Study visa

Study visa

Visa for stays exceeding 90 days for studies, training, internships or voluntary work. This visa may also be issued for stays for au pairs and for conversation class assistants.  

Study stays of less than 90 days do not require a study visa. Depending on the applicant's nationality, a short-stay visa may be required (see “Schengen visas"). 

The following family members may obtain a visa to accompany the student: 

• The spouse or unmarried registered partner.
• Children who are minors or who have a disability. 

Visas for students' family members do not constitute work permits. 

Activities for which a study visa may be obtained​​​ 

• Full-time studies at an authorized school that will lead to the obtainment of a degree or certificate of studies.
• Doctorate studies.
• Training activities.
• Student mobility programmes at compulsory and/or non-compulsory secondary education level at an officially recognized teaching or scientific centre.
• Training placements at public or private bodies or entities that cannot be covered by internship visas (see “Internship visa").
• Volunteer services in the framework of programmes pursuing public interest goals.
• Au pair programmes.
• Conversation class assistants.
  
  

Required documents for the student​​ ​​

1. National visa application form​. 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 of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must be valid at least for the duration of the planned stay and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.   

Residents in Australia who are not Australian citizens will also have to provide their residence visa (VEVO).

4. Proof of acceptance for the study, training or volunteer activity or internship. Original and a copy of the document proving:

• Acceptance at an authorized teaching centre to carry out a full-time study programme.
  
• Acceptance at a research or training centre.
• Acceptance into a student mobility programme (in this case, the applicant must also provide proof of acceptance at a study centre, of having found accommodation with a family or at an institution, and the commitment of the organizer of the programme to bear the costs).
• Acceptance for a non-remunerated internship on the basis of a signed agreement.
• An agreement with the organization responsible for the 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. 

As proof of financial means, the applicant must provide a bank statement of at least three months, stamped and signed by their branch office. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of Spain's Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM) per month.  In 2025, the IPREM is 600 euros per month.​ To this amount, it 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 certificate accrediting the public or private health insurance contracted with an insurance entity auth​orized to operate in Spain. ​

The insurance policy must cover all the risks insured by Spain's public health system and must cover the entire period of the stay. It should have no coverage limits (Spanish companies offer unlimited coverage), no grace periods for certain benefits, no excess, and no deductibles. Nevertheless, if the policy has a coverage limited to a specific amount, this limit must not be less than 30,000 euros.

If the applicant is participating in a volunteer programme, in addition to the medical insurance, they must provide a copy of the civil liability insurance policy taken out by the organization. 

7. Criminal record certificate. Applicants of legal age (18 year-old and older) who apply for a visa for a stay of more than 180 days must submit the original and a copy of the criminal record  certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 5 years. The certificate must include both name and fingerprint checks.  Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website​. 

• The background check must be issued within the 6 months preceding the submission of the visa application.
• Criminal background checks must be authenticated with the Hague Apostille. We do not accept background checks without the Hague Apostille. 
• The apostille must certify the signature on the Criminal Background check, not other signatures. We don’t accept apostilles that certify the signature of a notary that stamps a seal on the criminal background check. 

8. Medical certificate. Applicants requiring a visa for a stay of more than 180 days must submit the original and a copy of a medical certificate accrediting that the​y do not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for public health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations. You may use this templateMedical certificate template.pdf. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. To apostille a private document, you will need to notarize it first. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website​. ​

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. 

10. Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. 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. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website​. 

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. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website​. 

12. Payment of the visa fee. Please check the amount of the visa fee with the Consular Office.

Required documents for family members​ 

For each family member accompanying the student, the following must be submitted: 

• The documents listed above as 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12. Where applicable, 10 must also be provided.

Moreover, the certificates proving kinship with the student (marriage certificate, unmarried couple certificate, or birth certificate, as applicable) must be provided. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website​. ​ 

Additional required documents for minors (under 18)

• Minor’s birth certificate, in English or Spanish, or translated into English or Spanish. Original and photocopy. Apostilled and translated into Spanish. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website​. 
• ​If the minor is travelling with only one parent/legal guardian:
  
• Apostilled authorization letter from the parent or legal guardian who is not accompanying the minor to travel abroad. Original and photocopy. ​To apostille a private document, you will need to notarize it first. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website. 
  
• Passport of the legal parent or legal guardian’s passport who is not accompanying the minor. On the day of the application, you will have to provide either the original passport or an apostilled copy. To apostille a private document, you will need to notarize it first. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website. 
  
• If only one parent has full custody: apostilled copy (and a photocopy) of the Family Court Order. It must be translated into Spanish. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website​. 
  
• If the minor is traveling unaccompanied (without parents/legal guardians):
• Apostilled letter from both parents granting permission to the minor, including the full name of the person that will be responsible for the minor during the trip to and/or stay in Spain. Original and photocopy. To apostille a private document, you will need to notarize it first. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website. 
• ​Passports of the parents. On the day of the application, you will have to provide either the original passport or an apostilled copy. To apostille a private document, you will need to notarize it first. For Australian documents, you may follow the information at the Smart Traveller website. 
• Copy of the passport of the person that will be responsible for the minor in Spain, notarized by a Spanish notary.

Other required documents

When necessary to assess the application, the Consular Office may request additional documents or data and may also ask the applicant to come in for a personal interview. 

Procedure​ ​

• Who can apply for a visa: Visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant or by one of their parents if the applicant is a minor. They may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative. 

• Visa application period: Visa applications must be submitted sufficiently in advance of the beginning of the pertinent study programmes, as the procedure entails consultations with other authorities.  

• Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person at the Consular Office. An appointment is necessary. To obtain an appointment, please write an email to emb.canberra.sc@maec.es.
  

• Proof of receipt: The Consular Office 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: The legal period for reaching a decision is of 1 month from the day after the application submission date, but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested. 

• 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. The Consular Office will inform the applicant regarding the procedure for the return of the passport and any other original documentation.  

• 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. 

• Validity period of the visa: If the study stay does not exceed 6 months, the visa will be valid for the entire stay and it will not be necessary to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card. 
  
  ​If the study stay is for longer than 6 months, the visa will be valid for a 90-day stay. The student must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card within a period of 1 month from their entry into Spain, at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the Police Station of the province in which the permit was processed.

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