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My study visa in Spain is about to expire: what do I do now?
May 8, 2026

If you are in Spain on a student visa and it is about to expire, it is important to check well in advance what options you have to remain in the country legally.

1. Change of residence and employment status

If a company wishes to employ you, you can apply to have your stay changed to a residence and work permit.

Key requirements:

  • Valid study visa
  • Completion of studies (or final stage)
  • Job vacancy
  • Not to have received a scholarship or grant from public or private organisations for cooperation or development programmes (or, where applicable, have fulfilled the return conditions required by the scholarship)

2. Change of status to self-employed (freelancer)

If you wish to run your own business, you can apply for a self-employment residence permit.

Key requirements:

  • Approved business plan 
  • Sufficient financial resources

Who approves the business plan?

The business plan must be endorsed by an authorised organisation prior to the decision.

Organisations such as the following are usually involved:

  • Union of Professionals and Self-Employed Workers (UPTA)
  • Association of Self-Employed Workers (ATA)
  • Intersectoral Confederation of Self-Employed Workers of Spain (CIAE)
  • Chambers of Commerce

These organisations issue a feasibility report, where they value:

  • Planned investment
  • Project profitability
  • Job creation (if applicable)
  • The applicant’s experience or qualifications

3. Residence for the purpose of seeking employment

This authorisation allows you to stay in Spain for up to 12 months to look for work or set up a business.

Requirements:

  • To have completed higher education in Spain
  • Apply by the deadline
  • Provide proof of financial means and health insurance

Please note:

You are not permitted to work during this period. Once you have secured a job or a project has been finalised, you must apply for the relevant amendment.

4. Changes to work placements

It is possible to obtain authorisation to undertake a work placement with a company.

Requirements:

  • Internship agreement or contract
  • No more than 2 years since qualifying
  • Relationship to the studies carried out

5. Renewal of a student visa

If you decide to continue your studies, you can extend your stay.

Key point:

There must be continuity and consistency in training.

Common examples:

  • Undergraduate → Master’s
  • Master’s → PhD
  • Specialization within the same field

Changes in area without justification can make approval difficult.

Requirements:

  • Registration in the new program
  • Economic media
  • Previous academic achievement

Deadlines for initiating the procedures

It is important not to leave it for the last moment.

In general, you can submit the application:

  • From 60 days before your stay expires, and
  • Up to 90 days after the expiration date

If you file within the deadline, your situation is automatically extended until a resolution is reached.

If you submit it after the expiration (within those 90 days), the process remains valid, but it may lead to a sanctioning procedure.

For this reason, it is recommended to always start the process before the stay expires.

Recommendations

  • Start the procedures within the deadline
  • Checking the relationship between studies and future activity
  • Prepare the documentation properly