Foreign nationals who receive authorization to remain in Spain for periods longer than 90 days and whose sole or main purpose is to carry out any of the following non-working activities must apply for a visa (before travelling to Spain) and then, upon arrival in Spain, request a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE). These activities include:

• Completion or extension of education at an authorised educational centre in Spain, in a full-time programme leading to the award of a degree or certificate of studies.
• Carrying out research or training activities, without prejudice to the special regulations applicable to researchers.
• Participation in a student mobility programme to undertake secondary education and/or baccalaureate studies at an officially recognised educational or scientific institution.
• Carrying out non-working internships at a public or private organisation or officially recognised vocational training centre, within the framework of an agreement established for that purpose.
• Participation in a volunteer programme pursuing objectives of general interest.

A visa is applied for exclusively at the Embassy of Spain or a diplomatic mission in the applicant’s country of residence. Interested students must be aware of the time required for obtaining said visa in order to receive it on time, before beginning the trip.

Required documentation for applying for a visa includes:

• Visa application form, duly completed with capital letters (available at the embassy or consulate).
• Four recent passport-size photographs, adhered to each of form’s four pages.
• A passport that is valid for a minimum of 120 days (original and 1 photocopy of its first three pages, along with the page that shows that it has been renewed, if necessary).
• Documentation (original and one photocopy) that accredits compliance with the following requirements:
  • Having been formally admitted and pre-registered as a student or investigator at a public or private center or establishment, authorized and/or recognized by the relevant authorities, wherein you must study or carry out your research as a main activity, with a schedule that entails attendance and for a period of not less than 3 months, in accordance with an approved curriculum or research plan.
  • Possess guaranteed economic means necessary for covering the costs of your education, as well as expenses during the stay and return home to the country of origin (through savings, credit, support from parents or tutors, etc., accredited by bank statements, fixed-term deposits, payroll receipts, etc.), or the grant nomination letter that shows the economic conditions of the grant obtained.
  • Have medical insurance.
  • Medical certificate by a professional authorized by either the embassy or consulate.
  • Certificate of criminal record that states that the student has no criminal record.

We recommended checking this list with the corresponding Embassy of Spain in case changes are made to the documents that must be submitted.

Documentation to present at the Oficina de Extranjería de Alicante includes:

• Official application form for stay in Spain, available (256Kb Spanish .pdf).
• Photocopy of passport.
• Photocopy of student visa (type D).
• Program enrollment letter (provided by the Centro Superior de Idiomas, Sócrates, faculty, or CEDIP “Centro de Estudios de Doctorado y Posgrado”).
• Guarantee of economic means: bank statements, photocopy of credit card, traveler’s checks, letter from parents presented at the consulate, grant nomination letter.
• Two color photographs against a white background.
• Healthcare guarantees, copy of insurance card.

The Oficina de Extranjería de Alicante will issue one card for the period of the course/program. If afterwards you continue with your studies for an additional period, you must renew the Foreigner Identity Card for studying by providing proof that you have passed the preceding course/program and show the registration or enrollment for the subsequent course.