Authorization to stay for studies

Authorization to stay for studies, student mobility, non-work internships or volunteer services 

A foreigner who is not the holder of a residence permit and is authorized to remain in Spain for an uninterrupted period or sum of successive periods whose total duration does not exceed ninety days per semester from the date of the first entry. 

However, a foreigner who has been authorized to remain in Spain for a period of more than ninety days for the sole or main purpose of carrying out any of the following non-work activities will be the holder of a stay authorization: 

a) Completion or extension of studies in an authorized educational center in Spain, in a full-time program, which leads to obtaining a degree or certificate of studies. 

b) Carrying out research or training activities, without prejudice to the special regime for researchers. 

c) Participation in a student mobility program, to follow a secondary and/or baccalaureate program in an officially recognized teaching or scientific center. 

d) Carrying out non-labor internships in a public or private organization or entity. 

e) Presentation of a volunteer service within a program that pursues objectives of general interest. 

To carry out any of the activities listed, it will be necessary to obtain a study visa which will incorporate the authorization to stay and will enable the foreigner to remain in Spain to carry out the activity for which it has been granted. 

The duration of the stay will be equal to that of the activity for which the authorization was granted, with a maximum limit of one year; or two years, when the study program is developed in an authorized higher education institution and leads to the obtaining of a recognized higher education qualification, which may include a preparatory course for said higher education or compulsory training practices. 

Requirements to obtain a visa and/or authorization to stay. 

In general and for all cases: 

a) Requirements to be assessed by the diplomatic mission or consular office: 

    • Have guaranteed the necessary financial means to cover the expenses of stay and return to your country, and, where appropriate, those of your family members, in accordance with the following amounts: 
    • For its support, an amount that represents the 100% of the IPREM monthly, (€537.84) unless it is duly proven that the accommodation has been paid for in advance for the entire duration of the stay. 

In the event of participation in a student mobility program, to follow a secondary and/or baccalaureate program in an officially recognized teaching or scientific center, the accreditation of the amount provided for in the previous paragraph will be replaced by the fact that The mobility program contains provisions that guarantee that the support of the foreigner is assured within it. 

    • For the support of family members who are in your care, during your stay in Spain: an amount that represents monthly 75% of the IPREM, for the first family member, and 50% of the IPREM for each of the remaining ones who will make up the unit. family in Spain, unless it is duly proven that accommodation has been paid for in advance for the entire duration of the stay. 
    • Have paid the fee for processing the procedure. 
    • Have public insurance or private health insurance arranged with an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain. 
    • When the duration of the stay exceeds six months, the following will also be required: 
      • In the case of applicants of legal age, they must have no criminal record in the countries of residence during the last five years, for crimes provided for in Spanish law. 
      • Not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health implications in accordance with the provisions of the International Health Regulations of 2005. 

b) Requirements to be taken into account by the Immigration Office: in the case of applicants of legal age and for stays longer than six months, who have no criminal record in Spain, during the last five years. 

Additionally, it will be necessary: 

    • Carrying out or expanding studies: having been admitted to an authorized educational center in Spain, for the completion of a full-time program, leading to obtaining a degree or certificate of studies. 
    • Carrying out research or training activities: having been admitted to an officially recognized center in Spain to carry out said activities. In the case of research activities, said center will be a University, a center of the Higher Council for Scientific Research or another public or private R&D institution. 
    • Participation in a student mobility program, to follow a secondary and/or baccalaureate program in an officially recognized educational or scientific center: 
        • Have been admitted to a recognized secondary and/or baccalaureate or scientific center. 
        • Have been admitted as a participant in a student mobility program, carried out by an organization officially recognized for this purpose. 
        • That the student mobility organization be responsible for the student during their stay, particularly regarding the cost of their studies, as well as the expenses of their stay and return to their country. 
        • Be hosted by a family or institution during your stay, under the legally established conditions, and that will have been selected by the organization responsible for the student mobility program in which you participate. 
    • Carrying out non-labor internships, within the framework of an agreement signed with a public or private organization or entity: having been admitted to carry out unpaid internships, based on the signing of an agreement, in a public or private company or in an officially recognized vocational training center. 
    • Presentation of a volunteer service: 
        • Present a signed agreement with the organization in charge of the volunteer program, which includes a description of the activities and the conditions for carrying them out, the schedule to be met, as well as the resources available to cover your travel, food and accommodation during your stay. 
        • That the organization has taken out civil liability insurance for its activities. This requirement will not be required for volunteers participating in the European Voluntary Service. 

Visa application procedure 

The visa application must be submitted in person or through representation at the Spanish diplomatic mission or consular office in whose area the foreigner resides, on an official model. 

This request will be accompanied by the following documents: 

    • Valid passport with a minimum validity of the period for which the stay is requested. 
    • The accreditation of the Requirements to be assessed by the diplomatic mission or consular office and requirements to be taken into account by the Immigration OfficeWithout prejudice to this, the absence of criminal records in Spain will be verified ex officio by the Administration. 

The consular office will require, by electronic means, a resolution from the competent Delegation or Subdelegation of the Government regarding the authorization of stay. 

The maximum period to resolve on the authorization will be seven days from receipt of the request, after which without having received a response it will be understood that its meaning is favorable. 

If the resolution on the authorization of stay is unfavorable, the diplomatic mission or consular office will notify the interested party of the meaning of the resolution, informing them in writing in the same document of the administrative and judicial appeals that may be filed against it, the bodies before which must be filed and the deadlines set for it. Likewise, the diplomatic mission or consular office will resolve the file of the visa procedure. 

Once the authorization to stay is granted, the diplomatic mission or consular office will resolve and issue, if applicable, the visa. The duration of the visa will be equal to the authorized period of stay, except in cases in which the issuance of a Foreigner Identity Card is appropriate.

Rafael Reyes Pulido