Every year, young people and professionals from Latin America choose Spain to pursue a bachelor's degree, master's, or doctorate. For many of them, the degree is the means to an end, with the ultimate goal of building a professional career in Europe. "We don't manage enrollments; we build life projects in Spain. That's why we start by asking what the student wants to do when they finish, and from there we choose the program and the institution," explains Maria Gonçalves, Estuvisa's Coordinator.
From the educational institution to the consulate
The first step is admission to a valid institution and program to obtain the Study Stay Authorization. Not just any course will do: the training must be full-time and, in the case of language courses, must be taught in accredited centers. Estuvisaworks with partner institutions where it offers an Admission Guarantee, ensuring that the student begins the visa process with a secured place.
With admission, the student applies for the visa at the Spanish consulate in their country. Regulations stipulate that the application must be submitted between two and three months before the start of studies, and the maximum resolution period will depend on the consulate and the time of year, but it can be around six weeks. "The legal deadline is a reference; what makes the difference is submitting a complete and well-prepared file from the beginning," notes Gonçalves.
Requirements include proving sufficient financial means at the time of application, calculated based on the IPREM (public income indicator), and having comprehensive health insurance, equivalent to the public system, with no co-payments or waiting periods. Travel insurance is not valid.
Can you work while studying?
This is one of the most frequent questions. Students pursuing higher education (vocational training, bachelor's degrees, official or non-official master's degrees, or doctorates) can work up to 30 hours per week, provided the employment is compatible with their studies. For other types of studies, such as language courses, this right is not automatic and requires specific authorization.
"We need to be clear from the start: coming to study is not coming to work, and not all programs grant the same rights. Choosing the right type of study completely changes the student's possibilities," points out Maria Gonçalves.
What happens after finishing studies?
A study stay is not a residency permit, and as a general rule, time spent in Spain as a student does not count towards nationality. Upon completion, there are two main ways to remain legally:
Modification of stay to residency and work, which requires a job offer and a specific procedure, without needing to leave Spain.
Residency for job seeking, reserved for those who have completed official higher education, which allows them to stay in Spain for a limited time while looking for work.
With the modification to residency, the period of legal residence begins to count, marking the starting point of a long-term project in Spain.
End-to-end support
Estuvisa's service covers the selection of the institution and program, preparation of the visa application, guidance on accommodation through verified portals, and the first steps upon arrival, such as registering with the local authorities (empadronamiento) and applying for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).
About Estuvisa
Estuvisa is a firm specializing in assisting students from Latin America who wish to study in Spain, from the choice of institution and Admission Guarantee to the modification of stay to residency upon completion of their studies. More information about study visas for Spain with Estuvisa on their website, where you can schedule a consultation.
