certificate states that Mr./Mrs. (…) does not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with what is stipulated by the International Health Regulations of 2005”. They must be legalised with the Hague Apostille and translated by a sworn translation.
They must be issued by a registered doctor and will have a validity of 3 months from the issue date. It must be legalised by the Hague Apostille and translated by a sworn translator. Certificates issued in Spain are also valid.
9. Proof of residence in the consular district. The applicant must provide proof of their legal residence in the consular district or that they are attending classes, in person, in the consular district.
Document where the applicant´s name and address appear, for example, bills, bank statements, etc. Please confirm that you are eligible to apply at our Consulate by checking our website on the Jurisdiction section.
10. Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the applicant is a minor, it will be necessary to submit copies of the identity document or passport of one of their parents, as well as of the document constituting proof of kinship. The originals must be shown when submitting the application. If the visa application is submitted through a representative, a copy of the identity document or passport of the representative and of the power of attorney or document accrediting representation must be submitted. The originals must be shown when submitting the application. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. The power of attorney or document that proves legal representation will need to be legalised with the Hague Apostille and translated by a sworn translator.
11. Authorization of legal representatives. If the applicant is a minor, it will be necessary to provide the original and a copy of the parents' or guardians' authorization of the minor's temporary relocation to Spain, certified by a notary, which must also name the individual who will be responsible for the minor in Spain. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. Must be legalised with the Hague Apostille and translated by a sworn translator.
12. Payment of the visa fee. The visa fee is of an amount equivalent to 80 euros. For nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, the United States of America and the United Kingdom different rates are applied for reasons of reciprocity. In these cases, the amount of the fee must be consulted with the Consular Office. May be paid by cash (exact amount) or by card on the day of the appointment.
Required documents for family members
For each family member accompanying the student, the following must be submitted:
- The documents listed above as 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12. Where applicable, 10 must also be provided.
Moreover, the certificates proving kinship with the student (marriage certificate, unmarried couple certificate, or birth certificate, as applicable) must be provided. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
When necessary to assess the application, the Consular Office may request additional documents or data and may also ask the applicant to come in for a personal interview.
If the applicant is doing an INTERNSHIP in Spain, an internship visa is needed (not a student visa) if:
The applicant has obtained a degree in higher education in the last 2 years.
OR
They are studying a course where they will obtain a higher education degree and is taking part in an internship in Spain (either with a work contract or a learning agreement). In these cases, please visit our website to read through the internship visa requirements.
If the applicant is doing a LANGUAGUE ASSISTANT internship they will need to apply for a student visa. As well as providing all the documents for a student visa, they will need to provide the letter of acceptance from the Ministry of Education. If the admission letter shows the salary and medical coverage, it won´t be necessary to provide further proof of means of maintenance or medical insurance.
If the applicant is going to be an AU PAIR they must provide, as well as the documents required for a student visa, the “au pair” contract with the host family signed by both partied.
Procedure
This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district or who are regularly in the consular district for study purposes even if they are not a resident.
Applying for a study visa also entails applying for a study stay permit.
- Who can apply for a visa: Visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant or by one of their parents if the applicant is a minor. They may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative.
- Visa application period: Visa applications must be submitted sufficiently in advance of the beginning of the pertinent study programmes, as the procedure entails consultations with other authorities.
- Place of submission: In person at the Spanish Consulate in Edinburgh. To request an appointment please e-mail cog.edimburgo.vis@maec.es with the following information: Applicant’s name and surname, place of residence in the UK, type of visa you are applying for and two dates when you are available. We will try to accommodate your appointment on he requested dates, and if not possible within 2 weeks of your request.
- Proof of receipt: The Consular Office will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the application with a code that enables them to check the status of the dossier through the following link: https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspx
- Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to submit any missing documents, or to provide additional documents or data that are necessary for a decision regarding the application. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview.
- Decision period: The legal period for reaching a decision is of 1 month from the day after the application submission date, but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.
- Collecting the visa: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative (if the applicant is a minor) within a maximum period of 2 months, counted as of the day after the date on which the favourable decision is notified. The Consular Office will inform the applicant regarding the procedure for the return of the passport and any other original documentation. Nevertheless, once the visa application is resolved, the passport will be sent by post in the pre-paid envelope provided on the day of the appointment.
- Refusal of the visa or study stay permit: Refusals of the visa or study stay permit will always be notified in writing, setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted was based.
- Appeals: If a study stay permit or visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to this Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal is received. An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within the 2-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.
- In case an appeal is submitted, the appeal letter must be sent by post, signed and dated with the documents justifying the reasons for the appeal. Providing documents that were already submitted with the application is not required.
SWORN TRANSLATIONS: Documents that require sworn Translations will have to be done through a registered sworn translator.A list of sworn translators in our jurisdiction can be found on our website.
IMPORTANT: For original documents, the ORIGINAL and a COPY must be provided. Original documents without a photocopy won´t be accepted.
PECULIARITY OF THE STUDENT VISA: The process can be started with only the visa application form, University acceptance letter and Passport. The rest of the documents can be submitted by post within one month while the visa is being processed.
- Validity period of the visa: If the study stay does not exceed 6 months, the visa will be valid for the entire stay and it will not be necessary to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card.
If the study stay is for longer than 6 months, the visa will be valid for a 90-day stay. The student must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card within a period of 1 month from their entry into Spain, at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the Police Station of the province in which the permit was processed.