Before you apply — May 2025 reform (RD 1155/2024)
The Tokyo Embassy's English page has not been fully updated for RD 1155/2024. The Spanish-language Tokyo page is current. The following rules are in force since 20 May 2025, regardless of what the English page says: apply at least 2 months before your course start date; your passport must be valid for at least 1 year from the application date; your acceptance letter must confirm tuition has been paid in full; for Spanish language courses the school must be Instituto Cervantes-accredited.
Japanese passport holders
Japanese citizens are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days under the Spain–Japan agreement. A language course of up to 90 days requires no visa — you enter as a tourist. For any study programme lasting more than 90 days, a long-term student visa is required, following the same process as any other nationality. Non-Japanese nationals legally resident in Japan may also apply at the Tokyo Embassy — bring your Japanese residence card (在留カード).
How to book your appointment
There is no online booking portal for the Tokyo Embassy. Appointments are made by email:
Email emb.tokio.sc@maec.es to request a visa appointment — one request per person per service. Note: sutramiteconsular.maec.es is the case-status tracking system used after you have already submitted your application — it is not for booking appointments.
Document checklist
Submit originals and photocopies of all documents. The Embassy accepts applications Mon–Fri 9:00–13:00 in person only.
1
National visa application form
Completed and signed. Download from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Minors must have a parent or authorised representative sign.
2
Passport photo
One recent colour photo. White or light background, facing forward, no glasses or head coverings that obscure the face.
3
Valid passport
Original plus photocopy of all biometric pages. Must be valid for at least 1 year from the application date (RD 1155/2024). At least 2 blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted.
4
School acceptance letter + proof of paid tuition
Official letter from your Instituto Cervantes-accredited school in Spain. Must confirm programme name, start and end dates, minimum 20 hours/week, and that tuition has been paid in full. Must be in Spanish or translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.
All schools on this site are Cervantes accredited. Enrol and save €500 →
5
Proof of financial means
Minimum 100% IPREM per month of stay — approximately €600/month in 2025. Add 75% IPREM for first accompanying family member, 50% for each additional. Foreign financial documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish. If accommodation is prepaid in full, that cost may be deducted from the required amount.
6
Health insurance
From an insurer authorised to operate in Spain (DGSFP-registered). Must cover all risks of Spain's public health system — no copayments, no deductibles, no waiting periods. Travel insurance is not accepted. Must cover the full duration of your study stay. Common providers: Sanitas, Adeslas, DKV, MAPFRE Salud.
7
Criminal record certificate Stays over 180 days
From every country where you have resided for the past 5 years. For Japanese-issued records: obtain from your Metropolitan or Prefectural Police HQ, then get the Hague Apostille from the Japanese MOFA (1-6-1 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo — or the Osaka Liaison Office), then have a sworn Spanish translation attached. Must not be older than 3 months at submission.
8
Medical certificate Stays over 180 days
Must certify you do not suffer from any disease with serious public health implications per the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). Must be apostilled and accompanied by a sworn Spanish translation. Must not be older than 3 months at submission.
9
Proof of residence in Japan
Document proving legal residence in Japan — establishes your eligibility to apply at this Embassy. Japanese nationals: proof of registered address. Foreign nationals: Japanese residence card (在留カード).
10
Visa fee
€80 equivalent (standard rate). Reciprocity rates apply for nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom — confirm your exact amount with the Embassy before attending.
After your visa — TIE card
If your course exceeds 6 months (SLU), your visa is valid for a 90-day entry window. Once you arrive in Spain you must apply for your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) within 1 month of arrival at the Oficina de Extranjería in your province. Your school will usually help with this. SSU visa holders (under 6 months) do not need a TIE.
Frequently asked questions
I have a Japanese passport — do I need a visa for a language course in Spain? +
Not for courses up to 90 days — Japanese citizens are visa-exempt for short stays. For any course lasting more than 90 days you need a long-term student visa, applied for at the Tokyo Embassy. This page covers that process.
How do I book my appointment? +
Email emb.tokio.sc@maec.es to request an appointment — one email per person per service. There is no online booking portal for Tokyo. sutramiteconsular.maec.es is the case-status tracking system for after you have already submitted your application, not a booking tool.
Can I apply at the honorary consulate in Osaka instead of going to Tokyo? +
No. Spain has five honorary consulates in Japan (Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Takamatsu) but none can process visa applications. All student visa applications must be submitted in person at the Embassy in Tokyo, regardless of where in Japan you live.
I'm a foreign national living in Japan — can I apply here? +
Yes. The Tokyo Embassy accepts applications from people legally resident in Japan regardless of nationality. Bring your Japanese residence card (在留カード) as proof of legal residence.
Do I need a criminal record certificate for a short language course? +
Only for stays over 180 days. For courses of 3–6 months you typically won't need one. Count your days carefully — if your course runs even one day over 180, it is required. The certificate must be apostilled via the Japanese MOFA and translated into Spanish.
How long does the visa take? +
The Embassy must decide within 1 month of a complete application. This may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested. Allow 2–3 months total when you factor in apostilles, translations, and appointment availability. Do not buy non-refundable flights until the visa is in hand.