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Student Visa for Spain

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Studying abroad in Spain will undoubtedly be the educational adventure of your lifetime, and we are beyond excited for you to go. First things first, let’s make sure you get there legally with a student visa.

While this may be the first time you apply for a student visa, this isn't our first rodeo. Every year our team of visa specialists support each of our students studying abroad in Spain to have the proper documents to enter the country. Let's get started!

Spain visa processes and requirements are determined by the Spanish consulates, not by IES Abroad. While our team of visa specialists regularly updates this page, the most up-to-date and official information can be found on Spanish government and consulate websites. This page was last updated July 8, 2019.


What is a Spanish student visa?

A student visa for Spain is a legal document adhered to one of the inside pages of your passport that you must have before entering Spain. The visa serves as approval from the Spanish government for you to legally remain in Spain for the duration of your study abroad program. The Spanish student visa is a type of "long-stay" visa, meaning you plan to be in Spain for more than 90 days. 

Do You Need a Visa to Go to Spain?

Depending on your IES Abroad program and citizenship, you may need a student visa to study abroad in Spain. We’ve outlined citizenship options below to help you learn more about your visa requirements

If you will be going on a Customized & Faculty-Led Program, you may need a student visa depending on the length and nature of your program. Learn more in your myIESabroad account.

If you are a U.S. citizen...

If you are going on one of our semester or academic year study abroad programs, you will need to apply for a student visa for Spain.

You will not need a visa for our Spain summer study abroad programs, summer internships, or semester internships.

If you are a EU citizen or U.S. military passport holder...

Lucky you! You may not need to apply for a student visa. Talk with your IES Abroad Advisor to confirm details about your legal entry and stay in Spain.

If you are a non-U.S. and non-EU citizen... 

Refer to the Consulate General of Spain that services your country of citizenship to determine whether a student visa is required for you to enter Spain.

Applying for a Student Visa for Spain

Once you are accepted to your IES Abroad program, you will find detailed step-by-step instructions to apply for a Spanish student visa in your myIESabroad account. For now, read below to get an idea of what the visa application process will look like as a U.S. citizen.

If you are a non-U.S. and non-EU citizen, refer to the Consulate General of Spain that services your country of citizenship to determine your visa application process. Contact your IES Abroad Advisor with further questions.

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HOW

There are two ways to apply for a student visa to Spain as a U.S. citizen. Use the tool below to identify which options are available to you. 

  1. IES Abroad ACCeSS: Depending on your home or school address, you may be eligible for ACCeSS. The Application Check and Consular Submission Service (ACCeSS) is an optional service provided by IES Abroad at an additional fee. Our visa specialists review your application materials and passport and submit them to the consulate on your behalf. Learn more about the benefits of ACCeSS.
  2. Independent Application: If you are not eligible for ACCeSS or do not meet the ACCeSS deadline, you will have to apply in-person to the consulate that serves your jurisdiction—the geographical region of your home and/or school address. In-person appointments are extremely limited for Spanish consulates. For students who are eligible and meet the deadline, ACCeSS is your best option for securing your visa.
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WHEN

You cannot apply for your visa until 90 days before your program starts per Spain consulate requirements. If you are applying through ACCeSS, check out the upcoming ACCeSS deadlines.

If you are applying independently, we recommend you book your in-person appointment as soon as possible! The number of in-person appointment times are extremely limited.

When requesting an appointment, account for your program start date, the 90-day application window, and the processing time required for the consulate to issue your visa. Processing times vary and can take up to 8 weeks. 

We recommend you set your appointment no later than mid-July for Fall programs or mid-November for Spring programs.

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WHERE

There are eight Spanish consulates in the United States. Each consulate serves a jurisdiction, which is a specific geographic region. The consulate that serves your jurisdiction is where you will apply for your Spanish student visa. Use the tool below to determine your jurisdiction(s).

Each consulate has specific instructions on applying for a Spanish student visa that may differ from other Spanish consulates. This means that your visa application requirements may differ from another student's requirements if they are applying to a different consulate. When checking the application requirements for your student visa for Spain, always refer to your consulate's website.

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COST

Update April 8th, 2020: If you choose to participate in ACCeSS, there is an additional $125 fee that will be charged to your IES Abroad account. This fee is refundable under our Fall 2020 Refund Policy.

The current Spanish student visa fee for U.S. citizens is $160. This is a price determined by the consulate and paid directly to the consulate that serves your jurisdiction. 

If you choose to participate in ACCeSS, there is an additional $125 fee that will be charged to your IES Abroad account.

If you apply independently, you will need to travel to your in-person appointment and may also be required to return on a separate occasion to pick up your passport and visa. This may mean you will have to pay for flights, train tickets, hotel accomodations, or other travel-related expenses.

Your Spain Visa Application & Consulate Options

Spain Visa & Consulate Options

Determine your Spanish visa application options and consulate jurisdiction below by selecting your school address and home address.

In-person appointments for independent applications are extremely limited for Italian consulates. For students who are eligible* and meet the deadline, ACCeSS is your best option for securing your visa.

Learn more about ACCeSS and upcoming deadlines.

*Full-time semester interns are not eligible for ACCeSS.

(i.e. the address on your driver's license or state ID)

Results:

You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Boston Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Chicago Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Washington D.C. Consulate.
 
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Houston Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Los Angeles Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Los Angeles Consulate.
You can use your school address in Inyo County, California to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to either the Los Angeles Consulate or the San Francisco Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Miami Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the New York City Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the San Francisco Consulate.
You can use your school address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the San Francisco Consulate.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Boston Consulate.
The Chicago Consulate does not accept applications using your home address. You must apply using your school address to the consulate of its jurisdiction.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Washington D.C. Consulate.
 
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Houston Consulate.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Los Angeles Consulate.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Los Angeles Consulate.
You can use your home address in Inyo County, California to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to EITHER the Los Angeles Consulate OR the San Francisco Consulate.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the Miami Consulate.
The New York City Consulate does not accept applications using your home address.
You must apply using your school address to the consulate of its jurisdiction.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the San Francisco Consulate.
You can use your home address to apply through IES Abroad ACCeSS or independently to the San Francisco Consulate.

If your home and school addresses are in different states, you may have more than one consulate option when applying for your Spanish student visa. If you have questions about your jurisdiction(s), please reach out to your IES Abroad Advisor.

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We're Here for You

Our team of visa specialists are here to help. Step-by-step instructions to ensure you have the proper visa and/or entry documents to study abroad are available in your myIESabroad account once you are accepted to a program.

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