Spain is considered one of the most sought-after study destinations for students who want to study abroad. A large variety of universities and programs are available in many regions of Spain.

This constantly attracts students from around the world. However non-EU students need to apply for a Spain student visa, for which there are some pre-requisites and preparation required.

A Spain student visa issued from your home country is valid only for 3 months. This visa can be extended for the duration of your studies once you are in Spain.

This article gives you an overview of all the kinds of questions asked during a Spain visa interview process. It includes information about the documentation required and how to prepare in advance for the day of the interview.

Once you have received an application from a university in Spain, the next step will be the visa application. It is important that you receive an acceptance letter from your university as a hard copy and not just in the mail. As this will be required to present during the interview. Contact your nearest Spanish consulate or embassy.

The student visa, that a student applies to stay for more than 3 or 6 months is the Student Type-D visa.

It is important that you send out the application well on time before your arrival in Spain. Make sure to get an appointment at least 1 to 3 months before the travel date and carry with you certain documents that can be issued from your home country.

Below are some of the main required documents:

• University Admission Letter
• Criminal record from your country or from where you have resided.
• Proof of financial means for the duration of your studies.
• Accommodation Guarantee Letter
• Healthcare Insurance issued from a Spanish Company

Spain Student Visa Interview questions

Why Did You Choose Spain?

Though you have spoken about this during your admission process in the university. It is important for them understand why you chose Spain and how the decision will impact your future career/plans. Convincing them that you find opportunities in Spain that you couldn’t find in your home country is an appropriate and legitimate way of answering.

Why Have You Chosen This Course?

The visa officer or the interviewer wants to understand your personality types and whether your decision aligns with your future plans. All the research that you have done before applying for a course, will interest the interviewer the most. Describe your likes and interests, and relate it to the chosen course.

Why Did You Choose This Particular University?

Among all universities in Spain, make a clear explanation of why you choose this particular university. The explanation you gave your university and while writing your SOP, is exactly the answer that you need to give for this particular question. You can mention about the courses that the university is offering you in your field and how you can build your career, by taking this course in this university.  Mention the research done and your findings about the university.

How Are You Planning to Finance Your Studies?

This is one of the important questions that will be asked, to gain confidence that your stay in Spain is taken care of , and you don’t face any difficulties while in Spain. It is required to show in your bank account , the living costs for the duration of your stay. For example : If you have a loan or financial aid you will be required to submit the supporting documents. In cases, like your parents are covering your expenses, you will need to provide the officer with their bank details.

What Are Your Plans After Finishing Your Studies?

This is an equally important question to understand your plans after the course is over. You can mention how and why you will extend your stay in case you are planning to stay back. This question will be evaluated for its truthfulness and whether it is in line with your future goals. Based on your visa policy and duration, the officer will also want to know if you will return to your home country.

These are some general questions that might also be asked:

• Where are you staying while in Spain?
• Do you have any family members or friends living in Spain?
• Will you be doing internships while attending your studies?
• Are you married or having any children?

At Barcelona Students, we help you process your study visa permit from Spain and get your situation in order.

However, If you need more information about this procedure, contact our team at hola@barcelonastudents.com.

Check all our legal assistance services, that may be of your interest.

Few tips to write a cover letter

A cover letter for a student or professional should highlight the potential and life experiences that prepared you to be an ideal candidate to start working in a particular field. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have strong work experience, what matters is what skills you possess that aligns with what the organization is looking for. At Barcelona students, we prepare our students for the internships they are looking for and help them with the best guidance when it comes to preparing a cover letter, or resume, and for the interview.

For more information, contact us: hola@barcelonastudents.com

Travelling outside Spain during the TIE process is possible! 

It is that time of the year when you wrap up your projects at school and decide to pack your bags and visit your friends and family across countries. But the post-pandemic situation pops up many questions in your head while planning your itinerary. The authorization to Leave and Come Back to Spain, return permit, or autorización de regreso, could be very useful if you are planning on traveling outside of Spain and you are in the middle of an application process or renewal for your residency.

You may need this information at some point, so we recommend you to keep reading till the end. Consider having a look at these FAQs´ from non-EU students in Spain, planning their travel.

To avoid any possible legal issues when leaving Spain and then coming back, apply for the return permit, and we will get in touch with you.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is based on research and general knowledge as of the publication date. Visa regulations and requirements may change, so it’s essential to consult BarcelonaStudents and seek professional advice before applying for the Return Permit.

There are many legal processes that will require you to bring this document. Some of them are:

• Applying for residency
• Buying or selling a car
• Registering a child in school
• Getting married in Spain
• Applying for a local health insurance card
• Receiving some subsidies or government benefits

However, among all the most important ones for a student in Spain: To Apply for the NIE / TIE (Foreign Identification Number and card).

In order to get your NIE / TIE you will first need the empadronamiento or padrón. But for that you need to make sure when renting a place, the person who owns the property or the leasehold gives you the rental agreement contract.

NOT all places you rent in Barcelona will provide you with this document, so its necessary that you ask for this document, before moving in.

You will be required to book an appointment with your local town hall and present all the necessary documents which include:

• A completed application form.
• Identification (passport and a photocopy).
• Proof of address (utility bill, rental contract agreement or copies of the property title deeds).

Any change must be reported. If you are moving within the same municipality,  you must fill out a form called “change of address sheet within the same municipality”.  However, if it is in a different one you must repeat the same process you did the first time but in the new municipality.

If you have not moved your place you must renew your empadronamiento, nonetheless, it will be cancelled. For Non-EU students every two years and for EU citizens every five years.

At Barcelona Students, we help you get a Padrón, without any hassles. We understand that you are a student in a new country and getting assistance when it comes to legal procedures, will go a long way while you settle down in Barcelona.

If you have booked any of our housing plans, the census registration or padrón is already included.

Our recommendations to rent a place in Barcelona. You will be better prepared to choose what is about to become your new home.

Firstly, each neighborhood in Barcelona has a very distinct vibe and a different cultural element to it. Barcelona has a number of neighborhoods to choose from, and there is a neighborhood for everyone.  It all depends on your needs, for instance as an international student,  some neighborhoods have more benefits than others.

Based on the experiences of previous international students, we give you some recommendations of neighborhoods for students.

The Eixample district is the centre of Barcelona with easy access to any other neighborhood. You will find a wide variety of restaurants and bars suited for students, modern architecture, and great shopping sites.

On one hand, it is extremely easy to get to any neighborhood with a shorter metro or bus ride. On the other hand, it has a lot of well-known shops that will make it feel like home.

Highly recommended if you’re looking forward to seeing all the neighborhoods in Barcelona and have a need for easy transportation services.

How to obtain a Spanish Residence Permit for students?

This is one of the most common questions asked among the thousands of students that come to Barcelona. It is only normal they want to stay, Barcelona is a nice place to actually live. Because all of that we considered it appropriate to write about the Spanish Residence Permit and all you need to get it if after studying here for a while you are considering staying. 

The only way for a non-EU foreigner to study in Spain was applying for a study visa prior to entering Spain. In other words, the whole application process started in your country of residence before traveling to Spain. 

Nowadays it is possible to request a Spanish Residence Permit for students directly at the government delegation or Sub-delegation of the province in which you are going to study. 

To sum up, you now as a foreign student have two ways to apply for a student permit:

1. Before entering Spain: through the Spanish Consulate in the country of origin.
2. Directly at the competent Immigration Office: once you are in Spain and have provided that it is within the legal period of stay.

Spanish Residence Permit for students

Who should apply for a study visa in Spain?

All foreign citizens who wish to study in Spain for more than 90 days must apply to obtain a visa. 

when should you apply for a student visa in Spain?

You must apply for this visa, during the legal period of stay (90 days from entry into Spain). That is to say before your legal residence in the country expires.The request must be submitted at least one month before the expiration date of this situation.

Where should I file the visa application?

At the government delegation or Sub-delegation of the province in which you are going to study.

How long does it take to give an answer?

The entity in charge of resolving the file and notifying you about the evaluation of your request, has a maximum period of one month.

At Barcelona Students we offer you a legal assistance service to help you get your situation in order. If you want us to present your permit  for a study visa in Spain, contact us at hola@barcelonastudents.com. 

Check all our legal assistance services, that may be of your interest.

Public transportation in Barcelona, if you are new in town this blog will help guide you throughout the city. Barcelona and its metropolitan area have an extensive and complete public transport network. Fast and in a comfortable way, it will allow you to move around the city.

Get to know the different public transportation options in Barcelona, available to you for moving from one place to another. It is easy and convenient to use. 

how to use public transport in Barcelona

How do you get around Barcelona?

With eight metro lines, two train networks, two tram lines, trains, railways and a powerful fleet of buses you will reach any point in the city. NOTE: all travel passes are integrated. This means, you can combine different means for an hour and a half without paying for a new ticket.

If you ever feel disorientated, remember there are four basic points people from Barcelona use to orient themselves. 1. direction sea (east) 2. mountain (west) 3. Besòs (north) 4. Llobregat (south). With that say, here the options you can use:

Ferrocarriles de la Generalitat (FGC)

The city’s railway network has three lines that connect the upper area with the center and that reach the capitals of Vallès, Sabadell and Terrassa, while crossing the Collserola massif.

If you travel with a subscription, you can enjoy the integrated fare system, which allows you to access the different means of transport, such as the metro, train and tram, with the same ticket for an hour and a quarter. 

Moving around Barcelona with a bike

Moving around Barcelona with a bike, 30 years ago would have been challenging, but today is a whole different story. As obvious as it is, many times urban mobility has been and still is an issue in some places. But, did you know the bicycle continues to shine as the most efficient, practical, and reliable solution to urban mobility?

That is right! and if you are living in Barcelona, you should know Barcelona has been working hard to improve its cycling infrastructure, emerging as one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world.

The city  has been recognized as the most bike-friendly city on the Mediterranean in 2015. According to a newly released index of cycling in urban environments, worldwide Barcelona ranked 11th.

Last year however, Barcelona ranked 13th. But despite a slip in this year’s ranking, it continues to serve as a model of urban mobility innovation. It has been into the top 20 for an eighth year in a row ¡olé!

Truth is cycling in Barcelona is getting better year on year. It has built infrastructure and expanding bike facilities as well as a safe environment for bikers. In short, Barcelona is turning biking it into an everyday mode of transportation while improving urban livability.

Get a bike and start pedaling throughout Barcelona, and enjoy the ride. You will get to meet a whole different Barcelona, and you are just going to love it. Just keep in mind that a bike is still another vehicle, and you must circulate with caution respecting traffic regulations. If you are interested on knowing more information about lanes for cycling in Barcelona, click the link.

Charming villages near Barcelona are plentiful and within easy reach of the city. Perfect for a getaway within two hours and a half from the city. You will be able to breathe pure air and recharge the batteries before returning to reality. Because sometimes it is nice to go elsewhere for a change, visit places near by sounds like a great idea!

Are you ready to explore some charming villages near Barcelona?

We have listed a few places from Catalonia, considered one of the best. All of the places are really close from each other, if you have the chance, take the advantage and get to know them.  we hope you enjoy it.

The Barcelona of Gaudí

The Barcelona of Gaudi, the city that became home to most of his great works. He moved to Barcelona at the age of 17, and studied architecture here.

We find it really difficult not to have read or heard of him when you plan to come to Barcelona. The question is, who is Antoni Gaudí and why is he so famous?

Antoní Gaudí

Gaudí was an incredibly talented Catalan architect, internationally recognized as one of the most prodigious experts in his discipline.

Starting as part of the Catalan Modernism movement, he soon became the greatest exponent. “His exceptional ground-breaking genius made him the inventor of a unique, personal and incomparable architectural language that defies classification”.

With his own style and instinct, Gaudí managed to stand out from the crowd:

Gaudí was an incredibly talented Catalan architect, internationally recognized as one of the most prodigious experts in his discipline.

Starting as part of the Catalan Modernism movement, he soon became it’s greatest exponent.

“His exceptional ground-breaking genius made him the inventor of a unique, personal and incomparable architectural language that defies classification”.

• Influenced by his passions in life: architecture, nature, and religion.
• He preferred the organic curves of nature to straight man-made lines. As a result, Gaudí rarely used straight lines in any of his works.
• Creator of a type of structure known as equilibrated. To sum up, this allowed buildings to stand on its own without internal support (as a tree stands). You can appreciate this system in two of his great works: the Casa Batlló (1904–1906) and the Casa Milà (1905–1910).
•  In addition, he integrated crafts as ceramics, stained glass, wrought ironwork forging, and carpentry in his designs.
• He introduced into his architecture new techniques such as trencadis.
• It took him 40 years of his life to build the Sagrada Familia, which to this day remains unfinished.
• 8 of Gaudí’s works have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.