Sheet 3 - Long-term stay authorization to participate in a student mobility program

* The content of this page is for guidance only. Only the provisions of the regulations in force at the time of submission of the application are applicable. 

Last Updated: November 2025

Index of contents 

  • Type of Authorization
  • Basic regulations
  • Requirements
  • Exigible documentation
  • Procedure

TYPE OF AUTHORISATION 

It is an authorization that authorizes to stay in Spain for a period of more than ninety days to participate in a student mobility program within a compulsory and/or post-compulsory secondary education program, equivalent to level 2 or 3 of the International Standard Classification of Education established by UNESCO, in an officially recognized teaching or scientific center.

BASIC REGULATIONS 

  • Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, internships, volunteering, pupil exchange programmes or educational projects and au pair placement.
  • Organic Law 4/2000 of 11 January on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration (articles 25 bis and 33).
  • Royal Decree 1155/2024 of 19 November, approving the Regulations of Organic Law 4/2000 of 11 January on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration (articles 34 to 36 and 52 to 58).

REQUIREMENTS 

  • Not to be a citizen of a State of the European Union, of the European Economic Area or of Switzerland, or a family member of citizens of these countries to which the regime of citizens of the Union applies.
  • Not to be found irregularly in Spanish territory. 
  • Not to appear as rejectable in the territorial space of the countries with which Spain has signed an agreement in this regard.

  • Certify not to suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.

  • To have a health insurance concluded with an insurance company authorized to operate in Spain, with benefits similar to those granted by the basic common portfolio of care services of the National Health System.
  • In the event that the duration of the stay exceeds six months and is older, have no criminal record in Spain and in the countries where he has resided for the last five years, for crimes existing in the Spanish legislation.
  • Have been admitted to a teaching centre registered in the State Register of non-university teaching centres for the completion of compulsory or post-compulsory secondary education studies.
  • Have been admitted as a participant in a student mobility programme in order to pursue a compulsory or post-compulsory secondary education programme.

  • That the organization responsible for the student mobility program or school participating in the educational project is responsible for the student during his stay, in participating in terms of the cost of his studies, as well as the expenses of stay and return to his country, without prejudice to the student being responsible for paying such expenses in advance to the entity or center.

  • Be housed, during their stay, with a family that has been selected by the organization responsible for the student mobility program in which they participate, or in an internship or residence attached or arranged by the aforementioned organization within the framework of the program.
  • Pay the fee for the processing of the procedure.

EXIGIBLE DOCUMENTATION 

Note: in general, copies of the documents must be provided and the originals must be displayed at the time of submitting the application. 

  • National visa application form, in official model, duly completed and signed by the foreign person or his legal representative in case of being a minor.  
  • Full passport in force or travel title, recognized as valid in Spain, with a minimum validity of one year.
  • In the case of students minors, authorization of parents or guardians in which the center, organization, entity and agency responsible for the activity and the period of stay foreseen is recorded.
  • Documentation accrediting the availability of medical insurance.
  • Documentation certifying that you have been admitted as a participant in a student mobility programme in order to follow a compulsory or post-compulsory secondary education programme.
  • Documentation certifying that he/she is admitted to a school registered in the State Register of non-university schools for the completion of compulsory or post-compulsory secondary education.  

  • Documentation proving that the organization responsible for the student mobility program or school participating in the educational project is responsible for the student during his stay, to participate in terms of the cost of his studies, as well as the expenses of stay and return to his country, without prejudice to the fact that the student is responsible for paying such expenses beforehand to the entity or school. To demonstrate this responsibility, the following must be provided:

    • Document containing the designation of a person who takes care of the minor in Spain, who in no case may be the holder of his/her parental authority or guardianship, and who must prove compliance with the following requirements:

      • To be an elderly physical person.

      • Be a Spanish or a citizen of the European Union with residence in Spain, or be a national of a third country with a residence permit in Spain that is valid for more than the expected duration of studies.

      • Carecer de antecedentes penales por delitos de naturaleza sexual, acreditado mediante certificado oficial.

      • Submit a responsible declaration stating that the present procedure is not linked to a current or future adoption or foster care process.

      • Submit a responsible declaration stating your express commitment to take care of the child throughout your stay in Spain.

    • Authorization signed by both parents or, as the case may be, by the person who has exclusive parental authority or guardianship, in which they state: the domicile in Spain where the minor will reside and the complete identification and contact details of the person designated to take charge of it.
    • Documentation proving the minor’s family connection (birth certificate or equivalent document) or, where appropriate, documentary proof of guardianship.
  • Documentation certifying that the teaching centre that manages the student mobility programme or the educational project is responsible for the student during his/her stay, in particular as regards the cost of his/her studies, as well as the costs of stay and return to his/her country.
  • Proof of being housed, during your stay, with a family that has been selected by the organization responsible for the student mobility program in which you participate, or in an internship or residence attached or arranged by the aforementioned organization within the framework of the program.
  • If the student is over the age of criminal responsibility and the stay exceeds six months, a criminal record certificate issued by the authorities of the country of origin or the country in which he/she has resided during the last five years.

Important note: when documents are provided from other countries, they must be translated into Spanish or co-official language of the territory where the application is submitted by a sworn translator.

List of sworn translators. 

On the other hand, any foreign public document must be previously legalized by the Consular Office of Spain with jurisdiction in the country in which the document has been issued or, where appropriate, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation except in the case where the document has been apostilled by the competent authority of the issuing country in accordance with the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 and unless the document is exempt from legalization under the International Convention.

Information on translation and legalization of documents. 

PROCEDURE 

  • Sujeto legitimado para presentar la solicitud de visado: la persona estudiante extranjera, personalmente. If it is a minor student, his parents or guardians.

Information sheet on legitimated subjects. 

  • Place of presentation:  
  • In person, in the Spanish Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office in whose demarcation the foreign person resides.  

Address information, telephone numbers and hours of service to the public. 

  • Corresponding fee for issuing the visa: they must be paid at the time of applying for the visa.
  • Period of resolution and issuance of the visa: the maximum period for notifying the resolution is one month from the day following the date of submission of the application to the competent Consular Office for processing. Once this period has elapsed without the Administration having given an express response, it may be understood that the request has been dismissed by administrative silence. The study visa, once granted, must be collected personally within two months of its notification. If the collection is not carried out within the aforementioned period, it will be understood that the interested party has waived the visa granted and the procedure will be filed.
  • The visa granted must be collected within two months of notification. If the collection is not carried out within the aforementioned time limits, it will be understood that the interested party has waived the visa granted and the procedure will be filed.
  • The duration of the stay granted will be equal to that of the mobility programme with the maximum limit of one year.
  • In the event that the stay for studies has a duration greater than six months, the foreign person within one month of entry into Spain, must request, personally, the identity card of a foreigner in the Police Station or competent police services of his place of residence.  

The documentation to be provided in the application for the alien identity card can be consulted at the following link:  

https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/procedimientos/index/categoria/34