To apply for a visa to Spain, applicants must submit their documents through:
a visa application center (for short-stay visas)
the Spanish consulate or embassy (for long-stay visas)
Since Spain does not have a consulate in all countries, applications for long-stay visas are typically submitted through Spanish consular institutions accredited to the region or via designated visa centers.
Intended for:
Tourism
Business trips
Short-term study (up to 90 days)
Duration:
Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
Required if:
The study program lasts more than 90 days
The program is conducted at an accredited educational institution
Allows you to:
Stay in Spain for more than 3 months
Study toward a diploma or certificate
To obtain a Category D visa, applicants must provide:
A letter of acceptance from an educational institution
Proof of sufficient financial means
Medical insurance
Proof of accommodation
A criminal record certificate (for long-term visas)
A medical certificate
Applications are submitted through Spanish visa application centers
Applications must be submitted to the Spanish consulate accredited for the applicant’s region
In many cases, this is done through a Spanish embassy in a neighboring country
Biometric data is required if not previously submitted within the last 59 months
Personal appearance is mandatory
An interview may be required
If you receive a Category D visa, you must:
Apply for a residence permit (TIE)
Register with the local authorities within the required timeframe
Category C Visa: approximately 15 calendar days
Category D Visa: from several weeks up to 1–2 months
Processing times may be extended if additional checks are required.
All documents must be:
in Spanish, or
translated into Spanish
For long-stay visas:
official (certified) translations are required
some documents may require legalization or an apostille
The educational institution must be officially accredited
The program must be full-time for long-term study visas
Short-term stay → Category C visa (Schengen)
Long-term study → Category D student visa
Applications → visa centers or Spanish consulates
Key requirements → admission letter, financial proof, insurance, and documents in Spanish
Personal appearance and biometrics are required for both visa types
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