Study visa

Those studying in Spain for ​​less than  90 days do not need a student 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: 

 

Visas for students' family members do not constitute a work permit.

 

 

 

1. Visa application form.​ Each applicant must complete and sign a visa application, filling out every section. If the applicant is a minor, a parent or duly accredited representative must sign the application. In the event that the application must be signed by a duly accredited representative, said accreditation may be demonstrated by way of a notarized letter from the applicant or a letter from the applicant’s university or school.

2. Photograph. A recent, passport-size, color photograph, taken against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the applicant’s face.

3. Valid, unexpired passport. Original and photocopy of the biometric data page(s). The passport must be valid for at least the duration of the planned stay and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.     

The applicant should provide an original and copy of the document proving:

 

 

5. Proof of financial means. The applicant must provide an original and copy of documents certifying that he/she (or the legal representative or relative that supports him/her) has sufficient financial means to cover the expenses of student’s stay and return, as well as that of the family members accompanying him/her. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of Spain's Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM). 75% of the IPREM must be added for the first accompanying family member and 50% for each additional family member.

 

 

If documentation is provided demonstrating that accommodations for the entire length of the student’s stay have been paid for in advance, this amount will be deducted. If the student is traveling to Spain alone, the minimum required amount in 2022 is 700 USD per month.

 

Non-Spanish documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. If the student is traveling with family members, he/she can see the required minimum amounts here.

 

At least one of the following documents must be submitted:

 

The applicant must attach all of the following documentation to this letter: 1) a notarized copy of the parent of guardian’s ID; 2) original and notarized copy of the student’s birth certificate, demonstrating the parental link, or the ruling or decision by which a legal guardian was established; 3) the parent or guardian’s three most recent monthly bank statements, showing his/her full name and a final balance that covers the required minimum funds (which must cover the student’s room and board, as well as the cost of the student’s studies or tuition). The bank statements do not need to be translated into Spanish. 

 

6. Health insurance. The applicant must submit an original and copy of documentation proving that he/she will have public or private health insurance coverage provided by an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain. The insurance policy must cover all the risks insured by Spain's public health system. Travel insurance will not be accepted. Health insurance cards will not be accepted as proof of insurance.

The applicant must have health insurance with coverage in Spain during the entirety of his/her stay. If the insurance company is U.S.-based, the supporting documentation must expressly say that the company offers coverage in the rest of the world, or at least in Spain.

 

The policy cannot have copays, deductibles, or qualifying periods, meaning that it must cover 100% of medical, hospital, and outpatient costs.

 

If this is not including in the student's acceptance letter, he/she must provide a letter from his/her individual insurance provider indicating that he/she has international coverage at no additional cost.

 

The proof of insurance must demonstrate a minimum general coverage of at least 500,000 USD, with no deductibles or copays.

If the applicant is participating in a volunteer program, in addition to proof of medical insurance, he/she must also provide a copy of the organization's civil liability insurance policy.

 

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 their criminal background check(s) issued by their country or countries of residence in the past five years. The criminal background check must be issued by the U.S. Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 

The background check must be issued within the five months preceding the submission of the visa application. It must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish. The applicant must submit a notarized copy of both the original document in English and the Spanish translation.​

 

Under no circumstances will a criminal background check be accepted if it has been altered or damaged in any way, including damages caused by removing staples.

 

If the applicant has lived outside the United States during the past five years, he/she must provide an additional criminal background check from every country where he/she has lived, authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish, with a notarized copy of both documents. If the country in which the applicant has lived in the past five years does not subscribe to The Hague Convention of 1961, the background check must by authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and then by the Consulate of Spain in said country. 

 

8. Medical certificate. Those applying for a visa for a stay of more than 180 days must submit the original and copy of a medical certificate demonstrating that the applicant does not suffer from any diseases that could have serious repercussions for public health, in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005. 

This certificate must be issued a maximum of 90 days prior to submitting the visa application and must be signed by and include the stamp or letterhead of a doctor. If issued in English, a Spanish translation is required. The recommended model can be found here. If this model is used, an additional translation is not required.

 

 

9. Proof of residence in the consular district. I.D. Card that proves your place of residence is within the jurisdiction of the Spanish Consulate of Los Angeles (original and photocopy). Jurisdiction extends through Southern California (Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties), Arizona, Colorado and Utah. You can provide one of the following documents: U.S. Driver license, State I.D. card, Voter’s Registration Card, current Student I.D. 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.

Non-U.S. citizens must also submit their U.S. Green Card or long-term stay visa (notarized copy). B-1 and B-2 visa holders cannot apply for a student visa in the United States; they must apply for it in their country of residence or origin.

 

10. Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the applicant is a minor, he/she must submit one of his/her parents’ or guardians’ ID or passport, as well as a document proving kinship. The originals must be shown when submitting the application. If the application is submitted through a representative, a copy of the representative’s ID or passport, as well as power of attorney or a document accrediting the representative relationship, must be submitted. An original and notarized copy of the applicant’s birth certificate, showing the parent-child relationship, or the ruling or decision by which a legal guardian was established, must be submitted to prove kinship; these documents must be issued a maximum of 90 days prior to submitting the visa application. Non-Spanish documents must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague. The copies of the identification documents must be notarized. If the visa application is submitted by mail, the originals of the identification documents must be shown when the passport with the visa is retrieved.

 

11. Authorization of legal representatives. If the applicant is a minor, he/she must submit the original and a copy of the parents’ or guardians’ notarized authorization for the minor to go to Spain and indicate the person who will be responsible for him/her during his/her stay in Spain. This notarized authorization must expressly include the following information of the person who will be responsible for the minor in Spain: full legal name, DNI or NIE number, address. This person or persons must also submit a notarized copy of his/her ID.

Non-Spanish documents must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish, if Spanish is not the original language. Copies must be notarized.

 

If the applicant is a minor, the person or persons responsible for the minor during his/her stay in Spain must submit a certificate ensuring they are not a sex offender (certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual) issued by the Registro Central de Delincuentes Sexuales, part of the Spanish Ministry of Justice (application found here), or express permission for the Spanish Government to obtain said certificate (authorization document found here). This person or persons must also provide a declaration in which they officially take responsibility for the child, which must be authenticated by a Spanish notary public.

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If the applicant is a minor and is traveling alone or with an authorized person, an original and notarized copy of power of attorney, signed by both parents or guardians, and authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague, must be submitted, along with a copy of both parents’ or guardians’ passports. If the minor is traveling with an authorized person, said document must also include the following information about the authorized person: full legal name, passport, DNI or NIE number, address, travel dates and route.

 

If the minor is traveling with only one of his/her parents or guardians, an original and notarized copy of power of attorney signed by the non-traveling parent or guardian must be submitted, authorizing the other parent or guardian to travel with the minor.

 

13. Payment of the visa fee.VISA FEE.pdf. Payments are made at the time of your appointment, only money order is​ accepted (no credit cards, no debit cards, no personal checks). Money orders are to be addressed to the "Consulate General of Spain Los Angeles".  

 

 

 

The following must be submitted for each family member accompanying the student:

 

 

For married couples, an original copy of the marriage certificate, authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish, must be submitted.

 

For civil partners, a certificate confirming that the relationship is accounted for in a civil registry or documentation proving that the couple qualifies for a civil partnership, even if not legally registered as such, must be submitted. This documentation must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish.

 

For children, an original birth certificate, authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague. must be submitted.

 

For children of divorced parents, the final divorce and custody filings for the minor, authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish, must be submitted.

 

For au pair visas, an original and notarized copy of the applicant’s contract with the host family with which the applicant will be living must be submitted.

 

When necessary, the Consular Office reserves the right to request additional documents or information, and/or call the applicant in for an interview.

 

Documentation issued by government authorities of countries that do not subscribe to The Hague Convention of 1961 must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and then by the Consulate of Spain in said country.

 

Required Documentation for Teaching Assistants (auxiliaries de conversación): 

 

These applicants do not need to submit the aforementioned proof of financial means or proof of health insurance. However, they must submit the original copy of their acceptance letter from the Spanish Ministry of Education, including the name of their assigned school or center, said institution’s contact information (address, phone, point of contact, email), duration of the program, and health insurance. 

 

 

 

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.