Renewing a student permit or language assistant stay (auxiliar de conversación)

Key rules

• Renewal window: You can file a renewal from 60 days before your permit expires until 90 days after, and you stay in lawful status while it is pending.
• Students: Show full-time enrolment for the next course and a certificate of progress from the past year.
• Auxiliares: Show a new placement letter from your regional education authority.
• Funds and insurance: Students show money and full-coverage health insurance again at renewal.

What you must prove

Students prove two things: you are enrolled for the next course, and you made progress in the past year. Auxiliares prove one thing: you have a placement for another year. Either way, you file the renewal with the immigration office (extranjería). The timeline, documents list and checklist below carry the steps.

If you are a student

Enrolment. Ask your school or university for proof of enrolment (matrícula) for the next course. The course must be full-time.

Progress. Ask your institution for a certificate showing you passed, or attended enough of, the past year. The institution usually has to confirm you kept attending.

Minimum results. Some programmes set a minimum pass rate or number of credits. The immigration office expects you to meet it. If you fall short, prepare a written explanation of why, with any proof from your school. Required thresholds vary by programme and office, so ask your school what applies to you.

Money and insurance. Yes, you show them again. You need proof of enough funds: bank statements, a scholarship, or support from family or a sponsor. The amount is tied to a monthly figure that changes every year, so check the current amount with the immigration office before you file. You also need valid health insurance with full coverage in Spain.

If you are an auxiliar de conversación

Your renewal starts with the programme, not with immigration. You must be re-accepted for another year through your regional education authority. It then issues a new placement letter (carta de nombramiento).

With that letter you apply to renew your student-type stay. Deadlines and rules are set by the regional authority and differ by region, so ask yours for its renewal deadline before you file.

When to file

You can file from 60 days before your permit expires until 90 days after. Auxiliares should aim for the early part of that period, since the placement letter can take time to arrive. Start gathering papers well before the window opens, because schools and regional offices can be slow.

Timeline and deadlines

• Get your enrolment proof and progress certificate from your school: before you file, once your next course is confirmed

• Auxiliares: get re-accepted in the programme and receive your new placement letter from your regional education authority: before you file

Auxiliar deadlines are set by the region and the programme, so confirm yours with your regional education authority.

Documents you need

• Proof of enrolment (matrícula) for the next course, issued by your school or university. The course must be full-time.

• A certificate from your institution showing your academic progress over the past year, including that you passed or attended enough of the course.

• Proof of sufficient funds: bank statements, a scholarship, or family or sponsor support.

• Valid health insurance with full coverage in Spain.

Checklist

• Ask your school for proof of enrolment for the next course, which must be full-time.

• Check whether your programme sets a minimum pass rate or credits, and prepare an explanation if you fall short.

• Confirm your health insurance has full coverage in Spain and is still valid.

• Auxiliares: collect your new placement letter (carta de nombramiento) from your regional education authority.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to show my money and health insurance again when I renew a student permit?

Yes, you must show again that you have enough funds and valid health insurance with full coverage in Spain. Funds can be shown with bank statements, a scholarship, or support from family or a sponsor. The amount is based on a monthly figure linked to IPREM, a public reference index, and it changes every year.

What if I did not pass enough of my course to renew my student permit?

Some programmes set a minimum pass rate or number of credits, and the office expects you to meet it or to explain why you did not. Ask your school for a certificate of your progress and a short explanation of the shortfall. The required level differs by programme and office.

Who gives me the paper I need to renew as an auxiliar de conversación?

Your regional education authority gives you a new placement letter (carta de nombramiento) once you are accepted for another year. You then take it to the immigration office (extranjería) to renew your stay.