Spain’s Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, Elma Saiz, has announced the preparation of a fast-track access route to the Spanish university system for international students affected by the recent immigration restrictions imposed in the U.S.
Approved by the Council of Ministers, the policy, dubbed EduBridge to Spain, is part of the government’s strategy to strengthen Spain’s potential as a host of international talent. “Spain has enormous potential as a leading destination for global talent, as evidenced by its strong economic performance and the fact that three million foreigners have chosen our country to live and work, increasingly linked to high-value- added activities,” Saiz stated.
Spain’s EduBridge will allow students who are enrolled or planning to enroll in U.S. universities to quickly transfer credits and secure Fast Track acceptance into Spanish institutions.
The Spanish Ministry of Education will take into account credits and coursework completed abroad to significantly reduce the paperwork hurdles typically associated with transfers.
The plan streamlines Spain’s typically complex student visa procedure, ensuring priority processing and clear timelines, so students can receive rapid approvals.
With Spain’s recent immigration law reforms, international students can easily apply for part-time work permits. The EduBridge package also includes expedited access to residency cards for healthcare and other benefits.
An inter-ministerial working group has been created to create a series of approaches that will ensure the incorporation of these students into Spanish academic spaces in an initial phase, starting in September of this year (first semester), and in a second phase, starting in January 2026 (second semester).
The academic fast track plan includes flexible options for international students at different educational stages: Bachelor’s or undergraduates who can transfer to a university; students mid-degree (with one or more courses already completed); and those who have completed their bachelor’s degree and who wish to pursue a master’s degree. In all cases, the procedure would consist of obtaining registration at the institution; applying for a residence permit for studies—allowing both residency and compatibility of part- time work with studies, for a period of more than 90 days, and which can be processed through the consular network; obtaining a visa; moving to Spain; and finally, if applicable, obtaining a TIE (Spanish Identity Document). Regarding the continuation of studies in Spain, the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, and Sports will guarantee the continuity of studies at non-university levels in all academic years, as well as the incorporation of students into post-compulsory education through the recognition of qualifications they can provide from their countries of origin. To ensure that students do not experience delays in continuing their studies, provisional approval will be issued authorizing enrollment until their file is resolved.
As for students looking to switch their degree studies at Spanish universities from bachelor’s programs at schools in the U.S., various avenues will also be available to facilitate the arrival of these students in Spanish universities, including the recognition of foreign bachelor’s degrees. Following this first step, various paths will be established, such as: specific tests for access to bachelor’s degrees; requesting the transfer of academic records and the validation of courses taken if the student is already pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the U.S.; or through the usual procedures for access to and enrollment in a master’s degree for a student from a bachelor’s degree completed in the U.S. Spanish consular offices in the U.S. will expedite visa processing.
EduBridge is considered a bold move by Pedro Sanchez’s government to develop Spain’s potential as a major player in international education. It is already among Europe’s top study destinations for American students, trailing only the UK and Italy.
Spain is set to boost its international student population by welcoming thousands of students who are affected by US Visa restrictions. “Spain wants to be a country where knowledge opens the way, even when others block it. In a world that raises walls, we build bridges. When others restrict, we integrate. Because knowledge and dignity know no borders,” Elma Saiz concluded.