UAE students set to benefit as Spain fast-tracks university access

Dubai: International students—including many in the UAE—are now being offered a faster alternative to US higher education: Spain’s new “EduBridge to Spain” programme, launched in response to recent visa restrictions introduced by US President Donald Trump.

The initiative aims to welcome the first batch of students by September 2025, giving those affected by the US policy shift a renewed chance to study abroad.

Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion, led by Elma Saiz, is introducing a fast-track academic pathway for international students, researchers, and academics who may no longer be able to enter or continue their education in the United States. This follows reports of stricter social media vetting and visa delays for students holding political views seen as unfavourable by the US administration.

Saiz stated: “Spain wants to be a country where knowledge opens the way, even when others block it.”

The programme, pending approval at Spain’s next Council of Ministers meeting, includes:

It will be implemented in two phases:

The programme is open to a wide range of students, including pre-university students who are completing their secondary education (such as A-levels or an equivalent qualification), current undergraduate students who have completed one or more academic years, and graduates who are looking to pursue a Master’s degree.

Students must secure a place at a recognised Spanish institution and apply for the necessary study permit and visa.

Spain’s updated immigration laws (Royal Decree 1155/2024) now allow:

According to immigration lawyer Isaac Abad Garrido, the system now “prioritises the attraction and retention of international talent.”

The Spanish Ministry of Education has guaranteed support for affected students by ensuring recognition of US diplomas and coursework, allowing conditional enrolment while official documents are still being processed, offering multiple university entry pathways—including exam-based routes and dedicated international student quotas—and enabling the transfer of academic credits for those already partway through their degrees in the United States.

While EduBridge offers many benefits, students must be mindful of Spain’s revised immigration laws. These introduce:

In parallel, Spain’s Ministry of Science has launched a separate plan for US-based researchers affected by the same restrictions. Those moving to Spain will receive €200,000 in research grants, aimed at attracting academic talent sidelined by the US administration.

Many students in the UAE eye the US for higher education. But with new US restrictions creating uncertainty, Spain’s EduBridge programme presents a real-time alternative — with faster visa processing, EU-level academic access, and strong post-graduation work pathways.

For students worried about stalled or denied US applications, Spain may now offer the quickest route to stay on track with academic and career plans.