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Students from outside the European Union (non-EU) - Basic information

If you are from outside the European Union and you want to study in Spain, either on your own or through one of the many available grants (exchange programmes, undergraduate and postgraduate studies, master's degrees, doctoral programmes, etc.), you must obtain a Type D student visa (Visado D Estudiante) before leaving your country. You can apply for a visa through your nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate.

Without the visa you cannot obtain the Student Residence Card you need to be a legal Spanish resident.

You should check how much time you will spend in Spain, since there is a Type D visa limited to only 180 days (Visado D Estudios hasta 180 días), and under no circumstances may you renew this visa once you are in Spain or apply for a Student Residence Card with a limited type visa. If you are planning to stay more than six months, you will need to obtain a Type D student visa (“open”) before leaving your country.

Important: A visa can never be changed in Spain. The only visa valid is the one obtained from the Spanish Embassy or Consulate before coming to Spain. Only those with a Type D student visa (“open”) will be allowed to obtain a Student Residence Card once they arrive to Spain.

The Student Residence Authorization (Autorización de Estancia por Estudios ) is a temporary permit that remains valid while you are studying in Spain. This permit is valid for a maximum of one academic year and can be renewed every year until you finish your studies. Your academic performance will be taken into account when renewing your permit. This document gives you the right to remain legally in the country while you study.

You will have a maximum of 30 days after entering the European Union to begin the process of applying for a Student Residence Authorization. For this, you will need to present your flight ticket (boarding ticket) or the stamp on your passport showing the date in which you entered the European Union.

For more information:
International Welcome Point-IWP
Campus de Bellaterra-Plaça Cívica
Tel. + 34 93 581 22 10
Fax + 34 93 586 80 25
E-mail: international.welcome.point@uab.cat

Office hours:
9:30am to 7pm. - Wednesdays 9:30am to 3pm
July & August 9.30am to 3pm
 

 

 

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