Reviewed by Yasir Khan, Founder, LAMTANS Group of Companies, and British Council registered consultant
To study in Spain from Pakistan you apply in person for a national student visa at the Spanish Embassy’s consular office in Islamabad, by appointment. You must show at least 100% of IPREM, which Universidad Complutense puts at EUR 600 a month in 2026. This guide covers the steps, costs and work rules.
Spain student visa process from Pakistan
- Get accepted on a full-time programme.
- Book an appointment at the Consular Office of the Embassy of Spain in Islamabad, or use an accredited representative. You receive a receipt code to track your file.
- Submit your documents and proof that you paid the fee.
- Collect your visa within two months of the favourable notice.
- After arrival, if your stay is longer than six months, the visa covers 90 days and you must request the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within one month of entering.
The decision is due within one month from the day after you submit, and the time can be extended if you are interviewed or asked for more documents. Apply at least two months before your studies start. The Embassy page lists a fee of EUR 80 but publishes reciprocity rates only for other countries and does not confirm the figure for Pakistan, so we confirm it before you pay. It does not mention an outsourced application centre for Islamabad. If you are refused you can ask for reconsideration within one month or go to judicial review at the High Court of Justice of Madrid within two months.
Documents for a Spanish student visa
- Signed national visa form and a photo.
- Passport valid for the whole stay with two blank pages, issued less than 10 years ago.
- Acceptance for a full-time programme.
- Health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain, covering the risks of the public system.
- Proof of legal residence in the consular district.
- A criminal record certificate for the past five years and a medical certificate, only for stays over 180 days.
- Foreign documents legalised or apostilled, with an official Spanish translation.
Proof of funds for Spain
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| The student | At least 100% of IPREM |
| First family member | Add 75% of IPREM |
| Each additional family member | Add 50% of IPREM |
| Prepaid accommodation | Deduct the prepaid amount if it covers the whole stay |
The Embassy page gives no euro figure. Universidad Complutense states IPREM at 100% is EUR 600 per month of study in 2026. It accepts a bank certificate, bank statements, an employment contract or proof of prepaid accommodation. Family members of a student can join after the student’s visa is granted: a spouse, unmarried minor children, and adult children with a disability. A marriage certificate must be issued within six months, legalised and translated.
Tuition costs for 2026/27
| University | Fee for non-EU students |
|---|---|
| Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, bachelor’s | EUR 113.71 to 136.44 per credit; 60 credits cost EUR 6,822.60 (social sciences, law, business) up to EUR 8,186.40 |
| Universidad Complutense, master’s | EUR 45.02 per ECTS credit for the general first enrolment; the university states non-resident non-EU students pay the third-enrolment tier of EUR 84.07 per ECTS |
Fees vary by university and by programme, so we check the price for your course.
Working in Spain as a student
Higher-education students may work up to 30 hours a week, as employees or self-employed, without a separate permit, if the work is compatible with their studies. Language courses do not get automatic work authorisation. The new immigration regulation was approved on 19 November 2024.
After finishing higher studies you can apply for a residence authorisation to look for a job. It does not itself authorise work. Universities give conflicting durations, 24 months in a March 2025 presentation and up to one year in another document, so we confirm the current length at your consultation.
English requirements and entry with the HSSC
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid asks English-taught master’s applicants for IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 72 to 94, depending on the programme, and also accepts CEFR B2 certificates. The Universitat de Barcelona sets B1, B2 or C1 by programme. Its IBEI programmes ask for IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90.
Students from education systems without an agreement with Spain must have their studies homologated to the Spanish bachillerato, then apply through UNEDasiss. The access grade is 0.6 times the bachillerato average plus 0.4 times the PAU score, with a PAU of at least 4 and an access grade of at least 5. The official page does not name Pakistan, and no page states whether the HSSC is enough or a foundation year is needed. We could not confirm the master’s entry rule either, so we check each course.
Scholarships and how we help
A MAEC-AECID scholarship call for 2026-2027 exists, but the pages we found cover African, Middle Eastern and Latin American citizens. We could not confirm Pakistani eligibility.
We help with course choice, applications, documents legalisation and visa preparation. We cannot promise a visa. Compare other countries on our student visa from Pakistan guide or see all study abroad destinations, including France, Italy and Germany.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to study in Spain?
At least 100% of IPREM for the student, which Universidad Complutense states as EUR 600 per month of study in 2026. Add 75% for a first family member and 50% for each further one.
Where do I apply for a Spanish student visa in Pakistan?
At the Consular Office of the Embassy of Spain in Islamabad, by appointment or through an accredited representative.
How long does the Spanish student visa take?
The decision comes about one month after you submit, and it can be extended. Apply at least two months before your studies start.
Can I work while studying in Spain?
Yes, up to 30 hours a week without a separate permit, if the work fits your studies. Language courses do not qualify.
Can I apply to a Spanish university with the HSSC?
Not on its own. Students from systems without an agreement must have their studies homologated to the bachillerato and use UNEDasiss. We check the route for your course.
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Official sources: Embassy: study visa · Universidad Complutense: non-EU students · Ministry of Inclusion: new regulation · UC3M: fees for non-EU students · UC3M: language requirements · Ministry: UNEDasiss. Figures checked on 11 October 2026. The Embassy page is undated, so we confirm each figure before you apply. Reviewed by Yasir Khan, British Council registered consultant, LAMTANS Consultants. Last updated 11 October 2026. Rules change, so we confirm the latest position at your consultation.