Can I enter Spain few days before my student visa expires?
I’m attending a master program at school in Barcelona and from Vietnam. I have the visa but due to Covid I haven’t been to Spain yet. I’m planning to fly over either at the end of February or the first week of March(around March 3). But my visa is expiring on March 9. Also there’s a line on the visa called Duration of stay that says 90 days. Can I still enter Spain if I fly on intended date?
I used to study in the US and I can stay after visa expires as long as I don’t leave the country. Is this the case for Spain? Can I stay there after my visa expiration date or do I need to renew my visa before coming to Spain? And what does the duration of stay mean? Thank you
Best Answer
Your visa is still valid for entry until the date of expiry.
If your visa is a short-term one for studies under 90 days for example, then it would be hard to justify your entry since you will have to leave Spain before the visa expires.
Assuming your intended stay (i.e. time of studies left) is over 6 months though, you would have obtained a category D visa (see the letter on your visa) and you will need to apply for a residence permit at the local Comisaría. You should do this as soon as possible before your visa actually expires.
From what I heard, the appointment slots are scarce due to Covid, but you can make an appointment online beforehand if you know your arrival date and has a place to live ready.
https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/procedimientos/index/categoria/34
The residence permit will be your status document in Spain (and for entering/exiting the Schengen area).
Note that without a valid visa or residence permit you will not be allowed to exit Spanish territories to e.g. visit other Schengen countries, even if your presence in Spain is tolerated when your application is under processing.
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Can you enter Spain before your student visa starts?
If you are not a US citizen and you require a tourist visa to travel to Spain, you may not enter until the date your visa begins, so be careful not to plan to arrive too early. US citizens (and others) may have up to 90 days in Spain outside the dates of the visa.Can I travel to Spain while waiting for my visa?
It is entirely possible to travel and leave the Spanish territory once you have initiated the nationality process and are waiting for a response. You can travel, go on vacation, or visit your family in your home country. Occasional and short-term trips will not affect you at all.Do I need a visa to go to Spain for less than 90 days?
Visas. You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.How long can you stay in Spain on a student visa?
Visa for stays exceeding 90 days for studies, training, internships, or volunteer work. This visa may also be issued for au pairs and teaching assistants (auxiliares de conversaci\xf3n). Those studying in Spain for less than 90 days do not need a student visa.How to apply for student visa renewal for Spain
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