Student visa (and study stay) in Spain

What you need to have ready

1. Pasaporte with plenty of validity.
2. Admission letter from the centre (clear start/end dates, hours and duration).
3. Medical insurance valid in Spain without relevant copayments, for the whole stay.
4. Money and accommodation you can prove (bank statements, scholarship, rental contract or student residence).
5. Criminal record and medical certificate if your stay exceeds 180 days (legalised/apostilled).

Documentation

• Form: national visa type D (consulate) or Modelo EX-00 if you do it online in Spain.
• Passport and copy of all pages.
• Enrolment or admission from the recognised centre.
• Proof of funds: reference is the monthly IPREM, ideally with recent movements.
• Accommodation: contract, invitation letter or residence booking.
• Medical insurance without relevant copayments.
• Criminal record and medical certificate if >180 days (legalised/apostilled).
• Fees: 790-052 (if EX-00) and then 790-012 for the TIE + photo 32x26 mm.

Step by step

1. Choose the route: if you’re outside, get the visa at your consulate. If you’re in Spain and legal, use Mercurio: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/mercurio/iniCiudadanos.html
2. Submit the application: upload clear PDFs, sign with Cl@ve or digital certificate. At consulate, attend your appointment with originals and copies.
3. Pay the fee: in Spain, the 790-052 (estancia por estudios). At consulate, pay their fee (check their website for amounts).
4. Decision/visa: if it’s a visa, it’s stamped in your passport; if it’s EX-00, you’ll be notified via the sede. Check the start/end dates.
5. Enter Spain and book fingerprint appointment: TIE appointment here: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/index.html
6. Pay the 790-012: https://sede.policia.gob.es/Tasa790_012/ and fill in EX-17. Bring everything to the fingerprint appointment (passport, resolution/visa, photo, fee receipt, empadronamiento (town hall registration) if required).
7. Collect your TIE after 3–6 weeks with the receipt and your passport.

Time-savers and tips

• Compress PDFs and use single-sided scans. Name files clearly: “Seguro_medico.pdf”, “Extractos_bancarios.pdf”.
• Insurance without copays: avoid the easy rejection. If in doubt, get a certificate of full coverage.
• Fingerprint appointments: check first thing in the morning and try nearby postcodes. Save form data so you don’t retype everything every try.
• Photos 32x26 mm: these aren’t the usual 35x45. Ask the photo shop for TIE size.
• Empadronamiento: many police stations require it. Register at your ayuntamiento early in case they ask for it.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Insurance with copays/exclusions: several consulates deny applications for this.
• Not asking for the TIE within 30 days after entry: you risk a fine and travel problems.
• Not proving money month-by-month: bank statements with no movement or “mysterious” deposits look bad.
• Documents without apostille/legalisation (penal record/medical): they won’t be accepted.
• Ambiguous course dates: if start and end aren’t clear, your application can be stopped.