To enter Spain for less than 90 days in 180-day period you can enter the 90 days visa-free allowance under the Schengen Zone. The UK has a visa – waiver therefore you do not need a visa to enter and use your 90-day allowance for study programmes or some traineeships. A full list of nationalities whom require a Schengen Visa for 90 days can be found here. You can use the Eligibility Tool to see if you require a VISA.

UK students can enter the Schengen Countries using their 90-visa free allowance.

EU/EEA Students do not have any restrictions to stay, live, work or student in Spain. Travel can be completed by using a National ID card or Passport through EU countries.

*Dual National Students should travel using their Passport which affords them the greatest rights in the Host country. For example if you are hold a Italian Passport and a British Passport, you should enter EU countries using your Italian Passport. By travelling under your Italian passport you are part of the EU and will enjoy unrestricted access to study, live and work in EU countries. By contrast if you choose to travel via your British Passport, you may be subject to greater limitations when travelling to and staying in Italy.

*International Students (Non-EA/EEA) who are not visa exempt to enter Spain for up to 90 days will need to still apply for an Schengen Visa.

*If you are an international student in the UK and have a Residence permit – you must have at least another 3 months beyond the date you plan to leave on your current Residence Permit from your Host Schengen country.

If you do require a Schengen Visa, you have the following possibilities:

• · Multi-visa “C” category stands for a Short-term visa which allows its holder to reside in a Schengen Area for a certain period depending on the visa validity. This category, according to the holder’s purpose of the travel can be obtained in a form of:
  • Single-entry visa – allow a one-time entry to your host country
  • Double-entry visa - second gives you the chance to go once more back to the Schengen territory once you have left it.
  • Multiple-entry visa - A multiple-entry visa allows its holder to go in and out of the Schengen Area as many times as he or she wants, as soon as they do not violate the 90/180 rule.

Depending upon their nationality, Students who wish to study in Spain for 90 days or less can do so without the need for a visa. To determine if you can travel to Spain without a visa please see the list of non visa required countries on the Spanish Consulate website.

• For study programs or traineeship (prácticas) for a period up to 90 days, British nationals do not need to apply for a visa. If student’s nationality requires a Schengen visa, he or she must apply for a Schengen Tourism Visa through the BLS International Visa Management Agency.
• Students who have already spent 90 days in Spain without visa and need to stay for another period under 90 days, cannot apply for National visa (D) (intended for longer stays). They cannot apply for a Schengen visa either.

Activities for which a Schengen Study visa may be obtained​​​ are:

• Full-time studies at an authorized school that will lead to the obtainment of a degree or certificate of studies.
• Doctorate studies.
• Training activities.
• Student mobility programmes at compulsory and/or non-compulsory secondary education level at an officially recognized teaching or scientific centre.
• Training placements at public or private bodies or entities that cannot be covered by internship visas (see “Internship visa").
• Volunteer services in the framework of programmes pursuing public interest goals.
• Au pair programmes.
• Conversation class assistants.

Source: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visados-Schengen.aspx

For an in-depth list of documents Students should visit: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/student-schengen-visa/

How to apply?

Once you have all the necessary documents, you should submit the Student Schengen Visa Application at the main Schengen destination in the home country. Schengen Visas are dealt with by the BLS centre in the UK.

The earliest Students can apply for a Student Schengen Visa are three months prior to Start Date of trip and the latest would be 15 days prior to Start Date of trip.

To submit your Student Schengen Visa application successfully, follow these steps:

1. Check if you need a Student Schengen Visa
2. Figure out where you need to apply
3. Figure out the best time to submit your visa application
4. Fill the application form for a short-stay visa
5. Collect the required documents for a Student Schengen Visa.
6. Make an appointment.
7. Attend the interview.
8. Pay the student visa fee.
9. Wait for a response

Further information on How to Apply for a Student Schengen can be found here.

Students need to apply for a Short-term Study visa. Please take note that this visa cannot replace a long-term Study visa (see below). Students must apply as soon as possible before travelling to Spain.

The student short – term visa which you will use to enter Spain if you need a visa more than 90 days but less than 180 days.

• Application is less complicated than long stay visas
• Short term student visa cannot be extended
• You cannot work on this visa

Click here to find out more about the Long Stay Visa for Spain. 

Gather Your Documents

To apply for your Visa you will need to gather the following documents:

1. National Visa Application form duly filled in and signed by the applicant.

2. Two recent colour photos with white background, 3.5cm x 4.5cm.

3. Original passport valid for at least 1 year from submission of application and photocopy of biographic page.

4. Proof of admission in an authorized educational establishment in Spain, for the completion of a complete program, leading to a degree or certificate of studies. Proof of having paid the full tuition and document specifying the subjects of study and number of learning time hours per week (at least 20).

6. Proof of financial means for accommodation and living costs (€564,90 per month in 2021- subject to change in 2022).

5. Health insurance covering the time of stay in Spain. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is accepted as medical insurance for all the student visas. Travel insurance is not accepted.

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-de-estudios.aspx

How to Apply

You can apply for your Visa at your nearest Consulate in the UK. These locations are Edinburgh, Manchester and London.

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/Paginas/index.aspx

A Long-term Student visa allows you to study or train or take part in exchange or work as an unpaid intern for over 3 months. EU and Swiss citizens do not need a visa to reside for more than 3 months. However, you will need to register with the local principal for a NIE.

Gather Your Documents

To apply for your Long- Term Student Visa you will need to gather the following documents:

1. National Visa Application form duly filled in and signed by the applicant.

2. Two recent colour photos with white background, 3.5cm x 4.5cm.

3. Original passport valid for at least 1 year from submission of application and photocopy of biographic page.

4. Proof of admission in an authorized educational establishment in Spain, for the completion of a complete program, leading to a degree or certificate of studies. Proof of having paid the full tuition and document specifying the subjects of study and number of learning time hours per week (at least 20).

5. Health insurance covering the time of stay in Spain. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is accepted as medical insurance for all the student visas. Travel insurance is not accepted.

6. Proof of financial means for accommodation and living costs (€564,90 per month in 2021- subject to change in 2022).

In addition to points 1-6, the following documents are also required:

7. Police Clearance from countries of residence for the last 5 years (For UK Criminal Records submit ACRO Certificate). Must be legalized by means of a Hague Apostille and translated into Spanish 

8. Medical certificate: The applicant must be accredited to not suffer from any diseases that can have serious public health consequences in accordance with the provisions of the International Health Regulations 2005. Must be legalized by means of a Hague Apostille and translated into Spanish 

Depending upon their nationality, Students who wish to work in Spain for 90 days or less can do so without the need for a visa. To determine if you can travel to Spain without a visa please see the list of non visa required countries on the Spanish Consulate website (Annex 1).

• For study programs or traineeship (prácticas) for a period up to 90 days, British nationals do not need to apply for a visa. If student’s nationality requires a Schengen visa, he or she must apply for a Schengen Tourism Visa through the BLS International Visa Management Agency.

Source: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/Manchester/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-de-estudios.aspx

Before you can apply for your Internship Visa, you will need to receive your Residence Authorization. Both paid and unpaid placements will require a Residence Authorization regardless of the duration of stay.

Only your host company can request your Residence Authorization which gives you permission to work in Spain. Once your employer has your authorization, you must then arrange a Visa Appointment at your closest Visa Consulate.

Further information about the Residence Authorization can be found here. 

Gather Your Documents

To apply for your Internship Visa you will need to gather the following documents:

• Two visa application forms
• Two identical photos
• Valid passport
• A copy of passport’s biometric data
• Previous passports
• Proof of residency
• Roundtrip reservation or itinerary
• Travel medical insurance
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of academic qualifications
• Proof of financial means
• Letter of Employment

How to apply?

You can apply for your Visa at your nearest Consulate in the UK. These locations are Edinburgh, Manchester and London.

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/Paginas/index.aspx

Students will need to apply for an Internship Visa to work more than 6 months in Spain. 

Internships can be both Paid and Unpaid and British Students conducting an internship for a duration of up to and not exceeding 90 days do not need an Internship Visa.

Before you can receive you apply for your Internship Visa, you will need to receive your Residence Authorization.

Only your host company can request your Residence Authorization which gives you permission to work in Spain. Once your employer has your authorization, you must then arrange a Visa Appointment at your closest Visa Consulate.

Further information about the Residence Authorization can be found here. 

Whilst the Edinburgh Consulate have confirmed Students needing a Visa will need to apply for an Internship Visa – other Consulates (London and Manchester) may issue a Student Visa rather than an Internship Visa.

Newcastle University highly encourage Students to contact their local Consulate/Embassy to check Visa requirements as it cannot be assumed that the same Visa will be issued at all the same country Consulates/Embassy. 

Gather Your Documents

1. National visa form complete, dated and signed. It can be downloaded free of charge on the website: http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/LONDRES/en/Consulado/Documents/Solicitud%20nacional%20ES.pdf

2. Recent passport photograph with white background. Information on the requirements to be met by photographs can be found in the ICAO document.

This Consulate does not accept digital retouching on identity photographs.

3. Valid passport or travel document, recognised as valid in Spain. It must have a minimum validity of one year and at least two blank pages. (Photocopy of biographic page and all the pages containing information (stamps, visas, annotations).

4. Valid UK residence permit and photocopy. Only for non-UK Nationals.

5. RESOLUCIÓN DE AUTORIZACIÓN DE RESIDENCIA INICIAL PARA PRÁCTICAS.

6. Certificate of criminal record issued by the country or countries where the applicant has resided within the five years preceding the date of the visa application. It cannot be older than 3 months, unless the certificate itself specifies a longer expiration.

For UK Criminal Records submit ACRO Certificate. You can apply for an ACRO on the Acro Website at https://www.acro.police.uk/.

These certificates must be legalised through the consular representations of the issuing country or, in the case of signatory countries to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, hold the Hague Apostille, except official documents issued by a Member State of the European Union, which will not require to be legalised.

Sworn translation into Spanish is also required.

7. Pay the relevant visa fee at the Consulate on the day your application is accepted.

How to apply?

You can apply for your Visa at your nearest Consulate in the UK. These locations are Edinburgh, Manchester and London.

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/Paginas/index.aspx

Visa Appointment Guidance

Appointment Requests

All appointment must be booked by an appointment at the London Consulate please send an email to the address cog.londres.viscp@maec.es. Alternatively, you can also book at the Manchester and Edinburgh Consulate to by email. In the SUBJECT field of the email, you must specify the type of residence visa you wish to apply for. The text of the message must state:

• Given name and surname
• Passport number
• Email address
• Phone number
• Place of residence in the UK
• Type of residence visa you wish to apply for

Please attach to your e-mail the authorization for residence and internship issued in Spain by the competent authority. (If applicable)

Once your document had been verified by our staff, you will receive an e-mail with a username and password to complete the process.

Once you receive the confirmation e-mail with your password you could choose the date and time of your appointment and modify or cancel if needed. The Consulate cannot book another appointment or modify the dates in case of cancellation.

The consular office in addition to the required documentation, reserves the right to request additional documentation or the personal appearance of the applicant without this implying the approval of the visa. If your application is refused, you will not be refunded the fee you paid at the time of your application.

Students wishing to complete a full year abroad will need to apply for a Study Visa if going for over 90 days and/ or an Internship Visa (+ Residence Authorization) to cover for the period of work in Spain completed by British Non-EU/EEA students for over 90 days.

Whilst the guidance suggests that London & Manchester Consulate issue Student Visas to cover a full Year Abroad, Edinburgh may ask their Students to apply for a Student Visa and an Internship Visa. Students should always check with the nearest Consulate for their advice regarding their Visa plans.

Spain

Language Assistants in Spain are considered participants of a grant funded mobility programme and receive a monthly stipend, rather than a paid salary with contract of employment.

Language Assistants going to Spain who do not have a current EU passport or valid Spanish residency paperwork will have to apply for a long stay student visa/ visado de estudios .

Students who received a contract of ”nombramiento” please contact your local consulate.

It is important to distinguish the purpose of your visit as you need to specify this for your Residence Permit.

As a general rule if you receieve the “Program´s admission letter issued by the corresponding Ministry of Education or Education Council”, (normally called “nombramiento”) you will need to apply for the Student Visa, otherwise, otherwise you will need to apply for a be a Working Visa.

Applications for the visa will be made through the Spanish Consular offices in the UK.

Source: Teach English as a Language Assistant in Spain | British Council