Student Visa (Visado de Estudios): Fees Breakdown for Nigerians ₦434,013
Below is the complete breakdown of Student Visa (Visado de Estudios) fees for Nigerian applicants moving to Spain. Every line item is verified against the official immigration authority schedule — application fee, health surcharge, language test, credential evaluation, and other government fees.
Student Visa (Visado de Estudios) fees — verified breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application feeSource: exteriores.gob.es, checked 8 Oct 2026 | ₦153,400 (~$114 USD) |
| Proof of funds (your own savings)Refundable to you | ₦10,889,220 (~$8,091 USD) |
| Health surcharge or insurance | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Language test | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Credential evaluation | ₦251,813 (~$187 USD) |
| Other government feesSource: exteriores.gob.es, checked 8 Oct 2026 | ₦28,800 (~$21 USD) |
| Total upfront costs | ₦434,013 (~$322 USD) |
Priced at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s exchange rates of a year ago, these fees would have come to about ₦460,000: ₦30,000 more than today (CBN rates as of 2 Nov 2026). Every country, then and now.
Verified against official immigration authority schedule. Exchange rates as of 5 November 2026. Proof of funds is your own money — you do not pay it to the government.
What each fee covers
The ₦434,013 total is made up of several distinct charges. Here is what you are actually paying for:
- Visa application fee — ₦153,400: Paid to the Spain immigration authority when you submit your application. Non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
- Credential evaluation — ₦251,813: A recognised assessment body checks that your Nigerian degree and certificates meet Spain’s standards. Allow 4–8 weeks for this process.
- Proof of funds — ₦10,889,220: Your own savings — not paid to anyone. Must sit in your bank account, unencumbered, for typically 28–90 days before your application date.
- Other government fees — ₦28,800: Includes residence permit issuance, VFS Global service charge, or biometric enrolment fees where applicable.
Expert tip
Student Visa (Visado de Estudios)
Spain's student visa costs ₦153,400 plus a ₦28,800 BLS charge (Spanish Consulate Lagos prices from 1 January 2026), and Spain is one of Europe's best-kept secrets for study. Public university tuition for non-EU students ranges from EUR 1,500–4,000/year for Master's programs — dramatically cheaper than the UK (£15,000+) or Netherlands (€10,000+). You need EUR 600/month (~$660) in funds proof. The game-changer: since 2025, students can work up to 30 hours per week (up from 20), making it much more feasible to support yourself while studying. Your degree must be homologated (recognized) through the Spanish Ministry of Education — start this process early as it takes 2–6 months. Apply through nigeria.blsspainvisa.com with your university acceptance letter, financial proof, health insurance, and apostilled documents. After completing your studies, you can switch to a work permit without returning to Nigeria.
Where Nigerians settle in Spain
Once your Student Visa (Visado de Estudios) is approved, most Nigerians head to Madrid or Barcelona. Here is what to budget for your first year:
- Madrid: 1-bedroom rent ₦1,813,358/month · Lagos–Madrid flights from ~$430 · Nigerian community: Small
- Barcelona: 1-bedroom rent ₦2,003,919/month · Lagos–Barcelona flights from ~$450 · Nigerian community: Small
Life in Madrid
Madrid is Spain's capital and economic engine, with the largest job market and most international companies. A 1-bed apartment in the center costs about EUR 1,285/month (~$1,415 USD) — neighborhoods like Malasaña, Lavapiés, and Chamberí are popular with young professionals. Outer areas (Vallecas, Carabanchel, Getafe) offer rents of EUR 600–900. The metro system is excellent and cheap (the Abono 30 días unlimited pass starts from EUR 28.70). A single person needs EUR 1,500–2,500/month for comfortable living. Flights from Lagos are remarkably affordable — Iberia and Royal Air Maroc offer routes starting at $430 one-way, some of the cheapest flights from Nigeria to Europe. The Nigerian community is small but present — Lavapiés has an African community with Nigerian shops and restaurants. Madrid's advantage over Barcelona: cheaper rent, more job opportunities, and the government district means more NGO and international organization jobs.
1.5% of Nigerians who use Japa Calculator choose Spain as their destination. Average Japa Score: 7.0/10. Most common salary expectation among applicants: ₦300K–₦700K.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the Student Visa (Visado de Estudios) cost for Nigerians moving to Spain?
- Upfront costs for the Student Visa (Visado de Estudios) come to ₦434,013 (about $322). This covers the visa application fee, credential evaluation of ₦251,813, and any other applicable government charges.
- How long does Student Visa (Visado de Estudios) processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the Student Visa (Visado de Estudios) is 1–2 months. Apply from the Spain High Commission in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos — book your appointment slot as early as possible, as backlogs frequently add 2–4 weeks beyond the official window.
- How much proof of funds do I need for the Student Visa (Visado de Estudios)?
- You need to show ₦10,889,220 ($8,091) in savings for the Student Visa (Visado de Estudios). This money stays in your account — it is not paid to the government. Funds must be unencumbered: fixed deposits locked for a term or joint accounts with conditions may be queried by the officer.
- What documents do I need for the Student Visa (Visado de Estudios) application from Nigeria?
- Core documents include a valid Nigerian passport (6+ months validity), completed application form, recent passport photographs, and proof of eligibility for this visa category. Credential evaluation from an approved body is required to verify your Nigerian qualifications. Include 6 months of bank statements showing the ₦10,889,220 proof-of-funds requirement is consistently met.
Related guides
Sibling variants of this visa route and other ways into Spain.
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Start Free CalculatorData methodology: Visa fees sourced from official immigration authority schedules. Naira conversions use live exchange rates from open.er-api.com (last updated 5 November 2026). All fees are subject to change with policy updates — verify with the official immigration website before applying. Last reviewed: 8 Oct 2026