Important — Indian nationals need a visa for all Spain trips
Indian passport holders are not visa-exempt for Spain. Unlike nationals of the US, UK, Australia and Canada who can enter Spain visa-free for short stays, Indian nationals require a Schengen short-stay visa (Category C) for any visit — including tourist trips under 90 days. For language courses lasting more than 90 days, you need a separate national student visa (Category D). Both are processed through BLS International.
May 2025 reform — RD 1155/2024
Spain's student visa rules changed significantly on 20 May 2025. Key requirements now in force: apply at least 2 months before your course start date; your acceptance letter must confirm tuition has been paid in full; your passport must be valid for the full duration of your planned stay and not older than 10 years; for Spanish language courses the school must hold Instituto Cervantes accreditation. New rights: student visa holders can work up to 30 hours per week without a separate permit; a 1-year post-study job-search visa is available on completion.
Is New Delhi the right consulate for you?
You must apply through a Delhi-jurisdiction BLS centre if you currently reside in one of the following states or territories. The Embassy also covers Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The Embassy also covers Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. If you reside in southern or western India (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh) you must apply at the Mumbai Consulate General instead.
Your current place of residence determines which consulate handles your application — not the place of issue on your passport or your permanent address. Students regularly attending classes in person in the Delhi jurisdiction may also apply here even if they are not formally resident.
Document checklist
Submit originals and photocopies of all documents. All documents must be in Spanish or accompanied by a sworn Spanish translation.
1
National visa application form
Download from the Embassy website. Complete every section and sign it. If a minor, a parent or accredited representative must sign.
Use our form helper tool for field-by-field guidance.
2
Passport photograph
Two recent passport-size colour photographs. Light background, facing forward, no dark glasses or face coverings.
3
Valid passport
Original + photocopy of all pages containing biometric data, previous visas, and migration stamps. Must be valid for the full duration of your planned stay and have at least 2 blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted.
4
School acceptance letter + proof of paid tuition
From an Instituto Cervantes-accredited school. Must state the programme name, start and end dates, total cost, and confirm that tuition has been paid in full. Must be in Spanish or with a sworn Spanish translation.
All schools on this site hold Cervantes accreditation. Enrol and save €500 →
5
Proof of financial means
Minimum €600 per month for the full duration of your stay (100% IPREM 2025). Options:
Self-funded: Original bank statements for the last 6 months, signed and stamped by the bank, showing sufficient balance.
Sponsored by family: Letter of sponsorship signed by the sponsor + copy of sponsor's passport + copy of sponsor's PAN card + sponsor's 6 months of original bank statements, signed and stamped by the bank.
If accommodation for the full stay is paid in advance, that amount may be deducted from the required funds.
Self-funded: Original bank statements for the last 6 months, signed and stamped by the bank, showing sufficient balance.
Sponsored by family: Letter of sponsorship signed by the sponsor + copy of sponsor's passport + copy of sponsor's PAN card + sponsor's 6 months of original bank statements, signed and stamped by the bank.
If accommodation for the full stay is paid in advance, that amount may be deducted from the required funds.
India-specific: PAN card copy is required from sponsors — this is not standard at most other consulates.
6
Spanish health insurance
From a DGSFP-authorised Spanish insurer. Must cover all risks of Spain's public health system with no copayments, no deductibles, and no coverage limits. Travel insurance is not accepted. Must cover the full duration of your stay.
We partner with Atlántida — a DGSFP-registered insurer. Get a quote →
7
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Stays over 180 days
Must be issued by the Regional Passport Office (not your local police station). Must cover all countries where you have resided for the past 5 years. Must be apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), then accompanied by a sworn Spanish translation. Valid for 6 months from date of issue.
Apply for PCC at passportindia.gov.in. MEA apostille is applied separately — allow 3–6 weeks total for PCC + apostille + translation.
8
Medical certificate Stays over 180 days
Issued by a registered medical practitioner. Must certify the applicant does not suffer from any disease with serious public health implications per the WHO International Health Regulations (2005). Must be apostilled by the MEA and accompanied by a sworn Spanish translation. Valid for 6 months from date of issue.
9
Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction
A recent document (no older than 6 months) showing your full name and current address in the New Delhi jurisdiction — utility bill, lease agreement, house deed, or similar official correspondence.
India's apostille process — MEA
India is a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention. Indian public documents going to Spain require an MEA apostille — not a chain legalisation through the Spanish consulate.
1
Obtain the original document
PCC from the Regional Passport Office. Medical certificate from a registered doctor.
2
Get the MEA Apostille
Apply for the Hague Apostille through the Ministry of External Affairs at apostille.mea.gov.in. MEA has offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Bhopal and Guwahati. Processing typically takes 3–7 working days at a MEA counter.
3
Sworn Spanish translation
Have the apostilled document translated into Spanish by a sworn translator recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4
Submit
Original document + MEA apostille + sworn Spanish translation, plus a photocopy of each. Allow 3–6 weeks total. Documents must not be older than 6 months at submission.
BLS submission tips
- Book your appointment at india.blsspainglobal.com — slots fill up weeks in advance, especially in Delhi
- BLS has centres across India including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Goa, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram — use a centre in your consular jurisdiction
- Your consular jurisdiction (not physical proximity) determines which BLS centre you use — Delhi-jurisdiction residents must use a Delhi-jurisdiction centre
- Visa fee: ~€80 equivalent in INR — the exact INR amount fluctuates with exchange rates; confirm the current figure at the BLS centre when booking. BLS service charge applies separately
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are collected at the BLS centre — mandatory since 22 May 2025
- Passport is returned by courier after the visa decision — not collected in person
- Track your application at india.blsspainglobal.com after submission
- Family members applying for an accompanying visa must wait until the student's visa is granted first — they cannot apply simultaneously
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa just to visit Spain as a tourist? +
Yes. Indian nationals require a Schengen short-stay visa (Category C) for any trip to Spain, even for stays under 90 days. This is different from nationals of the US, UK, Australia and Canada who can enter Spain visa-free for short stays. You must apply for the Schengen visa at BLS before any visit to Spain.
Which BLS centre do I use if I live in Delhi? +
Use the BLS Delhi centre. Book your appointment at india.blsspainglobal.com. BLS has centres in 12 cities across India — you must use the one in or nearest to your place of residence in the New Delhi jurisdiction, not any centre you prefer.
What is the Police Clearance Certificate and where do I get it? +
The PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) is the Indian criminal record check required for student visa stays over 180 days. It must be issued by the Regional Passport Office — not your local police station. Apply through passportindia.gov.in. Once received, it must be apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and then translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. The PCC is valid for 6 months from the date of issue, so time this carefully.
What is the MEA apostille and how do I get it? +
India joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2005, so Indian public documents for use in Spain require an MEA apostille — not a chain legalisation through the Spanish consulate. Apply through the Ministry of External Affairs at apostille.mea.gov.in or at a MEA counter in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Bhopal or Guwahati. Processing typically takes 3–7 working days. The apostille certifies that the signature on the document is genuine.
Why does my sponsor need to provide a PAN card? +
The New Delhi Embassy specifically requires a copy of the sponsor's PAN card as part of the financial sponsorship documents. This is an India-specific requirement not found at most other Spanish consulates globally. Without it, your financial proof file will be incomplete.
How early should I apply? +
Start preparing at least 4–5 months before your course start date. The PCC + MEA apostille + sworn translation chain takes 4–6 weeks. BLS appointment slots in Delhi fill up weeks in advance. The Embassy has 1 month to decide once your complete file is submitted. Do not book non-refundable flights until your visa is in hand.
Can I work in Spain on a student visa? +
Yes — since the May 2025 reform (RD 1155/2024), student visa holders studying at accredited institutions can work up to 30 hours per week without a separate work permit. You still need to demonstrate sufficient financial means at the application stage — work rights don't replace the financial proof requirement.