Spain to fast-track admission for foreign students blocked by Trump

President Donald Trump has recently been cracking down on higher education, telling US embassies around the globe to halt student visa interviews as his administration expands social media vetting for these applicants.

In a bid to try and attract those foreign students who can’t or may not want to study in the US anymore, the Spanish government is to approve a new fast-track programme on Tuesday which will allow those affected by the immigration restrictions imposed by the Trump administration to study at Spanish universities more easily.

Although the visa suspension policy has now been lifted, pending reviewal of students’ social media profiles, the situation is precarious, and many are reconsidering a move to the US.

The Spanish government's programme has been dubbed "EduBridge to Spain". This fast-track solution for international students allows candidates to benefit from the offer at different stages of their education, from high school to university or even from Bachelor's to a Master's.

It will allegedly mean that students will not experience delays in continuing their studies in Spain while qualifications from their countries of origin are being recognised, a bold claim by authorities given that Spanish bureaucracy is notoriously slow and painstaking when it comes to the recognition of foreigner qualifications.

READ ALSO: 'Homologación' - How Spain is ruining the careers of thousands of qualified foreigners

The fast-track system will also supposedly include different measures such as the easy transfer of academic records, and validation of completed courses if the student is already studying for a university degree in the United States.

According to the Spanish government, they will ensure that consular offices in the United States will expedite the granting of visas and that police stations will also expedite the issuance of Foreigner Identity Cards (TIE) for students, professors, and researchers.

“Spain wants to be a country where knowledge opens the way, even when others block it; we want to offer these young people the opportunity to continue their education in our country, contributing to their talent. Their future cannot be trapped by decisions unrelated to their efforts and merit,” explained the Minister of Migration, Elma Saiz.

One issue that the new programme may run into, however, is that Spain also recently passed a new Immigration Law, which came into force on May 20th, featuring a raft of new measures for many types of visas, including student visas.

This could actually make it more difficult for US students to get visas due to a reduction in the length of stay before getting a residence permit, changes to deadlines for submitting academic reports, medical insurance and proof of accommodation.

The unintended situation has already led to dozens of applications being frozen or denied, according to various reports in the Spanish press.

The Association of American University Programmes in Spain (Apune) explain that the requirements are ambiguous and, in many cases, difficult to comply with as prior payment of enrolment fees is required, but many Spanish universities do not charge tuition fees until September.

READ ALSO: Spain's new migration law could block entry for thousands of US students

In addition to students, Spain has also been trying to attract US scientists fleeing the Trump administration with €200k in extra funding.

Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation Diana Morant explained that the focus is on researchers who are being "disregarded" by the Trump administration.

She said that US-based scientists selected for this programme will receive additional funding of €200,000 for each project they're working on.

READ ALSO: Spain lures US scientists fleeing Trump with €200K in extra funding