May 2025 New immigration rules changed the student visa process significantly. Most guides online are out of date. What changed →
The most detailed Spain student visa resource online

Everything you need to get your Spain student visa — done right

We've documented every consulate, every rule change, and every accredited school. No guesswork, no outdated advice.

160+
Instituto Cervantes accredited schools listed
117
Spanish consulates documented worldwide
97%
Visa approval rate when requirements are met
€500
Exclusive discount when you enrol through us
Read the visa guide → Find a school
May 2025 — important The rules changed. Here's what matters.
Must apply at your home consulate — switching from tourist visa inside Spain is no longer permitted
Instituto Cervantes accreditation now mandatory — non-accredited schools cannot issue valid documentation
Renewal requires a DELE or SIELE exam pass — course completion alone is no longer sufficient
One renewal maximum — two years total on a language course visa before you must change route
Read the full reform guide →
Before you apply
Three things to understand first
The Spain student visa process has more nuance than most guides admit. These decisions shape everything that follows.
Language academy vs university route
They're not equal. The university route unlocks work rights, unlimited renewals, and family accompaniment. Most people should go the academy route — but you need to understand why.
Understand the difference →
Every consulate has different rules — know yours
Same visa, very different requirements. Some consulates only accept MDs on medical certificates. Others require all documents in Spanish. Knowing your consulate's rules before you apply can save your start date.
Find your consulate guide →
Health insurance is the #1 rejection trigger
Travel insurance doesn't qualify. Your home country's insurance doesn't qualify. You need a Spanish-authorised policy with no copayments, no waiting periods, and minimum €30,000 coverage.
Find compliant insurance →
School finder
Ready to find your school?
Every school listed is Instituto Cervantes accredited. Enrol through us and pay €500 less than going direct.
Find your school All Cervantes accredited
Enrol through us and save €500 — guaranteed, same school, lower price
Consulate guides
Know exactly what your consulate requires
Each of the 117 Spanish consulates worldwide operates differently. We've documented them all so you don't get caught out.
United States United Kingdom Australia Canada More countries →
Miami
2–4 weeks · $160 fee
Fastest in US
FL, PR, USVI, GA, SC, NC, TN, AL, MS
Los Angeles
4+ weeks · $160 fee
Average
CA, NV, HI, AZ, NM, CO, UT
New York
5 weeks minimum · $160 fee
Average
NY, CT, PA, NJ, DE
Chicago
4+ weeks · mail-in accepted
MD-only rule
Rejects DOs · BLS mail-in available
San Francisco
5–8 weeks · $160 fee
All docs in Spanish
Acceptance letter must be in Spanish
Boston
Up to 8 weeks
Strictest in US
No driver's licence for residency proof
View all 117 consulates worldwide →
Countries covered
🇺🇸 United States 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇨🇦 Canada 🇦🇺 Australia 🇧🇷 Brazil 🇨🇳 China 🇷🇺 Russia 🇰🇷 South Korea 🇹🇷 Turkey 🇦🇪 UAE
+ more being added
Student experiences
From people who made the move
"The consulate breakdown saved me — I'm in Houston and the July 31 deadline wasn't mentioned anywhere else online. Applied in time thanks to this."
Sarah M.
Houston TX · studying in Barcelona
"Got the €500 discount on my Granada school. The DELE renewal section was something I hadn't thought about at all — really glad I read it before enrolling."
James R.
Manchester UK · studying in Granada
"As a Canadian I had no idea the RCMP check needed to go through Global Affairs Canada. Would have sent the wrong document without this guide."
Priya K.
Toronto ON · studying in Madrid
Health insurance
Don't let insurance sink your application
Non-compliant insurance is the most common rejection trigger across all 117 consulates. Travel insurance and home-country policies are rejected every time.
Adeslas Sanitas ASSSA DKV Asisa
Compare compliant policies →
€40–55/mo
Most students — Sanitas or Asisa, visa compliant from day one
−1 month
Coverage must begin one month before your course start date
€30,000
Minimum coverage — no copayments, no waiting periods, no deductibles