Student Visa in Spain
The Student Visa for Spain is required for non-European citizens who want to study in Spain for more than 3 months. NIM Immigration Services offers full support: documentation, application submission and the appointment for your student card (TIE).
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Who needs a Student Visa in Spain?
You will need a Student Visa in Spain if you are a non-European citizen and plan to study in Spain for more than 3 months at a university, an officially recognised school or an accredited Spanish language centre.
Once you have been admitted by the university or study centre, you can start preparing your documents. You can apply from your country of origin or once you are in Spain — wherever you are, we can help you with the whole process.
Apply from your country
Submit your application through the Spanish Consulate or Embassy at least 2 months before your studies start.
Apply once you're in Spain
Entered Spain as a tourist without a visa? You can apply from here within 2 months of your arrival.
Bring your family
Your spouse or partner and children can apply with you as family members of a student, with extra proof of funds for each of them.
Get your free 15-minute consultation
Tell us about your case and, if we can help, we'll send you a link to book a free call with our lawyers.
Student visa requirements in Spain
- Admission to an authorised study centreYour acceptance letter for a programme lasting more than 3 months: university, vocational training or Spanish courses at an accredited centre.
- Enough money for your stayProof that you have 100% of the IPREM for each month of your stay, plus additional funds for each family member who comes with you.
- Comprehensive health insuranceValid in Spain for your whole stay, with no co-payments and no waiting periods.
- Medical certificateYou can get it in your country of origin or in Spain. If it's issued abroad, it must be bilingual or come with a sworn translation into Spanish.
- Criminal record certificatesOnly if your course lasts more than 6 months: certificates from the countries where you have lived in the last 5 years.
The IPREM amount is updated every year — we confirm the current figure in your consultation. Want the full list of documents? Read our guide to the requirements to apply for a student visa in Spain.
Check your eligibility — freeWhat do NIM Immigration Services include for the student visa process
In our first consultation we explain all the requirements and documents you need to obtain your student visa in Spain.
- We help you get all your documents ready in time.
- We check that every requirement is met to give your application the best chance.
- We prepare the forms and the full application file.
- We submit your application online and follow it up.
- Once your visa is approved, we book the appointment for your student card (TIE).
- Advice in English from the first call to your TIE card.
How we work: four simple steps
Tell us about your case
We explore the best route for you and the steps to follow.
Proposal
We send you a quote with the procedure, the documents to prepare and the timeline.
Submission of the file
We submit your application electronically through the immigration office's online platform.
Follow-up of your file
We monitor your file regularly to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Deadline process
Decision times depend on the volume of applications, so the deadlines we indicate are always approximate. If your application is submitted to a Foreigners' Office in Spain, you can check its status on the official website.
Choose how much help you need
Full service
We handle your whole student visa
Personal quote
From your first consultation to your student card (TIE) appointment. Tell us about your case and we'll send you a clear, fixed quote.
- Consultation covering all your requirements
- Documents and forms prepared for you
- Online submission and follow-up
- TIE appointment booked for you
Do it yourself
Document review
€250 + VAT
You prepare and submit the application yourself. Before you file, you upload your documents to our client platform and one of our lawyers reviews them and sends you a written report.
- Full review of your documents by a lawyer
- List of anything missing or incorrect
- Written feedback so you can fix it before filing
- Starts with an online consultation, where we confirm DIY suits your case. Its cost is deducted from your final fee.
Student Visa in Spain: FAQ
Can't find your question? Ask us in a call — we'll look at your specific situation.
If I enter Spain as a tourist, how long do I have to apply for my student visa?
If you entered Spain without a visa, you must submit your application within 2 months of your arrival. Keep in mind that your studies should start at least 2 months after you apply, so plan your dates carefully.
I travelled through other Schengen countries before arriving in Spain. How do I count the days?
The 2-month deadline counts from your entry into Spain, but you must also still be within your legal stay as a tourist (90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area). We check your dates in the consultation so you don't miss the deadline.
The deadline is approaching and I don't have all my documents. Can I still apply?
Yes, you can submit the application and add the missing documents later. The Foreigners' Office will send you a request for the documents in question, and you will have 10 working days to add them to your file.
Can I get the medical certificate in Spain?
Yes, you can get it in your country of origin or in Spain. If you get it in your country of origin, make sure it is bilingual; otherwise you will need a sworn translation into Spanish.
Do I need a criminal record certificate if I study for less than 6 months?
No. You only need criminal record certificates from the countries where you have lived in the last 5 years when your course lasts more than 6 months.
Can I work while I study in Spain?
Yes. As a student you can work up to 30 hours a week, as long as the job is compatible with your studies.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. Your spouse or partner and your children can apply as family members of a student, showing additional funds for each of them. Family members cannot work with this permit.
What can I do when I finish my studies?
Depending on your studies, you may be able to switch to a permit to look for work or start a business, or directly to a work permit if you have a job offer. We plan this step with you before your student permit expires.
