Usefull information to obtain a Student Visa

Does a BAU master's or postgraduate degree entitle me to get a visa?

Yes, because they are recognised university degrees and because the total number of hours during the entire study period meets the minimum number of hours required for a visa to be issued.

Can I work with the student visa?

No, but you can do paid internships up to a total of 900 hours.

Does the visa cover health costs?

No, the BAU enrolment fee includes a school insurance that will only cover you for medical assistance if you have an accident that requires medical attention during the academic timetable and while carrying out an academic activity. One of the requirements to be able to apply for a student visa is to have a public or private health insurance policy with an insurance company authorised to operate in Spain.

Can I visit other European countries with a student visa?

Yes, because Spain is a member of the EU.

Is the visa valid for one academic year only?

Yes, the student visa is valid for one academic year - it ends on 15th July and can be extended (by 90 days) or you can change the type of visa.

The basic prerequisites for applying for a student visa from the Ministry are:

1. Duly filled out and signed national visa application form together with signed Data Protection Clause.
2. Passport valid for more than three months. (Original and a copy of the main page).
3. Valid current legal residence, for foreign citizens.
4. Current passport-type front view color photograph with white background.
5. Sufficient financial solvency to cover the costs of accommodation and living expenses, as well as to cover the total cost of the course to be taken in Spain. These resources may be demonstrated by means of a grant, which covers all expenses or, where appropriate, on the basis of your own or your family's financial means.
6. Public or private medical insurance policy (not travel insurance), arranged with an insurance company authorised to operate in Spain, which covers the entire period of the stay and all types of health care without limitations, co-payments or deductibles.
7. Certificate of admission (enrolment) at BAU Centro Universitario de Diseño duly signed and with the student's details and course costs.
8. Medical certificate issued no more than 3 months before the application date by a doctor or health institution.
9. Certificate of criminal record issued no more than 3 months before the application date by the competent authority of the country of origin.

IMPORTANT

We recommend not to purchase the flight ticket until you have been notified that a visa has been granted. The visa application must be submitted no more than 3 months before the planned date of commencement of studies.

Type of authorisation

This is an authorisation which gives permission to stay in Spain for a period of more than ninety days to carry out or to continue studies in an authorised educational centre in Spain, in a full-time programme leading to the award of a degree or certificate of studies.

Requirements

• Not being a citizen of a European Union Country, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, or a family member of citizens of the countries to which the Union citizenship regime applies.
• Not being subject to a ban on entry to Spain or to the territorial space of countries with which Spain has an agreement to this end.
• Have sufficient financial means to cover the costs of their stay and return to the country of origin and, where appropriate, of their family members, in accordance with the following amounts:
  • 100% of the multiplier for the public income index (IPREM) to cover their own monthly expenses, unless they duly demonstrate that they have paid in advance for accommodation for the entire duration of the stay.
  • In case of having to support their family members - a proof of the monthly amount equal to 75% of the IPREM for the first family member and 50% of the IPREM for each of the remaining members, unless they can duly demonstrate that they have paid for accommodation in advance for the entire duration of their stay.
• Have a public or private health insurance policy with an insurance company authorised to operate in Spain.
• Proof of admission to an authorised educational centre in Spain for the purpose of attending a full-time programme leading to the award of a degree or certificate of studies.

In the event that the duration of the stay exceeds six months, the following will be required:

• In the case of adults who are over the legal age, not to have a criminal record in Spain nor in their previous countries of residence during the last five years for offences existing in the Spanish legal system.

• Not to suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with the provisions of the International Health Regulations of 2005.

Required documentation

Note: In general, copies of the documents must be provided and the originals must be presented at the time of application.

• The official national visa application form, in duplicate, duly completed and signed by the foreigner or his/her legal representative in the case of minors. This form can be obtained at www.maec.es
• Full, valid passport or travel document, recognised as valid in Spain, valid for at least the period for which the stay is requested.
• Documentation demonstrating that they have the necessary financial means for the period requested and for the return to their country of origin.
• An authorisation from parents or guardians stating the centre, organisation, entity and body responsible for the activity and the planned period of stay – in the case of under-age students.
• Proof of adequate health insurance cover.
• Documentation certifying admission to an educational centre.
• If the duration of the stay exceeds six months:
  • Medical certificate.
  • If you are of legal age, a criminal record certificate issued by the authorities of your country of origin or the country where you have been residing for the last five years.

NOTE

When providing documents from other countries, they must be translated into Spanish or the co-official language of the territory where the application is submitted. Additionally, all foreign public documents must be previously legalised by the Spanish Consular Office with jurisdiction in the country where the document was issued or, where applicable, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, unless the document has been apostilled by the competent authority of the issuing country in accordance with the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 and unless the document is exempt from legalisation by virtue of an International Convention.

Procedure

• Those entitled to submit the student visa application: the student, in person. If the student is a minor, his/her parents, guardians or duly accredited representative, in person.
• Place of presentation: Spanish diplomatic mission or consular office where the foreigner resides.
• Visa issuance fee: to be paid at the time of applying for the visa.
• Deadline for the decision and visa issuance: the maximum period for notification of the decision is one month from the day following the date on which the application was submitted to the consular office responsible for processing the application. Once this period has elapsed without an express reply from the Administration, the application may be deemed to have been rejected due to administrative silence.
• The visa granted must be collected within two months of notification. If the visa is not collected within the aforementioned period, it shall be understood that the interested party has renounced the visa granted and the procedure shall be closed.
• The duration of the stay granted shall be equal to the duration of the studies to be carried out, with a maximum limit of one year.
• If the stay for studies is to last longer than six months, the foreigner must apply in person for the foreigner's identity card within one month of entering Spain, at the Immigration Office or Police Station in the province where the authorisation has been processed. Click here to find out where to go, the opening hours and whether you need to make an appointment.
• At the time of the fingerprinting process, the applicant must show his/her passport or travel document and provide the following:
• Application for a foreigner's card, via the official form (EX-17).
• Proof of payment of the card issuance fee.
• A recent passport-size colour photograph with white background.
• The student may be accompanied by family members, and may also be authorised to carry out gainful activities as an employee or self-employed person, as long as the activity is compatible with the studies, and the income obtained is not a necessary resource for the student's support or stay.

On the website of the Spanish Government (Ministry of Migration) you will find additional information on family members, authorisations to work as an employee or self-employed person and other information of interest.