Types of Visa

If you are a Non-European Union citizen and you are preparing to study in Spain, you need to arrange your legal situation, depending on the duration of your stay.

Mobility within EU countries: All of those non-UE citizens who want to study at the UAB and do hold a valid EU student permit please check for the legal procedures.

Period of studies up to three months

1) The European Directive REGLAMENTO (UE) 2018/1806 includes in its annex II the countries whose nationals are exempted from the obligation to obtain a visa for study periods of up to three months. Those have to fulfill the legal requisites described in the Shengen Code, and in case of having to prolong the stay, it is possible to request an extension for a maximum of three more months. For more information consult Information Forms from the government.

2) The European Directive REGLAMENTO (UE) 2018/1806 includes in its annex I the countries whose nationals are submitted to the visa obligation (type C) to enter the Schengen Area. For more information, check the Immigration Office web.

Period of studies up to six months

There is a visa (type D) for studies that allows you to stay in Spain for a period of up to 180 days (Visado D Estudios hasta 180 días). This type of visa does not allow you to obtain the Residence Card for foreign students (TIE), but contains a NIE number (ID number for Foreigners).

It is necessary to submit the application at least two months before the start of classes. There are exceptions to this requirement (see the information note). In any case, the assessment of these exceptions (and their validation as such) depends exclusively on the Spanish consular office, and the UAB has no influence whatsoever on their consideration.

IMPORTANT: This procedure is the safest, as in the event of a denial, the trip to Spain would not have taken place. It is always more advisable to travel with the certainty of having previously obtained the residence permit (visa).

Period of studies longer than six months

Those non-EU citizens who are going to study in Spain for a period of more than six months have to apply for an open visa for studies (type D). This type of visa (Visado D Estudios, Investigación) is valid for three months for entering the Schengen Area and once you have entered Spain you have to obtain the Student Residence Card for Foreigners (TIE) in order to remain legally in Spain. For more information, you can check check the information about how to get your TIE.

The student permit is a temporary permit that permits you to stay in the country for the period of your studies. The card is valid for the duration of the studies. Your academic performance will be taken into account when renewing your permit. The document gives you the right to remain legally in the country while you study.

You will have a maximum of 30 days after entering the European Union to begin the process of applying for the Student Residence Card (TIE). For this, you will need to present your flight ticket (boarding ticket) or the stamp on your passport showing the date in which you entered the European Union.

You can apply for a visa through your nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate.

Important: All foreign official documents must be previously legalized and must be translated into Spanish or official language of the territory where the application is submitted.
For more information, see the Information Forms from the government.

Lost or stolen visa:

To report your visa lost or stolen, email the police report (preferably in Spanish or English) to:

MINISTERIO DE ASUNTO EXTERIORES Y DE COOPERACIÓN
Sección Visados
C/Ruiz de Alcorcón, 5
28071 Madrid

Be sure to include your personal data, an address where you wish to receive the confirmation of your visa and an e-mail address if you wish to receive a copy of this confirmation beforehand.

Initial study permit for non-UE citizens with regular situation in Spain

Information document (in spanish)

The initial residence permit is a procedure by which the person from a non-EU State is authorized to request a residence permit for studies in Spain.

It allows to work a maximum of 30 hrs per week. In case of exceeding the 30 hours per week, it will result in the cancellation of the obtained permit.

APPLICATION

There is also the possibility of applying for a study stay authorization within Spanish territory (an option valid only for nationals of countries exempt from short-stay visas).

The application must be submitted at least two months before the start of classes. There are exceptions to this requirement (see the information note). In any case, the assessment of these exceptions (and their validation as such) depends exclusively on the Barcelona Immigration Office, and the UAB has no influence on their consideration.

Likewise, the application must be submitted while there are still two months of legal stay remaining (that is, during the first month after entering Spain).

Warning: This option involves risks, as the granting of the authorization is not guaranteed and depends exclusively on the Barcelona Immigration Office. The UAB has no capacity to influence the resolution of the application.

REQUIREMENTS

Non-EU citizenship.
Be in Spain in a regular situation:
- There must be 2 months left in the validity of the residence or stay permit.
- If you have entered as a tourist (3 months stay). Of the 3 months period, there must still be at least 2 months left, from the date of entry.
Not be forbidden from entering into Spanish territory.
Be ≥ 18 years old.
To have enough financial means.
Have a public or private medical insurance of a company that is allowed to operate in Spain.
Be admitted to a higher education centre in Spain to participate in a full-time program. The academic load considered for this case is 60 credits or at least 20 hours per week.

DOCUMENTATION

Official form EX00. Instructions on how to fill EX00.
Copy of all passport pages (Valid up to 3 months after the end of your stay in Spain).
Residence permit (still valid for 30 days). In the case of entry without a visa, the entry stamp must be provided.
UAB admission letter or enrolment.
Medical insurance policy (a travel insurance won't be accepted)
Enough economic means for your stay. (See table of values).
- Bank statement with the entity’s stamp. If is a foreign bank, the bank statement must be legally translated by a jury translator.
- Notarial certificate from a familiar in which the familiar declares to be economically responsible for the economical expenses of the student during his study period in Spain. This letter must be legalized and legally translated into Spanish.
- Scholarship and/or scholarship credential.
Tax 790 052. Option 1.1.1 "Autorización inicial de estancia de larga duración por estudios, movilidad de alumnos, servicios de voluntariado o actividades formativas"

For longer than 6 months also attach the following documents:

Criminal record certificate of the countries that you have lived in the last 5 years (Legalized and translated into Spanish).
Medical certificate certifying that there is no disease that may have public repercussions. This is an easy step. Once you are in Spain, you must go to a “TABACS” and buy this certificate. Then, you can go to a hospital (could be the SAS, the one located in the UAB or the one of your private health insurance) and tell them to fill it.

Important note: when public documents from other countries are submitted, they must be legalized or apostilled and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator

PROCEDURE (2 options): to be carried out by the interested person

Online, through the electronic website of the Ministry (Mercurio). This option can only be used if you already have a digital signature (idCAT, FNMT) obtained with a TIE.
Otherwise, the procedure must be done in person by requesting an appointment through the form.

Fields to fill in:

Offices* – CONSULTA EXTRANJERÍA BARCELONA
Queries* – CONSULTAS SOBRE CITA PREVIA
In the “Comment” field, write: namee, nacionality and passport number.

Types of Visa

Types of Visa

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