Spain Student Stay Permit and TIE Card
Your student visa also gives you a student stay permit (autorización de estancia por estudios), your right to stay in Spain to study. If you study more than 6 months, you must ask for your TIE, the foreigner identity card, within 1 month of entering Spain.
SpainSPAIN FOREIGNER IDENTITY CARD (TIE)
Type: Student
Status: Student
Example: Master's program
Example: Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Your permit lasts as long as your studies. Your TIE card shows that you are allowed to stay.
What Is the Student Stay Permit?
It is the permit that lets you stay in Spain for more than 90 days to study. It lasts as long as your studies.
Visa vs. Permit
A sticker in your passport.
If you study more than 6 months: India, the visa is valid for 1 year. Pakistan, the visa is valid for a 90-day stay.
Lets you enter Spain.
Lets you stay to study.
Lasts as long as your studies.
Shown on your TIE card.
Your TIE Card
If you stay more than 6 months, you must ask for one card: the TIE.
Key Papers
TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)
Your foreigner identity card. It shows the type of permit you hold.
NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)
Your personal foreigner number. Spain puts it on your papers.
Proof of enrolment
Your enrolment for each year of study.
Keep Within the Rules
What Keeps Your Permit Valid
Full-time study
You study full-time at an approved university.
Paid enrolment
If your permit is for more than 1 year, show proof of enrolment each year.
Money
At least EUR 600 a month in 2026. If you have paid for your housing for the whole stay in advance, you can show less money.
Health insurance
Insurance from a company allowed to work in Spain, with the same cover as the public health system.
Your Permits in Spain
The permits a student from India or Pakistan may hold, from arrival to after the degree.
Key Time Limits
Visa and permit
India: 1 month by law
TIE appointment
Within 1 month of arrival
Each new year
Extension
2 months before to 3 months after
After your degree
24 months
Permit Types
Student stay permit (autorización de estancia por estudios)
For full-time study at an approved university. It starts with your student visa.
Key Requirements:
- Proof that the university accepted you and that you paid its fees.
- At least 600 euros (EUR) a month in 2026. Spain sets this amount with the IPREM (a yearly income figure Spain uses to set money rules).
- Health insurance from a company allowed to work in Spain.
Research residence permit (PhD students)
PhD students on an official doctorate in Spain apply for this permit, not the student stay permit.
Key Requirements:
- The student or the university can apply.
Job-search permit (búsqueda de empleo)
To look for a job in your field, or to start a business, after you finish your studies in Spain. You cannot work during this permit.
Key Requirements:
- You held a student stay permit.
- You finished a degree at bachelor's level or higher.
- Health insurance and EUR 600 a month (100% of the IPREM), or half of that if your housing is already paid.
Your Permit Steps
Visa and permit
The embassy decides on your visa, which also gives your student stay permit.
Duration: India: 1 month by law
TIE appointment
Ask for your TIE in person at a police station or the Foreigners' Office (the Spanish immigration office).
Duration: Within 1 month of arrival
Each new year
If your permit is for more than 1 year, show proof of enrolment and payment.
Extension
Ask online for an extension if your studies go on.
Duration: 2 months before to 3 months after
After your degree
Ask for the job-search permit in the 60 days before your student permit ends.
Duration: 24 months
How to Get and Keep Your Permit
From your TIE to your extension.
Your TIE After Arrival
Book an appointment
Do it in your first days in Spain.
Book online for the Foreigners' Office or police station where you live.
Pay the fee
Pay the TIE fee at a bank with form 790, code 012.
EUR 16.08 for your first TIE.
Go in person
Within 1 month of arriving in Spain.
Bring the application form EX17 and your fee receipt.
Collect your TIE
It is valid as long as your permit is.
Your card shows your permit type.
Extension (Prórroga)
Check your dates
Ask in the 2 months before or the 3 months after your permit ends.
Collect papers
Passport, enrolment, money, insurance and fee.
Apply online
Send it online on Mercurio (Spain's immigration website) to the Foreigners' Office of the province that gave your first permit.
Get a new TIE
Within 1 month of the decision, ask for your new TIE in person.
Moving On From Student Status
| From Status | To Status | Requirements | Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student stay permit | Job-search permit | At least a bachelor's level degree from Spain | Decision time: 20 days | You cannot work while you hold it. |
Papers for Your TIE and Extension
What you bring to each step.
TIE request
Form EX17
The TIE request form (the application form EX17).
Fee receipt
Proof you paid the TIE fee: EUR 16.08 for your first TIE.
Extension
Passport
Valid for at least 1 year.
Enrolment
Proof that the university accepted you and that you paid its fees.
Money
Proof of money for the time you ask for.
Health insurance
Proof you have health insurance.
Fee
Proof you paid the fee.
Papers for the Job-Search Permit
Job-search permit
- Form EX-26.
- Proof you finished a degree at bachelor's level or higher.
- Passport valid for at least 1 year.
- Proof of health insurance.
- A signed paper that says how much money you have.
Time Limits for Your Permit
These are the time limits Spain's rules set.
Steps and Time Limits
Visa
India: the embassy has 1 month by law to decide, counted from the day after you hand in your papers.
Key Activities:
- India: apply at least 2 months before your course starts. Pakistan: apply as early as you can after you get your admission letter.
- The decision can take longer if the embassy asks for an interview.
TIE request
Ask in person at a Foreigners' Office or police station where you live.
Key Activities:
- Book online.
- Bring the application form EX17 and proof you paid with form 790, code 012.
Extension
Ask when your permit is close to its end and you still study.
Key Activities:
- Apply online on Mercurio, Spain's immigration website.
- Each extension lasts up to 1 year.
Extension decision
Then ask for a new TIE within 1 month.
Key Activities:
- If Spain does not answer in 1 month, it counts as a no.
Job-search permit
Apply online with form EX-26.
Key Activities:
- You can also ask in the 90 days after it ends, but you may then have to pay a fine.
- Decision time: Spain must answer in 20 days.
Keep Your Permit Valid
Simple habits that keep your stay legal.
Good Habits
Keep your TIE valid
Renew your permit and your TIE at the same time.
Your TIE is valid as long as your permit.
Stay enrolled full-time
Your permit is for full-time study.
If your permit is for more than 1 year, show proof of enrolment each year.
Watch the dates
Put both dates in your calendar.
Extension: 2 months before to 3 months after. Job-search permit: 60 days before.
Mistakes to Avoid
Plan Ahead
Plan your extension or your next permit before your permit ends.
Common Questions on the Spain Student Permit
Short answers for students from India and Pakistan who start in 2026-27.
Frequently Asked Questions
Links to read more
Student stay permit (Spain's government migration office)
Rules, papers, extension and family.
Learn MoreNeed More Help?
Ask your university's international office about your own papers.
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