Does Your Course Qualify
for a Spain Student Visa?
Not every course in Spain justifies a student visa. There are four hard rules your course must meet — and plenty of grey areas that catch applicants off guard.
The 4 Course Eligibility Rules
Your course must satisfy all four of these criteria simultaneously to qualify for a Spain student visa. Meeting three out of four is not sufficient.
Rule 1 — Minimum 20 Hours/Week
The course must require at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week. This is the most commonly failed rule. Part-time programmes, weekend courses, and light language programmes (e.g. 10 hrs/week) do not qualify.
Rule 2 — More Than 90 Days
The course must run for more than 90 days (3 months). Short courses under 90 days do not require a visa — they fall within the tourist/short-stay allowance. The student visa is for stays exceeding 90 days only.
Rule 3 — In-Person, Physical Attendance
The course must be taught in person at a physical location in Spain. Online-only, hybrid, or remote-delivered courses do not qualify. The student visa is tied to physical presence in Spain for study purposes.
Rule 4 — Accredited Institution
The school must be officially registered and authorised to provide education in Spain. Unregistered schools, informal tutoring arrangements, and private lessons do not qualify. Check your school's registration with the Ministerio de Educación or the relevant regional authority.
Which Course Types Qualify?
Here's how different types of courses in Spain are assessed against the four eligibility rules.
Spanish Language Programme
Intensive language courses at accredited academias de idiomas are the most popular qualifying course type. Must be a full-time programme (20+ hrs/week), run for more than 90 days, and the school must be officially registered.
University Degree (Grado / Máster)
Bachelor's (Grado), Master's (Máster), and PhD (Doctorado) programmes at Spanish public or private universities. Credits must be earned through physical attendance. Spanish universities are automatically accredited.
Vocational Training (Formación Profesional / FP)
Official vocational training cycles (Grado Medio and Grado Superior FP) taught in person at authorised centres in Spain qualify fully. FP programmes are typically structured at more than 20 hours per week.
Professional Certification Programme
Officially recognised professional programmes (certificados de profesionalidad) and vocational qualification courses taught in person at authorised centres. Check the programme's official accreditation before applying.
Online or Distance Learning Course
Any course delivered primarily or entirely online or by distance learning — regardless of the institution's location — does not qualify for the student visa. This includes hybrid programmes where most instruction is remote.
Short Course Under 90 Days
A course lasting fewer than 90 days — even a full-time intensive — does not require a student visa. You can attend under the normal tourist/short-stay allowance. The student visa is only for stays exceeding 90 days.
Part-Time Language Course (Under 20 hrs)
A course running only 10–15 hours per week does not meet the 20-hour minimum. Some applicants combine two courses at the same school to reach 20+ hours. This may be accepted, but check with the consulate and ensure the enrolment letter clearly states the combined hours.
Private School / Unaccredited Academy
Small private academies may or may not hold the required official accreditation. Before enrolling, ask the school for proof of their registration with the educational authority. Without accreditation, the enrolment letter will not be accepted regardless of hours and duration.
How to Check Your School Is Accredited
Before enrolling, verify your school holds the appropriate authorisation. Here's what each institution type needs.
| Institution Type | Governing Body | How to Verify | Typically Accredited? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public University (Universidad Pública) | Ministerio de Universidades | Listed on Ministry website | Yes — always |
| Private University (Universidad Privada) | Ministerio de Universidades + ANECA | Check ANECA accreditation registry | Yes — if ANECA accredited |
| Official Language School (Escuela Oficial de Idiomas) | Regional Education Ministry | Official government-run school | Yes — always |
| Private Language Academy (Academia de Idiomas) | Regional Education Ministry | Request registration certificate from school | Must verify |
| FP / Vocational Training Centre | Ministerio de Educación | Listed in official FP registry | If officially authorised |
| Private Academy / Unverified School | Varies | Ask for Decreto de autorización | Cannot assume |