Spain Student visa - Visa process & documents

After you arrive in Spain on a long-term student visa, you need to apply for the Foreigner Identity Card within a month. Treat this as one of your first tasks after landing so it does not slip past the deadline.

A Spanish long-stay student visa is for courses longer than 90 days. The application needs more paperwork than a short-stay visa, including proof of funds and medical insurance, and if your stay exceeds six months you must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card within a month after you arrive.

A non-EU national must have legally lived in Spain with an NIE number for five years before applying for permanent residency. You also need proof of enough financial resources and health insurance that is legal in Spain, and you must hold a qualifying visa type.

To cancel your Spain visa application, submit a formal withdrawal request through the visa application centre or consulate, then retrieve your passport once processing completes. Confirm the Netherlands qualifies as your main destination under Schengen rules before booking a new appointment, since Spain's fee is non-refundable.

Yes, you can apply for a Netherlands study visa starting in February even while holding an active Spain visa, since Spain and the Netherlands evaluate long-term residence permits independently despite both being Schengen members. Your Dutch university sponsors the application through the IND.

Yes for both countries if your program is English-taught. UK universities need IELTS Academic, TOEFL, or Cambridge English, and your visa may need a UKVI approved test since TOEFL is not accepted there. Spain accepts IELTS or TOEFL for admission, and your acceptance letter usually satisfies the visa.