Spain Student Visa 2026: Requirements, Fees, Process
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Spain hosts some of the top universities which are good for studying abroad for international students. Indian students looking to study in Spain would be required to apply for a Spain Student Visa from India before they can enter the European country.
Spain is a friendly country for students. It has good universities, warm weather and a rich culture. Cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville welcome many international students each year. Life costs can be lower than in some other European countries. This is why many Indian students choose Spain.
If you’re looking for higher education in Spain but are worried about getting a Spain student visa, then, this article is for you. First, you must know that to study in Spain for more than 90 days, you need a Spain student visa (Type D). This visa lets you enter Spain for your course. After you reach Spain, you apply for your TIE (residence card). You will also get your NIE (foreigner ID number). These help you stay legally in Spain during your studies.
This guide explains everything in simple steps. You will learn what the Spain Student Visa is, who needs it, how to apply, what documents to bring, how much it may cost, how long it can take, and what mistakes to avoid.
- What Is a Spain Student Visa?
- Who Needs a Spain Student Visa?
- Spain Student Visa Documents Checklist
- Who Can Apply for a Spain Student Visa?
- Spain Study Visa or Schengen Visa: Which is the right Visa for you?
- Visa Requirements for Family Members
- How to Get a Student Visa for Spain?
- How to Apply for Spainish Visa (Step-by-Step)
- Validity, Renewal & Work Rules
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Spain Study Visa | Refusals and Appeals
What Is a Spain Student Visa?
The Spain student visa is a long-stay visa called Type D. It is for courses longer than 90 days. It lets you enter Spain to start your studies. After arrival, you finish your local steps: TIE (residence card) and NIE number. These allow you to stay for your full course period.
Who Needs a Spain Student Visa?
- Indian citizens studying in Spain for more than 3 months.
- Students joining degree programs, language courses, exchanges, or research.
- Internships or vocational training in Spain for longer than 90 days.
If your course is under 90 days, a Schengen short-stay visa may be enough. For most degree students, you will need Type D.
Check: Cost of Studying in Spain
Spain Student Visa Documents Checklist
The Spanish student visa checklist of all the required documents is given below. The following original documents and their copy, as described, are required to apply for the Spain Student Visa for Indian students.
| Spain Student Visa Documents Checklist | ||
|---|---|---|
| Documents | Description | Checked |
| Visa Application Form (2 copies) | Two duly filled and signed (by the person in whose name the visa will be issued) National Visa Application forms | Yes |
| Recent passport-size coloured photographs (2) | Two recent photos with a white background | Yes |
| Valid passport (original + photocopy) | Unexpired passport valid for entire study duration, with 2 blank pages. Include a photocopy of the biometric data page(s) | Yes |
| Admission Letter (original + copy) | From authorised Spanish educational institution for a full-time study program | Yes |
| Study Plan | Description of study, training, or research to be undertaken - to be provided by your institution in Spain | Yes |
| Proof of Payment of Fees | Evidence of paid fees or course reservation. In case of minors, the ID proof of the person who has made the payment is required. | Yes |
| Accommodation Proof | Document showing proof of accommodation in Spain, including address | Yes |
| Previous Qualifications (photocopies) | Copies of all previous academic qualifications and work experience (if any) | Yes |
| Proof of Funding | Documents showing economic means for stay (e.g., scholarship, family support, personal funds) | Yes |
| Medical Insurance | Proof of public or private health insurance valid in Spain for entire stay | Yes |
| Medical Certificate (for stays > 180 days) | A translated certificate stating the applicant is free from diseases of public health concern | Yes |
| Spain Student Visa Fees (Demand Draft) | Fees paid via Demand Draft to "CONSULATE GENERAL OF SPAIN MUMBAI" | Yes |
| Additional documents for minors (if applicable) | Notarized authorization from parents/guardians and a declaration from the responsible person in Spain | Yes |
| Police Clearance Certificate (for adults, stays > 180 days) | Translated and legalised certificates from countries of residence in the past 5 years | Yes |
Click here to download the detailed Spain Student Visa Documents Guide.
Important Instructions Regarding Document Submission
The following points of instruction must be taken care of while gathering documents for your Spanish student visa application:
- Translation: All the documents must be translated into Spanish, and the same must be legalised (legalisation to be done after translation of the documents) before presenting.
- Photocopies: A copy of each of the translated and legalised documents along with the original documents (wherever necessary) must be submitted.
- Interviews: At any time during the visa application procedure, this Consulate General may require the personal appearance of the applicant, and if considered necessary, conduct a personal interview. This Consulate General may also require any additional documents.
Note: Exact lists can change. Always check the latest list on the Embassy/Consulate website or BLS International Spain Visa Centre before your appointment.
Also check out the popular jobs for Indian students in Spain.
When a student's stay for the purposes of training, voluntary work, and internships in Spain is going to exceed 90 days, a Spain student visa is required. However, a Spain student visa can also be offered for stays for conversation class assistants and au pairs. This implies that students whose study stay is going to be less than 90 days do not need to apply for a Spain student visa.
In this section, we are going to be talking about who requires a Spanish student visa from India. As per the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation and the Government of Spain, students who are participating in the following undertakings are required to apply for a Spain Study Visa:
- Students who are pursuing full-time (minimum of 20 hours per week) studies at an accredited school or educational centre that will result in a degree, diploma, or certificate
- Candidates who are engaged in Doctoral studies or Training activities
- International students applying for secondary school (middle or high school) exchange programmes with an accredited school or science centre.
- Candidates applying for Internships or traineeships at public or private entities that do not qualify for an internship visa
- Volunteer services for programmes working in areas of general and/or public interest, “Au pair" programmes, and
- Teaching assistants (auxiliaries de conversación)
Often, students are under the impression that they are eligible to apply for a Spanish Student Visa directly. However, that is not the case. At the time of applying for a Student Visa in Spain, the applicant is required to provide proof of acceptance for the study, training or volunteering activity or internship in the foreign country by providing an original copy of the acceptance document.
Spain Study Visa or Schengen Visa: Which is the right Visa for you?
Applicants are often confused about the right kind of visa during the application process. For Indian students going for higher education in Spain, the Spain Student Visa is the correct and necessary visa, not a Schengen Visa, for the following reasons:
- Schengen Visa: This is a short-stay visa that allows you to stay in the Schengen Area (which includes Spain) for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. It is suitable for tourism, short business trips, or short courses.
- Spain Student Visa: This is a long-stay visa specifically designed for individuals who want to pursue studies in Spain for a period longer than 90 days. This includes undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs, as well as other long-term educational courses.
Here are the key differences between a Schengen visa and a Spain study visa:
| Difference between a Schengen Visa and a Spain Student Visa | ||
|---|---|---|
| Parameters | Schengen Visa | Spain Student Visa |
| Duration of Stay | Maximum 90 days | Greater than 90 days |
| Purpose of Stay | Short-term visits (tourism, business, short courses) | Log-term studies |
| Validity | Valid for a specified short period, up to 180 days. Some can be multiple-entry. | Typically valid for the academic year or program length, may require renewal. |
Spain Study Visa Fee and Processing Time 2026
The Spain Student Visa fee varies based on the type of visa you choose. However, for a full-time degree program, you'd generally require the long-term study visa in Spain which allows you to stay for a study period of more than 90 or 180 days. ote that the Spain Student Visa processing time ranges from 3-6 weeks. So you must wait for a decision on your application between this period. However, if you still do not receive a decision on your application then you can connect with the embassy directly.
| Short Term Visa (Schengen Visa) |
Rs. 8,920 (People aged over 12) |
| Long-Term Visa for Non-USA Citizens |
$80 |
Note:- Fees and timelines can change. Always verify on official sites.
While submitting the above-mentioned Spain study visa requirements for Indian students, applicants should keep in mind that a lot of the non-Spanish documents must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish. The applicant must submit a notarised copy of both the original document in English and the Spanish translation.
Visa Requirements for Family Members
A lot of times, students are accompanied by their parents or spouses. Applicants should note that they are NOT covered by the same Study Visa as the student. They are required to apply for a separate visa. For this visa, the accompanying applicant is required to submit the following documents to process their visa:
- Visa Application Form
- Photograph
- Valid Passport
- Health Insurance
- Character Certificate
- Medical Certificate
- Spain Visa Fees
The Consular Office has the authority to request additional documents or information, and/or call the applicant in for an interview. However, the Visa issued to the family member does the allow the member to work in a foreign country.
Check: Cost of Living in Spain
How to Get a Student Visa for Spain?
In this section, we are going to be talking about how to apply for a Spanish Student Visa from India.
Step 1: The Spain study visa application must be submitted in person by the applicant or by one of their parents if the applicant is a minor. They may also be offered through a duly accredited representative.
Step 2: The Consular Office is the competent authority to accept visa applications from individuals residing in cities that have a consulate. Candidates can also approach visa agents that are pre-approved by the Consular Office. Applicants are required to approach only agents that are approved by the Consulate General of Spain in India. Don’t forget to make an appointment with the Consular Office nearest to you.
Step 3: When you submit your Student Visa application, the Consular Office will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the application with a code that will enable the candidate to check the status of their dossier through a link found on the official website.
Step 4: At times, the Consular Office may ask the candidate to submit any missing documents, or to provide additional documents or data that are necessary for a decision regarding the Student Visa application for Spain. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview.
Step 5: Once a decision has been made, the Spain Study Visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative (if the applicant is a minor) within a maximum period of two months, counted as of the day after the date on which the favourable decision is notified to the candidate. The Consular Office will get in touch with the applicant to inform him/her regarding the procedure for the return of the passport and any other original documentation.
In addition, you will need to prove that you have no criminal record in the form of a Certificate of Absence of Police Records (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales) and prove that you are in good physical and mental health by submitting a letter from your doctor attesting to that effect*.
Initially, you will be given a student visa for only three months, which is just part of the process. As a result, within one month of your arrival in Spain, you will need to go to a Foreigners’ Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or an office of the National Police (Policía Nacional) closest to where you live in Spain and apply for a student card for your Autorización de Estancia por Estudios. The student card will replace the student visa that you were issued in your home country. The card is generally valid for one year, but it can be renewed every year as long as you continue to fulfil the requirements. Your institution will help you with this process.
How to Apply for Spainish Visa (Step-by-Step)
- Get your admission letter from Spain (University of Barcelona, UAM, IE, etc.).
- Book a BLS appointment in your jurisdiction (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata).
- Prepare all documents (originals + photocopies as required).
- Submit application at BLS and pay the fee.
- Interview if asked (keep answers clear and honest).
- Track status and wait for a decision.
- After approval: collect visa, book flight, and plan post-arrival steps (TIE/NIE).
Tip: Apply at least 8 weeks before your course start date, more in peak months.
Validity, Renewal & Work Rules
- Validity: usually up to 1 year; renewed if your course continues.
- Renewal: start ~60 days before expiry at local immigration (Extranjería).
- Work while studying: students can generally work part-time (often up to 30 hours/week) as per rules and timetable.
- After graduation: look into post-study options (job-search or entrepreneurship permits as available).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Late application (missing your intake)
- Missing or wrong documents (unchecked copies or specs)
- Weak explanation of study plan (unclear “why Spain/this course”)
- No proof of accommodation or insurance
- Not checking email for Embassy/BLS updates
Spain Study Visa | Refusals and Appeals
The Spain student visa is an independent process. When a particular Study Visa application or study stay permit is rejected, the candidate would be notified in writing informing him of the reason(s) for the rejection of his Spain Student Visa application. In case a study permit or visa is refused, the applicant can submit a request for reconsideration to the Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal was received.
What is the right time to apply for a Spain Study Visa?
Candidates are encouraged to submit their visa application form along with the required documents for their Spain Student Visa from India no earlier than 90 days prior to the planned date of travel. Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as the process is lengthy and to avoid any last-minute hurdles.
What is the Spain Student Visa Processing Time India?
Generally, a decision regarding your Spain Study Visa is made in a month’s time from the day after the application submission date. However, the Spain visa processing time could be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.
What is the validity of your Spain Study Visa?
If the duration of stay is for six months or 180 days – the Long Term Study Visa is issued for the entire duration of stay. However, if the applicant is required to stay longer than 180 days, he/she is required to apply for a Foreigner Identity Card within a period of one month from his/her entry into Spain, at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the Police Station of the province in which the permit was processed. In cases where the duration is longer than 180 days, the study visa is valid for a 90-day stay.
Check: Scholarships to Study in Spain for Indian Students
Candidates looking for more information can get in touch with us in the comments below.
If you don't speak Spanish, you should be knowing English at least. Most Spanish companies give weightage to the candidature of those who are fluent in Spanish. But even if you speak only English you can obtain a role as an English teacher or can work in industries such as real estate, tourism and others which hire expats keenly.
Yes, they can. If you're a non-EU/EEA citizen, you will have to possess a residence and work permit (visado de trabajo y residencia). As distinct of work permits are available, the kind of work permit you will require will depend upon your employment duration and kind of job.
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Statement of Purpose
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If you are teaching English in Spain as an international student, you can earn an average of 700€ - 1,100€ (Rs 56,050 - Rs 88,079) monthly through a government program. If you take up private tuition, you can earn €15-€25 / Rs 1,201-Rs 2,001 per hour).