Visa for Stays Exceeding 90 Days: Study, Training, and Voluntary Work. 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”).
Who can apply at the Consulate General of Spain in New York?
Students enrolled in universities or educational institutions within our consular district (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware) or legal residents within our jurisdiction.
Relatives: please refer to “Required Documents for Family Members” below.
Activities covered by Student Visas
1. Higher Education: Full-time programs (minimum 20 hours/week) at an authorized center leading to a degree. Applicants must be 17 years or older.
2. Post-Compulsory Secondary Education: Full-time programs (minimum 20 hours/week) at an authorized secondary education center, leading to an accredited diploma. Applicants must be 18 years or older.
3. Student Mobility Programs: For compulsory or post-compulsory secondary education, to continue studies at a recognized institution as part of a student exchange or educational project.
4. Volunteering: Non-profit programs in areas of public interest. Activities must be unpaid, except for reimbursement of expenses, pocket money, or both. The volunteer organization must be legally established and registered with the appropriate authority in accordance with the regulations of Spain, the relevant autonomous community, or another European Union Member State.
5. Training Activities: Applicants must be 18 years or older.
- Language assistants (NALCAP, see below)
- Spanish or co-official language studies
- Preparatory courses for specialized healthcare selection tests
- Professional qualification and certification programs
Processing times
Applications must be submitted at least 2 months before the start of the program.
Visa applications can be submitted between 6 months and 2 months before the program begins.
Allow at least 5 weeks from submission of a complete application at BLS to the expected visa collection date.
The Consular Section does not provide updates on the status of applications. If additional documents are required, applicants will be contacted.
Important: Do not purchase travel tickets until your visa has been granted.
Required documents for students
1. National visa application form.
Completed and signed by the applicant (or parent/legal representative if a minor).
2. Photograph. Recent passport-size, colour photo on a light background, facing forward, without dark/reflective glasses or face-covering garments.
3. Passport. Original and notarized photocopy of pages containing biometric data. Must be valid for at least 1 year from the start of the program and have two blank pages. Passports issued over 10 years ago are not accepted.
4. Proof of acceptance for the study program, training or volunteer activity. Original and copy of the acceptance letter for the program, training, volunteering, or mobility program.
- Higher Education, Post-Compulsory Secondary Education, Training, and Mobility Programs: Acceptance letter by the Spanish educational institution. Mobility program letters must include: Confirmation from the educational center that it will assume responsibility for the student throughout their stay, provision of accommodation (either with a host family chosen by the organization overseeing the student mobility program or at a boarding school or institution arranged within the framework of the program) and a written commitment from the program organizer to cover all related expenses, including tuition, room and board, and return travel to the home country
- Volunteer Programs: Letter of acceptance and signed agreement with the organization detailing activities, supervision, schedule, expenses, and, where applicable, training. The organization must be legally registered.
- Training Activities: Acceptance letter. Where applicable, Spanish degree (or duly recognized foreign degree) that qualifies for participation in the training activity. For Spanish or other co-oficial languages studies acceptance a language school officially recognized by the Instituto Cervantes. For language assistants (NALCAP), see NALCAP section.
5. Proof of payment or exemption of enrollment fees. The payment requirement may be satisfied by submitting an acceptance letter from the educational center in Spain that certifies any of the following:
- The enrolment fees have been paid;
- The enrolment fees are exempt from payment;
- The enrolment fees have been paid by the student at the center of origin in the USA (within the framework of a program between academic centers or institutions);
- The center of origin in the USA covers (or is responsible for) the payment of the enrolment fee (within the framework of a program between centers or institutions).
- Partial payment of enrollment or tuition fees is sufficient. In such cases, the formalization of enrollment is understood to fulfill both the tuition payment and admission requirements.
- When the deadline for payment of the fee and formalization of registration established by the institution cannot be adjusted to the deadlines of the visa application procedure, this situation and the commitment to pay the registration fees may be accredited.
6. Proof of financial means. Original and copy of documents demonstrating sufficient funds for the student and accompanying family members. Minimum amounts are based on Spain’s Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM: 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). Accepted proof includes:
- Scholarship letters
- Sponsorship letters (A notarized document from the applicant’s parents or legal guardians, assuming responsibility for all costs associated with the student’s studies in Spain. In this case, it is necessary to provide the student’s birth certificate or proof of legal custody, the parent’s or guardian’s passport, a letter from their employer specifying position, start date, and salary, and bank statements from the last three months. Both the notarized letter and the birth certificate must be apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator).
- Bank statements (last 3 months)
- Letter from the university covering all the costs of accommodation and meals (often included in the letter of acceptance).
7. Health insurance. The insurance provider must be registered with the General Directorate of Insurance and Pension Funds. Coverage must offer benefits comparable to those of the Spanish National Health System (Law 16/2003, articles 7 and following), with no co-payments or deductibles and a minimum coverage of €30,000. For volunteers, civil liability insurance from the host organization is also required. The health insurance must cover the entire duration of the stay, corresponding to the validity of the study visa. Under current immigration regulations, the visa is valid starting 1 month before the program begins and extends up to 15 days after the program ends, if applicable.
8. Criminal record check certificate. Original and copy. Required for applicants 18+ for stays exceeding 180 days. Must cover countries of residence for the past 5 years and be legalized/apostilled and translated into Spanish. In the US, only FBI records are valid. Local Police or State Police background checks will not be accepted.
INFO FBI BACKGROUND CHECK DEPARTMENT OF STATE
INFO DEPARTMENT OF STATE APOSTILLE
9. Medical certificate. Original and copy. Proof of absence of diseases with serious public health repercussions (in accordance with the 2005 International Health Organization Regulations). Must be legalized/apostilled and translated into Spanish.
10. Proof of residence. Notarized student ID or driver’s license (non-U.S. citizens: Alien Registration Card or valid U.S. residence visa, except B1/B2). Important: Student visa applications will be accepted for those students who are studying or living in our consular district (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware).
11. Proof of representative identity. For minors or represented applicants, submit ID/passport copies and documents proving legal representation. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
12. Authorization of legal representatives (minors). Original and copy. Notarized authorization for temporary relocation, including information about the responsible adult in Spain. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
For applicants under 18 years of age:
- Birth Certificate: Original birth certificate of the minor, translated into Spanish and legalized with an Apostille. If the country is not a Hague Convention member, the document must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then by the Spanish Consulate in that country. Submit both the original and a copy.
- Parents’ IDs/Passports: Notarized copies of both parents’ or legal guardians’ identification documents or passports.
- Parental Authorization: Notarized letter from both parents or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel to Spain for the specified activity. The letter must include:
- Details of the center, organization, or person responsible for the activity
- Duration of the planned stay
- Names, surnames, ID or NIE numbers, and addresses of the persons responsible for the minor in Spain. (This letter must be submitted in Spanish.)
- Declaration from Caregivers in Spain: Notarized statement from the person(s) responsible for the minor in Spain, including:
- Copy of their DNI or NIE
- Certificate of Sexual Nature issued by the Registry of Sexual Offenders of the Spanish Ministry of Justice, or explicit authorization allowing the Administration to obtain this certification
13. Visa fee payment. Check updated Consular Fees: Consular Fees 2025 NY.pdf.
BLS basic service fees apply separately; optional services are not mandatory.
Special Student Visa Categories
Additional documents:
1. NALCAP – Language Assistants
Letter of admission from the Spanish Ministry of Education with assigned center, program duration, and confirmation of financial and health insurance support by Spanish authorities.
2. Au Pair Visa
Signed Au Pair Collaboration Agreement (original and copy) with the host family.
Required documents for family members
Only relatives of higher education and specialized health training students can apply.
Submit documents 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 above. Where applicable, also submit 10.
Proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) legalized/apostilled and translated.
If needed to evaluate the application, the Consular Office may request additional documents or information and may require the applicant to attend a personal interview
Procedure
- Who can apply for a visa: Visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents may submit the application on their behalf. Applications may also be submitted through a duly authorized representative.
- Visa application period: Visa applications must be submitted at least two months before the start date of the studies.
- Proof of receipt: The Consular Office will provide proof of receipt of the application, including a tracking code that allows applicants to check the status of their dossier online https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspx
- Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may request missing documents or additional information necessary to make a decision on the application. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview if required.
- Decision period: The legal period for reaching a decision is one month from the day after the application submission date. This period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are required.
Important Note: Visas for stays exceeding 90 days can only be issued once the Consulate receives authorization from Spain, which typically takes approximately three weeks. This process cannot be expedited, so please plan accordingly.
- Collecting the visa: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative (if the applicant is a minor) within two months from the day after the favorable decision is notified. The Consular Office will provide instructions regarding the return of the passport and any other original documents.
- Refusal of the visa or study stay permit: Refusals are always provided in writing, clearly stating the grounds for the decision.
- Appeals: If a visa or study stay permit is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal in Spanish through the BLS Visa Application Centre within one month from the day following the notification of refusal. A photocopy of the passport must be included.
The maximum period for resolving an appeal is one month.
An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid (Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Madrid) within two months from the day after receiving the notification of refusal or dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.