Does Your Course Qualify
for a Spain Student Visa?

To qualify, a course must: be at an accredited institution in Spain, require at least 20 classroom hours per week, be delivered in person (not online), and last more than 90 days. Qualifying types include language programmes at accredited schools, university degrees, vocational FP training, and official professional certification programmes.

Yes — a language course is the most common qualifying course. It must be at an accredited school in Spain, run at least 20 hours per week in person, and last more than 90 days. Short language courses under 90 days do not require a student visa.

No. Online or remote learning does not qualify for the Spain student visa. The student visa requires physical, in-person attendance at an institution in Spain.

Yes. The institution must be officially authorised to provide education in Spain. Always ask your school for proof of their registration (Decreto de autorización) before enrolling if you intend to use the course for a visa application.

No. The 20 hours per week minimum is a hard requirement. Some applicants combine multiple courses at the same institution to reach 20+ hours. If you do this, the enrolment letter must clearly state the total combined weekly hours.

Yes. Spanish Formación Profesional (FP) — vocational training — qualifies for a student visa provided the programme is at an officially authorised institution, is delivered in person, meets the minimum weekly hours, and runs for more than 90 days. FP courses in areas such as design, gastronomy, technology, and health are widely used by international students applying for a student visa in Spain.

A blended course is a grey area. If the majority of instruction is in-person and the in-person component alone meets the 20 hours per week requirement, the consulate may accept it. However, if the in-person element is insufficient to meet the threshold on its own, the course is unlikely to qualify. The enrolment letter must clearly state the in-person hours separately from any online component. Always clarify with your consulate or an immigration specialist before applying.

Yes, but with important caveats. If you change to a course at a different institution, you must notify the immigration authorities (extranjería) and your permit conditions must still be met. Significant changes — such as moving to a different city or changing to a course that no longer meets the visa requirements — may require a new application. Always consult your immigration specialist before making changes to your study arrangements once you are in Spain.

Only if it runs for more than 90 days. A summer school lasting 6–8 weeks falls within the 90-day tourist allowance and does not require a student visa — you can attend as a regular visitor. A summer-style course that runs for 3+ months and meets the 20 hours per week requirement in person would qualify for a student visa. The 90-day threshold is the key dividing line.

Ask your school to provide their Decreto de Autorización — the official authorisation decree issued by the relevant Spanish education authority (the regional government's Consejería de Educación). Reputable schools will provide this immediately. You can also cross-reference the school against the regional education authority's official register of authorised centres. If a school cannot or will not provide its authorisation documentation, do not use it for a visa application.

If you extend your course beyond the period your current visa covers, you will need to apply for a renewal (prórroga de estancia) before your permit expires. If you change course entirely, you should inform the immigration authorities. Staying in Spain on a student visa beyond its expiry without renewal — even if you are still studying — is an overstay and can result in serious immigration consequences. Plan renewals at least 60 days before expiry.

Yes. A formal university exchange programme (such as Erasmus+) at an officially recognised Spanish university qualifies for a student visa, provided the programme is more than 90 days and the in-person study meets the relevant requirements. The accepting Spanish university will typically issue the enrolment letter confirming your place on the exchange programme, which serves as your course acceptance letter for the visa application.