Student visa

May 27, 2025

IMPORTANT NOTICE

In accordance to the Law RD 1155/2024, the new Immigration Regulation came into effect on May 20th, 2025 introducing significant changes to current visa procedures. This may require additional documentation that is not listed on the current website and will be updated as soon as possible.

Please note that the content of our web page is for guidance only. Only the legal regulations in force at the time of application submission apply.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Visa for stays longer than 90 days with the purpose of attending the following study programs, mobility programs, volunteering or training activities that entitles to apply for a study visa

Activities permitted under a Study Visa:

a) Higher education. Higher education full-time (minimum of 20 hours per week) programs at an authorized higher education center in Spain, leading to the obtaining of a recognized higher education degree. The student must be 17 years old or older.
b) Post-compulsory secondary education. Full-time program (minimum of 20 hours per week) at an authorized post-compulsory secondary education center in Spain, leading to the obtaining of a recognized post-compulsory secondary education degree, and that entitles to apply for a study visa. The student must be 18 years old or older.
c) Mobility program for compulsory or post-compulsory secondary education at an authorized compulsory or post-compulsory secondary educational center or scientific center in Spain, and that entitles to apply for a study visa.
d) Volunteering. Non-profit volunteering program in areas of public interest that entitles to apply for a study visa. Activities must be not remunerated, except in the form of expense reimbursement, pocket money, or both.
e) Training activities: (The student must be 18 years old or older.)
-Language assistants (NALCAP);
- Language studies in Spanish or co-official languages;
- Preparatory courses for the selection tests for specialized healthcare training;
- Professional qualification certifications and Professional certificates, that entitles to apply for a study visa.

Note: 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").

Note: teachers accompanying groups of students must request a Exemption of Work Permit visa, not a study visa.

Student’s family visa:

The following accompanying family members of students attending a higher education program or a specialized healthcare training in Spain are eligible to apply for a student’s family visa:

-The spouse or unmarried partner with whom they maintain a union equivalent to marriage;
-Children who are minors or who have a disability.

Visas for students' family members do not constitute work permits.

Consular Jurisdiction:

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/sanfrancisco/es/Consulado/Paginas/Demarcacion.aspx

The Consulate General of Spain has jurisdiction over the following States: North California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii.

Visas applications:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Spanish Government has signed a contract with an external company (BLS International) for processing visas for Spanish Consular Offices in the United States.

IT IS MANDATORY TO REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

For Studies VISAS, must request an appointment through this website: http://usa.blsspainglobal.com.

or https://usa.blsspainvisa.com/sanfrancisco/

Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person at BLS Visa service for Spain:

Address: 717 Market St, Suite 425, San Francisco CA 94103.

Email: info.sfoes@blsinternational.net

Phone: 516-888-1169

The processing time until approval for the student visa can take between 5 to 8 weeks.

This General Consulate recommends not purchasing plane tickets until your visa has been granted.

The Consulate General of Spain in San Francisco has full authority to evaluate and request documents in addition to those initially submitted by the applicant.

Required documents:

1. Visa Application form 2024.pdf  Each applicant must complete and sign a visa application, filling out every section, including the e-mail address(clearly written or typed) of the applicant, so we can contact if documents are missing. 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.

Note: In the application form, it is important to fill in the email field in uppercase and with clear handwriting, as the consulate will contact you through this means if any documents are missing.

2. Photograph.pdf. 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. Applicants name must be on the back of the photograph.Please send a photo with all these requirements. Copies of photos will NOT be accepted.

3. Valid, unexpired passport. Original and PHOTOCOPY in color 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. As part of the visa application process, you will be required to leave your passport at the Consulate. This is a mandatory step in the process, as we need to affix your visa to the inside of your passport.

It is an essential requirement that if you wish to process your visa, you must leave the original passport with us. Otherwise, we will not initiate the process. While your application is being processed, you will not be able to travel with your passport.

Important note: To apply for the visa you must be in the USA and wait in the USA for approval of your visa.

4. Acceptance letter in SPANISH issued by the school/university/training center indicating:

Proof of admission in the study program, mobility program, volunteering, or training activity: Please submit one printed copy if it is an electronically-signed document. If it is not an electronically-signed document, please submit the original document and one photocopy.

The letter of acceptance or certificate of admission must certify the enrollment of the student in the study program. We do not accept letters of acceptance that offer the possibility to enroll while indicating that admission is subject to conditions.

The applicant must submit a proof of having paid the registration, enrollment or equivalent fees. The acceptance letter from the educational center in Spain may confirm that the enrollment fees have been paid.

The document must be written in Spanish and be issued in Spain by the authorized university, school or education center.

The document must prove enrollment in:

Full-time (minimum 20 hours per week) studies;
At an authorized university, school, research or education center;
Leading to obtain a degree, diploma or certificate.

The document must indicate, among other information:

Name of the authorized university, school or education center;
Address, contact e-mail and telephone number of the education center;
Student’s full name;
Name of the program;
Start and ending dates of the program;
Name, e-mail and telephone number of the person in charge of the program.

The letter of acceptance for the study, internship or volunteer activity can be:

Letter of acceptance to an accredited higher education school, university or education center for full-time studies.
Letter of acceptance to a program in an authorized post-compulsory secondary education center.
The letter of acceptance must indicate proof of accommodation with a family or at an institution, and the organizer’s commitment that the expenses are covered (see “STUDENT VISA FOR MINORS”).
Letter of acceptance to a mobility program for compulsory or post-compulsory secondary education program at an authorized compulsory or post-compulsory secondary educational center or scientific center in Spain. The letter of acceptance must confirm the accommodation with a family or at an institution, and the organizer’s commitment that the expenses are covered. (see “Student visa for minors”).
Letter of acceptance (and signed contract) to a volunteer program based on an agreement signed with a non–profit volunteering organization that entitles to apply for a study visa. Please submit the letter of acceptance and the signed contract or agreement with the volunteering organization. The letter of acceptance must prove that the volunteering will be not remunerated, and, if aplicable, if there will be a form of expense reimbursement, pocket money, or both. The agreement signed with the organization in charge of the volunteer program must include a description of the activities in areas of public interest, the schedule and the conditions for carrying them out, as well as the resources available to cover the travel, room and board during the stay. If you need it back, please provide the original and a photocopy.
Letter of acceptance to the corresponding training activity.
In case of enrollment in a Spanish language school, the center must be officially recognized by the Instituto Cervantes.

5. Proof of financial means.

The applicant must provide 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 the expenses of any accompanying family members.

The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of Spain's IPREM (Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator) for the student. 75% of the IPREM must be added for the first accompanying family member and 50% for each additional family member.

If the student is traveling to Spain alone, the minimum required amount in 2025 is 600 € (700 USD approx.)

The minimum monthly required amount varies each year and is calculated according to Spain’s Public Income Indicator of Multiple Effects (IPREM). For the year 2025, the minimum monthly required amounts are as follows:

If the student is applying alone: 100% of monthly IPREM = 600€ per month of stay (approx. $700).
If the student is accompanied by one family member: 75% of monthly IPREM = 450€ per month of stay (approx. $500) must be added.
For each additional accompanying family member: 50% of monthly IPREM =300€ per month of stay (approx. $350) must be added.

It is possible to provide documentation certifying that accommodation for the entire length of the student’s stay has been paid for in advance. In this case, this amount will be deducted from the minimum required amount.

At least one of the following documents must be submitted:

If the US or Spanish university or school bears full financial responsibility: If the letter of acceptance or certificate of admission (point 6) certifies that the organization assumes full financial responsibility for room and board, it is not necessary to provide any additional proof of financial means. If not, it is possible to certify the financial support in an additional signed statement or letter from the issuing institution. If the original documents are in English, a translation into Spanish must be submitted.
If the applicant him/herself bears full financial responsibility for room and board: His/her three most recent monthly bank statements, including the applicant’s full name and a final balance that covers the required minimum funds. The bank statements in English do not need to be translated into Spanish.
If applicant is receiving financial aid, loans, scholarships or other economic aid that covers the minimum monthly required amount for room and board: Documentation proving the issuance of financial aid, loans, scholarships, or other economic aid. If the original documents are in English, a translation into Spanish must be submitted.
If parent, legal guardian or other relative is bearing full financial responsibility: Notarized letter (original and copy) from at least one of the applicant’s parents or guardians, in which they assume full financial responsibility for the applicant’s room and board.

Suggested wording: "I hereby certify that I, [full name of parent of guardian], [mother, father, legal guardian] of [full name of applicant], assume full financial responsibility for his/her round-trip ticket between Spain and the United States, as well as his/her monthly room and board expenses while he/she is in Spain, and any addition emergency expenses that may arise during his/her stay."

The applicant must attach all of the following documentation to this notarized letter:

Notarized copy of the parent or guardian’s ID;
Notarized copy of the student’s birth certificate, demonstrating parental link, or the ruling or decision by which a legal guardian was determined;
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 in English do not need to be translated into Spanish.

6. Health insurance. Certificate in Spanish issued by an Insurance Company operating in Spain specifying:

Name of applicant.
Start date of the coverage.
Repatriation coverage.
Minimum coverage €30,000 euros -No deductibles, No copays, No waiting periods.
If the applicant is participating in a volunteer program, he/she must also provide a copy of the civil liability insurance policy taken out by the organization.
An Insurance card will NOT be accepted as proof of coverage.
Travel insurance is not accepted.

A registry of insurance entities authorized to operate in Spain can be found at the following link: https://rrpp.dgsfp.mineco.es/

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

7. Criminal record check certificate ONLY when the stay of STUDIES EXCEEDS 180 DAYS. Applicants over 18 must present original and copy of the criminal record certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 5 years.The Criminal record check certificate cannot be issued more than 6 months preceding the submission of the visa application.

Residents in the US:

- Certificate must be based on fingerprins and issued by FBI and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC and translated via an official Translators - Sworn Interpreters (exteriores.gob.es)

- FBI Background Check: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

- Apostille: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/authenticate-your-document/apostille-requirements.html

- Translations: Páginas - Traductores e intérpretes (exteriores.gob.es)

Applicant(s) that has lived outside the United States during the past 5 years 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 5 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.

Note: Criminal record check certificates issued by US Local/State authorities will not be accepted. Applicant will be informed in the cases when they can be required in addition to the FBI records.Apostilles are required: Contact Official Apostille authorities to get an estimate on processing times before submitting your visa application.

8. Bilingual Medical certificate: All applicants who apply for a study visa, regardless of lenght of stay, must submit the original and a copy of the medical certificate demonstrating 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.

The certificate must be issued in the 3 months preceding the submission of the visa application.
The certificate must include a stamp from the issuing Medical Center, doctor’s name and signature, doctor’s License Number and date of expedition.
The certificate must be written on letterhead paper from hospital/doctor’s office or directly on the provided template. The recommended model can be found here: Medical Certificate.pdf.
The certificate must be signed by a Doctor (Physician), not by a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician Assistant.
If the certificate does not include the text in Spanish, an official or certified translation into Spanish is required. In the case of using the bilingual model from our website, the Spanish translation is not necessary.

Please include a photocopy (not notarized) of the medical certificate with your submitted documents.

9. Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction: Copy of State ID, Driver´s License or Student ID, please don't send the originals.

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. Payment of the visa fee. Present the payment the day of your interview. Only money orders are accepted payable to Consulate of Spain. No cash, personal checks, nor credit cards. The processing fee will not be returned even if the visa is not granted or cancelled.

APPLICANT FEE

Americans $ 160

Other Nationalities $ 94

Nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Ethiopia and the United Kingdom different rates are applied for reasons of reciprocity. Please check TASAS CONSULARES ENERO 2025.pdf Contact the Visa Department for the appropriate fee.

Payment must be made by MONEY ORDER (not refundable). We do not accept any other type of payments to: "CONSULATE GENERAL OF SPAIN". For citizens of the United States of America, the fee is $160. For nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, 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. For other nationals, the visa fee is $94.

11. Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the applicant is a minor, he/she must submit a copy of 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.

12. 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.

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.

Required documents for family members

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

The documents listed above under numbers 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12, and, if applicable, 10.
Documentation proving kinship to the student (marriage, civil union, or birth certificate, or other documentation, depending on the relationship).
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.

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.There aren't appointments for students VISA.

Applying for a study visa also entails applying for a study stay permit.

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.
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.
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 365-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.

Important information about the NIE (“Numero de Identidad de Extranjero”, Foreigner’s Identity Number) and the TIE (“Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero” or Foreigner Identity Card):

er.
The NIE is a personal, unique and exclusive number that is assigned by the Spanish Police (not by the Consular Office) to foreigners who, for economic, professional, or social reasons, are engaged in activities related to Spain and require identification in this country.
A NIE identifies the bearer to all levels of the Spanish public administration, but does not entitle the holder to reside in Spain or prove residence there.
The TIE card entitles the holder to reside in Spain during its validity period and proves legal residence in Spain.
The NIE number does not change. The TIE card is valid until its date of expiration.
The NIE number usually appears in the student visa sticker.
If the NIE number does not appear in your student visa sticker, and you applied for a student visa in our consular jurisdiction, you can send an e-mail to our Consular Office cog.sanfrancisco.vis@maec.es asking if we have received your NIE number after your visa was issued. If the consular Office did not receive your NIE number, you can request it from the Spanish Police Department if you need to apply for a TIE card in Spain.