rainman95

I've stumbled on a problem with my visa for Spain. It's late Friday night and the embassy won't open until Monday morning so I thought I'd throw my question out here so I can go at this a little smarter on Monday.

I'm planning on a 180 day live abroad in Spain with a non-profit group (United Planet) that place young adults in cross-cultural experiences around the world. I was instructed to get a student visa but my non-profit group is not "registered" as an education group with the ministry. Looking at the visa options, the student one appears to be the right one but per the embassy it isn't. During my time there I will be set up with a host family and receive a small stipend for this volunteer experience.

I am getting back with United Planet but with the weekend it'll be a couple of days and I'm just reaching out for guidance and to educate myself a bit more before then.

Thanks in advance for any input you can provide!

janisj

AFAIK if you aren't a student in an accredited program you can't get a student visa.

From the Spanish Embassy website:

>>Letter of acceptance as a full time student from Spain's University/School or US program indicating: name, address and registration number of the school with Spain's Department of Education; (Ministerio de Educación de España) full payment of tuition, duration of the program, subjects of the study and hours of study per week which must be no less than 20.<<

Plus you getting paid throws another spanner in the works.

I'd throw this in United Planet's lap . . . from their website: >>Volunteers will obtain the necessary visas<B> with support from our Long-Term staff </B> to volunteer in their host country.<<

Robert2533

United Planet sounds a bit like a scam, or a very poorly run organization.

ribeirasacra

Sounds more like a Star Trek organisation!
About so called visas. Read this.It is a lot but it will throw more light on what you can and cannot do.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntr...his-post-first

nytraveler

Agree that this sounds like a scam.

Unless they can provide very specific info on how they will get you the necessary visa I would run in the opposite direction.

If you want this type of program go to an accredited school.

Sojourntraveller

I would suggest that you read here https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=...untourism+scam and find out the difference between true 'volunteer' organizations that help people and voluntourism companies that whether registered as 'non-profits' or not, exist to make money off the gullible.

Look at the United Planet website and READ what it says. How much of what it says is about what YOU will get out of the 'quest' and how much is about what those you are 'volunteering' to help will get out of it?

Then finally, ask yourself just why Spain would need 'volunteers' any more than your home country would. Spain is after all a first world country with all the infrastructure for education and health care that any other first world country has. The idea that Spain would need outside 'volunteers' is ludicrious.

These kinds of voluntourism companies are all about making money off you. Little if any benefit results to those you 'help'. What they offer you is a vacation that you PAY for just like any other vacation. You will not be 'doing good' as a 'volunteer' in any meaningful way. It's embarassing to read that you might think you are 'needed' in Spain.

Take the word 'volunteer' out of everything they say and you say about this program and you will see what it truly is. A six month homestay vacation for which you pay.

For that you need a visa yes and you won't get a student visa unless you are registered for Spanish lessons with an accredited school. That's the usual 'work around'. You don't even have to attend, just register. What's one more bit of BS after all.