Academic profile
The consulate evaluates whether your profile is consistent with the application. A solid record, a clear objective and a consistent background make the difference.
BCNLIP · Instituto Cervantes Accredited Centre · Barcelona
Study in Barcelona. For real.
Student visa · Long-term · Spanish and Catalan
BCNLIP is a school accredited by the Instituto Cervantes. We can issue the official documentation for non-EU students to apply for a long-term student visa in Spain — for those who want to come to Barcelona for an extended period to truly learn, not as a tourist.
Instituto Cervantes accredited centre
Documentation within 48h
9 or 12 months
Spanish and Catalan
20h per week
5-STEP Programme
Personalised guidance
Instituto Cervantes accredited centre
Documentation within 48h
9 or 12 months
Spanish and Catalan
20h per week
5-STEP Programme
Personalised guidance
⚠
Important change · since May 2025
It is no longer possible to switch from a tourist visa to a student visa with a Spanish course from within Spain
Since the new Immigration Regulation came into force (RD 1155/2024, May 2025), this change of status is no longer permitted for language courses. It is possible if you study a Higher Vocational Programme at an officially accredited centre. Our centre IBP Barcelona, part of the MONLIP group, offers Higher Vocational Programmes with a strong language component.
More information at ibpbarcelonafp.com →
Before you start
Read this carefully
The student visa is a serious commitment. Before starting the process, it is important to be clear about the following. A strong application is not improvised.
Real financial solvency
You must be able to demonstrate sufficient financial means to live in Barcelona for the entire stay — approximately 700–800 € per month (reference: 100% of IPREM 2025 = 600 €/month). Funds must be real, verifiable and of justifiable origin.
Attendance commitment
The course requires in-person attendance. BCNLIP records attendance and is obliged to report to the authorities. Missing classes does not only affect learning — it can compromise your legal status.
Truthful documentation
All documents you submit must be authentic and consistent with one another. Any irregularity may result in visa denial and serious legal consequences. If you have doubts about your situation, consult us before starting.
Downloadable document
Student visa guide
The entire process step by step.
Downloadable document
NIE guide
Information about the NIE application process.
The course ━━━
20 hours
20 hours
in person
To apply for a student visa through BCNLIP, the course must be full-time, in-person and in Spanish or Catalan. We work with courses of 9 to 12 months. If you have a specific level goal or a longer-term plan, we can advise you on which duration makes the most sense.
Hours per week
20h
Format
In-person
Language
Spanish or Catalan
Duration
9 or 12 months
Academic documentation
Within 48h of payment
Accredited centre
BCNLIP is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes. The IC accreditation is the official recognition that certifies the quality of the centre and is a requirement for issuing valid documentation for a language student visa.
RD 1155/2024 establishes that language studies in Spanish or the co-official languages of Spain, taught at centres accredited by the Instituto Cervantes, are valid for long-term student stays.
Regulations may change. Always check the specific requirements of your consulate.
Need a different duration? We can advise you on adapted programmes. Contact us →
What you need · The process
Documentation and steps to follow
Required documentation
Requirements vary depending on the consulate.
From the school · within 48h
Acceptance letter · enrolment receipt · Instituto Cervantes accreditation.
Personal documents
Valid passport (min. 1 year) · passport photo · completed official form.
Financial solvency
Bank statement · approx. 700–800 €/month · ref. 100% IPREM 2025 = 600 €/month. Funds must be real, verifiable and of justifiable origin.
Private health insurance
Full coverage · no co-payments · no waiting periods · with repatriation · for the entire stay. We recommend ASSSA Seguros.
Medical certificate
Issued within the previous 90 days · specific wording about diseases according to IHR 2005.
Criminal record + accommodation
Last 5 years · apostilled · sworn translation. Accommodation contract recommended.
The process
Steps to follow
Indicative timelines. May vary depending on the consulate.
01
Contact and confirm
Course, entry level and start date. We will advise you on the most suitable option.
02
Pay and receive documentation
Acceptance letter, enrolment receipt and IC accreditation issued within 48 business hours.
03
Gather the documents
Insurance, bank statement, criminal record (apostilled and translated), medical certificate. Some expire after 90 days.
04
Book a consular appointment
At least 2 months before the course start date. Appointments can take weeks — do this as soon as possible.
05
Submit the application
Decision in approximately 1 month. No express response = negative administrative silence.
06
Upon arrival: TIE
If the stay exceeds 6 months, you have 1 month from entry into Spain to apply for the TIE at the Police Station or Immigration Office.
BCNLIP · Welcome to Barcelona
You arrive, we support you, you begin
Coming soon
Recommended agencies
BCNLIP collaborates with a network of specialised agencies worldwide. Agencies that understand the student visa process in Spain, that work with rigour and that share our criteria for profile selection.
We will soon publish the full directory of recommended and premium agencies we work with. If you already work with an agency and want to know if it is in our network, write to us.
Are you an agency?
If you organise study abroad programmes and want to explore a collaboration with BCNLIP, write to us. We work with specific conditions for agencies and educational organisations.
info@bcnlip.com →
For countries with high consular requirements
The 5-STEP Programme
In some countries the visa process is longer and more demanding. At BCNLIP we evaluate each profile before starting the process.
1
A1 online course · LIPEANDO
You start with the A1 Spanish course online through our LIPEANDO platform. You take the final exam and receive your A1 certificate. This step is non-refundable.
2
Profile evaluation · enrolment
If your profile is eligible, you pay the enrolment fee and we activate your place and accommodation reservation. The enrolment fee is also non-refundable.
3
Official documentation
We prepare and issue all academic documentation for the consulate within 48 business hours.
4
Submit application
You submit the application at the consulate and wait for the decision. Usual timeframe: up to 1 month.
5
If the visa is approved · final payment
You pay the remaining tuition, travel to Barcelona and start your immersion programme.
Profile we value
✓
Genuine academic motivation
A genuine and clearly defined learning project.
✓
Intermediate English or basic Spanish
Minimum language ability to follow the programme.
✓
10,000 € available
Demonstrable financial capacity for the process.
✓
Documentation in order
Valid passport and academic documents.
✓
Verifiable prior education
Previous education that supports your profile.
In case of denial
The initial payments (A1 online course + enrolment) are non-refundable.
After a negative appeal decision, the refund is processed within up to 90 days.
Four pathways
What is your goal?
Depending on what you want to do in Barcelona, the path is different. The four possible pathways within the MONLIP group:
Spanish or Catalan · BCNLIP
Spanish / Catalan language
Cultural immersion, academic programmes or volunteering. 9 or 12 months · 20h per week · in-person · start any time of year.
Estás aquíSpanish + university · BCNLIP UP
University access
Intensive Spanish + PCE/UNEDasiss preparation · 9 or 12 months · in-person · start in September. Does not include automatic work authorisation. From consulate.
Ver programa →Vocational Training · IBP Barcelona
Higher Vocational Programme
Marketing, International Trade or Business Administration and Finance. 2 years with internships. For non-Spanish speakers: prior Spanish period (2.5–3 years). From consulate or from within Spain. ibpbarcelonafp.com · in-person or hybrid.
Ver programa →Official Master's · IBP Barcelona
Master's in Digital Advertising
1 year · in-person · start September or January. For non-Spanish speakers: extended pathway with prior Spanish period (1.5–2 years). ibpbarcelonafp.com
Ver programa →Not sure where to start?
Tell us your situation
Regulations change frequently and each consulate applies its own criteria. Write to us with this information and we will guide you within 24 hours.
The more information you give us, the better we can advise you.