Student visa in Spain: stay for studies without errors (from your country or from Spain)
We process your application from start to finish and obtain a resolution in record time.
Why trust us with your stay for studies visa?
Are you coming to study in Spain (course, master’s, vocational training, doctorate, or higher education) and need your visa/stay for studies? At Martínez & Caballero Abogados, we process your application from start to finish: we review official requirements, prepare documentation, submit the application (consulate or immigration office), and assist you with your TIE, extensions, and planning to avoid rejections.
Personalized checklist based on your country and type of studies
Proof of financial means (IPREM) and health insurance
Complete processing + TIE + extension (if applicable) and planning
What is a stay for studies and how does it differ from a “student visa”?
The long-term stay for studies allows you to remain in Spain to carry out studies/training activities for more than 90 days. When the procedure is initiated from abroad, a national visa that includes the stay authorization is requested; when initiated from Spain, it is processed as an authorization with the Immigration Office.
Official requirements for the visa/stay for studies
Submit the application in advance
It must be submitted at least 2 months before the start of studies (except for justified reasons or enrollment dates/other exceptional circumstances).
Financial means (IPREM)
You must prove sufficient means for your sustenance: 100% of the monthly IPREM, with specific rules if accommodation is paid; and additional amounts if you bring family members (75% for the first family member, 50% for the rest).
Health insurance
Health insurance contracted with an authorized entity in Spain, with benefits similar to the basic portfolio of the SNS.
Admission and enrollment
Admission to a recognized center/institution and payment of registration or tuition fees (especially relevant for higher education).
Criminal record certificate and medical certificate (depending on duration/case)
If the stay exceeds 6 months and you are of legal age: criminal record certificate for the last 5 years. Additionally, a medical certificate may be required (with nuances: not always mandatory if applying from Spain according to RLOEX).
Passport and fee
Valid passport (minimum indicated validity) and payment of the fee/procedure.
What studies allow applying for a stay for studies?
Higher education (university, master's, doctorate, etc.)
Requires admission by a recognized institution and being over 17 years old according to the official sheet.
Post-compulsory secondary education
Requires being over 18 years old and a full-time program at an authorized center (duration with a maximum limit of one year).
Can I apply from my country or from Spain?
A) Procedure initiated from outside Spain (Consulate)
Submission at the Consulate/Consular Office in your jurisdiction
Maximum resolution period: 1 month (according to official information), with rules for visa collection.
B) Procedure initiated from Spain (Immigration Office)
Possible if you are in a regular situation and meet requirements
Maximum resolution period: 2 months (according to official sheet)
Duration (higher education): for the total duration of studies; and validity extension (1 month before and 15 days after).
TIE (Student Card): when to apply for it
If the stay/visa is longer than 6 months, you must apply for the TIE within 1 month of your entry into Spain (at the competent police station).
Working with a student visa: up to 30 hours/week
With the stay for studies authorization, working automatically as an employee or self-employed is permitted (without additional processing) if it is compatible with studies, with the general limit of 30 hours per week (except for intensive vocational training regimes according to sectoral legislation).
Student's family members: when it's possible and what limitations exist
The holder’s family members (spouse/partner, minor children, etc.) may apply for authorization/visa in certain cases and by fulfilling requirements (financial means, insurance, criminal record if applicable). Important: family members are not authorized to work during the validity of their authorization.
Extension of stay for studies (renewal): how it works
The extension is requested when you prove continuity of studies, within the deadlines provided by the official sheet, by submitting your passport, financial means, insurance, enrollment, and fee. The extension usually coincides with the academic year (1-year limit) and there are limits on the number of extensions depending on the case.
How we handle your visa/stay for studies at M&C Abogados
1) Diagnosis and development of the roadmap
We verify country, type of studies, correct route (consulate vs. Spain), and typical risks of denial.
2) Checklist and document preparation
Financial means (IPREM), insurance, admission/enrollment, legalizations/apostilles, and sworn translations if applicable.
3) Submission and follow-up of the application
We submit and monitor, preparing responses to requirements that often arise.
Post-entry follow-up: TIE + continuity
We guide you through the TIE, registration (if applicable), and extension of your stay for studies.
Start today: we review your case and tell you the safest route
Avoid denials due to incomplete documentation, incorrect insurance, or poorly accredited financial means. We accompany you with a clear and 100% success-oriented process.
Send us a message indicating the following details and we will send you a WhatsApp with the exact requirements for your particular case.
Country of nationality
Type of studies (course/master’s/vocational training/doctorate)
Are you applying from your country or from Spain?
Course start date
Frequently asked questions about the student visa in Spain (Stay for studies)
What is a stay for studies in Spain?
A stay for studies is an authorization that allows you to remain in Spain for more than 90 days to undertake studies, training, research, or academic programs at authorized centers. When applied for from abroad, it is processed as a national visa; if applied for from Spain, it is managed as an authorization with the Immigration Office.
What is the difference between a student visa and a stay for studies authorization?
The visa is the document obtained at the consulate when applying from the country of origin. The stay for studies authorization is the permit granted by the Immigration Office when the application is made while already in Spain in a regular situation.
Can I apply for a stay for studies while in Spain as a tourist?
Yes, provided you are in a legal situation in Spain at the time of submitting the application and you do so before your authorized tourist stay ends. It is important to meet all requirements and submit the application within the deadline.
How much money must I demonstrate for the student visa?
You must prove financial means equivalent to 100% of the monthly IPREM for your sustenance during the stay. If you come with family members, an additional percentage is required (75% for the first family member and 50% for each subsequent one).
How can financial means be accredited?
They can be accredited through bank statements, bank certificates, official scholarships, financial aid, or, in some cases, through accreditation of means from a parent or sponsor. It is important that the documentation is properly justified.
Is it mandatory to take out health insurance?
Yes. It is mandatory to have health insurance with coverage in Spain, without relevant waiting periods or co-payments, and with benefits similar to the public health system.
Do I need a criminal record certificate to apply for the visa?
If the stay is longer than 6 months and you are of legal age, you must provide a criminal record certificate from the countries where you have resided in the last five years.
Must I apply for the TIE upon arrival in Spain?
Yes. If your stay is longer than 6 months, you must apply for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within one month of your entry into Spain.
Can I work with a student visa in Spain?
Yes. The regulations allow working up to 30 hours per week, provided the activity is compatible with your studies. It is not necessary to process an additional authorization, but the established limits must be respected.
Can I do internships with a student visa?
Yes, provided the internships are linked to your studies and meet legal requirements. They can be curricular or extracurricular, depending on the training program.
Can I bring my partner or children with a student visa?
Yes, in certain cases you can apply for a visa or authorization for family members (spouse, registered partner, and minor children). You must prove sufficient financial means and health insurance for everyone. Family members are not authorized to work.
How long does it take for a student visa to be resolved?
The processing time depends on where the application is submitted. In consulates, it is usually approximately one month, and from Spain, the maximum legal period is usually two months, although it may vary depending on the administrative workload.
What happens if my student visa is denied?
In case of denial, an administrative or contentious-administrative appeal can be filed, depending on the case. It is important to analyze the specific cause of the denial to prepare an adequate strategy.
Can I change my center or studies once the stay is granted?
Yes, but it is advisable to communicate any significant changes and ensure that the new program meets legal requirements to avoid problems with future extensions.
How long does the stay for studies authorization last?
For higher education, it can be granted for the total duration of the training program. For other studies, it is usually granted for one year, renewable if academic activity is maintained.
How is the stay for studies renewed or extended?
The extension must be requested before the current authorization expires. You must prove continuity of studies, financial means, health insurance, and meet the updated requirements.
Can I travel outside Spain while my stay is being processed?
If your authorization is in process and you need to leave the country, it may be necessary to apply for a return authorization to avoid problems when returning to Spain.
Can I change my stay for studies to a residence and work permit?
Yes. There are ways to change a stay for studies to a residence and work authorization, provided the established requirements are met (for example, having completed studies or having a suitable job offer).
What happens if I work more than 30 hours per week?
Exceeding the legal limit may constitute an infraction and affect future renewals or modifications of your authorization. It is essential to respect the conditions of the stay.
What if my course lasts less than 90 days?
If the training lasts less than 90 days, it is usually processed as a short-stay visa (Schengen type) and not as a long-term stay for studies.
Can I apply for a scholarship and use it as proof of financial means?
Yes. Official scholarships or recognized aid can be used to prove financial means, provided they cover the amounts required by regulations.
Is it mandatory to pay tuition before applying for the visa?
For higher education, it is necessary to prove admission and payment of tuition or registration fees before submitting the application.
What happens if my passport expires soon?
The passport must have sufficient validity for the requested stay. If it expires soon, it is advisable to renew it before starting the process.
Can I apply for a stay for studies if I had one previously?
Yes, provided you meet the requirements again and have not exceeded the legal limits established for certain types of studies.
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