For further details on the procedure for this visa through the Spanish Consulate in Edinburgh, please refer to the following document: Student visa.pdf
Visa for stays of more than 90 days for higher education or post-compulsory secondary education, student mobility, volunteer services and training activities.
Stays for study purposes of up to 90 days do not require a study visa. Depending on your nationality, you may need a short-stay visa (see ‘Schengen visas’).
The following family members may obtain a visa to accompany the holder of a higher education or specialised healthcare training visa:
- The spouse, registered partner or stable partner.
- The children of the holder, or of the spouse, registered partner or stable partner, who are minors or who require support due to disability or illness.
Activities for which a study visa may be obtained
1.- Higher education studies, which are those studies, whether university or not, at an institution or centre of higher education recognised in Spain that lead to the award of qualifications corresponding to the levels and qualifications established in Royal Decree 1027/2011, of 15 July, establishing the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education.
2.-Post-compulsory secondary education, at an educational centre authorised in Spain, within the framework of a full-time programme, leading to a recognised qualification.
3.-Mobility programme for compulsory or post-compulsory secondary school students, with the aim of following a compulsory or post-compulsory secondary education programme at an officially recognised educational or scientific centre, within the framework of a student exchange programme or an educational project.
4.-Volunteering, provision of a voluntary service, understood as activities carried out by legally constituted voluntary organisations registered in the registers established by the competent authorities, within the framework of programmes pursuing objectives of general interest for a non-profit cause.
5.-Training activities, considered as such:
a) Functions as foreign language assistants in Spanish educational centres registered in the State Register of Non-University Teaching Centres or in the corresponding official registers.
b) Teaching of Spanish or other co-official languages in Spain, given in person at official language schools or centres accredited in Spain by the Cervantes Institute or by the equivalent public body for the corresponding co-official language, provided that it is not the mother tongue or official language of the foreign national's country of origin.
c) Preparatory courses for selective tests for access to specialised health training places.
d) Completion of training leading to the award of a certificate of technical competence or professional qualification in accordance with the list of training activities, duration and conditions established by resolution of the competent body.
e) Completion of comprehensive training, neither modular nor partial, at an authorised educational centre in Spain, leading to the award of professional certificates from the level 2 and 3 vocational training system, with the requirements and conditions established in Organic Law 3/2022, of 31 March, on the organisation and integration of vocational training and its implementing regulations.
Required documents for the student
1. Impreso solicitud visado nacional español-inglés. Each applicant must complete and sign a visa application, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents or a duly accredited representative must sign the application.
2. Photograph. A recent, passport-size, colour photograph, taken against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face.
3. Valid, unexpired passport. original and a photocopy of the page or pages containing biometric data from the passport. The passport must be valid for at least one year and have at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
4. Proof of admission and payment of tuition fees for the activity.
Original and a copy of the document proving:
- In the case of higher education, post-compulsory secondary education and training activities, documents proving admission and payment of tuition fees at an educational institution authorised to offer a study programme
- Admission to a student mobility programme: in this case, proof of admission to an educational institution, of accommodation with a family or institution and a commitment by the programme organiser to cover the costs must also be provided
- The agreement with the organisation responsible for a volunteer programme
5. Proof of financial means. Original and a copy of the documents proving that the applicant (or their legal representative or the family member supporting them) has sufficient financial means to cover the expenses of the student's stay and return, as well as the stay and return of the family members accompanying them. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of Spain's Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM). To this amount must be added 75% of the IPREM for the first family member and 50% of the IPREM for each additional family member. If proof is provided that accommodation for the entire stay has been paid for in advance, this amount will be deducted.
6. Health insurance. original and a copy of the public or private health insurance certificate issued by an insurance company authorised to operate in Spain, with benefits similar to those provided by the basic healthcare services of the National Health System, valid for the duration of the planned stay.
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is accepted as medical insurance for all the student visas. Nevertheless, travel insurance or the European Health Card EHIC are not accepted.
7. Criminal record check certificate. When the duration of the stay exceeds 180 days, applicants of legal age must submit the original and a copy of the criminal record certificate issued by the country or countries of residence in the last 5 years. These certificates must be legalized or apostilled and must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
It is required that the certificate be issued within six months prior to the submission of the application, unless the certificate itself specifies a different expiration date.
In the United Kingdom, the valid certificate is the ACRO certificate. Nevertheless, the DBS is not a valid certificate.
In the case of language assistants, the ACRO ICPC certificate is accepted.
8. Medical certificate. original and a copy of a medical certificate attesting that the applicant does not suffer from any diseases that could have serious repercussions for public health in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.
It must show specifically that “this health certificate states that Mr./Mrs. (…) does not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with what is stipulated by the International Health Regulations of 2005”.
The certificates must be issued by a registered general practitioner and will have a validity period of three months from the date of issue. They must then be legalised by the Hague Apostille and translated by a sworn translator. Certificates that were issued in Spain are also deemed to be valid without the need for legalisation or translation..
This Consulate is unable to provide information about medical centres that issue this certificate. Should you require further assistance, we would recommend contacting any public or private medical centre that is duly accredited in the territory of the United Kingdom or Spain. Medical certificates issued in countries other than the United Kingdom or Spain will not be accepted.
9. Proof of residence in the consular district. The applicant must provide proof of their legal residence in the consular district or that they are attending classes, in person, in the consular district.
Document where the applicant´s name and address appear, for example, bills, bank statements, etc. Please confirm that you are eligible to apply at our Consulate by checking our website on the Jurisdiction section: Consular jurisdiction
10. Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the applicant is a minor, it will be necessary to submit copies of the identity document or passport of one of their parents, as well as of the document constituting proof of kinship. The originals must be shown when submitting the application. If the visa application is submitted through a representative, a copy of the identity document or passport of the representative and of the power of attorney or document accrediting representation must be submitted. The originals must be shown when submitting the application. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
11. Authorization of legal representatives. If the applicant is a minor, it will be necessary to provide the original and a copy of the parents' or guardians' authorization of the minor's temporary relocation to Spain, certified by a notary, which must also name the individual who will be responsible for the minor in Spain. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
12. Payment of the visa fee. The visa fee must be paid at the same time as the visa application is submitted. Please note that the fee must be paid in the local currency and that it is subject to regular changes due to currency fluctuations. Please refer to our list of consular fees: Consular Fees 2025.pdf
There is a basic service fee charged by the Visa Application Centre. For further details, please visit the BLS website.
For original documents, the ORIGINAL and a COPY must be provided. Original documents without a photocopy won´t be accepted.
Required documents for family members
For each family member accompanying the student, the following must be presented:
Copy of the student's passport or Foreign Identity Card.
The documents listed above under numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 12. Where applicable, those listed under numbers 7, 10 and 11.
In addition, they must provide certificates proving their relationship to the student: marriage certificate, registered partnership certificate or birth certificate, as applicable.
Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
Required documents for languague assitants
In addition to the documents required for a study visa, the applicant must provide the appointment letter issued by the relevant department of the Ministry of Education of Spain with information regarding the assigned educational centre's address, phone number, contact person, email, duration of the program, as well as the insurance.
Language assistants are exempt from submitting financial means and medical insurance if the official appointment specifies the amount of the salary and the availability of a health insurance taken out by the employer.
Required documents for au-pair visas
In addition to the documents required for a study visa, the applicant must provide the Au-Pair agreement duly signed by both parties (host family and the student)
Internship visas
Should the applicant be undertaking an internship, it may be necessary to apply for an internship visa, rather than a student visa.
The following scenarios require an internship visa:
- You have obtained a higher education degree within the two years preceding the date of application for the visa or
- you are currently pursuing studies as part of a higher education degree.
A student Visa may be applicable in the following exceptional situation for internships:
- You will receive a full-time and in-person education at an authorised educational institution in Spain, and the internship takes place in Spain directly following and as part of the study programme, is unpaid, and is in your field of study (prácticas no-laborales).
Procedure
This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district or who are regularly in the consular district for study purposes even if they are not a resident.
Applying for a study visa also involves applying for a study permit.
- Authorised person: the visa application must be submitted in person by the applicant or, if the applicant is a minor, by one of their parents. It may also be submitted by a duly authorised representative.
- Deadline for applying for a visa: the visa must be applied for two months before the start of the studies or training, unless there are justified reasons that prevent it from being submitted in advance.
- Place of submission: All visa appointments of the Consulate General of Spain in Edinburgh will be booked only via BLS International Edinburgh web: BLS- Edinburgh
The student visa application must be submitted in person at the BLS centre in Edinburgh on the day of the appointment, along with the rest of the required documents detailed in the checklist.
BLS centre address: 6 Dock Place, Suite 1A, Edinburgh, EH6 6LU.
- Proof of receipt: BLS will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the application with a code that enables them to check the status of the dossier through the following link: https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspx
- Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to submit any missing documents, or to provide additional documents or data that are necessary for a decision regarding the application. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview.
- Decision period: If the decision on the authorisation of stay is favourable, the Consular Office shall decide on the residence visa within a maximum period of one month.
- Collecting the visa: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative (if the applicant is a minor) within a maximum period of 2 months, counted as of the day after the date on which the favourable decision is notified.
- Refusal of the visa or study stay permit: Refusals of the visa or study stay permit will always be notified in writing, setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted was based.
- Appeals: If a study stay permit or visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to this Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal is received. An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within the 2-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal. The appeal letter must be sent by post or other courier service provider, signed and dated with the documents justifying the reasons for the appeal. Providing documents that were already submitted with the application is not required.
- Visa validity: if the authorised stay does not exceed 180 days, the visa will be valid for the entire stay and it will not be necessary to obtain a Foreign Identity Card. If the authorised stay exceeds 180 days, the visa will be valid for 365 days. The interested party must apply for a Foreign Identity Card within one month of entering Spain at the Police Station in the province where the authorisation was processed.
Sworn traslations and legalisations: All documents requiring translations must be completed by a registered sworn translator. A list of sworn translators in our jurisdiction can be found on our website.
The legalisations and Hague Apostilles must legalise the signatures of the signatories of the certificates: registered medical practitioners, police officers, etc. and not the signature of notaries or solicitors who did not issue those certificates.
Documents should be legalised first and then translated afterwards. The Hague Apostille does not need to be translated, nor does the translation need to be legalised. It is only the original documents that need legalising and translating.