The national framework — RD 1155/2024
Every Spanish consulate applies one national legal framework (RD 1155/2024, in force 20 May 2025). The core rules: your passport must be valid for at least 1 year from the application date, have 2 blank pages, and not have been issued more than 10 years ago; you need an admission letter plus proof that tuition has been paid in full at a Cervantes/SIELE/SACIC-authorised school; you must show funds of 100% of IPREM — €600.00/month (€7,200/year); and health insurance from a DGSFP-authorised Spanish insurer (minimum €30,000 cover, no copayments, no waiting periods). For stays over 180 days you also need a criminal-record certificate and a medical certificate. The Extranjería office decides within 30 days, and the consulate issues the visa within 1 month of a favourable stay authorisation. Stays over 6 months require a TIE within 30 days of arrival.
⚠️ Algeria legalisation is in transition
Algeria's document-legalisation regime is changing during 2026, and the route depends on the date of each document.
Algeria deposited its accession to the Hague Apostille Convention on 5 November 2025; the Convention enters into force for Algeria on 9 July 2026. Documents dated before that cutover generally still need full consular legalisation via the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; from 9 July 2026, the Apostille applies instead. Per the Oran / BLS notes, foreign public documents are legalised by the Algerian MFA and translated into Spanish (with the Apostille route taking over from 9 July 2026). Verify the applicable regime per document, by its date, before you submit — the exact per-document application around the cutover is not yet fully published.
Wilayas under Oran Consulate General jurisdiction
The Oran Consulate General covers five western Algerian wilayas. If you reside outside this list, your application goes through the Spanish Consulate General in Algiers (Argel) instead — apply where you are resident, not the geographically nearest post.
Document checklist (study visa)
For language courses, university degrees, master's programmes, and other full-time study lasting more than 90 days. Bring originals and photocopies of every document, sorted as listed on the BLS Oran checklist.
1
National visa application form
Completed and signed. Available in Spanish and English.
2
Passport photograph
One recent biometric photo, white background.
3
Valid passport
Original + photocopy of the biographical page. Must be valid for at least 1 year from the application date, have at least 2 blank pages, and have been issued within the last 10 years.
4
School acceptance letter + proof of paid tuition
From an authorised school (Instituto Cervantes / SIELE / SACIC). Must confirm admission and that tuition has been paid in full — an admission or deposit letter alone is not sufficient under RD 1155/2024. Provide a Spanish version or an official Spanish translation.
All schools on this site hold Cervantes accreditation. Enrol through us and save €500 on a 12-month course, or €250 on shorter courses. Enrol and save €500 →
5
Proof of financial means
Funds of 100% of IPREM — €600.00/month (€7,200/year) for the duration of your stay. Bank statements should be recent (not older than 3 months) and, where required, signed and stamped by the bank.
6
Spanish health insurance
A policy from a DGSFP-authorised Spanish insurer with minimum €30,000 cover, no copayments and no waiting periods. Standard travel and Schengen policies are not accepted.
We partner with a DGSFP-registered insurer. Get a quote →
7
Criminal record certificate Stays over 180 days
Covering the countries you have lived in over the past 5 years. Not older than 3 months at submission. It must be legalised via the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or apostilled from 9 July 2026) and accompanied by a sworn Spanish translation — check which route applies by the document's date.
8
Medical certificate Stays over 180 days
Stating that the applicant does not suffer from any disease that could have serious public-health repercussions under the 2005 International Health Regulations. Not older than 3 months, with a sworn Spanish translation, legalised or apostilled per the applicable date-based regime.
9
Proof of residence in the Oran demarcation
Document proving you reside in one of the five wilayas under Oran Consulate General jurisdiction.
10
Proof of accommodation in Spain
Hotel reservation, signed lease, or a letter from the school confirming the accommodation address.
Foreign public documents must be legalised (or apostilled from 9 July 2026) and provided with an official Spanish translation. Start the criminal-record and legalisation chain first — it has the longest lead time.
Appointments — BLS Oran
- Since 20 July 2025, national study visas (and general family-reunification visas) are filed at BLS Oran, not directly at the consulate
- BLS Oran address: 103, Rue Salah Eddine el Ayoubi, Point du Jour, Oran 31000
- Book your appointment through the BLS Oran website — the appointment type must exactly match your visa category (choose the study category)
- The visa fee is the equivalent of €80
- Bring originals plus photocopies of every document, sorted in the checklist order
- Consulate visa enquiries: cog.oran.vis@maec.es · residence visas: cog.oran.res@maec.es · tel +213 41 33 21 65 / 41 33 65 05
After you arrive — TIE
If your authorised stay is over 6 months, you must apply for your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) within 30 days of arriving in Spain. This is the physical residence card that follows the visa.
Frequently asked questions
I live in Tlemcen — do I apply in Oran or Algiers? +
Tlemcen is one of the five wilayas under the Oran Consulate General (alongside Orán, Mascara, Sidi Bel Abbés and Tinduf). Apply through BLS Oran. Residents of other wilayas apply in Algiers.
Do my documents need an Apostille or consular legalisation? +
It depends on the document's date. Algeria's accession to the Hague Apostille Convention enters into force on 9 July 2026. Documents dated before that cutover generally still need full consular legalisation via the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; from 9 July 2026, the Apostille applies. Either way, a sworn Spanish translation is required. Verify the current position for each document before submitting.
Where do I book my appointment? +
Since 20 July 2025, national study visas are filed at BLS Oran (103, Rue Salah Eddine el Ayoubi, Point du Jour, Oran 31000). Appointments are booked on the BLS Oran website. Make sure the appointment type exactly matches your visa category — book the study category.
How much is the visa fee? +
The student visa fee is the equivalent of €80, per the consulate's official practice. BLS may charge separate service fees; confirm the current amounts on the BLS Oran website when you book.
How much money do I need to show? +
You must prove funds of 100% of IPREM — €600.00 per month, i.e. €7,200 per year. This is the shared national threshold under RD 1155/2024.
Do I need to register for a residence card after arriving? +
Yes. For stays over 6 months you must apply for your TIE within 30 days of arriving in Spain.