spain

Moving to Spain is a life-changing choice and it is well worth it! Despite the excitement of moving abroad, the logistics are overwhelming and stressful. My goal is to make this process as easy as possible for you. Beginning your visa journey is the first step to your next chapter. This comprehensive guide aims to simplify the process for individuals applying for a Spain student visa at the New York Consulate. If you are not applying to the NY consulate, learn which one you need to apply to here. This information is helpful to any consulate, but the specific documents mentioned align with the requirements at the New York Consulate. Whether you’re pursuing full-time studies, training, internships, or voluntary work, this guide covers all the essential details, providing clarity and ease of navigating the student visa process. Student Visa Overview A Spain student visa is essential for people looking to stay in Spain for more than 90 days for various educational activities, including studies, training, internships, or voluntary work. The visa is also applicable for au pairs and teaching assistants. It’s crucial to note that study stays of less than 90 days may require a short-stay visa, depending on the applicant’s nationality. Family members of students, including spouses, unmarried partners, and minor or disabled children, can also obtain a visa to accompany the student. Importantly, visas for family members do not constitute work permits, meaning your family members cannot legally work in that country. If they would like to work abroad, they need to apply for a work visa.  Student visa applications are accepted at the New York Consular District if your legal residence or current university is in one of the following states: New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Eligibility for a Study Visa A study visa may be obtained for various activities, including: Full-time studies leading to a degree or certificate. Doctorate studies. Training activities. Student mobility programs at secondary education levels. Training placements at public or private bodies. Volunteer services for public interest goals. Au pair programs. Conversation class assistants. Required Documents for your Visa National Visa Application Form Complete and sign the visa application form, with a parent’s signature if the applicant is a minor. Valid Passport Submit the original and a photocopy of the passport containing biometric data. The passport must be valid for the planned stay duration with two blank pages.  Note that when your visa is being processed, the consulate will keep your passport. Do not plan any international travel while your visa is pending. You will not have your passport. Photograph Provide a recent passport-size color photograph. Make sure you have two copies.  This can be collected at USPS for $15. I would recommend doing this early in the process. You are required to obtain a TIE, the Tarjeta de Identidad Extranjera, if you are a non-EU student planning to stay in Spain for over 180 days. The TIE is the identification card provided to non-EU citizens residing in Spain. This card serves as a tangible document housing essential personal information, including your NIE and visa details. If you know you will be in Spain for more than 180 days, make sure to have an extra copy of your photograph for that application. Criminal Record Check Certificate For applicants of legal age staying more than 180 days, submit the original and a copy of the criminal record check certificate(s) for the past 5 years. As stated on the consulate site, “Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish. The US records issued by the F.B.I. are valid. Local Police or State Police background checks will not be accepted.” I used this site to help with getting my criminal record check. You can go to USPS to get your fingerprinting done as that is required when receiving a background check. While you are there, you can get your passport sized photos. The identification record request form was $18. The fingerprinting for the FBI was $50. I recommend this is done first as you have to get your background check apostilled for the NY Consulate which takes a very long time. Learn about apostilles in NY here.  Since I had limited time to get my government apostille before moving to Spain, I paid US Express Apostille $150 to expedite the process. I highly recommend this if you are stressed about time. Since an FBI background check is a federal document, it requires apostillation by the U.S. Department of State (USDOS) in Washington, D.C. which takes longer than your local state apostille.  Note, the document must have an official translation in Spanish. I contacted an official translator and they assisted with translating my document. I scanned the documents and emailed them to the translator. It was $70 to get the official translation. Proof of Acceptance You will need an original and a copy of the document proving acceptance at an authorized teaching or research center, or into a student mobility program. This will be sent to you via your program and should be easy to obtain. Since it is sent from Spain, you do not need to get this apostilled or translated. If it is not from Spain, you need to have it apostilled and legally translated.  Proof of Financial Means It is essential to have an original and copy of documents proving sufficient financial means to cover expenses, equivalent to 100% of Spain’s Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM). If you are teaching abroad, your program will send a document that states your monthly income while there. That will suffice as your proof of financial means. If you are concerned, you can print a copy of your bank statement, but they did not need that for my appointment.  Note, my program sent this in English and Spanish so I did not have to worry about getting the official translation. Since the document was sent from Spain, I also did not need to get it apostilled.