Is this the right consulate for you?
The Toronto consulate covers the vast majority of Canada. If you live in Ottawa or Gatineau, contact the Spanish Embassy in Ottawa instead. Quebec residents (other than Gatineau) and Atlantic provinces apply at Montréal.
If you live in Ottawa or Gatineau (National Capital Region), contact the Consular Section of the Spanish Embassy in Ottawa — not Toronto. If you live in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, or Newfoundland, apply at the Montréal consulate.
Getting an appointment
Toronto requires appointments by email using a specific subject line format — deviating from this may result in your email not being processed.
Email: cog.toronto.visnac@maec.es
Subject line format (exactly):
Example:
Email body must include:
• Nationality
• Postal address (city and postal code)
• Phone number
• Intended departure date from Canada: dd/mm/yyyy
• One PDF attachment with your passport, proof of Canadian residence, and admission certificate from your school in Spain
Subject line format (exactly):
FirstName;LastName;STUDY VISA APPOINTMENTExample:
ROBERT;LEWIS;STUDY VISA APPOINTMENTEmail body must include:
• Nationality
• Postal address (city and postal code)
• Phone number
• Intended departure date from Canada: dd/mm/yyyy
• One PDF attachment with your passport, proof of Canadian residence, and admission certificate from your school in Spain
✓ Collection of processed documents is Monday–Friday, 1:00–2:30 PM at the consulate, without appointment. Track your application at sutramiteconsular.maec.es.
Visa fees
The fee is paid on the day of your appointment by money order or bank draft. No credit cards or personal cheques.
| Nationality | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Canadian citizens | $145.50 CAD |
| All other nationalities | Confirm with consulate — reciprocity rates apply |
Money order or bank draft payable to "Consulate General of Spain". All fees are non-refundable.
Required documents
Bring originals and photocopies of everything. Foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified sworn translator. Apply at least 60 days before your intended travel date.
1
National visa application form
Download from the Toronto consulate website. Complete every section and sign it. If a minor, one parent or accredited representative must sign.
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. Photographs of minors must not show the adult holding them.
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 at the consulate during processing.
4
School acceptance letter and proof of tuition payment
From your Instituto Cervantes accredited school in Spain. Must confirm: programme name, start and end dates, full-time attendance, and fees paid. A single document may satisfy both the admission and payment requirements.
All schools on this site are Instituto Cervantes accredited and issue acceptance letters meeting Toronto consulate requirements. Enrol here →
5
Proof of financial means
Minimum €600/month (approximately CAD $897/month) for the duration of your stay. Toronto accepts any of the following:
Your own funds: your last 3 months of personal bank statements (originals, stamped by your bank).
Parent/guardian sponsorship: A notarized letter from the parent or guardian committing to at least $1,000/month for room and board (suggested wording on the consulate website), plus their 3 months of stamped bank statements, their notarized passport copy, and your original or notarized birth certificate showing parental names.
Scholarship/university coverage: proof of scholarship or a letter from your university covering all accommodation and meal costs.
Your own funds: your last 3 months of personal bank statements (originals, stamped by your bank).
Parent/guardian sponsorship: A notarized letter from the parent or guardian committing to at least $1,000/month for room and board (suggested wording on the consulate website), plus their 3 months of stamped bank statements, their notarized passport copy, and your original or notarized birth certificate showing parental names.
Scholarship/university coverage: proof of scholarship or a letter from your university covering all accommodation and meal costs.
⚠️ Toronto specifies $1,000 CAD/month as the minimum for parent-sponsored applications — higher than the IPREM equivalent of €600. Use the higher figure for parent-sponsored letters.
✓ If accommodation for the full stay has been paid in advance and documented, that amount can be deducted from the monthly minimum.
6
Health insurance
From a Spanish DGSFP-authorised insurer. Must cover all risks of Spain's public health system with no copayments, no deductibles, no coverage limits below €30,000. Travel insurance is not accepted. Must be valid for the entire duration of stay including the month before course start and 15 days after course end.
We partner with Atlántida — a DGSFP-registered Spanish insurer. Get a quote →
7
Medical certificate ALL applicants · Apostilled + translated
Required for all applicants regardless of stay length. Must be issued by your family doctor and state: "This medical certificate certifies that Mr./Mrs. [...] does not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with the provisions of the International Health Regulations of 2005."
The certificate must be: (1) apostilled by Global Affairs Canada or a provincial authority, and (2) translated into Spanish by a certified sworn translator.
The certificate must be: (1) apostilled by Global Affairs Canada or a provincial authority, and (2) translated into Spanish by a certified sworn translator.
⚠️ Toronto requires the medical certificate for all study visa applicants, regardless of stay length. Apostille first, then translate — two steps. Note: notarization of the medical certificate is not required by the official Toronto consulate page.
8
RCMP criminal record check Stays over 6 months
For stays exceeding 6 months: only the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) fingerprint-based criminal record check is accepted — no provincial or local police checks. Must be apostilled by Global Affairs Canada and translated into Spanish by a certified sworn translator. Must not be older than 6 months at the time of your appointment.
⚠️ The apostille must be issued by Global Affairs Canada specifically — not provincial authorities. This is explicitly stated on the Toronto consulate page. Budget 6–10 weeks total for fingerprinting, RCMP processing, apostille, and translation.
If you've lived in another country for 6+ months in the past 5 years, you also need a police check from that country (apostilled and translated). Local Canadian police checks are never accepted.
9
Proof of residence in the consular district
Accepted documents: driver's licence, school/college/university transcript or report card, residential lease or mortgage statement, vehicle ownership or insurance document, or recent utility bill (telephone, cable, hydro, gas, or water). Original and copy.
✓ Toronto accepts a wide range of residence documents — one of the most flexible lists of any Spanish consulate.
10
Proof of accommodation in Spain Optional but useful
Not listed as a mandatory requirement by the consulate, but many applicants include a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb reservation for the first week in Spain. This can support the financial means section by showing planned accommodation costs. You can cancel the reservation after your appointment if you no longer need it.
11
Visa fee payment
$145.50 CAD by money order or bank draft payable to "Consulate General of Spain", paid on the day of your appointment. All fees are non-refundable.
Step-by-step process
1
Start the RCMP check immediately if stay exceeds 6 months
Get fingerprinted at an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting service. Use the immigration/travel form. Then send to the RCMP — allow 3–4 weeks. Then get the apostille from Global Affairs Canada. Then have it translated by a certified sworn translator. Budget 6–10 weeks total.
⏰ Start immediately if stay exceeds 6 months
2
Enrol at an accredited school and get your acceptance letter
Your school must be Instituto Cervantes accredited. The letter must confirm admission, course dates, full-time attendance, and fees paid.
⏰ As soon as you decide to go
3
Get your medical certificate — apostilled and translated
Book a GP appointment with the required IHR 2005 wording. Once issued: apostille by Global Affairs Canada or a provincial authority, then have it translated by a certified sworn translator. Two steps — notarization is not required by the official Toronto consulate page.
⏰ Allow 2–3 weeks for the full process
4
Purchase health insurance
From a DGSFP-authorised Spanish insurer. No travel insurance. Must cover full stay including 1 month before and 15 days after course.
⏰ Several weeks before your appointment
5
Get bank statements stamped by your bank
You need your last 3 months of personal bank statements, printed and stamped by the bank. Online printouts may not be accepted — visit your branch.
⏰ Before your appointment
6
Email for your appointment using the exact subject line format
Email cog.toronto.visnac@maec.es with subject line: FIRSTNAME;LASTNAME;STUDY VISA APPOINTMENT. Include all required body information and attach the PDF with your passport, residence proof, and school admission letter. Apply at least 60 days before your intended departure from Canada.
⏰ At least 60 days before your planned departure
7
Attend your appointment at the consulate
At 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1201, Toronto ON. Bring originals and copies of everything. Pay the $145.50 CAD fee by money order or bank draft. Your passport will be held during processing (~1 month).
⏰ Day of your allocated appointment
8
Collect your visa Monday–Friday 1:00–2:30 PM
Track at sutramiteconsular.maec.es with your receipt code. Once processed, collect in person Monday–Friday 1:00–2:30 PM without needing a prior appointment. Do not book non-refundable travel until you have your visa. Note: if you submitted through a representative, you must still collect in person yourself.
⏰ Mon–Fri 1:00–2:30 PM after processing
Toronto-specific quirks
Email subject line format is strict. Use exactly: FIRSTNAME;LASTNAME;STUDY VISA APPOINTMENT (e.g. ROBERT;LEWIS;STUDY VISA APPOINTMENT). Include all required body information and attach a single PDF with your passport, Canadian residence proof, and school admission letter. Missing any of these elements may result in your email not being actioned.
RCMP apostille must be from Global Affairs Canada. The Toronto consulate specifically states that the Canadian Criminal Record Certificate must have the Hague Apostille issued by Global Affairs Canada. Provincial apostilles have been reported as insufficient. Contact Global Affairs Canada directly: international.gc.ca/gac-amc/index.aspx.
Medical certificate: apostille + translate only. The Toronto consulate page requires the medical certificate to be apostilled and translated into Spanish — two steps. Notarization is not listed as a requirement on the official page. Get the GP certificate, apostille it through Global Affairs Canada or a provincial authority, then have it translated by a certified sworn translator.
Accommodation proof is optional but can be useful. The consulate does not list accommodation proof as a required document. However, if paid accommodation for the full stay has been arranged in advance and documented, its cost can be deducted from the IPREM financial minimum — which may reduce the bank balance you need to show. A hotel or Airbnb confirmation is sufficient if you choose to include it.
Bank statements: 3 months, originals stamped by your bank. The parent sponsorship letter, their passport copy, and the applicant's birth certificate are the additional items needed if someone else is covering your costs. Online printouts are not accepted — visit your branch.
If you submit through a representative, you must collect in person. You can have someone else submit your application, but when your visa is ready, you must collect it yourself. The consulate will not release the visa to the representative.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get an RCMP check and how long does it take? +
You need a fingerprint-based RCMP criminal record check — specifically using the immigration/travel application form. Step 1: Get fingerprinted at your local police service or an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting company. Bring 2 forms of ID, your application form, and payment. Step 2: The fingerprinting provider sends your prints to the RCMP — allow 2–4 weeks. Step 3: Once received, submit the RCMP certificate to Global Affairs Canada for the Hague Apostille. Step 4: Have it translated by a certified sworn translator. Budget 6–10 weeks total from fingerprinting to completed translated document.
Does the medical certificate need to be notarized? +
No — the Toronto consulate's official requirements page does not list notarization as a step for the medical certificate. The page requires apostille + Spanish translation only. Some third-party guides have added notarization based on NALCAP applicant experiences, but this is not on the official page. If you are uncertain, contact the consulate directly at cog.toronto.visnac@maec.es to confirm current requirements for your specific visa type.
I live in Vancouver — which consulate do I use? +
Toronto. British Columbia falls under the Toronto consulate's jurisdiction, not a Vancouver consulate. You'll need to travel to Toronto for your in-person appointment (or send a duly authorised representative to submit, though you must still collect in person). There is an honorary consulate in Vancouver but it does not process student visas.
My course is 5 months — do I need the RCMP check? +
A 5-month course (approximately 150 days) produces a total visa period of about 150 + 30 + 15 = 195 days — which exceeds 6 months (180 days). So yes, the RCMP check would be required. A course would need to be under approximately 4.5 months (135 days) to keep the total visa period under 180 days. Calculate carefully using your exact course start and end dates.
Can I submit my application through someone else? +
Yes — you can have a duly authorised representative submit your application if you can't attend in person. However, when your visa is ready for collection, you must collect it yourself in person at the consulate (Mon–Fri 1:00–2:30 PM, no appointment needed). The consulate will not release the visa to a representative.