Spain

A student visa is mandatory for any foreigner wishing to study in Spain for 3 months or longer. Many can travel to Spain without a visa for tourist or business purposes for up to 90 days, after which time a visa is required. The visa is processed in your country of residence prior to your departure. You cannot get the visa in Spain, and you cannot have it sent to you.

All student visas are valid for a period of 90 days from your entry day into Spain, during which time you must contact the local authorities to acquire a student residency card. This "Spanish Student Residency Card" is then valid for as long as you are enrolled in the program in Spain.

Due to the overwhelming demand for student visas, it is important that you allow enough time for the embassy or consulate to process your visa. On especially busy days at the consulate, it is occasionally impossible to attend to all the applicants, so it is best to arrive early. The consulate does not give out appointments for student visas, and personal appearance is required in order to submit the application. Due to the overwhelming demand you must arrive at the consulate by 9:00 am. Please apply as soon as you have all the necessary paperwork. Be advised that any application received by mail will not be processed, and will be returned to the applicant.

A Document Checklist:

Your original, signed passport, which must have 6 months validity remaining post departure from Spain.
3 Schengen visa application forms fully completed and signed at the bottom of the back page.
3 recent color pictures with white background, passport size (stapled on each copy of the application)
Proof of admission to a Spanish academic center as a full-time student from the Spanish center or from the U.S. program as well as transcripts from your current studies.
If the period of study in Spain is longer than 6 months, a medical statement is needed. A doctor’s recent statement on doctor’s medical center’s letterhead indicating that the student has been examined and found in good physical and mental health to travel and study abroad, and is free from drug addiction will suffice.
Individual or group travel health insurance that will cover all expenses caused by a medical evacuation to your home country or an emergency medical assistance or urgent hospitalization.
If the period of study in Spain is longer than 6 months, a Certificate by Police authorities of the country where applicant resided during the last five years, as to the absence of police record. If the country is not the US, the certificate must be legalized by the Spanish Consulate in that country.
You must also submit one of the following items to guarantee living expenses while in Spain:
Letter from the institution organizing the studies indicating that tuition and living expenses have been paid in advance or the organization is fully responsible for them. For many students this information is stated in the previously mentioned letter of acceptance.
Notarized letter of parents/guardians assuming financial responsibility while student is in Spain for at least $1000 per month.
The three previous statements of student’s bank account with a minimum balance of $1000 per month of stay in Spain or $1000 worth of traveler’s checks per month of stay in Spain.
Visa fee- A Money Order payable to the Consulate General of Spain for $100.00 non-refundable visa processing fee. (Personal checks or cash are not accepted). Although the visa is free, due to reciprocity to U.S. procedure with Spanish passports, an equivalent amount of $100.00 is charged as processing fee to US passports.
A stamped U.S. Postal Service Express mail self addressed envelope (if you would like the visa mailed to you afterwards. The Consulate will not accept any other kind of courier service.

Helpful Hints:

All documents must be submitted at the same time.
You must submit originals and one photocopy of each document requested.
Applications will not be accepted more than four months in advance nor less than 1 month before the date of departure.
The passport must be left at the Consulate General for processing. It will generally take 1 month for the visa to be approved. You will be notified of the processing time when you apply. During that period no telephone consultations will be taken by the Consulate office regarding the visa processing status.
If granted, the visa will be valid for the time requested by the student provided it is less than 180 days. The authorized stay allowed is printed in the visa. (Note order of dates in Europe: day/month/year.) The term: “90 days” of duration of stay that you will find printed is not applicable. If you need to stay in Spain more than 180 days, you will have to request, within a month upon arrival, from the Spanish Police, an authorization to extend your stay until completion of studies and the pertinent I.D. card.
Be aware that the visa you are receiving allows you to transit in the Schengen countries to and from Spain for a maximum of 5 days (total). The Schengen countries are: Austria, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Portugal, Finland, Italy, Spain, France, Luxembourg, and Sweden, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

The information above is not comprehensive and may not reflect recent policy changes. For the most current and complete visa information please contact the embassy of the country to which you are traveling. Please contact a study abroad advisor with any questions or for a letter of support from the home institution verifying payment and ensuring that the student will return to the U.S. to complete his degree.