Spain, the beautiful place we’re proud to call our new home, offers sun, culture, and delicious cuisine, ranking above average in several measures of well-being in the OECD Better Life Index, so it’s no surprise that flocks of international students pack up their bags each year to come and sample the top-notch quality of life for which the country has gained recognition abroad. If you’re considering a temporary change of scenery to give your education a boost, you’ll need to apply for a student visa to study in Spain. Not sure how to go about applying for one? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
As many of us are all too aware of, Spanish bureaucracy can be daunting and considerably time consuming, so it’s important to do your homework and gather all the necessary documents in advance to prevent any hold-ups during the process. Make sure you submit the following paperwork:
Don’t forget that any documents submitted must be translated into Castilian Spanish or any other official language and legalised by the Consulate in the country of origin, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, unless it has been apostilled according to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961.
The application must be submitted by the applicant or his or her legal representative if under the legal age, at the Spanish consular office or diplomatic mission in the country of origin, with the corresponding administrative fee paid at the time of application. The decision will be issued within one month from the day after the application is submitted. If there is no correspondence from the consular office within this period, it may be understood that the application has been rejected. If the application has been accepted, the applicant must be collected within two months, otherwise it will be deemed that he or she has rejected it.
The duration of the stay granted in the visa will be equal to the length of studies, with a maximum of one year. If the stay is for longer than 6 months, the visa holder must apply for the Foreigner’s ID Number within 1 month of entering the country.
And voilà! It’s not as hard as you imagined, right? After doing your homework, preparing the required documentation, and waiting for the official decision, you’ve hopefully now obtained your student visa to study in Spain and successfully completed all formalities required to live in the country hassle-free. It’s now time to bury your head in the books and make the absolute most of your free time. Best of luck.