There is no government body that licenses study abroad consultants in Spain. Verification is based on the legitimacy of the institutions they work with.
For Official Study Information: Study in Spain (Official Portal by SEPIE)
For Ministry Information: Ministry of Universities
For Language School Accreditation: Instituto Cervantes
Madrid. The relevant government ministries are headquartered in the capital city.
5 to 8 months. The timeline is heavily influenced by the time required for document legalization and translation, as well as the processing time at the Spanish consulate in your home country.
Long-Stay Student Visa (Visado de Estudiante). This 90-day visa allows entry into Spain. Within 30 days of arrival, the student must start the process to obtain their physical residence permit, the TIE (`Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero`).
A student consults with an agent, who assesses their academic background and language skills (Spanish or English). The consultant advises on the best-fit universities or accredited language schools.
This is one of the most critical and time-consuming phases. The consultant must guide the student through the required legalization process for all official documents.
1. The Hague Apostille: Academic transcripts, diplomas, and legal documents (like birth certificates and police clearance) must be authenticated with a Hague Apostille in their country of origin.
2. Sworn Translation (`Traducción Jurada`): After being apostilled, all non-Spanish documents must be translated into Spanish by an official sworn translator recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Standard translations are not accepted.
The consultant submits the application along with all apostilled and translated documents to the university or language school.
Once accepted, the institution issues an official Letter of Acceptance. This document must state the program details, duration, and tuition fees.
The consultant helps the student prepare two vital documents for the visa application:
- Proof of Financial Means: A bank statement or certificate showing the student has access to 100% of the monthly **IPREM** (`Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples`). For 2024, this is approximately €600 per month, totaling at least €7,200 for a one-year stay, plus funds for tuition fees.
- Spanish Health Insurance: A specific private health insurance policy from an insurer authorized to operate in Spain. It must offer full coverage with no co-payments or deductibles.
The student must book an appointment and apply in person for a long-stay student visa at the Spanish Consulate in their country of residence.
Key Visa Documents: National visa application form, passport, Letter of Acceptance, proof of financial means, Spanish health insurance policy, and two crucial legalized/translated documents: a Police Clearance Certificate (from the last 5 years) and a specific Medical Certificate stating the applicant is free of diseases that could have serious public health repercussions.
A personal interview with a consular officer is a standard and mandatory part of the process. The officer will verify the student's intentions and the authenticity of their documents.
The consultant will prepare the student for questions such as:
- Why do you want to study in Spain?
- What do you know about the city and the school you will be attending?
- How will you support yourself financially?
- What are your accommodation plans?
- What are your intentions after completing your studies?
If approved, a 90-day student visa is stamped in the passport. The consultant provides a pre-departure briefing.
The student enters Spain (or the Schengen Area) and their passport is stamped upon entry. This entry stamp is very important.
This is the final and most critical phase. The 90-day visa is just an entry permit; the student's legal residence is the **TIE card**. Within 30 days of arrival, the student must start this process:
1. Register Address (`Empadronamiento`): First, the student must register their address at the local town hall (`Ayuntamiento`) to get a `Certificado de Empadronamiento`.
2. Book a TIE Appointment (`Cita Previa`): The student must book an appointment online for "Toma de Huellas" (fingerprinting) at the local Foreigner's Office or designated Police Station. Appointments are often scarce.
3. Attend the Appointment: The student attends the appointment with their passport, application form (EX-17), proof of appointment, `empadronamiento` certificate, fee payment receipt, and other documents.
4. Collect the TIE: After about 30-45 days, the student returns to the same office to collect their physical TIE card, which is their official residence permit for the duration of their studies.