Can anyone share if it’s allowed to switch from a visit visa to a study visa while in Europe?Which countries support this legally?

Question

S Raghav · Accepted Answer

Switching from a Schengen visit visa to a student visa while already in Europe is generally not allowed. Most EU countries require student visa applications to be submitted from your home country or a country where you have legal long-term residence.
Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Spain all have this requirement clearly stated on their immigration websites. Even with an admission letter, applying from inside Europe on a tourist visa won&rsquo;t be accepted and can result in visa overstay issues.
One exception is Italy. In some regions, students enrolling in Italian language courses or university degree programs that meet specific duration and accreditation criteria may be allowed to apply for a student permit without leaving. But this is handled case-by-case and depends on the local immigration office (Questura).
For most other countries, applying from outside the Schengen Zone remains the only safe and legal route

Mohit C · Answer

Many students hope to stay in Europe and switch their visa type, but most countries don&rsquo;t allow it &mdash; and trying to bend the rules can backfire.

Germany, France, Netherlands, and Austria all require student visas to be applied for from outside their borders.
A Schengen tourist visa (Type C) cannot be changed to a national student visa (Type D) while in Europe.
Even with a university admission letter, immigration offices in these countries won&rsquo;t process a student visa request if the applicant is on a tourist visa.
Italy is a rare exception. In certain cases, if someone enrolls in a full-time degree or certified language course and meets local immigration office conditions, a conversion may be possible.
But policies vary by city, and approval is not guaranteed.

Checking the official embassy website of the destination country is essential. Most make it very clear that switching visa types inside Europe isn&rsquo;t allowed.

T Ronak · Answer

Switching from a visit visa to a study visa in Europe usually depends on the country&rsquo;s local immigration rules. Most EU countries don&rsquo;t allow a direct switch because the study visa process often requires applying from your home country.
Germany, France, and the Netherlands generally expect students to return home and apply from their local consulate. Spain is one of the few places where people have managed to convert a tourist visa to a student visa, but it works only if all documents are complete and the school is officially recognized.
It&rsquo;s also worth noting that visa officers look more closely at applicants who attempt an in-country switch, so the approval rate can vary. If someone is planning this route, it helps to check processing times in advance because some embassies have long appointment waits during peak admission season.

Divakshi Arora · Answer

This question comes up often because many students travel to Europe first and then find a course they like. The rules aren&rsquo;t the same everywhere.
&bull; Spain is known for allowing the switch if the school is accredited and the application is filed before the visit visa expires. &bull; Portugal also accepts it in many cases, especially for language programs and vocational courses. &bull; Italy sometimes permits it, but only when the student has a full set of documents and sufficient financial proof. &bull; Countries like Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands generally require students to return home and apply from there.
A useful thing to remember is that the stay must still be legal at the time of application, and overstaying even by a few days can kill the chance completely.