May 2025 The rules changed for language course students — you must apply at your home consulate before arriving. University students may still apply from within Spain in some circumstances. What changed →
How to get your Spain student visa
A straightforward guide to the process — from choosing your school to arriving in Spain. Select your country below for details specific to your consulate.
Updated April 2026, reflects May 2025 rule changes
I'm applying from:
1
Choose school
Week 1
2
Background check
Start immediately
3
Insurance
Weeks 2–4
4
Documents
Weeks 4–8
5
Book appointment
8+ weeks before
6
Attend appointment
At consulate / BLS
7
Collect visa
2–8 weeks later
8
Arrive, get TIE
Within 30 days
1
Choose an accredited school and enrol
Do this first — your acceptance letter is required for the visa
Your school must be accredited by the Instituto Cervantes — a legal requirement since May 2025. Once enrolled and fees paid, the school issues your official acceptance letter confirming 20+ hours per week, which is one of your core visa documents.
Find an accredited school and save €500
All schools in our finder hold Cervantes accreditation. Enrol through us for an exclusive discount.
Find a school → 2
Start your background check — today
⚠ This takes 8–12 weeks. Do not delay.
A criminal background check is required for stays over 180 days (some consulates require it for all stays). The check itself is straightforward — what takes time is getting it apostilled and translated. Start this the same day you choose your school.
What is an apostille?
An apostille is an official government stamp that proves your document is genuine and legally recognised internationally. Think of it like having a document certified for international use. Your background check won't be accepted by Spanish authorities without one. You get it from your national government — each country has its own issuing authority (see below).
🇺🇸 United States
Check typeFBI Identity History Summary (fingerprint-based). State-level checks are rejected.
How to get itApply via fbi.gov or an FBI-approved channeler (faster)
Apostille fromUS Department of State, Washington DC only — state apostilles rejected
TranslationMust be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator
Total timeAllow 8–12 weeks
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Check typeACRO Police Certificate. DBS checks are not accepted.
How to get itApply online at acro.police.uk
Apostille fromFCDO Legalisation Office (HM Government)
When requiredStays over 180 days (London/Edinburgh) or 135 days (Manchester)
Total timeAllow 4–8 weeks
🇨🇦 Canada
Check typeRCMP Criminal Record Check (fingerprint-based). Local police checks rejected.
How to get itVia RCMP or an accredited fingerprinting service
Apostille fromGlobal Affairs Canada (joined Hague Convention January 2024)
TranslationMust be translated into Spanish by a certified translator
Total timeAllow 6–10 weeks
🇦🇺 Australia
Check typeAFP National Police Check. State police checks are rejected.
How to get itApply online at afp.gov.au or via an accredited body
Apostille fromDFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
TranslationMust be translated by a NAATI-certified translator
Total timeAllow 6–10 weeks
🌍 All other countries
Check typeYour national criminal record certificate — issued by your country's police or justice ministry
ApostilleFrom your government's designated apostille authority. Check if your country has signed the Hague Apostille Convention at hcch.net
Non-Hague countriesIf your country hasn't signed the Convention, the document must be legalised by your Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then by the Spanish consulate in your country
TranslationMust be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Total timeAllow 8–12 weeks to be safe
3
Get compliant health insurance
Allow 1–2 weeks, must start 1 month before your course begins
Non-compliant insurance is the most common reason visa applications are rejected. You need a policy from a Spanish-authorised insurer with no copayments, no waiting periods, and minimum €30,000 coverage. Travel insurance does not qualify. Your home country's health insurance does not qualify.
🇺🇸 United States
US insuranceDoes not qualify — must use a Spanish-authorised provider
Best optionsAdeslas (~€599/yr), Sanitas (~€45/mo), Asisa (~€40/mo)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
NHS / GHICGHIC accepted at UK consulates only — not inside Spain
Best optionsAdeslas, Sanitas, ASSSA, DKV (~£35–50/mo)
🇨🇦 Canada
Provincial plansDo not qualify — must use a Spanish-authorised provider
Best optionsAdeslas, Sanitas, Asisa — all have English-speaking support
🇦🇺 Australia
MedicareDoes not qualify — must use a Spanish-authorised provider
Best optionsAdeslas, Sanitas, ASSSA, DKV (~AUD $60–80/mo)
🌍 All other countries
Your home insuranceDoes not qualify regardless of country — must use a Spanish-authorised provider
Best optionsAdeslas, Sanitas, ASSSA, DKV, Asisa — all sell internationally online
CostTypically €40–60/month for most students under 44
Compare compliant policies
We've compared the main providers so you can pick the right one quickly.
Compare → 4
Gather the rest of your documents
Allow 2–4 weeks, some items need sworn translation into Spanish
Collect these while your background check is being processed. Every consulate requires the same core set — check your consulate's specific page for any additional requirements.
Passport — at least 1 year validity, 2 blank pages, issued within last 10 years
Completed visa application form — see FAQ below for how to get and complete it
Passport photograph — US passport size (2"×2"), white background, taken within the last 6 months, no dark glasses, not digitally retouched. Bring one loose photo — do not paste or staple to the form.
School acceptance letter confirming 20+ hours/week (from your Cervantes-accredited school)
Proof of course fee payment
Bank statements showing €600 per month of study — see FAQ for what counts
Health insurance certificate from a Spanish-authorised provider
Proof of accommodation in Spain — a rental contract, confirmed housing letter from your school, or a notarised letter from your host in Spain. Must cover at least your first 4 weeks.
Medical certificate — signed by a doctor, valid for 90 days, translated if required
Background check — apostilled and translated into Spanish
5
Book your consulate appointment
Book as early as possible — slots fill up fast at busy consulates
You must apply at least 2 months before your course start date. In the US and UK, appointments are booked through BLS International — a third-party visa application centre that handles submissions on behalf of Spanish consulates. You go to a BLS centre, not the consulate itself.
What is BLS International?
BLS International is a company contracted by the Spanish government to handle visa applications in the US and UK. You book your appointment on the BLS website, attend in person at a BLS centre, pay the visa fee there, and submit all your documents. BLS then forwards everything to the consulate. Houston allows mail-in via BLS, so no in-person visit is needed. Chicago requires in-person attendance for individual applicants.
🇺🇸 United States — 9 consulates
Book viausa.blsspainvisa.com
Fee$160 for US citizens, paid at BLS, non-refundable
Fastest processingMiami (2–4 weeks)
Slowest processingBoston (up to 8 weeks — do not contact them before then)
Mail-inHouston only — Chicago requires in-person for individual applicants
🇬🇧 United Kingdom — 3 consulates
Book viauk.blsspainvisa.com
Fee£74.65 (up to 180 days), £345 (over 180 days), paid at BLS
Fastest processingLondon (~4 weeks)
Slowest processingManchester (up to 8 weeks)
🇨🇦 Canada — 3 consulates
Book viaContact your consulate directly (Ottawa, Toronto, or Montreal)
Fee~CAD $145, paid at the consulate
Fastest processingOttawa (~4 weeks)
Slowest processingToronto (~8 weeks)
🇦🇺 Australia — 3 consulates
Book viaContact your consulate directly (Canberra, Sydney, or Melbourne)
FeeAUD $710, paid at the consulate
Fastest processingCanberra (~4 weeks)
Slowest processingMelbourne (up to 12 weeks)
Mail-inSydney accepts mail-in applications
🌍 All other countries
Find your consulateSearch the full list of Spanish consulates at exteriores.gob.es
Book viaContact your local Spanish consulate or embassy directly — BLS is not used in all countries
FeeVaries by nationality and country — check your consulate's website
Processing timeTypically 4–8 weeks — allow more time and apply early
6
Attend your appointment and submit documents
Bring originals and photocopies of everything
Attend your BLS or consulate appointment with your complete document set. The consulate will keep your passport for the entire processing period — plan around this if you need to travel internationally.
Don't book non-refundable flights until you have your visa. Processing times vary and consulates offer no expedited service.
7
Collect your visa and travel to Spain
Check the validity dates before booking flights
Once approved, collect your passport with the visa stamped inside. Your visa shows the window within which you must enter Spain — check these dates carefully and make sure your travel falls within the validity period.
8
Arrive in Spain — register and get your TIE card
Both must be done within 30 days of arriving
Two things to do as soon as you arrive:
Empadronamiento — register your address at your local town hall (ayuntamiento). You need your passport, visa, and a document from your landlord confirming your address.
TIE card — your foreigner's identity card, required for stays over 6 months. Costs €16.32. Book your appointment at the local Oficina de Extranjería before you arrive — slots in Barcelona and Madrid go fast.
Book your TIE appointment before you leave home. The booking system is online — check it as soon as you have a confirmed arrival date.
If you plan to stay a second year, note that renewal now requires passing a DELE or SIELE exam — a completion certificate alone is no longer sufficient. Start preparing during your first year, not at renewal time.
Ready to put this into practice?
We match you with an Instituto Cervantes accredited school, you enrol with €500 off, and we help you get the application right for your consulate. Free, no obligation.
Get my school match and €500 off →Frequently asked questions
The questions we hear most often — answered plainly.
How do I get and complete the visa application form? +
The official national visa application form is available from the website of your Spanish consulate — search for the Spanish consulate in your city and look for the student visa section. Download the PDF, print it, and complete it by hand or using a PDF editor before printing. Every field must be filled in — leave nothing blank. Our form helper tool walks you through every field in plain English so you know exactly what each one is asking.
How do I get an apostille for my background check? +
Once you have your background check certificate, you need to send it (or take it) to your government's designated apostille authority. In the US, this is the US Department of State in Washington DC — not your state government. In the UK, it's the FCDO Legalisation Office. In Canada, it's Global Affairs Canada. In Australia, it's DFAT. You typically apply by post with the original document and a fee. Allow 2–4 weeks for the apostille on top of the time for the background check itself.
How do I get a medical certificate? +
Visit your regular doctor (GP) and ask for a medical certificate for a Spanish student visa. It needs to state that you do not suffer from any diseases that could have serious public health implications in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005). Most doctors are familiar with this. The certificate must be signed and dated within 90 days of your visa application. Some consulates require it to be translated into Spanish — check your specific consulate's requirements. Note: Chicago only accepts certificates signed by an MD physician — nurse practitioners and osteopathic doctors (DOs) are rejected.
Which documents need to be translated into Spanish? +
Your criminal background check must be translated into Spanish in most cases. Your medical certificate may need to be translated depending on which consulate you're applying through — many consulates provide a bilingual template that removes the need for translation. Bank statements in English are generally accepted without translation at most consulates, though Washington DC explicitly states they accept English bank statements. Always check your specific consulate's requirements. Translations must be done by a sworn translator recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Can I just print my online bank balance as proof of funds? +
No — a screenshot or printed online banking page is generally not accepted. You need official bank statements, ideally stamped by your bank, showing your account balance and transactions over the required period (usually 3 months, though Montreal requires 6 months). The statements should clearly show your name, account number, and running balance. Some students also provide a bank letter confirming available funds. If you're being sponsored by a parent or family member, you'll need their bank statements plus a signed sponsorship letter — Toronto provides a specific template for this.
Do I need to show €600 per month in savings, or just average it? +
You need to demonstrate that you have €600 per month available for each month of your course — so for a 12-month course, roughly €7,200. This doesn't need to be sitting in your account as a lump sum, but your statements should show that you consistently have sufficient funds available.
Can I work while on a student visa? +
Not automatically. Language school student visas (for private academy courses) do not include automatic work authorisation — you would need to make a separate application. This is one of the key differences between a language academy visa and a university student visa, which does include the right to work up to 30 hours per week. If the ability to work legally is important to you, the university route may be worth considering.
Can I bring my partner or family with me? +
Family accompaniment visas are now restricted to university and higher education students following the May 2025 reform. Language academy students generally cannot bring dependents. If bringing family is important, enrolling in a university-affiliated Spanish language programme — which classifies as higher education — would unlock family visa eligibility. Read our academy vs university guide for more detail.
What happens if my visa is rejected? +
You'll receive a written explanation of the grounds for refusal. You have the right to appeal within 1 month, or to reapply after addressing the issues identified. The most common rejection reasons are: non-compliant health insurance, incomplete or incorrectly completed application form, insufficient proof of funds, and background check issues. Most schools will defer your start date if your visa is rejected — check your school's policy when you enrol.
How early can I apply for my visa? +
Most consulates accept applications from 90 days (3 months) before your course start date, and you must apply at least 2 months before. The sweet spot is 10–12 weeks before your start date — early enough to allow for processing delays, but not so early that your medical certificate (valid for 90 days) expires before your visa is approved. Do not apply earlier than 90 days before your start date.