You’ve come to Spain to study Spanish and now you want to renew your Spanish visa? We’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll explain what you need to do to renew your student visa.
Beautiful cities, amazing cuisine, and friendly locals make Spain one of the most popular countries for international students. That’s why it’s no surprise that once you’re here, you don’t want to leave!
As you’ve already gone through the process to apply for a Spanish student visa, you have an idea of how bureaucracy in Spain works. The process to renew your visa can take several months but the good news is that it’s usually simpler than your first application.
Who can get their Spanish student visa extended?
To renew your Spanish student visa, you need to meet the following requirements:
- You’re a non-EU citizen (or more specifically: living outside the Schengen area)
- Have no criminal records in Spain
- Have student visa (code SSU or SLU)
- You have passed all your courses or need to continue your studies
- You’re not going to switch to another course or program of study
It’s important to note that the student visa is tied to your studies, so to qualify for a renewal, you must continue with the same type of studies. This means that you can’t switch to another program of study which is not related to your initial student visa studies. In that case, you would have to apply for a new Spain student visa.
Can I renew my Spanish student visa while I’m in Spain?
Yes! In fact, it is normally the case that the renewal of the visa takes place while you are in Spain. Further on we explain the steps to take to renew your student visa in Spain.
When should I apply to renew my student visa?
You can apply to extend your Spanish student visa from 60 days before your visa expires and up to 90 days after the expiration date.
After you apply for your visa extension, you’ll receive a document that proves that you have applied for a renewal. Until you have the visa renewal confirmed, this document allows you to legally stay in Spain (even though your visa is already expired).
How long will I have to wait to receive an answer to my extension?
It depends but it usually takes between 1 and 3 months from the day you apply for the renewal.
How to renew my Spanish student visa?
Now, let’s have a look at the process and requirements to renew your Spanish student visa. The process can be split into 3 different steps:
1) Apply for the visa renewal
First, you need to make an appointment with the Extranjería office in the city where you are studying. When you go to the appointment, you need the following documents:
- Application form EX-00
- Around 18€ for the processing fee (tasa in Spanish)
- Passport and copies of all the pages
- Original Student visa (TIE card) and copy
- Letter of completion from the school you are currently studying
- Letter of acceptance for your new Spanish course at Linguaschools. All courses with an intensity of 20 lessons per week or more are eligible. So any intensive Spanish course or University Pathway course. You can make the reservation here.
- Proof of funds (at least 600€ per month of stay in Spain, read more)
- Poof of housing (recent Empadronamiento, not older than 90 days)
- Medical insurance during your stay (read here all you need to know about this special health insurance)
If everything goes well, you’ll get the form EX-00 stamped and you’ll have to wait between 1 and 3 months for an answer. Extranjería will reply to your application (called Resolución de Solicitud) via an official letter so make sure you provide an address where you will be able to receive mail.
2) Resolución de Solicitud
The Resolución de Solicitud is the official answer of the Spanish Government to your application to renew your student visa. Once you receive the letter, you need to make an appointment and go back to the Extranjería office with the following documents:
- Passport and copies of all the pages
- Resolución de Solicitud and copy
- The stamped form EX-00 from the application and a copy
- 3 passport-sized photos
- Processing fee (tasa). This tasa is different from the previous one
After you present all the documents, you will receive an official document that confirms that your Spanish student visa has been renewed. However, that’s not an official visa. For that, you’ll have to wait for one more month.
3) Pick up your Spanish student visa
Now it’s time time to pick up your new student visa. Go to the Extranjería office once again (you don’t need an appointment this time) and take with you:
- Passport
- Renewal document they gave you after your second visit
- Student visa card (TIE)
That’s it! You have just renewed your Spanish student visa! As you see, the process isn’t complicated but it takes some time so be patient.
Finally, keep in mind that we’ve described the standard process. However, different Extranjería offices may ask you for different or extra documents so be prepared. We know that the process to extend your student visa can be confusing, especially if you don’t speak Spanish. So, feel free to contact us to help you with the process or have a look at some of the best English speaking immigration lawyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I renew my Spanish Residence Permit or NIE?
- Can I stay in Spain after my student visa expires?
- Can I renew my student visa before it expires?
- Do I need to go back to my home country to renew my Spanish student visa?
- How long does a Spanish student visa last?
- How much does it cost to renew my student visa?
- For how long can I extend/renew my Spanish student visa/NIE?
How do I renew my Spanish Residence Permit or NIE?
The Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) or Foreigner’s Identification Number is the identification and tax number that foreigners must have in Spain. Once you get your NIE, the number doesn’t change. However, you might need to renew your Tarjeta de Identificación para Extranjeros (TIE) or Foreigner Identity Card.
To renew your TIE, you’ll need a series of documents as explained here. For a TIE renewal in addition you should also bring:
- Current TIE. You can apply up to 60 days before it expires and up to 90 days after the expiration date
- Proof of no criminal records in Spain
Depending on the type of visa you have, you may need some extra documents. We always recommend you check exactly what you need before going to the appointment.
Can I stay in Spain after my student visa expires?
It depends. If you’re from a country that doesn’t require a visa to come to Spain as a tourist, you can stay for up to 90 days in Spain (or the whole Schengen area) after your visa or your TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) expires. To do it all legally, make sure that you contact the immigration police to have your Visa stamped before the end of your study visa.
Can I renew my student visa before it expires?
Yes! You can apply to renew your Spanish student visa up to 60 days before your visa expires. In some cases, you can also apply up to 90 days after the expiration date.
After applying for your extension, the Extranjería office will give you a document that allows you to legally stay in Spain while your application is being reviewed.
Do I need to go back to my home country to renew my Spanish student visa?
No! You can renew your student visa while you’re in Spain regardless of where you’re from.
How long does a Spanish student visa last?
It depends. Your Spanish student visa will be granted for the duration of your course. So, if you’re taking a 6-month course, your visa will last 6 months. If, on the other hand, you’ve enrolled in a 1-year master, you will be granted a one year visa.
How much does it cost to renew my student visa?
To apply for the extension, you’ll need to pay around 18€ for the processing fee. If your renewal is approved and you receive the Resolución de Solicitud, you’ll need to pay another fee to process the new visa.
For how long can I extend my Spanish student visa/TIE?
You can extend the type D (180+ days) student visa (TIE card) only with a minimum of 180+ days (6 months).
Other relevant articles
- Do I need any visa to study Spanish in Spain?
- How to get a Spanish study visa for non-EU citizens? (applying from abroad)
- How to apply for a student visa while in Spain?
- How to renew a Spanish student visa?
- Medical insurance for Spanish student visa – all you need to know
- What is the NIE and how do I get it?
- What is the TIE and how to get it?
- Can I work in Spain with a student visa?
- How to apply to a university in Spain for international students
- Find the best English speaking lawyers in Spain
The Linguaschools complete and comprehensive guide to Spanish paperwork.
DISCLAIMER: We have gathered information to our best knowledge, from our experience, using different (official) sources. Regulations change and interpretations may vary per country or region, but also between public office or staff. No rights can be derived from any of our articles. The content is merely a guide and we recommend you to check information with official sources before and during the process.
