Process For Student Immigration 

Foreigners coming to Spain with the only purpose of studying or undertaking research, training or a non-lucrative job in any Spanish educational or scientific, public or private, officially recognized center for less than 90 days, will not require a student visa.  Your Schengen Visa and passport will allow to enter Spain.

STUDENT RESIDENCY CARD

The Student Residence Card (Autorización de Estancia por Estudios ) is a temporary permit that remains valid while you are studying in Spain. This permit is valid for a maximum of one academic year and can be renewed every year until you finish your studies. Your academic performance will be taken into account when renewing your permit. This document gives you the right to remain legally in the country while you study.

Within the first 30 days in Spain, you must apply for a Spanish Student Residency Card at the Foreigner’s Office or at the National Police Station with a foreigner’s department closest to the city or town where you are going to live during your studies. 

This process could take up to 3 visits to the Police Station and 1-2 months.  With this application you must submit the following documents:

• Valid passport.

• Three passport photos.

• Original letter of acceptance as a full-time student from the Spanish University/School or  Program, indicating: name, address, and registration number of the school with the Ministry of Education of Spain; full payment of tuition; duration of the program; subjects of study; hours of study per week -20, at least; and that your studies will lead to a Bachelor’s or Graduate degree.

• Proof of previous residence in Spain, such as a long-term rental contract or rent receipts.

• If studies will be more than 6 months, proof that you do not have a criminal record.   This should have been obtained from your home country police department.

• Original medical certificate typed on doctors’ stationary verifying that applicant is free from the following quarantined diseases: yellow fever, cholera, and the plaque.  The certificate must also certify that the applicant is free from drug addictions and mental illness.

• Proof of financial support - Notarized letter of parents/custodians, assuming financial  responsibility while student is in Spain, or current statement of student’s bank account, or statement from the Spanish University/School or Program assuming full financial responsibility for room and board (commonly included in the “Letter of Acceptance”), or proof of financial aid or scholarship for room and board.

• Medical insurance that will cover you while in Spain. 

• For applicants under 18 years of age, a notarized authorization from both parents and a copy of the applicant’s birth certificate showing parents’ names.

• All documents must be in Spanish.

Residence permits are issued by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.  You should carry your residence card with you at all times as it constitutes as a mandatory identity card for foreign residents in Spain.

Working While In Spain as a Student

It is technically possible to work on a student visa in Spain, but since the main goal of your stay in Spain is to study, any work you do is regulated with this in mind.

You can work part-time when school is in session, or full-time during school breaks for less than three months. However, this falls into two categories: internships and working under a special student work visa (called an Autorización Excepcional de Trabajo).

• An eligible internship (paid or unpaid) must be part of your university studies and will be supervised by your university. You must be under 30 years old and the internship will have a maximum duration of one year. You don’t need any special permission, as everything is already regulated by an agreement between the university and the employer.
  

• Option two is a special student work visa (Autorización Excepcional de Trabajo). Once a company has agreed to hire you, your future employer must apply for it on your behalf and you cannot work for up to three months while it is being processed. 
  

Otherwise, if you have an employer willing to hire you and you want to transition to a regular work and residence visa while still in Spain, you must have studied legally in Spain for a minimum of three years and have earned passing grades or marks. Otherwise, you must return to your home country to apply for a work and residence visa.