Visa requirements for extended study periods
We offer comprehensive Spanish courses featuring 20 hours of intensive language instruction each week, complemented by 10 hours of cultural and social activities every week. If you’re planning to study for over 12 weeks and hail from outside the European Union, you’ll need a study visa to pursue your education in Spain.
Understanding Visa Requirements
Step 1: Contact with the Spanish embassy or consulate
The first crucial step is to reach out to the Spanish embassy or consulate in your country. They will inform you about the documents needed to apply for your student visa and confirm whether your Spanish studies qualify for it to be granted. The required documents can vary from country to country; they are often similar but not identical. Therefore, obtaining this information is essential to begin the process.
Step 2: Organize your study schedule
After verifying the necessary documents with the Spanish embassy or consulate in your country and ensuring you meet the requirements, you need to inform us of your preferred start dates for the course. This will allow us to check availability and the duration you desire for the course, whether in weeks or months. Once we confirm availability for your level on your chosen dates, we will provide you with a quotation detailing the total cost of your course.
Step 3: Application deadlines and visa types
Visa processing takes time, so it’s essential to apply for it within 90 days before your course begins. However, consult the Spanish embassy in your country to ensure the visa can be processed and ready in time for your arrival.
For non-European citizens, there are two main visa options to come to Spain:
OPTION ONE: TOURIST VISA: This visa is suitable if your stay is up to three months (90 days). You can enroll in a Spanish course during this period, provided it doesn’t exceed the 90-day limit. Instead of a student visa, you’ll need a tourist visa. Check with your local Spanish embassy for specific tourist visa requirements.
OPTION TWO: STUDENT VISA: If your planned stay exceeds three months, you should apply for a student visa. The embassy or consulate will guide you on the necessary documentation. The validity of the student visa corresponds with the duration of your studies. For instance, a six-month course will grant a six-month visa, while a year-long course will secure a visa for a year. Once in Spain, you can apply to extend or renew your student visa for further education, provided you enroll in qualifying courses or studies.
Additionally, it is possible to enter Spain on a tourist visa and switch to a student visa within 60 days before your tourist visa expires.
Should your student visa application be denied, you must leave Spain upon the expiration of your tourist visa.
Step 4: Visa application process
Once you know the requirements for a student visa and have confirmed the start and end dates of your course with Hablamos, as well as secured a spot in our Spanish language program, you can begin the visa application process. This will take place at the Spanish embassy or consulate in your country, where they will detail the documents needed.
To give you an idea, common documents requested include (note that requirements can vary by embassy, so consider this a general guide):
- A passport valid for longer than your course duration.
- Four recent photographs.
- A completed visa application form.
- An acceptance letter confirming your enrollment in a Spanish language course of at least 20 hours per week (provided by us).
- Travel insurance with adequate coverage.
- Confirmation of accommodation arrangements in Spain.
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the duration of your stay.
- Criminal record and medical certificates for long-term stays.
Always check with your local Spanish embassy or consulate to verify specific document requirements and prepare accordingly.
Step 5: Obtain a letter of acceptance from AIL Madrid
One of the essential documents for your student visa application is the “Letter of Acceptance.” This letter confirms your admission to our Spanish language school, indicating your enrollment in the Intensive Spanish course of 20 hours per week, for the selected dates and duration. This document is crucial as it solidifies your place at AIL Madrid and is vital for your visa application.
To issue this letter, along with your enrollment contract and an invoice for your course payment, you need to prepay 100% of the course fee via bank transfer to our account. Failure to do so may lead AIL Madrid to inform the embassy, potentially leading to the cancellation of your student visa.
The initial payment of 100% of the course demonstrates your commitment and secures your spot for the duration of your course.
To make this payment, transfer the funds to the following account:
- Account Holder: ACADEMIA INTERNACIONAL DE LENGUAS MADRID S. L.
- Bank Name: BANKINTER
- Account Number: ES34 0128 0028 2601 0008 3487
- SWIFT Code: BKBKESMMXXX
- Address: Calle Mayor 3, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Upon receipt of your payment, we will email you the letter of acceptance, the enrollment contract, and a receipt for the payment. If courier delivery of the documents is necessary, you will be responsible for covering the shipping costs.
Step 6: Submit your application
After you receive the letter of acceptance and other documents from Hablamos, you should submit them along with the additional required paperwork for your visa application. From there, your next step is simply to await the approval of your visa. If approved, get ready to pack your bags! We look forward to welcoming you and helping you improve your Spanish skills!
What happens if my visa is refused?
At AIL Madrid, we are dedicated to ensuring a positive experience for all our students and assist them with visa-related issues to the best of our ability. However, the decision to grant a visa lies solely with the Embassy and Consulate; thus, the final determination is not within our control. AIL Madrid cannot be held responsible for any visa rejections, as visa issuance is independent of our school’s operations.
Should a visa be denied and the student has already paid 100% of the course fee, AIL Madrid will issue a refund of the total amount paid, deducting 200 euros for administrative expenses involved in processing the application. If the student subsequently secures a visa and enrolls in a course with AIL Madrid, this amount will be credited against their course fee.
In cases of visa denial, students must provide AIL Madrid with the official denial document issued by the Spanish embassy or consulate, which should include the student’s name, passport number, and the type of visa applied for.
For refunds, students must notify AIL Madrid in writing, along with the denial document, at least 20 days before the course’s scheduled start. If notification is received less than 20 days before the course begins, no refund will be provided. If a visa delay is caused by the embassy and not due to the student’s actions, and the delay is within 30 days from the start of the course, AIL Madrid will refund the 100% prepayment minus 200 euros for administrative fees. After this period, refunds are not possible as the reserved spots are no longer available.
If you have any questions about this process or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you with all the information you need.
Health insurance
Securing comprehensive medical insurance is a mandatory requirement for your entire stay in Spain, crucial for meeting the Spanish visa conditions. We recommend that you explore the option of acquiring medical insurance through our partner, Universitas Mundi. You can arrange this insurance conveniently from your home country before arriving in Spain, using your passport.
The medical insurance you select must satisfy several criteria:
- It should be issued by an insurance company that operates within Spain.
- It must provide coverage across all Spanish territories.
- The policy should have no co-payments.
- There should be no deductibles in the insurance policy.
- Coverage should be extensive, including emergency services, medical consultations, diagnostic tests, hospitalization, and surgical procedures for both accidents and illnesses.
- It should also cover the repatriation of mortal remains.
You can find more information and arrange for this insurance by visiting Universitas Mundi’s website.