Andorra Student, Training and Research Residence in 2026

Andorra's F immigration authorization covers more than university study. It can authorize a newcomer to reside in the country for:

  • study at a qualifying Andorran educational establishment;
  • formative/professional placements;
  • high-level sports training; or
  • scientific or similar research.

Searchers often call the study pathway an Andorra student visa, but the official framework is a purpose-specific immigration authorization tied to the approved activity.

What the F authorization permits

The official F page says the authorization permits the holder to carry out the approved study, training, high-level sport or research and to reside in Andorra only while that qualifying activity lasts.

It should not be described as a general-purpose residence permit detached from the course, placement or research project.

Study eligibility

For study, the applicant must intend to study at an educational establishment located in Andorra and recognized by the Government, providing official qualifications or qualifying education approved by the competent education ministry.

The file includes academic enrolment and evidence of the content/calendar of the studies.

Research eligibility

For scientific or similar research, applicants must document the exclusive study/research status, planned research activity and its duration. Research that is actually ordinary employment should not be relabeled as an F authorization merely because the work is academic or technical.

Formative placements

Training/practice applicants can need qualification evidence, proof that the arrangement is genuinely formative rather than integration into the labour market, the placement calendar and the required institutional agreement.

This distinction protects the route from being used as a substitute for ordinary work residence.

High-level sports training

The F framework can also cover high-level sports training. Government guidance asks for evidence of the relevant sports-federation connection and the training calendar with a concrete expected end date.

Professional employment by a sports club can instead fall under work/quota rules; do not assume every athlete belongs in F.

Duration

The official rules tie validity directly to the approved activity:

  • study authorization: the duration of the school/academic year; and
  • formative placement, high-level sports training or research: the duration of the relevant activity.

There is therefore no single multi-year “Andorra student visa validity” that applies to every case.

Financial means

The current F checklist uses economic means linked to the Andorran minimum wage. It states a 100% minimum-wage benchmark and a household calculation in which each adult living in the same household must be supported at at least 100% of the minimum wage and each minor at 70%.

From 1 July 2026, the Andorran monthly minimum wage is €1,568.67. Because the test is indexed, recheck the wage before filing rather than treating the 2026 euro amount as permanent.

Documents

The official checklist includes, depending on the activity and applicant:

  • completed immigration application;
  • valid passport (or accepted EU/EEA identity document where applicable);
  • criminal-record certificates for an adult applicant from the required jurisdictions;
  • sworn criminal-record declaration;
  • proof of economic means;
  • enrolment, research, placement or sports documents;
  • evidence of the content and duration of the activity;
  • medical/immigration forms; and
  • route-specific minor/tutor evidence where the applicant is under age.

Foreign official documents generally require apostille or due legalization under the government's rules.

Minors

Where the applicant is a minor, the current guidance requires additional representation/guardianship evidence. This can include the parent/tutor's identity document, express permission for the minor to study/train in Andorra, identification of the Andorran resident/institution entrusted with the minor, and formal acceptance of that responsibility.

Does an Andorra student permit allow work?

Do not assume unrestricted employment. The F authorization is expressly tied to study, formative placement, high-level sport or research. Where a person wants ordinary employment, the A.1 residence and work route is the relevant comparison.

A formative placement can be part of F when it meets the official conditions; that is not the same as a general labour-market right.

Renewal

The F.1 renewal page requires the student to have studied and resided in the country only while the studies last and to submit renewal before the current authorization expires.

The renewal file can require new enrolment/calendar evidence, economic means, residence/identity documents and updated information about changes during the permit period.

Processing time

The public F service page does not publish one universal guaranteed end-to-end decision time. Admission/enrolment, criminal records, legalization, financial evidence, guardianship documentation and Immigration review can affect the timeline.

Family members

The F page has detailed provisions for minors and household financial evidence, but it should not be read as creating a universal dependent visa for every adult student's family. Confirm the appropriate family residence or dependent mechanism for the exact status before planning a joint move.

Transition to work or another residence type

Completion of studies does not automatically convert F into A.1 employment, J.1 self-employment, D.3 digital nomad or another residence category. A graduate or researcher who changes purpose should check the eligibility and filing rules for the new authorization.

Do not assume time under F automatically produces the same long-term rights as active work residence without checking the current immigration law.

Tax and insurance

Study residence does not settle tax residence, insurance or social-security questions for every applicant. Scholarships, paid placements, research funding and foreign income can have different treatment. Review the specific arrangement rather than applying an employee or digital-nomad tax summary by analogy.

Application sequence

  1. Secure admission, placement, high-level training or a qualifying research arrangement.
  2. Confirm the Andorran institution/activity meets the F criteria.
  3. Build the route-specific calendar and content evidence.
  4. Demonstrate the current minimum-wage-linked economic means.
  5. Collect passport and criminal-record documents and legalize foreign documents where required.
  6. Complete minor/guardian documents when applicable.
  7. File the F authorization and complete medical/administrative requirements.
  8. Maintain the qualifying activity and renew before expiry when studies continue.
  9. If purpose changes, obtain the correct new immigration authorization rather than assuming automatic conversion.

Related routes

Compare Andorra work residence, family reunification, digital nomad residence, the Andorra hub, Europe, and the broader visa-type directory.

Frequently asked questions

Does Andorra have a student visa?

Andorra has the official F immigration authorization for study, alongside training, high-level sport and research purposes.

How long does it last?

Study authorization follows the school/academic year. Training, sport and research authorization follows the duration of the approved activity.

What financial means are required?

The current service guidance uses a minimum-wage-linked test: 100% for relevant adults and 70% for minors in the household calculation. Recheck the current minimum wage when filing.

Can I work freely on a student permit?

Do not assume so. F is purpose-specific; ordinary employment uses a different residence-and-work authorization.

Can I renew?

Study authorization can be renewed where the qualifying studies continue and the renewal requirements are satisfied; file before expiry.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Andorra