Visa info

Since you will be in France for longer than 90 days, you will apply for a long stay student visa (N.B.: do not apply for an internship visa.) The student-visa process can take anywhere from 8-12 weeks. Do not delay starting your application. While your visa is being processed by the French consulate, you will not have access to your passport, so plan your travel accordingly.

If you have an EU passport, or a passport from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you will not need to apply for a visa. Please inform IFE if this is the case.

There are 2 main elements to obtaining a French student visa

• Campus France USA
• France-Visas

You will use multiple platforms during the process, and must complete the 4 steps below.

CAMPUS FRANCE USA APPLICATION 

STEP 1

• Create an Etudes en France (EEF/Campus France) account and complete the online application on that platform. (Link)
• Instructions for Study Abroad students begin on page 26.
• For independent students not transferring credits back to a home university, instructions begin on page 34.

STEP 2

• Pay the Etudes en France application fee

STUDENT VISA

STEP 3

• Complete the online Visa Application Form (Link)

STEP 4

• Schedule and attend an in-person visa appointment at a VFS visa center.

The 2 guides referenced here contain answers to almost all questions. Please read them carefully.

• If you are experiencing issues with Campus France, please contact them at Link.
• If you are experiencing issues with VFS, please contact them at Link.
• If you run into an issue that none of the above resources can resolve, contact IFE at admissions@ife-edu.eu

The following information is provided as guidance only. Students should follow all instructions on the official web page of the consulate where they will be applying for a visa. Requirements are subject to change without notice. Contact the consulate for any questions.

STEP 1

Determine the Consulate to which you will  apply

As a student, you may apply to either the Consulate whose jurisdiction covers your university address or the Consulate for your home address, if different. You will not be allowed to apply for a student visa at any other Consulate of Spain. Location of Consulates General of Spain in the US and their jurisdiction: Link

IFE finds that in most cases the Consulate for a student's university address is more convenient.

Students applying to the Consulate based on their university address will be required to provide valid student identification proving residence within that jurisdiction.

N.B.: IFE firmly requests that students provide IFE with their choice of Consulate as well as with a copy of their passport, showing the passport number. This information should be sent to admissions@ife-edu.eu.

STEP 2

Schedule a visa appointment at the Consulate as soon as possible

The calendars for visa appointments typically fill up 2-3 months in advance. Students should schedule a visa appointment as soon as they know they will be studying in Spain. IMPORTANT:

• Visa appointments are free and may be cancelled if your plans change.
• The visa appointment (for the submission of an application for a student visa), may occur up to 3 months prior to the start date of the program of study in Spain.

STEP 3

Gather the documents required for a student visa application (as required by the Consulate to which you are applying)

Requirements may vary slightly by Consulate. Be sure to begin gathering documents well ahead of the date of your appointment, to ensure that you have ALL required documents at the appointment and to avoid rejection of your visa application.

When filling out the application, be sure to apply for a student visa; the IFE Asturias Program is an academic program that includes courses and a research project as well as an internship. Therefore, be sure to check the option □ Estudios/Studies, in response to: Motivo(s) del viaje/ Main purpose(s) of the journey.

IFE provides admitted students with the following 3 required documents:

• A letter of acceptance into the IFE Asturias Field Study and Internship Program
• The original contract between IFE and the University of Oviedo
• An up-to-date renewal of that contract (this is a separate document)

N.B.: If you will be studying in Spain for more than 180 days there are additional documents required, including an background check that may take some time to complete.

STEP 4

The visa appointment at the Consulate

Students must appear at the appointment will ALL required documents as well as means of payment of visa fees, as required by the Consulate in question. Students should be prepared to return to the Consulate to pick up the visa when ready. (Requirements for this final step vary by Consulate.)

In some cases, campus Study Abroad officials may obtain authorization from a Consulate to act as legal representatives for a group of students, by fax or email. Students should check with their Consulate and their Study Abroad Office on campus for details.

ADDITIONAL POINTS

Proof of Financial Means

You will need to provide originals and copies of the documents proving that you (or the family member supporting you) have sufficient financial means to cover your expenses abroad. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of Spain's Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM), which in 2023  was equal to 600 €/month (https://iprem.com.es).

Health Insurance Coverage 

Each Consulate provides a list of health insurance providers accepted by that Consulate. Students need to show proof of medical insurance including repatriation, obtained from one of these approved providers and covering the entire period of the sojourn in Spain.

Specific Procedures

Some documents may require notarization, others may require an apostille, and some may need to have an official translation into Spanish. Students should check with their Consulate for what is necessary in the case of each required document.

IFE address and contact information in Spain

• IFE Asturias: Ezcurdia 190, 5K2A - 33203, Gijón, Asturias, España
• Thomas Roman, Director: thomas.roman@ife-edu.eu

Support by IFE

Students will do well to keep IFE informed (admissions@ife-edu.eu) about the progress of their visa application process. IFE support may include clarification on required elements, or special assistance in the case of specific obstacles. IFE is member of APUNE (Asociación de programas universitarios norteamericanos en España), which can be of help in the case of certain difficulties.