Immigration lawyers in Spain
Study Visas for Spain
Study, research, intern or volunteer in Spain — and work up to 30 hours a week while you do it. We handle the whole application, and the step most people miss: turning your studies into a work permit before your card runs out.

Which permit is yours?
Which permit is yours?
Anything longer than 90 days needs an authorisation, whatever you are coming to do. These are the five that cover it.
| Route | For whom | Key condition | Can you work? |
|---|---|---|---|
| StudentDegree, master’s, vocational or language course | Anyone enrolled on a full-time course at a recognised centre | Admission letter and enrolment | Yes — up to 30 h/week in higher education |
| ResearcherResearch and development at an authorised body | Hosting agreement with the research organisation | Hosting agreement | Yes — it is the research itself |
| Mobility programmeSecondary and baccalaureate students on an exchange | Recognised programme and a host family or centre | Recognised programme | No |
| InternshipNon-employment | Unpaid internships longer than 90 days | Signed internship agreement with the host entity | Only the internship itself |
| VolunteerVolunteer programmes of general interest | Sponsored by a registered organisation, which covers you | Registered organisation | No |
Under 90 days?
A short course or a summer programme that fits inside 90 days does not need any of these — a tourist visa, or nothing at all if your nationality is visa-exempt. It is worth checking before you pay for a file you do not need.
Key advantages
Key advantages
30 hours a week
Higher education students may work alongside their studies.
Family can come
Spouse and minor children can apply with you.
Beyond the 90-day limit
Stay for the full length of your course, research, internship or programme.
Renewable
Renewed while your programme continues, without leaving Spain.
Residence card and NIE
Stays over six months come with a TIE card, which makes banking, renting and daily life work.
Schengen mobility
Free movement across the Schengen area.
Requirements
Requirements
| Admission | Acceptance at a recognised centre, organisation or programme, and proof of enrolment or a signed agreement |
| Financial means | €600 per month for the whole period — 100% of the IPREM. Additional means are required for each family member joining you. |
| Health insurance | Public or private, with full coverage in Spain for the whole stay |
| Criminal record | Clean record in every country of residence over the last 5 years, for stays over six months |
| Medical certificate | Confirming you are free of diseases with public health implications, for stays over six months |
| Legal status | No irregular stay in Spain, and no entry ban in Spain or in the Schengen area |
| Fee | Administrative fee paid before filing |
Financial means are tied to the IPREM, which is updated by law. Ask us to confirm the current figure on the day you apply.
What changes by route
| Route | Specific requirement | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Student | Full-time enrolment leading to a degree, certificate or recognised language qualification | Matches your course, renewable while you keep studying |
| Researcher | A hosting agreement with a body authorised to take on researchers | Matches the research project |
| Mobility programme | A recognised exchange programme, a host family or centre, and parental authorisation | Matches the school year |
| Internship | An agreement setting out the training plan, supervision and duration, with a host entity that qualifies | Matches the internship |
| Volunteer | An agreement with a registered organisation covering your accommodation, means and insurance | Matches the programme |
Required documents
Required documents
Core file — every applicant
- Application form, completed and signed
- Passport, valid for the whole stay — full copy of all pages
- Admission letter and proof of enrolment, or the signed agreement for your route
- Proof of financial means for the whole period: bank statements, a scholarship, or a sponsor’s undertaking
- Health insurance, public or private, with full coverage in Spain
- Criminal record certificate — apostilled and sworn-translated (stays over six months)
- Medical certificate (stays over six months)
- Passport photo and proof of fee payment
- Parental authorisation, if you are a minor
Per family member
- Passport
- Marriage certificate or birth certificate — apostilled and sworn-translated
- Criminal record certificate (from age 18)
- Health insurance under the same conditions
- Proof that your means cover them as well as you
The application process
The application process
| From abroad — consulate | From Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Everyone | Visa-exempt nationals, for higher education, health specialisation or professional certificates |
| Where you apply | Spanish consulate in your country of residence | Online, from Spain — the application is filed telematically, with no need to attend in person |
| What you get | A visa to enter, then your card once you are here | The authorisation directly |
| Timing | Varies by consulate | Apply at least 60 days before your programme starts, and while you still have at least 60 days of legal stay left in Spain |
| Renewal | Applied for in Spain, before your current authorisation expires — start early, not in the last fortnight | Applied for in Spain, before your current authorisation expires |
Nodisea tip
Watch the deadlines above all else. The application must be filed at least 60 days before your programme starts, and while you still have at least 60 days of legal stay left in Spain. In practice this is what most often makes a file impossible to submit — bring us your dates early.
Step by step
From the first call to your TIE card
1
Assessment
Free 15-min call. We confirm the route and whether you can apply from Spain.
Day 0
2
Documents
Shared Drive folder. Apostilles and translations are the slow part.
2–5 weeks
3
Filing
At the consulate, or at the immigration office if you are already here.
4
Resolution
We follow up and answer any request for further documents.
Varies*
5
Arrival
You collect the visa and travel, or continue with your file here.
2–4 weeks
6
TIE card
Padrón, fingerprints and collection of your card, for stays over six months.
30–40 days after
*Timeframes are indicative and depend on the consulate or office handling the file. Start before the academic year, not with it.
After your studies
After your studies: 24 months to stay
This is the part most students find out about too late. Once you finish an official higher education qualification in Spain, you can stay on a separate permit to look for work or start a business — and from there move to a full work permit without leaving the country.
| Who qualifies | Holders of an official Spanish higher education qualification at level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework or above — a bachelor’s degree or equivalent |
| Duration | Up to 24 months, starting the day after your study authorisation ends |
| Renewable | No. It runs once, and then you move to a work or business permit |
| When to apply | From 60 days before your study authorisation expires, up to 90 days after |
| Requirements | Means equivalent to 100% of the IPREM per month, health insurance, and a clean criminal record over the last 5 years |
| Resolution | 20 days*, with positive administrative silence |
Our service
What we do for you
Included
- Eligibility assessment and choice of route
- Personalised document checklist
- Shared Drive folder and full document review
- Drafting and filing of the application
- Communication with the authorities
- Requests for further documents (requerimientos)
- Padrón registration support, fingerprint appointment and TIE application
- Family members’ applications prepared together
- A calendar of your renewal and post-study deadlines
- Direct contact with your case manager throughout
Not included
- Administrative fees (tasas) and consular visa fees
- Apostilles and sworn translations
- Health insurance policy
- Medical certificate
- University admission, enrolment or tuition
- Recognition or homologation of foreign qualifications
Fees
Fees and payment options
Up-front Payment
€550 + VAT
Main applicant
- When you payAt the start of the assignment
- Each dependant€300 + VAT
- Formalised withUpon payment
- Best ifYou want the lower fee
Pay For Success
€825 + VAT
Main applicant
- When you payOnly after the visa approval
- Each dependant€450 + VAT
- Formalised withSigned Service Sheet
- Best ifYou want to transfer the risk
In one line: we start working without payment; you only pay if the permit is granted, and the fee reflects the risk we take on.
Administrative fees (tasas), consular visa fees, apostilles and sworn translations are not included.
Get the full document checklist
The complete list of documents for you and your family, with the renewal deadlines. Tell us your programme and your dates and we will send you the version that applies to you.
Let our clients do the talking
What do our clients say?
Consultations
Still have questions?
Our immigration specialists in Spain are happy to answer them.
15 min
Quick eligibility check — free
45 min
Case review
60 min
Full strategy session
Consultation fees are deducted from our fees if you go ahead.
Other permits
Looking for a different permit?
Contact us
Request your document checklist
Tell us about your case and we will get back to you within 24 hours with the next steps and the documents that apply to you.