Study visa

Visa for stays exceeding 90 days for purposes of study, volunteer services and training activities. 

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 form more information​). 

Activities for which a Study Visa may be obtained​​​ ​

• Higher education studies. These include university or non-university studies at an officially recognized institution or higher education center in Spain that lead to degrees corresponding to the levels and qualifications outlined in Royal Decree 1027/2011 of July 15, which establishes the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education. This also includes university-specific degrees offered autonomously by recognized higher education institutions in accordance with university regulations, and Vocational Training Master's degrees under Royal Decree 659/2023 of July 18. 

  Such higher education studies may also include, where applicable, preparatory courses and mandatory training placements, which are also considered higher education. University studies may be pursued in either in-person or hybrid formats, in accordance with the corresponding curriculum plans and current university regulations. Other higher education programs may also be conducted in-person or hybrid formats, provided that at least 50% of the instruction is delivered in-person, in accordance with current education regulations.​
  

• Post-compulsory secondary education at an authorized educational institution in Spain must be part of a full-time program that leads to a recognize qualification. These may also be offered in-person or semi-in-person, as long as at least 50% of the instruction is in-person. This includes intermediate vocational training programs and Specialist Vocational Training qualifications under Royal Decree 659/2023 of July 18.​​

• Mobility programmes for compulsory or post-compulsory secondary education level aimed at following an educational program in a recognized teaching or research institution within the framework of a student exchange program or educational project.
• Volunteering. Non-profit volunteering program in areas of public interest. Activities must be unpaid, except for reimbursement of expenses, pocket money, or both.
  

• Training Activities may include:​

• ​​​​​​​Language assistants in Spanish educational centers listed in the national registry of non-university schools or corresponding official registries. 
• Studies of Spanish or co-official languages.​
• Preparatory courses for the selection tests for specialized healthcare training.​
• Training to obtain a certificate of technical aptitude or professional license, according to the training activities, duration, and conditions established by resolution of the competent authority.
• ​Professional qualification certifications and Professional certificates.​

​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.   

4. Proof of acceptance for the study, training or volunteer activity or internship. Original and a copy of the document proving:

For higher education, post-compulsory secondary education, and training activities: documents that certify admission and payment of enrollment fees at an authorized educational center. This requirement may be satisfied by submitting a document that certifies any of the following:​

• ​The student is exempt from payment.
• The fees were paid by the student in their home country, as they are relocating to Spain under an exchange program between institutions or academic centers. Alternatively, under a bilateral agreement between institutions, the home institution covers the cost of enrollment, tuition, or an equivalent fee at the host institution.
• 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.
  

A single document may serve to verify both requirements.

​For student mobility programs: proof of admission, hosting by a family or institution, and a commitment from the program organizer to cover expenses. This requirement may be satisfied by submitting a document that certifies any of the following:

• The student is exempt from payment.
• The fees were paid by the student in their home country, as they are relocating to Spain under an exchange program between institutions or academic centers. Alternatively, under a bilateral agreement between institutions, the home institution covers the cost of enrollment, tuition, or an equivalent fee at the host institution.
• 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.

 A single document may serve to verify both requirements. 

Volunteering:

• Agreement with the organization responsible for the volunteer program.​

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. Foreigns documents not issued by an EU country must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

These means can be justified by one or more of the following documents:

• ​Letter from the university covering all the costs of accommodation and meals (often included in the letter of acceptance).
• Proof of having obtained a scholarship for the specified time.
• Sponsorship Letter. Notarised document of the applicant's parents or legal guardians, assuming all the costs associated with their studies in Spain. In this case it is necessary to submit the  student´s birth certificate or legal custody, passport of the parent or legal guardian, letter from their employer specifying qualification, starting date and remuneration, and 6 months of bank statements (originals and stamped by bank). ​Notarised letter and birth certificate must be apostilled or legalized and  translated into Spanish by a sworn translator, the statement must meet the following requirements regarding legalization or Apostille:
• ​If the statement is issued before a Spanish notary, it does not require an Apostille.
• If the statement is issued in a country that is a signatory of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, it must include the corresponding Apostille.
• If the statement is issued in a country that is not a signatory of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, it must be legalized by the Spanish Consular Office with jurisdiction in the country where the document was issued.​
• ​​Proof of financial means with the submission of 6 months of bank statements (originals and stamped by bank).

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. 

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. Documents not issued by an EU country must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

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. Documents not issued by an EU country must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

9. Proof of residence in Ireland. The applicant must provide proof of their legal residence in Ireland (GNIB card/ IRP valid until the end of their planned stay in Spain) or that they are attending classes, in person, in Ireland. Since UK nationals who reside in Ireland do not have a GNIB card, they should submit as proof or residence their driving license, tax receipts.

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. 

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. Documents not issued by an EU country must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

12. Payment of the visa fee. The visa fee is of an amount equivalent to 90 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.​

​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. Documents not issued by an EU country documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. 

Procedure

Place of submission: BLS Spain Visa Application Center​ - 2A Chamberlain Court, Richmond Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin, D03 DY93​