Spain is a popular destination because the country boasts an extremely pleasant climate, beautiful landscapes, delicious food, and a rich historical heritage.
However, understanding the different types of visas for Spain is necessary because many people choose not only to travel to the country for tourism, but also to work and study, given that the country’s economy is driven by the desire of people seeking a better quality of life.
Do you need a visa to travel to Spain?
To stay in Spain for up to three months, a visa is not required for some countries while it is for others. However, you will need to meet all the requirements below:
- Passport
- Return ticket
- Travel Insurance
- Proof of accommodation or invitation letter
- Proof of sufficient funds (ideally, the person should have at least 95 euros to spend per day for the duration of the trip).
- A document proving the reason for trip to the country, which could be the travel itinerary.
However, if the person’s goal is to stay longer, it will be necessary to apply for a visa to Spain. Check below all the steps the applicant will need to take to obtain authorization.
Types of visas for Spain
Anyone wishing to live in Spain will need to choose from the available visa options:Â student visa, work visa, investment visa, business visa, and visa for those who already have income or are retired in their country of origin.
How do I get a student visa for Spain?
Anyone intending to study in Spain for more than 90 days will need to obtain a mandatory visa. The first step in obtaining a student visa is approval from the institution where the student will be studying.
In addition, you will need a medical certificate and insurance to cover medical needs, as well as enough money to support yourself during the course.
In this case, he can prove that a family member will be responsible for his stay in the country, but given this condition, the family member will need to show the means used to support the student.
It is necessary to start the process in advance, because there is no exact timeframe for receiving a response, as it is the Spanish authorities who will decide on the request, and this can take up to 30 days.
If the student remains in Spain for more than 6 months, they will also need a (NIE) Número de Identificación de Extranjero, a document similar to an Identity Card, but it should only be requested after the person has already entered Spain.
The student ID card is valid for one year. If the student is enrolled in a course that lasts longer than that period, the renewal request must be made in the country.
To obtain a student visa, the person will need to contact one of the consulates in their country of origin. In the following paragraphs, the reader will find a list of cities that have such an office.
With a student visa, can I apply for citizenship?
A person who is not going to Spain to study cannot apply for a residence permit, because they consider the authorization to be for a stay and not residency. However, once in Spain, the person can seek to change their status to obtain authorization to live in the country.
If an individual goes to Spain, for example, to pursue an undergraduate or master’s degree, upon completion of the course they can apply for a residence permit and, from then on, can look for a job.
Can a student work while they are studying?
Depending on the course, while the student is in Spain, they can work for a period not exceeding 20 hours per week, but it is essential that the work does not conflict with class schedules.
However, a person with a student visa can only apply to work once they receive a job offer. Otherwise, it will not be possible.
Furthermore, the salary received from work performed in Spain cannot be used to prove sufficient financial means of support in the country when applying for a student visa renewal. Income earned in Spain must be declared as additional income.
After a period of three consecutive years, the student can change their type of authorization to residency and work permit.
Is it possible to change a tourist visa to a student visa?
Following the amendment to the Immigration Law, Some nationals entering the Iberian country as tourists may obtain a stay permit, which is different from a visa but is a document that allows them to stay in the country to take a course.
After enrolling, the person can apply for the Permiso de Estancia (Stay Permit) directly at the Immigration Office. However, the application can only be made once the tourist has legalized their status in Spain. For this, the person must take into account the 90 days granted for entry as a tourist.
However, in order to have their stay in the country changed to student status, the requirement is that the person must have registered as domiciled in a Spanish city.
With all the necessary documents in hand, the person should begin the process considering the first 60 days of the tourist visa, as this will give them enough time to regularize their situation and, at the end of the period, they will already be authorized to remain as a student.
How do I get a work visa for Spain?
Anyone wishing to obtain a visa to work professionally in Spain who does not hold European citizenship will need an employment contract to be authorized to remain in the country.
To make the request, the company interested in hiring the professional must issue a letter to the person, who must then present it along with the other required documents.
By combining the letter and the employment contract, the individual can begin the process of obtaining a Spanish visa at the consulate located in their country.
Another point is that the work visa also requires prior authorization from the Spanish government for the person to establish residency in the Iberian country. The company hiring the professional is responsible for making this request.
This measure follows a directive from the Spanish government that, if the unemployment rate exceeds a pre-established percentage, the vacancy must be filled by a local worker.
The required documentation must be translated into Spanish, but it is necessary to hire a professional who is directly accredited by the Spanish government.
How can someone with a fixed income or who is retired get a visa?
Many people who have established a life in their origin country decide to live in a country that offers better conditions. In this case, for a person who has a fixed income or is retired and wishes to live in Spain, they will need a specific Spanish visa for their situation.
To qualify, the person must have authorization called a “Non-Lucrative Temporary Residence Visa.” To obtain it, the applicant must apply directly to the Spanish Consulate in their country, just like with all other types of visas.
The only requirements are not to have European citizenship, not to have any family members from the European Union, not to be in Spain illegally, and not to have a criminal record. However, the person must have the means to support themselves in the country.
The processing time for this type of permit can be up to three months. If the assessment is positive, the individual will have three months to travel to Spain.
How do I get an entrepreneur visa?
This authorization offers various opportunities, as it is intended for those who wish to invest in the country, start a business, or work as a self-employed professional. If the person chooses to open a business, they will need to apply for an entrepreneur visa.
This option allows the business owner and their family to live in Spain as long as the business operates legally, and the application is formalized directly in their country through the Spanish consulate.
The initial period granted is 2 years, and it can be extended if the company is in operation. After this period, and if the person has all the necessary documents, the application for Spanish citizenship can be submitted.
Anyone wishing to invest in Spain will need to demonstrate that they have the professional capacity to do so and also present the business plan that has been developed for the implementation of the activity.
This document will need to highlight all the steps involved in the project, as well as the expected return, market research, and target audience.
The visa for Spain intended for entrepreneurs can be requested by: venture capitalists, real estate investors, researchers, highly qualified professionals, and business owners.
What do you need to get a visa for Spain?
Anyone wishing to obtain a visa for Spain must have a valid passport. However, if they are from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, or any country belonging to the European Economic Area, they will only need a valid identity document. Minors, in turn, need to carry authorization from their parent.
It may be that the person going to Spain for an extended period needs to justify the reason for their stay in the country as well as provide proof of sufficient financial resources.
How much does a visa cost for Spain?
The cost of a student visa for Spain averages around £70 or $95 after submitting the application.
Documents required to apply for a visa.
- Form
- Valid Passport
- Documents proving economic conditions
- Documents proving social conditions
- RG
- Letter of purpose for the trip
The list of documents for a student visa is:
- Authorization for representation;
- Completed and signed form;
- Copy of the form;
- One recent 3×4 photo, in color and with a white background;
- Original valid passport with a minimum validity of 12 months and at least 2 blank pages (Your passport must be valid for more than 1 year from the date the visa application is made);
- Copy of passport (biographical information);
- Copy of ID and original;
- Proof of admission or enrollment in an official or legally recognized educational institution in Spain (letter of acceptance from the school). Attach a simple copy of the document;
- Academic diploma or enrollment certificate with notarized signature and legalized;
- Proof of purchase of international travel insurance (with coverage of EUR 30,000.00 including medical/hospital assistance and medical repatriation). Attach a simple copy of the document;
- Copy of the round-trip airline ticket (if applicable);
- 2 copies of your Income Tax return;
- Bank statements and financial investment information for the last 3 months, stamped and signed by the account manager;
- Copies of pay stubs from the last 3 months;
- A copy of the credit card statement for the last 3 months, stamped and signed by the account manager;
- Declaration of financial responsibility;
- All documents contained in the Financial Documents section;
- A legally notarized medical certificate stating that you do not have a serious illness. Attach a simple copy of the document.
- Criminal Background Check Certificate issued by the Federal Police, translated and certified (legalized). Attach a simple copy of the document.
- Parental travel authorization with notarized signature. Attach a simple copy of the document.
These are the main documents that people will need to present to obtain a visa for Spain. However, depending on the type of application, it may be necessary to have some additional authorizations on hand.
