Whether you’re planning a short stay in Spain or will be in the country for an extended period studying, it is essential that you understand the various Visa and entry requirements needed to access legal entry into the country. This information is designed to help you understand the process of obtaining a Visa, if it is needed, and additional information important to your departure to the country.
If you are coming to Spain from another country in Europe, a passport or Visa will never be required for entry into the country. If you are coming from a non-European country and plan to stay for a period of three months or longer a passport is required to obtain. The passport must be valid for a period of 90 days after the length of the planned stay in Spain. Students coming from the United States do not need a Visa for a stay of less than 90 days.
Applying for Passport/Visa
Apply for a passport and Visa, when needed, as soon as possible. It can take several weeks to process the application, and you do not want to be ready to go yet still waiting on this information to arrive.
To apply you will need to complete paperwork with the Spanish Embassy or with the Consulate in your country. You are required to have a few pieces of information available when you are applying for a Visa into Spain. Those things are:
Proof of attendance at a university in Spain
- Obtain a passport, if you do not already have one, and ensure that it is updated
- Completed application
- Photo ID/Driver’s License
- Birth Certificate
Do keep in mind there are fees associated with obtaining a passport as well as A Visa. These fees must be paid at the same time of submitting the application. Costs will vary. You also need to make sure that your passport contains a number of blank pages; it is recommended that at least two to three pages be available.
Only those who are attending college on a full-time basis will be able to keep their visa.
For those who live in the Schengen area, the below mentioned documents are required for Spain visa applications:
- Completed visa application form
- Two passport photographs
- National passport and one copy of the passport
- Original resident visa
- Confirmation letter from your health insurance stating coverage and one copy of that
- Proof of group travel or hotel booking in Spain or airline reservation for Spain and one copy of that
- Closed round-trip or tour ticket
- Current bank statement and one copy
- A reference letter from your employer or education institution
- Document certifying the existence of commercial, industrial, or other
- Visa fees for Spanish Visa.
From the date the application is submitted it takes a maximum of 15 days for visa application process, however, the period can extend to 30 days for specific cases. The visa fee is 60 Euros, and is payable to consulate of Spain. This fee is non-refundable, even if the person didn’t fill the visa application properly. There is separate visa for students as well. This is required for those who are US citizens. The U.S. citizens application must notarized by an authorized person and submitted in person.
Documents required for Student Visa are:
- 2 Schengen Application forms dully filled out and signed.
- The passport must be valid for the intended period of your stay in Spain with at least one blank page to affix the visa.
- Also provide either of the following:
- US drivers license
- US State ID card
- Current student ID
- Two recent photos passport size with a white background. Staple one photo on each of the application forms.
- Letter of acceptance as a full time student from Spain’s University/School or US program indicating the name, address and registration number of the school with Spain’s Department of Education; full payment of all of the costs of tuition, duration of the program, subjects of the study and hours of study per week, which must be no less than 20.
- Health Insurance (only the original form will be accepted): International insurance coverage for health/accident with a minimum coverage equal to 30,000 EUR during the planning period of stay in Spain (or its equivalency in dollars). This is in lieu of the EHC.
- Proof of financial means during your stay: You should provide one of the following:
- Letter from the University or School in Spain or in the USA assuming full financial responsibility during your stay
- Proof of financial aid or scholarship for at least $1,000 per month for room and board
- Notarized letter from your parents or legal guardians assuming full financial responsibility for at least $1,000 per month for room and board.
- Personal bank account statements showing at least $1,000 per month of stay.
Do keep in mind that other items may be required, and it is always a good idea to check with the Embassy before your planned departure to ensure that you have met all of the requirements to travel abroad into the country of Spain.
With this information you can ensure that you have properly met all of the Visa and entry requirements in Spain and will be able to freely go into the country to attain your education.
Please consult the Embassy of Spain in your country for the updated Spain Visa requirements!
Resources:
Spain Visa Types, Requirements, Application & Guideline
Spain Visa FAQs
Preparing for Spain the Final Checklist
The time has come to board the plane and head to Spain. You’re sure to have so much anticipation inside you just don’t know what to do, but do not allow that excitement prevent you from preparing yourself. Before you go out there door and make your way to the airport, take a look at this final checklist. This is all information vital to your Spain trip, so make sure that you double and triple check them all. It is always better to be safe than to be sorry!
Saying Goodbye
- Before the day of your departure, consider holding a special celebration with family and friends to say goodbye. Have refreshments and music, and make it an event to remember. Take lots of photos, post them on all of your social networking sites and keep the memories alive.
- Be sure that you take at least one photo album with you with all of your favorite pictures inside of it. While you can view them online nothing is better than having the copy in your hand.
- Make sure that everyone is there to wish you farewell.
Documents & Important Information
- You will need your Visa as well as your passport to travel to Spain, and without these items you aren’t going to get very far. Make sure that you have them inside of your purse or an important place within easy access upon your arrival at the airport.
- Be sure that you have your birth certificate with you upon departure.
- Your Social Security Card is also important to have, along with photo identification.
- Have you chosen your healthcare and other required or desired insurances? This is also something to at least get started with before leaving the country.
- Have you looked at the banks and credit institutions in Spain? Many are available, and a very good help in keeping finances in order while you are attending college.
- Have you contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Spanish Embassy in your country yet? If not, it is way past time to make this connection. These agencies can help you learn of any financial aid that may be available to help minimize the costs of attending college in the country.
- Do you have all of the important numbers that you may need while you are overseas? This includes doctor, aunt and uncle cell phone numbers, etc.
- Do you know where to get help? Europe Direct. Europe Direct will be able to assist you with any and all questions you may have about living in Spain, whether it is related to college or how to apply for a work permit.
- Have you applied to college? Do you meet all of the admission requirements? Do not wait until it is to late to apply to college. This should be done many weeks ahead of time of your departure.
- Have you evaluated living costs in Spain and made a budget for yourself? This is important, especially if this is the first time you’ve stepped out from your parent’s wings.
Living Arrangements
- Have you made living arrangements already? It is important to do this prior to departing your homelands, even if you choose to stay in an extended stay hotel for a while.
- If you plan to rent your own apartment, have you called about getting utilities set up in your name? This includes electricity, water, telephone, Internet, and, if desired pay television.
Have you found a roommate?
- Packing
- Make sure that you have plenty of clothing packed.
- Leave the toiletries behind. They are much easier to simply purchase when you arrive in Spain.
- Do not wait until the last minute to pack and prepare your bags. When you do you are bound to leave something out.
- Keep in mind the fees for extra baggage when you are packing your bags.
Legal Disclaimer
We are not a company and we do not offer any services to study in Spain. We have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the contents are correct. However, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of information and shall not be responsible for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies. Any or all of the content is only for informative purpose & is in no way legally binding.
Legal Policy
The legal policy establishes the legal relationship between you as the user of our website and nilsconsultancy.co.uk. The legal policy is not related to any legal advice or services. However, as individual situations may arise beyond what is included in our information guide, we do recommend that you contact the University you intent to study at.
Contact us
In case you find any inaccurate information on our site, we encourage you to write to us via email info@nilsconsultancy.co.uk order not to mislead the interested parties on the information we provide.
This website information is only for knowledge and not to mislead anyone. All the figures are assumed approximately. (not accurate).