How to Secure Your Spain Student Visa? Explained Here!

Spain is home to 1,348 Indian students, and reports state a 30% increase in Spain student visa applications. The key reason for this surge is the flexibility Spain offers, allowing students to enjoy several benefits. Unlike some other countries, Spain does not impose overly strict attendance requirements. This means you can focus on gaining work experience in your field, even while pursuing your degree.

To maintain your student visa Spain status, achieve the required scores to progress to the next academic year. These scores will be checked while you apply for the extension of your Spanish student visa. Are you applying for a study visa? Then use this guide to create a study visa checklist. 

Types of Spain Student Visa

Spain student visa is categorized based on the duration of your stay. However, every visa having an offer letter from a recognized Spanish university is mandatory. Select an appropriate type of visa based on your offer letter and course. 

Schengen Student Visa (Type C):

This visa is a short term student visa Spain that allows you to stay for up to three months. So, if you are going for short-term courses or training programs apply for a Type C Spanish student visa.

Short-Term Student Visa (Type D):

If your course lasts for 3-6 months which means 180 days. Thus, if you are enrolling yourself in vocational courses, apply for a student visa type-D Spain.

Long-Term Student Visa:

If you are going to Spain for bachelor’s or master’s degrees that extend beyond six months. So, apply for a long-term student visa.

Remember, the long-term student visa shows a validity of six months because you have to apply for a residence visa. The residence card will reflect the full duration of your course and provide a longer validity than the initial visa.

Eligibility of Student Visa Spain 

When applying for a student visa Spain, you must meet eligibility criteria. Below are the key requirements:

Age Requirement:

You must be at least 16 years old while applying for a student visa Spain. If you are under 16, you will need to apply for a children’s visa, which follows a different process and requirements.

Letter of Acceptance (LOA):

A Letter of Acceptance from a certified Spanish university is mandatory. Ensure that the university you’re applying to is listed in the approved list of universities. 

Language Proficiency:

Most people in Spain speak Spanish, some universities offer courses in English. Still, you should prove your beginner-level Spanish proficiency through standardized tests like DELE or SIELE.

Documents Required for Spain Student Visa Application

When applying for a Spanish student visa, you must submit some documents as part of the process. Use the Spain student visa checklist below to ensure you have all the Spain student visa documents:

Passport:

Your passport is proof of citizenship and is used to verify your travel history. Also, ensure your passport validity is longer than your intended stay.

Photographs:

Submit a digital copy and a physical copy of your photograph as instructed on the official visa application website. If your photograph does not meet the requirement, it will be taken as a valid document. 

Academic Transcripts:

Educational certificates are another important document for the Spain student visa. Visa officers use these documents to confirm that you can easily integrate into Spain’s education system.

Proof of Funds:

Proof of financial resources is the most sensitive and crucial requirement. It is used to verify that you have funds to support your education in Spain. Required documents include:

• 
  Income Tax Returns of your sponsor for the past two years.
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  Pay slips for the last six months of your sponsor.
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  Letter of Sponsorship signed by the sponsor.
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  Copy of the sponsor’s PAN card.
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  Bank statements are signed and stamped by the bank.

Proof of Accommodation:

Proof of accommodation is not a mandatory document; you either need to provide a rental agreement or show adequate funds in your immediate funds.

Health Certificate & Insurance:

Along with the health certificate, you are also required to submit health insurance that covers your duration of international stay. This ensures that you can take advantage of medical expenses while you are abroad without any concern. 

Additionally, provide proof of Spain student visa health insurance to cover the duration of your course stay. So, you have access to medical care without financial concerns during your time in Spain.

Character Certificate:

Your character certificate from your local police headquarters must confirm that you have no criminal record. Hence, verify that you are not using the Spain student visa as an excuse to escape legal issues. 

Spain Student Visa Application Process

Applying for the Spain student visa involves 2-3 visits to the nearest embassy or consulate. Follow the instructions to complete your application process:

BLS International:

For citizens of India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, all Spain visa details can be found on the BLS International website. You can find the information for the student visa Spain under the "Menu" section on their official website.

Link to the Application Form:

Select the type of visa (Short-term or Long-term), and you will be redirected to a page. Choose the link for Delhi and Mumbai, whichever is nearest. 

Download the Application Form:

You will be redirected to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain’s website. Select the Study Visa hyperlink and download the Spain student visa application form. Alternatively, you can download the form from here.

Fill out the Application Form:

Use the Word Doc or PDF Editor to complete the form, as handwritten application forms are not acceptable. If you prefer, you can fill out the application form at the embassy in Delhi or Mumbai.

Book the Appointment:

Visit the BLS International website and schedule your appointment. Create an account and print the Spain student visa appointment letter. 

Visit the Embassy:

Carry your original and photocopies of all required documents. Refer to the Spain student visa checklist to prepare everything you need. 

Collect the Receipt:

At the appointment, you will receive a tracking code to track your application status. Also, collect your transaction slip as proof of payment and submission.

Document Verification:

Your documents will be verified during your appointment. Failure to provide the correct documents will result in the cancellation of your appointment, and you will need to reschedule.

Personal Interview:

Attend the personal interview lasting 10–20 minutes. Answer all the Spain student visa interview questions related to course details and financial proof to get the visa approval.

Track the Application:

After completing your Spain student visa appointment, the processing of your application will begin. It will take some time; thus, track the status using the tracking ID provided during the appointment. 

Spain Student Visa Cost

The Spain student visa completion requires strict budget planning, as you need to monitor your expenses while applying for the student visa. Here is the estimation of the Spain student visa cost and this will even help you in the proof of funds calculation. 

Spain Student Visa Interview Questions:

When you visit the embassy for the personal interview, you can expect some questions related to your study plans. You can get help with the following list of questions and tips to prepare for the interview:

Ques 1. Why Spain?

Ans. Explain the country, but not, in general, explain the factors which influenced you to take this decision. Also, explain something about the city where you are planning to visit, along with the benefits of the job market Spain provides you in terms of career. 

Ques 2. What are your study plans?

Ans. Ensure that you have a proper study plan that fits well with your background and seems like a reality. Even though they are assumptions, ensure that you have something real and that you can be convenient to the visa officer. 

Ques 3. Why are you not studying in India?

Ans. This is to confirm that you are not just traveling abroad; you have a clear roadmap in mind. This also helps you give logical reasoning behind picking Spain as your study abroad destination. 

Ques 4. Who is in your family?

Ans. This question is used to determine your genuine intent; hence, the visa officer confirms that you have strong bonds in the home country to return. Therefore, explain your roots and property that your family holds to clear your genuine intent. 

Common Rejection Reasons for the Spain Student Visa

Spain student visa can be challenging due to common mistakes or minor errors. Below is a list of the common rejection reasons and tips to avoid them:

Invalid or Incomplete Documents:

The submitted documents should be complete and relevant. Any document that does not fulfill the visa requirements can lead to rejection. 

Genuine Intent:

The genuine intent is evaluated during the personal interview. Highlight strong family ties or reasons to return to your home country to ensure the visa officer. 

Proof of Funds:

The minimum immediate fund should be equivalent to Spain’s Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM), which is EURO 600 per month for a student. You should have this amount to fund your course duration. If you are unable to show the required monetary funds or the visa official finds any discrepancies with the sponsor's financial stability, your visa may be rejected.

Conclusion:

While other top countries are locking their doors, the Spanish student visa is unlocking doors for many opportunities. They offer plenty of opportunities and various career options that can help you achieve your dreams. Therefore, do not get overwhelmed with the process and just ensure careful preparation and research. The better you prepare, the better you can understand the necessity of every document.

Remember, while the rejection rates for Spain are relatively low, that is not an excuse to take everything for granted. Stay focused, remain optimistic, and take every challenge. With careful planning and perseverance, you can secure your student visa Spain. 

Frequently Asked Questions