Visa for stays exceeding 90 days for undertaking higher education or post-compulsory secondary education, student mobility programmes, voluntary service, and training activities. A student visa is not required for study stays of up to 90 days. Depending on the applicant's nationality, a short-term visa may be required (see “Schengen Visas").
The following family members may obtain a visa to accompany the holder of a student visa for higher education or specialised health training:
- The spouse, registered partner, or stable partner.
- The children of the visa holder or of the spouse/partner, provided they are minors or require support due to disability or illness.
Activities that entitle the applicants to obtain a student visa
a) Higher education, referring to university or non-university studies at a recognised institution or centre of higher education in Spain, leading to qualifications corresponding to the levels and certifications established in Royal Decree 1027/2011 of 15 July, which sets out the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education. This also includes university-specific degrees delivered by recognised higher education institutions, in accordance with the autonomy granted by university regulations, as well as Vocational Master's Degrees regulated by Royal Decree 659/2023 of 18 July, which develops the vocational education system.
The aforementioned higher education may also include, where applicable, preparatory courses for said studies and any compulsory training placements, which will likewise be considered higher education. University studies may be conducted in person or in a hybrid format, as established in the relevant study plans and in accordance with current university regulations. Other higher education studies may be conducted in person or in a hybrid format in accordance with current education legislation, provided that at least 50 percent of the programme is delivered in person.
b) Post-compulsory secondary education, at an authorised educational institution in Spain, within a full-time programme that leads to an officially recognised qualification. These studies may be pursued in person or semi-in-person, in accordance with current education regulations, provided that at least 50 percent of the instruction is delivered in person. As for vocational training, this category includes intermediate-level training cycles and Vocational Specialist qualifications as provided for in Royal Decree 659/2023 of 18 July.
c) Student mobility programmes for compulsory or post-compulsory secondary education, undertaken to pursue a programme of compulsory or post-compulsory secondary education at an officially recognised educational or scientific centre, within a student exchange programme or educational project.
d) Voluntary service, defined as the performance of volunteering activities organised by legally established and registered volunteer organisations, within programmes that pursue general interest objectives for non-profit causes.
e) Training activities, including the following:
- Duties as foreign language assistants in Spanish educational institutions listed in the national register of non-university education centres or in the relevant official registers.
- Spanish or co-official language courses taught in person in official language schools or in centres accredited in Spain by the Instituto Cervantes or by the corresponding public authority for the relevant co-official language provided the language is not the applicant's native language or the official language of their country of nationality.
- Preparatory courses for entrance examinations for access to specialised health training posts.
- Completion of training leading to the award of a technical qualification or professional certification, according to the list of training activities, duration, and conditions established by resolution of the competent authority.
- Completion of a full, non-modular and non-partial training programme at an authorised educational institution in Spain, leading to professional certificates of level C vocational training offerings at levels 2 and 3, in accordance with the requirements and conditions established in Organic Law 3/2022 of 31 March, on the regulation and integration of vocational training, and its implementing regulations.
Required documents for the student
Documents issued by the authorities in the applicant's country of origin must be authenticated according to international agreements (Apostille) or legalized by the Embassy of Spain and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country. No affidavit will be accepted.
Depending on individual circumstances, additional documents may be required. Submitting a complete application does not guarantee a visa.
All required originals must be brought together with a photocopy. All documents should be submitted in English/Spanish. TRANSLATION BY SWORN TRANSLATORS OF SPAIN AND CYPRUS SHALL BE ACCEPTED. No translation via affidavit is accepted. You can find the accepted translators on the following webpages:
https://www.pio.gov.cy/en/register-of-sworn-translators.html
https://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/ServiciosAlCiudadano/Paginas/Traductores-Interpretes-Jurados.aspx
A set of copies for each applicant must be presented.
1. National visa application form
. each applicant must fully complete and sign the national visa application form. If the applicant is a minor, the application must be signed by one of their legal representatives.
1. Photograph: One recent, passport-size, colour photograph with a light background, taken from the front, without dark glasses, reflections, or garments that obscure the face.
2. Valid passport: Original and a copy of the page or pages containing biometric data. The passport must be valid for at least one year and contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted.
3. Proof of admission and payment of tuition:
Original and a copy of the document certifying:
- In the case of higher education, post-compulsory secondary education and training activities, documents proving admission and payment of tuition at an authorised educational institution for the relevant study programme.
- Admission to a student mobility programme. In this case, proof must also be provided of acceptance at a school, of accommodation with a host family or institution, and a commitment from the programme organiser to cover expenses.
- The agreement with the organisation responsible for a volunteer programme.
4. Proof of financial means:
Original and a copy of the documents proving that the applicant (or their legal representative) has sufficient financial means to cover the cost of the stay and return, including that of any accompanying family members. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of the IPREM. To this amount, 75% of the IPREM must be added for the first accompanying family member, and 50% for each additional family member. If proof is provided that accommodation has been fully paid for in advance, the required financial amount will be reduced accordingly.
5. Health insurance:
Original and a copy of the certificate of public or private health insurance taken out with a provider authorised to operate in Spain, offering coverage equivalent to the basic common portfolio of services of the Spanish National Health System, valid for the full duration of the planned stay.
6. Criminal record certificate:
Where the planned stay exceeds 180 days, applicants of legal adult age must submit the original and a copy of a criminal record certificate issued by the country or countries in which they have resided in the past five years.
7. Medical certificate:
Original and a copy of a medical certificate confirming that the applicant does not suffer from any disease that may have serious implications for public health in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005).
8. Proof of residence in the consular district:
Proof of residence in the country (e.g. Residence Card, Yellow Slip), by submitting the original and a copy of a document proving residence in the jurisdiction of this Consular Office.
9. Proof of the identity and legal capacity of the representative:
If the applicant is a minor, a copy of the parent's identity document or passport and proof of the family relationship must be provided. The originals must be shown when submitting the application. If the visa is applied for through a representative, a copy of the representative's identity document or passport and a notarised power of attorney or equivalent document proving representation must be submitted.
10. Authorisation from legal representatives:
If the applicant is a minor and is under the care of a person who does not hold parental authority or guardianship, authorisation must be granted by both parents or by the person holding exclusive parental authority or guardianship. This authorisation must specify the intended stay in Spain for the purpose of carrying out the relevant activity, and include the name of the institution, organisation, entity or body responsible for the authorised activity, along with the intended period of stay.
11. Payment of visa fee:
Payment of the visa fee, which is 90 euros (cash payment only).
Required documents for family members
Each family member accompanying the student must submit:
* A copy of the passport or Foreigner Identity Card of the student.
* The documents listed above under items 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 12. If applicable, also items 7, 10 and 11.
* Additionally, they must submit certificates proving the family relationship with the student: marriage certificate, registered partnership certificate, or birth certificate, as appropriate.
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: The application must be presented in person at the Consular Section of the Embassy of Spain in Nicosia:
5, Nikolaou Katalanou Str.
Ayios Andreas
1100 Nicosia Cyprus.
P.O.Box: 28349.
The opening hours to the public are from 9:00 to 12:00, Monday through Friday. Prior appointment will be required.
PRIOR APPOINTMENTS can be requested by sending an e-mail to the following address: emb.nicosia.sc @maec.es mentioning PRIOR APPOINTMENT.
- 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.
- 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 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.