Did you know that you can obtain a Study Stay Authorization that allows you to study and work in Spain? In this complete guide, you will find all the requirements and documents you need to gather to apply for your study visa. This guide is updated to reflect the new Immigration Regulation (Royal Decree 1155/2024), which will come into effect starting May 20, 2025.
Courses Eligible for a Study Visa Application:
- Higher education studies, which must be full-time and can be conducted in-person or in a hybrid format.
- Post-compulsory secondary education studies, which must be full-time and can be conducted in-person or in a hybrid format.
- Student mobility programs for compulsory or post-compulsory education.
- Volunteer work.
- Training activities.
Study Visa Requirements:
- Valid passport.
- Admission letter.
- Proof of payment of tuition or an equivalent document.
- Proof of economic capacity of 100% of the IPREM monthly. If you are accompanied by a family member, an additional 75% of the IPREM monthly must be added. From the second family member, 50% of the IPREM monthly must be added per family member.
- Health insurance with no exclusions or co-pays.
- Criminal background check for studies lasting more than six months.
- Medical certificate stating that you do not suffer from any disease that could jeopardize public health.
Work Authorization:
You will automatically have a work permit along with your study visa if you are pursuing higher education. The work permit is generally for 30 hours per week, and you can work both as an employee or self-employed.
There is a special regime for those taking preparatory courses for the entrance exam to access specialized healthcare training, which you can learn more about in another of our articles. Here’s the link.
How Can I Apply for My Study Visa from Spain?
You can apply for your study visa from Spain if you are going to pursue higher education studies.
Additionally, you can apply from Spain if you still have two months of legal stay left in the country.
If you are not pursuing higher education, you can only apply for your study visa from your country of origin.
Duration of the Study Visa:
The validity of your visa will be equal to the duration of your studies, mobility program, volunteer work, or training activity, with a limit of one year.
If you are studying higher education, your study visa will be valid for the entire length of your studies. During this time, both the foreign student and the educational institution must maintain the requirements that led to the approval of the visa.
Family Members of Students:
A major change in this new regulation is that if you are pursuing higher education, your family members can apply for their study stay authorization either from their country of origin or from Spain, as long as the student has a minimum of 90 days remaining on their stay.
This new regulation continues not to grant work authorization to the family members of study visa holders.
Regarding economic capacity, the student must prove they have 75% of the IPREM monthly for the first accompanying family member, and 50% of the IPREM monthly for each subsequent family member.
Family members who can accompany you include: spouse, registered partner, or stable partner; minor children, both of the applicant and their spouse, registered partner, or stable partner; and dependent adult children with specific support needs.
For More Information:
Remember that our team at Relocate Abogados can advise you on the requirements and necessary documents to apply for your study stay visa and we can also submit your application on your behalf at the corresponding Foreigners’ Office.
