Study Visa for Spain

Visa for stays exceeding 90 days for studies, training, internships, or volunteer
work.

The following family members may obtain a visa to accompany the student:

 Spouse or civil partner

 Children who are minors or have a disability
Visas for students' family members do not constitute a work permit.

Required documents for the student

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.

4. Proof of acceptance for the study, training or volunteer activity or

internship.
The applicant should provide an original and copy of the document proving
acceptance to an accredited school for full-time studies.

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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 is currently 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.

At least one of the following documents must be submitted:

 If the applicant him/herself bears full financial responsibility for his/her

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 do not need to be
translated into Spanish.
 Documentation proving the issuing of financial aid, loans, scholarships,
or other economic aid that covers the minimum amount required for
room and board. If the original documents are in English, a translation
into Spanish must also be submitted.
 Notarized letter 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 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

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

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 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 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.

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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.

Medical Certificate of Good Health This certificate verifies that Mr./Ms.

.................................................................................................... is free of drug addiction, mental
illness, and does not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions to public
health according to the specifications of the International Health Regulations of 2005. These
contagious diseases include, but are not limited to smallpox, poliomyelitis by wild polio virus,
the human influenza caused by a new subtype of virus and the severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS), cholera, pneumonic plague, Bellow fever, viral hemorrhagic fevers (e.g.:
Ebola, Lassa, Marbug), West Nile Virus and other illnesses of special importance nationally or
regionally (e.g.: Dengue Fever, Rift Valley Fever, and meningococcal disease).

Certificado Médico de Buena Salud Por el presente se certifica que el Sr./Sra.

.............................................................................................. No padece ninguna
drogodependencia, enfermedad mental o alguna de las enfermedades que suponen riesgo
para la salud pública de conformidad con lo dispuesto en el Reglamento Sanitario Internacional
de 2005. Estas enfermedades incluyen, entre otras, la viruela, poliomielitis por poliovirus, gripe
humana causada por nuevos subtipos de virus, síndrome respiratorio agudo severo (SARS),
cólera, neumonía, fiebre amarilla, las fiebres hemorrágicas virales (como el Ébola, Lassa,
Marburgo, etc.), la fiebre del Nilo Occidental y otras enfermedades de ámbito nacional o
regional (como el Dengue, fiebre del Valle del Rift, síndrome meningocócico, etc.)

Original Physician Signature: ...........................................................

Firma original del médico

Place and date: ...........................................................

Lugar y fecha

Official Physician Stamp: ...........................................................

Sello oficial del médico

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Instructions: See a doctor (MD or DO) and they will determine if you are of good health
according to the International Health Regulation (2005). This model can be sent electronically
in order to be printed out on letterhead paper. The doctor may also use this sample as a guide
to write their own certificate. Remember that it must specifically mention the International
Health Regulations (2005). The doctor should then print out, sign, date and stamp the Medical
Certificate. Make sure your name is filled out in both the Spanish and English portions. Bring
the original Medical Certificate and a photocopy to your visa application appointment. We will
seal and return your original document so that you can later present it in Spain. We will keep
the photocopy to process your visa.

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.

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.

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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.

13. Payment of the visa fee. 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 in xxxx".

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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.

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.

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Procedure

The 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: The application must be submitted no

earlier than 90 days prior to the planned date of travel. 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: Applications must be submitted in person at the

Consular Office. An appointment is necessary.

 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.

 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
favorable decision is notified. The Consular Office will inform the
applicant regarding the procedure for the return of the passport and any
other original documentation.

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 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.