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Other Visa Types

Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) Student Visa
Updated for 2026

Spain Student Visa
Document Checklist

Every single document you need for your Spanish student visa — exactly what form it must take, where to get it, and how long it takes. Tick them off as you go.

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Complete Document List

Spain Student Visa Checklist 2026

This is the definitive checklist for a Type D Spanish student visa. Every item on this list is required unless marked as conditional. Click each checkbox to track your progress.

1

Identity & Application Form

Valid Passport (original + 1 copy)
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. Must have at least 2 blank pages. Submit the original — the consulate needs to affix the visa sticker.
Required
EX-00 National Visa Application Form (signed)
The official Spanish government visa application form. Print two copies, fill in with capital letters, and sign in blue or black ink. Available from your Spanish consulate's website.
Required
Recent Passport Photograph (35mm × 45mm)
One recent colour photograph on white background, taken within the last 6 months. Biometric standard. Some consulates request two photographs.
Required
2

Course & Institution Documents

Acceptance / Enrolment Letter from Spanish Institution
Must be on official headed paper, signed by an authorised representative. Must state: course name, start & end dates, weekly study hours (20+ hours for student visa eligibility), and institution's recognition status.
Required
Academic Qualification (if required by institution)
For university programmes: your highest-level qualification certificate. Must be apostilled and accompanied by a sworn Spanish translation if not in Spanish.
Conditional
3

Financial Means

Personal Bank Statements (3–6 months)
Official bank statements showing your name, account number, and sufficient balance (≈€600/month × course duration). Download from your bank — not printed screenshots. Requires sworn Spanish translation.
Required
Sponsorship Letter (if sponsored by parent/guardian)
A formal letter from the sponsor declaring financial responsibility, signed and dated. Must be accompanied by the sponsor's ID, proof of relationship, and their own bank statements. Sworn translation required.
If sponsored
Scholarship or Grant Award Letter
If part or all of your funding comes from a scholarship, include the official award letter from the granting organisation, stating the amount and duration of funding.
If applicable
4

Health & Medical Documents

Private Health Insurance Certificate
Full coverage in Spain for the entire visa period. No copayments, no deductibles, no geographic exclusions. Repatriation cover included. Policy document must show your name and coverage dates. Spanish translation required if in English.
Required
Medical Certificate
Signed by a licensed doctor, confirming you have no contagious or infectious diseases that could be a public health risk. Must follow the specific format accepted by Spanish consulates — use the template our lawyers provide. Sworn translation required.
Required
5

Criminal Record Certificate

Criminal Record Certificate (original)
From your home country's police authority (e.g. ACRO/DBS in UK, NBI in Philippines, FBI in USA). Must be issued within the last 3–6 months. Allow 2–6 weeks processing time. If you have lived in multiple countries in the last 5 years, you may need certificates from each country.
Required
Hague Apostille on Criminal Record Certificate
The apostille is affixed by your home country's competent authority (e.g. FCDO in UK, state Secretary of State in USA). Do not laminate the document after apostilling. Allow 2–4 weeks. This must still be valid (within 3–6 months) at the time of your consulate appointment.
Required
Sworn Spanish Translation of Criminal Record Certificate
If your certificate is in any language other than Spanish. Must be carried out by a translator officially recognised by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Includes the translator's stamp and sworn declaration.
Required
6

Proof of Accommodation in Spain

Rental Contract or Accommodation Letter
A signed rental contract (in your name), a university residency confirmation letter, a notarised host family declaration, or a confirmed first accommodation booking showing your address in Spain.
Required
7

Sworn Spanish Translations

Sworn Translation of All Non-Spanish Documents
Every document in a language other than Spanish must be accompanied by an official sworn translation from a certified translator (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores). This applies to bank statements, criminal record certificate, medical certificate, sponsorship letter, and academic certificates.
Required
8

At Your Consulate Appointment

Consulate Visa Fee
Approximately €60–€80 (varies by nationality and consulate). Paid in cash or by card on the day of your appointment. Non-refundable.
Required on the day
Originals + 1 Set of Copies of All Documents
Bring original documents and at least one complete set of photocopies. The consulate keeps the copies. Some consulates require two sets — confirm in advance with your specific consulate.
Required on the day
Appointment Confirmation
Your consulate appointment booking confirmation (printed or on your phone). You will not be admitted without a confirmed appointment at most Spanish consulates.
Required on the day
⚠️

Requirements Vary by Consulate

While this checklist covers the standard requirements, individual Spanish consulates (London, New York, Sydney, etc.) sometimes have additional requirements or specific formatting preferences. Our lawyers work with all major consulates and will ensure your file meets the exact standard of your specific appointment location.

📊 Your Progress

Documents gathered 0 / 15
Mandatory documents12
Conditional documents3
Avg. total cost€1,200–€1,500
Time needed8–12 weeks

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📚 Related Guides

Deep-dive guides for the trickiest documents:

When to Do What

Your 12-Week Document Timeline

The order in which you gather documents matters — start with the items that take longest. This timeline assumes a 12-week lead time before your intended travel date.

1

Weeks 1–2: Start Your Criminal Record Application

Apply for your police clearance certificate immediately — this is the item with the longest processing chain. In the UK this is an ACRO certificate; in the USA it is an FBI Identity History Summary. Allow 2–6 weeks for the certificate to arrive, then additional time for the apostille.

Start immediately →
2

Weeks 2–3: Confirm Enrolment & Purchase Insurance

Contact your Spanish institution to request your official acceptance letter if you don't already have it. Purchase your health insurance policy and download the full policy document. Check the dates cover your entire intended visa period.

Simultaneous with step 1 →
3

Weeks 3–4: Apostille Your Criminal Record Certificate

Once your criminal record arrives, send it immediately to the apostilling authority. In the UK this is the FCDO Legalisation Office. In the USA, contact your state's Secretary of State. Allow 2–4 additional weeks.

As soon as certificate arrives →
4

Weeks 4–6: Gather Financial Documents

Download 3–6 months of official bank statements. If a parent is sponsoring you, prepare the sponsorship letter and request their bank statements. Write the medical certificate (use our lawyer-approved template) and have it signed by your doctor.

Allow 1–2 weeks →
5

Weeks 6–8: Arrange Sworn Translations

Once you have the apostilled criminal record, bank statements, medical certificate, and any other non-Spanish documents, send everything to a certified translator. A professional service typically takes 5–10 business days per document. Our service includes this as standard.

Allow 1–2 weeks →
6

Weeks 8–10: Book Your Consulate Appointment

Book your appointment at your local Spanish consulate as soon as your file is nearly complete. In peak months (June–September) appointments can be fully booked 8–12 weeks ahead. In the UK, appointments at the Spanish Consulate in London or Edinburgh are available via the Spanish government's appointment booking portal.

Book early — slots go fast →
7

Weeks 10–12: Final File Check & Submission

Review the complete file against this checklist. Make photocopies of every document. Prepare your file in the order the consulate expects (check your specific consulate's guidance). Attend your appointment — bring the originals and copies, plus cash for the visa fee.

Almost there →
Common Questions

Checklist FAQs

The mandatory documents are: a valid passport, completed EX-00 form, passport photograph, enrolment letter, bank statements (3–6 months), private health insurance, medical certificate, apostilled criminal record certificate, sworn Spanish translations of all non-Spanish documents, and proof of accommodation. Depending on your situation, you may also need a sponsorship letter, scholarship letter, or academic certificates.
You need both. Bring the original documents and at least one complete set of photocopies. The consulate will keep the copies and return the originals to you (usually at the end of the appointment or by post when the visa is ready). Some consulates require two sets of copies — check with your specific consulate beforehand.
Allow at least 8–12 weeks. The criminal record certificate and its apostille can take 4–8 weeks alone. Add time for sworn translations (1–2 weeks) and booking a consulate appointment (which in peak months can be fully booked 8–12 weeks in advance). Start gathering your documents as soon as you have confirmed your place on a course.
If a document is missing or does not meet the consulate's requirements, you will be asked to provide it before your application can proceed. In some cases, the consulate may reject the entire application and ask you to rebook. This is why having a lawyer review your full file before submission is so important — we catch issues before you sit in front of the consular officer.
Yes — while the core requirements are set by Spanish law, individual consulates (London, New York, Sydney, Dublin, etc.) can impose additional requirements or have specific formatting preferences. Some consulates require documents in a specific order; others have particular requirements for the medical certificate template. Our lawyers know exactly what each major consulate expects.

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