Trainee/Internship Visa — Spain

The Spain trainee visa lets you complete a structured internship in Spain to gain practical professional experience. It supports hands-on training while you build skills in a real work environment under an organized program.

What the visa covers

The trainee visa authorizes you to stay in Spain to participate in a formal internship program designed to develop your professional knowledge and practical skills.

You engage in structured, supervised training rather than standard employment. The focus is on learning and applied experience in your field.

The immigration framework falls under the authority of the State Secretariat for Migration (Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones) (SEM). Spanish consulates issue the visa abroad. The National Police handle your foreigner identity documentation in Spain.

This visa is distinct from other national work categories:

If you need exact procedural steps or documentation requirements, contact SEM or the relevant Spanish consulate.

Who this is for

This visa suits foreign students or recent graduates aiming to gain practical experience in Spain through a structured internship program.

You should apply if:

• You seek professional training rather than long-term employment
• Your main goal is to improve practical skills in your academic or professional field
• You have secured participation in an organized internship program in Spain

You should not use this visa for general employment, business expansion, corporate transfers, or independent research.

Other pathways—such as the Highly Qualified Professional Visa, Intra-Company Transfer Visa, or Research Visa—apply in those cases.

Eligibility and documentation requirements depend on your specific internship arrangement. Confirm criteria directly with SEM or your Spanish consulate before applying.

Purpose and typical uses

This visa helps you strengthen your professional profile through direct workplace exposure in Spain. The program connects academic knowledge with real operational experience.

Typical uses include:

1. Completing a structured internship linked to your studies

2. Gaining sector-specific practical training

3. Improving professional competencies in an international setting

The visa supports skill development, not long-term workforce integration. If your objective shifts toward regular employment, you may need to explore a National Work Visa or another residence category.

Your application must clearly reflect a training purpose. Spanish authorities assess whether the program centers on learning outcomes rather than standard job duties.

You must use the official forms issued by the State Secretariat for Migration (Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones) (SEM) and follow the instructions that match your trainee category. Accuracy and complete documentation determine whether your application moves forward without delays.

Start: download forms and instructions

Download the current trainee visa application form and its official instructions from the SEM website. Outdated copies or third‑party templates can cause problems.

Review the instructions carefully before you write anything. The trainee route is different from other residence categories such as the National Work Visa, Highly Qualified Professional Visa, Intra-Company Transfer Visa, Research Visa, or Seasonal Work Visa.

Confirm that you are using the correct form version. For certain employment-related residence categories, the Form EX-04 form applies, so you must verify whether your trainee authorization requires it.

Use this quick verification table before proceeding:

If any requirement is unclear, consult the official SEM guidance before completing the form.

Complete, sign, and assemble evidence

Fill out every required section of the form clearly and consistently. Leaving mandatory fields blank leads to delays.

Sign the application where indicated. Missing signatures often cause processing delays or rejections.

Assemble all required supporting documents listed in the official instructions. You must submit exactly what the instructions require for your trainee category.

Use a checklist to control your file:

• Completed trainee application form
• Required signatures
• All supporting documents listed in the official instructions
• Any additional documents specific to your eligibility category

Ensure that names, dates, and identification details match across all documents. Inconsistent information can trigger requests for clarification.

Review your entire file before submission. You are responsible for proving that you meet the trainee requirements under SEM rules.

Submission and what to expect

Submit your application according to the procedure outlined in the official instructions. The competent authority depends on where you apply.

SEM oversees immigration policy and authorization decisions. Spanish consulates issue visas abroad. The National Police handle the issuance of your NIE or TIE after approval, if applicable.

processing times and applicable fees can change. Check current information before you submit.

After submission, monitor any official communications closely. Respond promptly if the authority requests additional documentation or clarification.

You must meet strict nationality, background, and training criteria before you apply. The Spanish authorities assess both your personal eligibility and the validity of your trainee arrangement.

Nationality and criminal record checks

The Spain trainee visa is only available if you are not a citizen of:

• An EU country
• An EEA country
• Switzerland

If you hold citizenship from any of these countries, you cannot apply for this visa category.

You must also show that you have no criminal record in Spain or in any other country during the past five years. Spanish authorities review your background as part of the application process.

Any recent criminal history can lead to refusal.

The key personal eligibility standards are:

The State Secretariat for Migration (Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones – SEM) sets immigration policy. Spanish consulates issue visas abroad.

Required trainee contract or training agreement

You must have a signed trainee work contract or a formal training agreement before you apply.

This document must be with:

• A recognized company in Spain, or
• A recognized training center in Spain

The agreement confirms that your stay in Spain is for structured trainee purposes, not general employment.

Your contract or agreement must be signed and finalized before submission. Applications without this documentation do not meet the core eligibility requirement.

You cannot apply based on a future or informal arrangement. The training placement must be clearly established at the time of filing.