Visas & Immigration: Spain
Programs in Spain Under 90 Days
For most participants — including U.S. citizens — a student visa is not required for programs lasting 90 days or less.
This applies to all Summer programs in Spain.
Please reference the information below for details regarding immigration requirements and other important considerations.
Immigration Requirements Based on Nationality
Immigration policies and restrictions will depend on your nationality (the country that issued your passport book):
Passport |
Immigration Policies and Restrictions |
|---|---|
| USA | If you hold a valid U.S. passport you are allowed to stay in Spain and the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa, under a visitor status. |
| European Union Countries, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland | If you hold a valid passport from an EU country or Schengen member state, you are allowed to stay in Spain or the Schengen Area indefinitely without a visa. To reenter the U.S. after your program, you must travel with appropriate U.S. documentation (e.g., U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card, or long-term U.S. visa) valid for at least three months beyond your return date. |
| All other nationalities | Depending on the country that issued your passport, you may be required to apply for a Schengen Visitor Visa. If you need a Schengen Visitor Visa, email IP-Visas@fsu.edu for guidance. To reenter the U.S. after your program, you must travel with appropriate U.S. documentation (e.g. Permanent Resident Card, or long-term U.S. visa) valid for at least three months beyond your return date. |
Passport Validity
- Your passport must:
- Have at least two blank visa pages.
- Remain valid for at least six months after your planned departure from Spain and the Schengen Area.
- If you need to obtain a new passport for your program, consider using our on-campus passport services.
International Travel Restrictions:
- Students under a visa-free visitor status – including U.S. Citizens -- are permitted to travel up to 90 days within 180 days in Spain and the Schengen Area.
- If you plan to travel to the Schengen Area in the three months before or after your program, it is your responsibility to ensure your stay does not exceed the 90-day limit.
- To avoid accidentally overstaying, we recommend using the ninety180 online Schengen Area travel calculator to keep track of your travel days.
European Travel Information Authorization System (ETIAS)
- ETIAS is a new entry requirement to visit the Schengen Area starting the last quarter of 2026.
- No action is required at this time. Students planning to study abroad in 2027 and beyond may be impacted by this entry requirement. International Programs will inform students if an ETIAS is required for their program via the IP Student Portal.
Programs in Spain Over 90 Days
For most participants — including U.S. citizens — a student visa is required for programs lasting longer than 90 days.
This applies to Fall and Spring Broad Curriculum and Internship programs in Spain.
Please reference the information below for details regarding immigration requirements and other important considerations.
Student Visa Requirements Based on Nationality
Immigration policies and visa application processes will depend on your nationality (the country that issued your passport book):
Passport |
Visa Process & Requirements |
|---|---|
| European Union Countries, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland | If you hold a valid passport from an EU or Schengen member state, you are exempt from the student visa requirement. After being admitted to your program, email IP-Visas@fsu.edu informing us that you are exempt from the visa requirement and be prepared to share a scanned photocopy of your EU/Schengen passport. To reenter the U.S. after your program, you must travel with appropriate U.S. documentation (e.g., U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card, or long-term U.S. visa) valid for at least three months beyond your return date. |
| USA & All other nationalities | If you do not hold a passport from an EU or Schengen member state – including the U.S. citizens – you are required to obtain a student visa. FSU International Programs is authorized to apply for visas on behalf of students in possession of a valid U.S. or non-U.S. passport, provided you are currently residing in the United States. While students must still submit supporting documents to IP, you will not be required to visit a Spanish Consulate in person to complete your application. Depending on your nationality, you may be required to supply additional documentation. |
If you currently reside outside of the United States, please contact an Immigration Coordinator at IP-Visas@fsu.edu.
Visa Application Process
Admitted students will receive detailed visa guidance. In the months leading up to your program, you’ll receive the following important documents through the IP Student Portal:
- A Program-Specific Immigration Timeline & Expectations — a general overview of the process.
- A Program-Specific Visa Packet — a detailed, step-by-step guide for compiling and submitting your visa application materials.
Most documentation for your visa can be prepared within a few weeks, but some requirements may take additional time. We recommend addressing the following visa application requirements 4–6 months prior to your program’s arrival date:
Visa Application Requirement |
Details |
|---|---|
| Fully Valid Passport | Your passport must:
If you need to obtain a new passport for your program, consider using our on-campus passport services. Visit the Passports section on our website for more details. |
| Bilingual Medical Certificate | As a part of the visa application process, the Consulate General of Spain in Miami requires students to submit a bilingual medical certificate completed by a licensed medical doctor (MD) located within the Consulate’s jurisdiction.
This step cannot be completed before being specifically instructed. Admitted participants will receive instructions on this process within 4-6 months prior to program arrival. If you are not a resident of a state within the Consulate’s jurisdiction, please be aware that you will likely be required to travel in order to complete this step in the visa process. |
| Support Documents for Under 18 Participants | Participants under the age of 18 at the time of the visa application, will be required to provide additional visa support documentation. The International Programs Immigration Team will provide guidance to admitted participants regarding visa requirements for students under the age of 18 within 4-6 months prior to program arrival. |
International Travel Restrictions:
- You will be required to submit your physical passport to International Programs for visa processing. A student visa is not a separate document, but rather a large seal affixed to the inside of your passport book.
- Therefore, you should not arrange any international travel in the 4 months leading up to your program.
- For any questions about international travel restrictions, email IP-Visas@fsu.edu.
