Studying in Spain can be an enriching experience, whether it's to learn the language, explore the culture, or receive a quality education at one of Spain’s many universities. However, before starting an academic exchange in Spain, international students must apply for a student visa to legally enter the country.
What type of visa do you need?
The first thing an international student must do is identify the type of visa needed. To study in Spain, international students must apply for either a short-term student visa (for stays of less than 180 days) or a long-term student visa (for stays longer than 180 days). Depending on the length of the study program, the student must apply for the appropriate visa. Additionally, the student must ensure they have a valid passport before beginning the visa application process.
In the case of Colombia, citizens do not need to apply for a short-term visa as they are allowed entry into the country as long as their stay does not exceed 90 days. If a visa is required, there is no fee for student visas.
Visa application form
Once the necessary visa type has been identified, the next step is to complete the visa application form. This form can be downloaded from the website of the Spanish consulate in the student’s home country. It’s important that the form is fully completed with accurate and up-to-date information, including the address where the student will reside during their stay in Spain and their study program.
In addition to the application form, the student must submit several supporting documents with the visa application. These documents include:
- A valid passport with a minimum validity of six months.
- A recent passport-sized photo.
- Proof of payment of the visa application fee.
- An acceptance letter from the Spanish university where the student plans to study.
- Criminal record certificate.
- Valid travel medical insurance for the duration of the stay in Spain.
- Proof of accommodation in Spain (this can be a hotel reservation or a rental contract).
- Proof of sufficient financial means to cover expenses during the stay in Spain.
It’s important to note that some consulates may require additional documents, so it’s advisable to verify the specific requirements of the Spanish consulate in your home country before submitting the application.
Final step for your student visa for Spain
Once the form has been completed and the necessary documents gathered, the next step is to schedule an appointment at the Spanish consulate to submit the visa application. During the appointment, the student must present the documents and answer questions about their study program and stay in Spain.
Once the application is submitted, the student must wait for a response from the Spanish consulate. Processing times may vary depending on the consulate and time of year, so it is recommended to apply for the visa well in advance of the start of the study program. However, the minimum processing time is typically around 4 weeks. If the application is approved, the student will receive a student visa that allows legal entry into Spain for study purposes.
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In summary, studying in Spain is an enriching experience that offers a combination of quality education, cultural diversity, safety, access to other European destinations, and other benefits. At LS Consulting, we can guide you through each step of this unique experience. Don’t hesitate to contact us to make it a legal and effective process.
References:
- https://madrid.consulado.gov.co/sites/default/files/FOTOS2020/guia_del_estudiante_en_madrid-merged.pdf
- https://www.educations.es/study-guides/europe/study-in-spain/student-visas-12569#:~:text=Students%20from%20the%20EU,days%20following%20their%20arrival.
- https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/bogota/es/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/index.aspx?scca=Visados&scco=Colombia&scd=31&scs=Visados+Nacionales+-+Visado+de+estudios
- https://balcellsgroup.com/en/student-visa-in-spain/
- https://erasmusu.com/en/blog-erasmus/general/discover-how-to-get-your-student-visa-to-study-in-spain-1331559?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6cKiBhD5ARIsAKXUdyb3g9P93AYRC5o_23J_rPedBt6jK6Ac7tBrlKKqmeZ4hUaPyO5ms6UaAq4yEALw_wcB