Applying for a student visa in Murcia, Spain
The following information is designed to assist students and education abroad advisers as they guide their students to obtain a student visa to study Spanish in Murcia. Please note that students and advisers should confirm specific procedures with each relevant consulate. We are just offering general information here.
Our school is accredited by Instituto Cervantes. This accreditation is essential for you to be able to apply for a long-term study visa. You must be admitted to an authorized educational center for a full-time Spanish programme and receive an end of course certification.
Do I need a student visa?
Student visas are required for those people from outside Schengen territory whose time of study in Spain exceeds 90 days. If your time of study is less than 90 days, you will not be required to obtain a visa for your stay in Spain.
What are the most common requirements to obtain a student visa in Spain?
The most common requirements to obtain a student visa in Spain include:
- Valid passport: the applicant must have a valid and current passport.
- Letter of admission from an accredited educational institution: a letter of acceptance from an accredited university or school in Spain must be provided. Instituto Hispánico de Murcia is an accredited school by the Instituto Cervantes.
- Proof of sufficient funds: it must be demonstrated that there are sufficient funds to cover the costs of tuition and living expenses during the period of stay in Spain.
- Medical insurance: medical insurance that provides coverage during the period of stay in Spain is required.
- Certificate of criminal record: a criminal record certificate from the applicant’s country of origin must be provided.
- Proof of fee payment: a visa application fee must be paid when submitting the visa application.
- Proof of accommodation: proof of accommodation during the period of stay in Spain must be provided.
It is important to note that requirements may vary depending on the applicant’s country of origin and the duration and type of study programme. In addition, other additional documents may be required depending on the individual circumstances of each applicant.
Will I receive a confirmation letter certifying that I am enrolled in a Spanish language course at Instituto Hispánico de Murcia to apply for my visa?
Of course! We will issue this document at zero cost, but if you need another document with new information or corrections, it will cost €50.
Instituto Hispánico requires those who need a confirmation letter for visa application to pay 100% of the course price. Upon receiving the payment, a confirmation document of your admission to the school will be issued.
This document states that your application has been successful, as well as the number of hours you will study per week, levels and communicative objectives, and the start and end dates of your course.
Depending on what the consulate requires, we can either send this document as PDF via e-mail, as fax or by post (mail cost not included).
What is the process for applying for a student visa?
While most student visa requirements are similar from consulate to consulate, students must check their consulate’s website for the exact requirements.
What is the cost of a visa?
A visa fee of around €60 is payable to the Spanish Consulate. This fee is non-refundable and will not be refunded if the visa application is not successful.
How long does a student visa take and when should I apply?
Since students can apply for a visa up to three months before their departure date, we recommend applying for a visa as soon as they can, without exceeding the three-month rule.
The websites of the Spanish Consulates state that processing a student visa could take up from 15 days to 1 month.
Will consulates make exceptions and allow for emergency applications if I am leaving sooner that than the standard processing time?
Unfortunately, Spanish Consulates do not offer a rush processing service at this time. Therefore, we encourage all students to apply as soon as they can, without exceeding the three-month rule.
How can I get an earlier appointment?
It is recommended that students first sign up for the earliest possible open appointment. Students may regularly check the consulate’s website for cancellations. When there is a cancellation, an earlier appointment time will become available.
It is important that students check the website multiple times per day because the openings will be claimed quickly by others seeking to advance their appointments. After the appointment with the consulate, there is a 15 days to 1 month processing time before the student will receive the visa.
Can I extend my visa for a longer Spanish language course, for example?
Fortunately, at this time, students going to Spain can extend or change their visas once they’re abroad. So, the student doesn’t have to go back to their home country (although they can go to another country outside the Schengen area) and renew their visa.
Having said that, always check your consulate. In general, and depending on the Consulate, students may submit a visa application from abroad to the appropriate Consulate.
However, in some cases, students may be required to appear in person in order to retrieve their visas. Please always contact your Consulate for more information.
If I am having a problem obtaining my visa, what should I do?
Whenever the diplomatic missions and consular offices decide to refuse a visa, the applicant must be always notified. However, they are under no obligation to provide reasons for the refusal, except in the case of visas for family reunification or for work for third parties.
You may appeal the refusal of a visa either by means of a request for reconsideration from the same diplomatic mission or consular office with one month, or by requesting a judicial review before the Supreme Court in Madrid.
What if I pay for the course and/or accommodation and my visa request is denied?
In the event of a visa application denial, Instituto Hispánico de Murcia will issue a 100% refund of your payment, excluding €295 designated for administrative and management expenses (taxes not included), contingent upon the submission of the visa application denial letter. This condition applies from October 1, 2023, for fully completed registrations. The money will be refunded within 15 business days via bank transfer.
In the case of a reservation for a shared apartment or host family, 75% will be also reimbursed.
Please also note that IH Murcia does not bear any costs related to money transfers and exchange rate movements as a result of which the relevant banking costs would be deducted from the refundable amount.
What are the most common reasons for denial of a student visa to study in Spain?
The most common reasons for denial of a student visa to study in Spain include:
- Lack of documentation: if an applicant does not provide all the necessary documentation, their application is likely to be denied.
- Insufficient funds: it is necessary to demonstrate that sufficient funds are available to cover the costs of tuition and living expenses during the period of stay in Spain.
- Lack of motivation: applicants must demonstrate a clear motivation for studying in Spain and have adequately researched the programs and universities they wish to apply to.
- Failure to meet entry requirements: if an applicant has previously violated immigration laws or has been deported from a country, they are likely to be denied the visa.
- Issues with the educational institution: if the educational institution to which one has applied is not properly accredited or does not meet the necessary requirements, the visa is likely to be denied. This will not apply as our school is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes.
- Issues with the application: if the visa application contains false or misleading information, it is likely to be denied.
It is important to note that each application is evaluated on an individual basis and there may be other specific reasons for the denial of a student visa in Spain.
More detailed information in our booking general conditions.
