Is this the right consulate for you?
The Melbourne consulate covers four Australian states. Note that Western Australia falls under Melbourne — there is no Spanish consulate in Perth for student visa purposes.
If you live in NSW, QLD, or the NT, apply at the Sydney consulate — not Melbourne. If you live in the ACT or Queanbeyan, contact the Consular Section of the Spanish Embassy in Canberra. There is no student visa service in Perth — all WA residents apply at Melbourne.
Getting an appointment
Melbourne does not use an online booking system. All appointment requests must be sent by email — walk-ins are not accepted under any circumstances.
Email to request a national visa appointment: cog.melbourne.visappt@maec.es
Include in your email: your full name, nationality, phone number, intended travel date, visa type (general student visa), your acceptance letter with the course start date, and your VEVO (if non-Australian). Appointments are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis with no priority service. Request your appointment at least 3 months before your course start date.
Include in your email: your full name, nationality, phone number, intended travel date, visa type (general student visa), your acceptance letter with the course start date, and your VEVO (if non-Australian). Appointments are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis with no priority service. Request your appointment at least 3 months before your course start date.
National visa appointments are Fridays only, 10:00–13:00. Schengen (tourist) visas are processed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Do not come to the consulate without a prior appointment — you will not be seen. Collection of processed passports is also Fridays 10:00–13:00, and the consulate does not return documents by mail.
Visa fees
Fees are paid in cash or by money order at the time of your appointment. The consulate does not accept credit cards.
| Nationality | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Australian citizens | $710 AUD |
| USA, UK, Canada, Bangladesh | Enquire with consulate |
| All other nationalities | Enquire with consulate |
Non-Australian nationality fees are set by reciprocity and can vary. Confirm the exact amount for your nationality when emailing for your appointment. All fees are non-refundable.
Required documents
Bring originals and photocopies of everything to your appointment. Foreign documents (not from Australia or Spain) must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. Incomplete applications will not be processed — you will be given another appointment to return with complete documents.
1
National visa application form
Download from the Melbourne consulate website. Complete every section and sign it. If a minor, a legal representative must sign and submit the application.
Use our form helper tool for field-by-field guidance.
2
Passport photograph
Recent passport-size colour photograph taken within the last 6 months. Light background, facing forward, no dark glasses or face coverings.
3
Valid passport
Original and photocopy of the biometric data page(s). Must be valid for at least the duration of your planned stay and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted. Your passport will be held during processing and must be collected in person on a Friday between 10:00–13:00.
⚠️ The consulate does not return documents by mail. You must collect your passport in person (or send an authorised representative with a signed authorisation letter) on a Friday 10:00–13:00.
4
School acceptance letter and proof of tuition payment
From your Instituto Cervantes accredited school in Spain. Must include: full-time study programme, subjects, language of instruction, start and end dates, confirmation of payment (or exemption from payment). Original and a copy.
All schools on this site are Instituto Cervantes accredited. Enrol here →
5
Proof of financial means
Minimum €600/month (100% of IPREM) for the duration of your stay. Include a copy of your supporting person's passport and a letter of financial support if someone else is covering your costs. Australian documents do not need apostilling.
6
Health insurance
From a Spanish DGSFP-authorised insurer. Must provide 100% coverage as an international student resident (not travel insurance). No copayments, no deductibles, valid for the entire duration of your stay.
We partner with Atlántida — a DGSFP-registered Spanish insurer. Get a quote →
7
AFP background check Stays over 180 days
For applicants over 18 whose stay exceeds 180 days: an Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Police Check. If you've lived in another country for 6+ months in the past 5 years, a police check from that country is also required. Non-Australian checks must be apostilled and translated into Spanish. Allow 4–6 weeks for AFP processing.
AFP checks: afp.gov.au/online-services/national-police-checks
8
Medical certificate ALL applicants
Required for all applicants regardless of stay length — unlike Sydney which only requires it for stays over 180 days. Must be from a registered GP and state that you do not suffer from diseases that may have serious public health repercussions under the International Health Regulations of 2005. Valid for 3 months from issue date. Foreign documents (not from Australia or Spain) must be apostilled and translated.
⚠️ Melbourne requires the medical certificate for ALL student visa applicants — even those on short courses under 180 days. This is one of the key differences from the Sydney consulate.
9
Proof of residence in the consular district
Evidence of legal residence in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, or Western Australia. Utility bills, bank statements, or similar documents showing your current address.
10
Visa fee payment
Cash or money order at the time of your appointment. Australian citizens: $710 AUD. Other nationalities: confirm with consulate when emailing for your appointment. All fees non-refundable.
Step-by-step process
1
Email for your appointment — at least 3 months before course start
Email cog.melbourne.visappt@maec.es with your name, nationality, phone number, intended travel date, "general student visa", acceptance letter, and VEVO (if applicable). Appointments are first-come-first-served — contact early as Fridays fill up quickly.
⏰ At least 3 months before your course start date
2
Start AFP check if needed (stays over 180 days)
Apply at afp.gov.au. Allow 4–6 weeks. If you've lived overseas for 6+ months in the past 5 years, also get a police check from that country (apostilled and translated).
⏰ Start immediately if stay exceeds 180 days
3
Enrol at an accredited school and get your acceptance letter
Your school must be Instituto Cervantes accredited. The letter must include subjects, language of instruction, start/end dates, and payment confirmation.
⏰ As soon as you decide to go
4
Get your medical certificate from a GP
Required for all applicants. Book a GP appointment and request the certificate with the correct IHR 2005 wording. Valid for 3 months from issue.
⏰ Within 3 months of your appointment date
5
Purchase health insurance
From a DGSFP-authorised Spanish insurer. Must provide 100% coverage as a resident — no travel insurance. Valid for the full duration of stay.
⏰ Several weeks before your appointment
6
Attend your Friday appointment
At Level 7, 564 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004. Arrive between 10:00–13:00 on your allocated Friday. Bring originals and copies of everything plus the visa fee (cash or money order). Do not come without a prior appointment.
⏰ Friday 10:00–13:00 on your allocated date
7
Collect your passport in person on a Friday
Once processing is complete, collect your passport and visa in person (or via an authorised representative with a signed authorisation form) on any Friday 10:00–13:00 without prior appointment. The consulate does not post documents. Do not book non-refundable travel until your visa is in hand.
⏰ Friday 10:00–13:00 after processing is complete
Melbourne-specific quirks
Fridays only for national visas — both submission and collection. National visa appointments are available only on Fridays between 10:00 and 13:00. Schengen (tourist) visas are Tuesdays and Thursdays. Collection is also Fridays only. You cannot come on any other day. Plan your work schedule accordingly — you may need to take a Friday morning off both when submitting and when collecting.
Medical certificate required for ALL applicants. Unlike Sydney (which only requires it for stays over 180 days), Melbourne requires a medical certificate from every student visa applicant regardless of stay length. Even if you're only going for 3 months, you need the GP certificate. Budget extra time and cost for this.
No postal return — must collect in person. Melbourne does not return passports by mail. You must collect in person on a Friday 10:00–13:00, or send an authorised representative with a signed authorisation form (download from the consulate website). Factor this into your planning if you live in WA, SA, or Tasmania and would need to travel to Melbourne.
WA residents apply here — not Perth. There is no Spanish consulate in Perth handling student visas. All Western Australia residents must apply at the Melbourne consulate. If you live in WA, you'll need to travel to Melbourne for your Friday appointment and again to collect your passport.
Acceptance letter must include subjects and language. Melbourne specifically requires the acceptance letter to list the subjects to be studied and the language of instruction — in addition to the standard requirements. Make sure your school's letter includes these details.
Frequently asked questions
I live in Perth — do I really have to go to Melbourne? +
Yes. There is no Spanish consulate in Perth with student visa processing capability. All WA residents must apply at the Melbourne consulate. You'll need to travel to Melbourne for your Friday appointment, leave your passport there during processing (which can take several weeks), and then either travel back to collect it or send an authorised representative. Many WA applicants find it worth coordinating the trip around other reasons to be in Melbourne.
Why is the medical certificate required even for short stays? +
This is Melbourne's specific policy as stated on their official consulate page — all student visa applicants must provide a medical certificate, regardless of stay duration. The national immigration law requires medical certificates for stays over 180 days, but Melbourne applies a stricter local policy requiring it for everyone. Sydney follows the minimum legal requirement (180+ days only).
How far in advance should I email for an appointment? +
The consulate recommends requesting national visa appointments at least 3 months before your course start date. Friday appointment slots fill up — especially during peak application season (May–August). Email as early as possible. Include your acceptance letter with the course start date so the consulate can assess timing. The minimum submission window is at least 2 months before your start date.
Can someone else collect my passport on my behalf? +
Yes — download the "Authorization for Passport Collection by Representative" form from the Melbourne consulate website, complete and sign it, and give it to your representative. They must bring it plus a copy of their own ID when collecting on a Friday 10:00–13:00. This is useful for WA applicants who don't want to make a second trip to Melbourne.
What's the difference between applying at Sydney vs Melbourne? +
The key differences: Sydney is postal only (no appointments), Melbourne is in-person on Fridays. Sydney only requires a medical certificate for stays over 180 days; Melbourne requires one for all applicants. Melbourne does not return passports by post; Sydney requires you to include a prepaid return envelope. Sydney handles NSW/QLD/NT; Melbourne handles VIC/SA/TAS/WA.