Students from non-EU or EEA countries

• For study stays of less than 90 days: no student permit is required; a tourist visa is sufficient.
• For study stays between 91 and 180 days: a short-term student visa is required.
• For study stays longer than 6 months: a long-term student visa is required.

• You must pre-enrol at a Catalan university: once you receive acceptance from the institution, you can contact the Consulate to apply for your visa.
• You must apply for the “study stay visa” at the Spanish Consulate in your country of residence. It is recommended to submit your visa application well in advance. If you are a minor, your parents or legal guardians must complete this procedure.
• If you enter Spain with a tourist visa and later wish to begin studies, you may apply for a study residence authorisation without needing a prior visa. You must submit your application at least one month before the expiry of your legal stay in Spain.
• Please consult the relevant Consulate on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where you will find all the information on the procedures required before coming to study at a Catalan university.
• Do not forget that all foreign public documents must be previously legalised and, if they are not in Spanish or Catalan, they must be translated into one of these languages.

• Not being subject to an entry ban in Spain.
• Being admitted to a Catalan university to participate in a full-time study programme.
• The academic workload must be 60 credits or at least 20 hours per week.
• Always check with the relevant Consulate or Embassy for the current requirements to apply for your visa.

• Letter of acceptance to study at a Catalan university:
  • Admission to a Catalan university for a full-time study programme.
  • Admission to a research centre.
  • Admission to a student mobility programme.
  • Admission for an unpaid work placement based on the signing of an agreement.
  • An agreement with an organisation in charge of a volunteer programme.
• Proof that you have sufficient resources for your stay.
• Application form duly filled in and signed.
• Proof of payment of the fee for the procedure.
• Current valid passport.
• A recent colour photograph, passport size, with a white background.
• Medical certificate: stating that you are not suffering from a disease specified in the 2005 International Health Regulations.
• Health insurance contracted in Spain or in another country that provides complete health cover.
• You must have a criminal record certificate covering the last five years.
• Details of the place where you will be living while you study..
• If you are under 18 years old you need an authorisation signed by your parents or legal guardians.
• If for any reason your foreigner's identification number (NIE) is not on the visa when you arrive, you must request it, as it is necessary for the fingerprinting process. The NIE is issued by the Immigration Office or the police station in the town where you reside. To request an appointment, you must access the Government's electronic office or contact the police station.

If you have obtained a residence authorisation or permission to stay for more than six months:

1. You have the right and duty to apply for a Foreigner's ID Card (TIE), which confirms that you have been authorised to stay in Spain and proves your legal status.
2. It is a personal and non-transferable document, which has the same validity as the authorisation granted.
3. Even if you have a visa, you must apply for the card and keep it up to date; otherwise there may be penalties.
4. You must apply within one month of entering Spanish territory or from the date on which authorisation was granted.

The TIE is processed at the Immigration Office or at the police station in the town where you reside: to request an appointment, you must contact government offices or use the police station search engine

We recommend you make an appointment as soon as you arrive in Catalonia.

Do not forget that in order to apply for a TIE the following are essential:

1. Student visa.
2. Proof of registration for residence in your municipality.

If you are a non-EU student admitted to another European Union country and you will study or complete part of your studies in Catalonia, you do not need to obtain a visa, but you must apply for a study residence authorisation. This can be submitted before arriving in Catalonia at the consular office in your country of residence abroad, or once you are already in Catalonia, within one month of arrival, at the Foreigners’ Office.

If you are a non-EU undergraduate or master’s student admitted to a multilateral intra-European mobility programme (ERASMUS+), your university will be responsible for notifying the Subdelegation of the Government in Barcelona about your mobility. Therefore, you must inform your university of the date you will start your studies in Catalonia so that they can complete the procedure.