Spain Study Visa 2025, Big Policy Changes Introduced

Islamabad, June 19, 2025: If you plan to study, volunteer, or train in Spain, big changes are coming to their study visa system. Starting June 3, 2025, the Spanish government has introduced new, complete rules for study visas that last longer than 90 days. These changes open doors for more types of education and training, and even allow family members to come along. However, they also require more documents from applicants.

What’s New?

The updated study visa policy now clearly includes many types of programs:

Higher education (like Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhDs)
Post-secondary programs and student exchange
Language assistant jobs
Certified training programs (including health, volunteering, and professional courses)

For short stays (less than 90 days), you don’t need a study visa, but you might still need a Schengen visa depending on where you are from.

Family Can Come Too!

Yes, Spain’s new visa rules now let your family join you. This includes:

Your husband or wife, or your registered/unmarried partner.
Your children (if they are under 18 or have disabilities).

They will need to apply for their visas, but their document list will be similar to yours.

Documents You’ll Need

Here’s a main list of documents students must provide:

Visa Application Form: Filled out and signed.
Photo: Recent passport-size photo with a light background.
Passport: Must be valid for at least 1 year, not older than 10 years, and have two empty pages.
Proof of Acceptance: A letter from a Spanish school saying you’ve been accepted, including proof of fee payment if needed.
Proof of Funds: You must show you have enough money for your stay. This can be scholarship proof, a letter from a sponsor, 6 months of bank statements, or proof of university accommodation/meals.
Health Insurance: Private or public insurance with at least €30,000 coverage and no extra payments. Travel insurance is not enough.
Criminal Record Certificate: Needed for stays longer than 135 days; must be officially certified and translated.
Medical Certificate: Must state you are free of certain diseases as per health rules.
Proof of Residence: If you are applying from outside Spain, show where you live in that area.
Documents for Minors: If you are under 18, parental permission, birth certificate, and guardian details are needed.
Other Documents: For language assistants, au pairs, or special cases.
Visa Fee: Paid in your local currency; the amount can change based on your nationality.

For Family Members:

Each family member needs: application form, photo, passport, health insurance, criminal record check, medical certificate, proof of residence, and proof of their relationship to you (like a marriage or birth certificate, translated and legalized).

How and When to Apply for the Spain Study Visa 2025?

Apply at least 2 months before your studies start.
You must apply in person (or through a legal helper).
Submit your application to the correct BLS International Spain Visa Center in your area.
You will get a receipt with a tracking code.
The decision usually takes up to 1 month (but can be longer if an interview or more documents are needed).
If approved, pick up your visa within 2 months.
If rejected, you can appeal within 1 month.

Visa Validity Rules

If your study program is up to 6 months, your visa is valid for the whole time, and you don’t need another ID card. If your program is longer than 6 months, you will get a 90-day visa. Then, you must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within 1 month of arriving in Spain at the local Foreign Nationals’ Office or Police Station.