Are you planning to study in Spain or Portugal? Do you need assistance with your Student Visa?

A significant number of students from the UK plan to study abroad every year.  Spain and Portugal are popular choices with approximately 5,000 students per country planning to study in Europe. Students will need to ensure that they apply for their visas in good time to avoid any unexpected issues occurring in 2022, particularly as Covid 19 is still having a significant effect on the workforce in all countries. 

Now that the UK is a non-EU country there are more criteria to fulfill when applying for a student visa in both Spain and Portugal.  Full information about where to apply may be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Portugal and the Spanish Embassy can provide similar information relating to Spain.

The Covid 19 pandemic has obliged both Spain and Portugal to introduce new requirements to assist in limiting the spread of the pandemic.  Spain has introduced a Health Declaration Form and Portugal also requires evidence of your Covid 19 status details of which can be found on the Government website 

The criteria for a student visa in Portugal is as follows:

• A valid passport (or travel document).
• Letter of Acceptance from your university.
• Evidence of payment of tuition fees. If you are studying on a scholarship you will need to submit a document confirming your scholarship from your university.
• Two recent passport-size photographs which follow the Schengen picture guidelines.
• Portugal student visa application form. The Portuguese Embassy should be able to provide this.
• Evidence of sufficient financial support to sustain during the course of your studies. This can take the form of bank statements, a scholarship, evidence of third party financial aid, or proof of sponsorship.
• Proof you have arranged accommodation in Portugal.  Evidence of university accommodation, a rental agreement or evidence that you are staying with a family member or friend in Portugal.
• A Certificate of Criminal Records.
• Proof of Schengen travel health insurance.
• Once in Portugal you will also require adequate health insure from a private organisation. 
• A resident’s permit is required.

The criteria for Spain is quite similar there is more than one type of student visa for Spain.  An application can be made at the Spanish Embassy. As with Portugal you will require:

• A Valid passport or travel document
• Proof of acceptance at your Spanish university
• Two recent passport size photographs
• A medical certificate
• Evidence of financial support during the time you are planning to study.
• Adequate medical insurance
• Confirmation on where you are intending to live.
• A criminal record certificate.
• A resident’s permit

Student visas are also usually accompanied by the capacity to work for a limited period whilst studying.

Giambrone & Partners’ immigration team has assisted a number of students with their applications for a visa to enable them to study abroad and have an extensive breadth of specialist knowledge relating to immigration.  Our lawyers in the UK offices will liaise with the lawyers in our European offices to facilitate the applications and ensure that there are no omission or breaches in the documentation that would delay or negate the application.

Britain’s exit from the European Union coupled with the effects of the pandemic has placed additional pressure on the immigration services in Spain and Portugal, therefore it is strongly advised that applications for a student visa are made as soon as it is possible to do so.  Should your application stall for any reason or be rejected you may lose the opportunity to study at the European university you plan to attend.  The keen competition for places at overseas universities may mean that it will be that the opportunity could be lost for the foreseeable future.

For more information on student visas for Spain and Portugal please click here