Covid-19 Applicants’ FAQs

1. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS IF MY SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY IS CLOSED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS AND I AM UNABLE TO TAKE MY EXAMS, OR MY GRADUATION DATE IS POSTPONED?

IE University’s standard deadline for conditional offer holders to meet academic or English language requirements usually falls 15 days before a course’s start date. This year’s course will start on September 7th, so we will have time to receive your grades and final qualifications. We are following guidance from the Spanish government and other international education authorities monitoring the outbreak of the Covid-19, and will update this webpage as we receive advice from the Spanish Ministry of Education.

2. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY APPLICATION IF THE A-LEVELS /IB /ABITUR /BACCALAURÉAT /EBAU/ MATURITÁ OR OTHER NATIONAL EXAMS ARE POSTPONED OR CANCELLED?

Given the circumstances with the A-levels, GCSE and IB examinations, we expect that other qualifications will likewise be affected. We will provide further information on our website as soon as it is available and are also endeavoring to provide alternatives in these extenuating circumstances.

If you are a current applicant or a conditional offer holder, you do not need to contact us to discuss your individual examinations circumstances. We will contact all applicants and conditional offer holders as soon as information is available. Thank you for your continued understanding.

For more detailed information by system click here.

3. WILL IE UNIVERSITY EXTEND THE DATES FOR ACCEPTING PLACES/MEETING ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR EDUCATION INTERRUPTED?

We are fully aware of the current academic situation some students are experiencing and will take personal situations into account when reviewing applications. There is something important you must remember: we are looking for balanced candidates. We are interested in everything about you, not just your academic abilities.

At IE University, we don’t have a specific admissions deadline for our undergraduate programs. Our rolling admissions policy means that you can apply to IE University at any time of the year. Once you receive your conditional offer, you may reserve a place in the program. Places in our undergraduate programs are limited and are awarded by strict order of reservation.

If your final grades or exams are delayed, you will be able to complete the IE University application process as all our offers are conditional and we will confirm your definitive admission once we have your final qualifications.

4. I HAVE RECEIVED A CONDITIONAL ADMISSION, BUT I AM WORRIED THAT MY FINAL GRADES COULD BE AFFECTED BY DISTANCE LEARNING. IF SO, HOW WILL THIS IMPACT MY OFFER?

We consider many sources of information in order to understand your profile and your achievements. We will consider your predicted grades (if provided) and/or academic trajectory over the previous years, as well as your admissions test results, Kira assessment, and your personal interview. This holistic approach helps us make a balanced and comprehensive decision regarding whether IE University is the right fit for you.

5. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE COVID- 19 SITUATION DOES NOT IMPROVE BY THE BEGINNING OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR?

If the COVID-19 situation has not improved by September 2021, IE University will offer online classes to all its students. IE has been teaching online, with innovative methodologies, for the past 20 years and are considered experts in this area. Our professors will create a stimulating learning environment that is very similar to a face-to-face class, with active class participation.

Students will be able to engage with their fellow classmates, pose meaningful questions, and respond to the professor’s comments and questions as if in a traditional classroom. The content, rigor, and high quality of our bachelor’s degrees will be exactly the same as if they had taken place on our physical centers. As a matter of fact, we are already teaching online in all our degrees so our current students can successfully complete their academic year, and the experience continues to be of the highest level for both professors and students.

6. IF I PAY THE ACADEMIC PLACE RESERVATION BUT CANNOT JOIN IE UNIVERSITY IN SEPTEMBER BECAUSE OF COVID-19, WILL I RECEIVE A REIMBURSEMENT?

You may request a refund for your place reservation up to the 15th of August of 2021 if the COVID-19 situation has not improved by that time and 1) that Spain or your country of residence are subject to health or mobility restrictions that prevent the transfer to Madrid or Segovia to study the program 2) That financial difficulties arising in the family economic situation are proven in such a way that they prevent or seriously hinder the payment of the student’s tuition. If IE University is among your top choices, we therefore encourage you to secure your spot in the program that interests you.

At IE University, we guarantee that the academic year 2021-22 will start in September. We hope it will be able to begin in the face-to-face format, which would mean the coronavirus crisis has passed. If this turns out to not be the case and we must begin the programs in September 2020 in an online format, we will do so, using our preeminent teaching and learning methodologies so that students can follow classes at the highest level of quality.

7. WILL THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK AFFECT MY APPLICATION TO IE UNIVERSITY?

It will not. You will have the opportunity to complete the whole application process online. Regardless of where you are in the world, we will provide an efficient way for you to stay safe without having to put your future on hold.

8. CAN I DO THE ENTIRE ADMISSIONS PROCESS ONLINE, INCLUDING THE TEST?

The Covid-19 outbreak will not affect your application. We have implemented an application process that is 100% online. IE University has been working on innovative methodologies throughout the years that have now allowed us to face this critical situation efficiently. Regardless of where you are in the world, you can complete the entire application process online, including the Admissions Test. We want you to stay safe without having to put your future on hold.  Our 31 international offices will continue to support you through the application process and are available by phone, email, and videoconference.

In the upcoming days and weeks, you will see new events that will be offered exclusively online, so that you can continue to learn about IE University and stay connected to our community.  Our community is global and well interconnected thanks to fostering being digitally.

9. WHAT HAPPENS IF I CANNOT GET THE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM MY COUNSELLOR?

We understand that some schools have taken the decision to close their facilities in order to guarantee the security of to their community members. We are also fully aware that this might cause difficulties in accessing some of the information required in our admission process. To minimize this impact, you can submit your application without the recommendation letter (click on the box “I will send this document in future”) and explain your situation to your Admissions Advisor. Each individual case will be carefully reviewed.

10. AM I ABLE TO VISIT THE CAMPUS?

Following the Spanish health authorities guidance, our campus are currently closed, and we have temporarily suspended all visits, events and activities. We will let you know through this website once it is possible to visit our campus again. In the meantime, we invite you to check our Virtual Tour.

Should you have questions about campus, please contact us at: ieuadmissions@ie.edu

11. IF I HAVE DOUBTS REGARDING THE BACHELOR I AM APPLYING FOR, HOW CAN I SOLVE THEM?

We understand that deciding what to study is, probably, one of the most important choices of an individual. For that reason, if you have doubts regarding the syllabus, methodology or career opportunities that our bachelor’s degree offer to our students you can book an online one-to-one session with our Admissions Department clicking here.

12. CAN I SPEAK WITH CURRENT STUDENTS TO ASK THEM ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE AT IE UNIVERSITY?

Yes. IE University has been working on being digitally innovative throughout the years and members of both our faculty and student body are accessible from any region of the globe via virtual connection. You can contact our current students and ask them about their personal IE experience through our online platform.

Don’t forget to also ask them about their extracurricular activities (competitions, clubs, language center, exchanges with other universities) and the career opportunities that they might have been doing so far (Labs & internships).

Also, we strongly recommend that you follow us on our Instagram account: @ieu_admissions. There, you will be able to see content related with our bachelor’s degrees, our students, professors, campus life and other opportunities that IE University offers to our students.

13. I WON’T BE ABLE TO TAKE THE IELTS, CAMBRIDGE ADVANCED, OR TOEFL TESTS DUE TO THE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS. WHAT CAN I DO?

We are aware of changes to arrangements due to COVID-19 for a number of the English language tests and that even the assessment arrangements and availability of results for international qualifications may also be subject to change.

We would like to remind you that, since English communication skills are assessed during the admissions process, language certificates are not mandatory, particularly if candidates have spent the last two years in an English speaking country or have studied in an Anglophone educational system (such as American High School, IB in English or A- levels).

We also accept the Duolingo English Test, which can be taken fully online. You must obtain 120 points or higher.

If this was a requirement for your Conditional Admission, and you are neither able to take Duolingo English Test, the Admissions Department will schedule an interview to evaluate the improvement of your English level at the end of the academic year (June-July).

14. I CANNOT TAKE THE SAT, ACT, OR LNAT. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

You can take our Admissions Test, which is offered online. IE University’s Admission Test is conducted solely in English and assesses your verbal, logical, and numerical reasoning skills, with close attention paid to evidence of in class and extracurricular learning.

Above all, the IE Admissions Test focuses on your ability to reason rather than knowledge of particular information. This means you don’t have to study for the test beforehand in order to pass successfully. It also evaluates your English level. Please click here to register, or contact us at: ieuadmissions@ie.edu

15. MY ONLINE APPLICATION FORM IS MISSING SOME DOCUMENTS, BUT I CANNOT GET THEM BECAUSE MY SCHOOL IS CLOSED.  WHAT SHOULD I DO?

We recommend you submit your online application and explain your situation to your Admissions Advisor by email. To submit your online application with missing documents, you can check the box “I will send this document in the future” when needed.

16. WILL WE RECEIVE SUPPORT IN CASE OF VISA DELAYS?

The Student Services Team is here to support you throughout the visa application process. Contact us by phone number (+34 91 568 98 96) or by email (ieustudentservices@ie.edu).

17. DUE TO COVID-19, WILL THE ADMISSIONS APPLICATION FEE BE WAIVED?

No. Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis, we have offered candidates a Fully Online Application Process (FOAP), and thus the entire application process remains unchanged.

18. HOW WILL IE UNIVERSITY’S CAREER SERVICES PREPARE STUDENTS TO FIND EMPLOYMENT IN A POST COVID-19 WORLD?

Our Talent & Careers team is committed to providing high-quality services no matter the circumstances. We will continue to provide online advising and education, and recently hosted our Virtual Talent forum with more than 130 participating companies. We continue to organize job search groups, mentoring services, and virtual networking sessions as well as engage our alumni though the Career Champions program that connects students with alumni in their desired sector/industry.

19. DUE TO COVID-19, ARE THERE WAIVERS WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENTRANCE EXAM?

No. As of now, the IE University Admission Test, SAT, LNAT, etc. are available in online formats. Therefore, the entrance exam requirement remains mandatory in those programs that require it.

20. CAN I CONNECT WITH OTHER STUDENTS ENROLLED IN MY PROGRAM AND DISCOVER WHAT OTHERS ARE THINKING ABOUT THIS COVID-19 SITUATION?

Yes. In June, we will be launching tools and platforms designed to connect all enrolled students. Stay tuned!

21. IS IE UNIVERSITY COLLABORATING WITH OTHER SCHOOLS IN REGARDS TO COVID-19?

Yes, now more than ever, IE will continue to participate in events in which COVID-19 is a central topic – how it has and continues to evolve as well as its impact on education, business, geopolitics, and the future of work, among other trends – and to coordinate with European schools in order to develop research and an understanding of the post COVID-19 world.

22. WHAT SERVICES WILL CAMPUS LIFE PROVIDE, GIVEN THAT LARGE GROUP EVENTS WILL PROBABLY NOT BE ALLOWED BEFORE DECEMBER?

Campus Life will continue to support the IE University community and its many student clubs. Despite the fact that face to face activities are not possible at the moment, we continue to develop new initiatives and projects to enhance the student experience. In addition, 65 clubs, involving  undergraduate and master students, have moved all of their activity online and the following conferences are just a few examples of the events that will take place virtually in the coming months: Africa Forum on May 19th, TEDxIE in June, and LGBT@Work in July.

Lastly, the Campus Life team has created a platform to keep students and all of the IE University community inspired.

23. WILL NETWORKING AND EXTRACURRICULAR EVENTS RESUME ONCE THE CAMPUS REOPENS IF SOCIAL DISTANCING IS A REQUIREMENT? OR, WILL THEY CONTINUE TO BE HELD ONLINE?

As soon as we can get back to on-campus activity, we will follow the recommendations from the health authorities.  Campus Life has focused on helping student clubs move including networking events – more than 125 in the past two months – to various online platforms (Adobe Connect, Zoom, social media…), and to promote their activity within the IE University community.

1. MY FAMILY’S ECONOMIC SITUATION HAS BEEN/WILL BE AFFECTED BY COVID-19. WILL IE HELP ME FINANCIALLY?

Economic need is always taken into consideration when evaluating scholarship applications. The IE University Scholarship Committee is aware that many of our incoming students and their families have been affected by the recent circumstances and will take this into account. Please mention any difficulties you are experiencing in your application.

2. MY FAMILY AND I ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY THE PLACE RESERVATION DEPOSIT UNTIL WE HAVE A CLEARER IDEA OF HOW THIS SITUATION WILL DEVELOP. WILL I LOSE MY SCHOLARSHIP IF I DON’T PAY?

If you are unable to commit at this stage given the circumstances, kindly send an email to financialaid.ieu@ie.edu so that we can evaluate whether a deadline extension is possible.

3. WILL THERE BE A DELAY IN PROCESSING MY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DUE TO COVID-19?

No. The Financial Aid Department is still fully functional. We are currently taking about two weeks to respond to students once they have submitted a complete application.

4. I AM HAVING SOME TROUBLE GATHERING THE NECESSARY FINANCIAL DOCUMENTATION DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS SITUATION. WHAT CAN I DO?

Please send us an email or give us a call so that we can discuss your situation and look into alternatives.

• Contact by email: financialaid.ieu@ie.edu 
• Contact by phone: +34 91 568 97 50

5. I HAVE APPLIED FOR A LOAN WITH ONE OF IE’S PARTNER BANKS. WILL THE INTEREST RATES THAT WERE PROMOTED PRIOR TO THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS BE MAINTAINED?

Yes. As of now, we have not been informed otherwise.

6. ARE YOU OFFERING ANY ADDITIONAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS SPECIFICALLY AIMED AT HELPING PEOPLE IN LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 SITUATION?

IE University and IE Foundation are making every effort to mitigate the unforeseen financial stress and challenges that both our students and incoming students, or their families, may be facing as a direct result of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That is why, supplemental to our ongoing generous scholarship programs, we have established the IE Resilience Scholarship Fund (Covid-19). The fund aims to support talented candidates and incoming students joining IE in 2020-2021 and who, due to COVID-19 pandemic, are facing particularly financial challenging situations associated with job loss, income reduction, business revenues drops, non-continuation of sponsorship support, or other exceptional circumstances beyond their control. This fund will also be open for admitted candidates or incoming students who might be eligible for an IE scholarship revision due to a sudden and unanticipated change in their financial situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Financial Office team is available to understand your current financial circumstances – or any sudden substantial change to those circumstances – and to work with you to determine which financial aid options might be available and appropriate on a case-by-case basis.  Please reach out to us at FinancialAid@ie.edu (masters) or financialaid.ieu@ie.edu (undergraduate).

7. ARE THERE ANY NEW DEADLINES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PEOPLE WHO WOULD NEED FINANCIAL AID IN THE LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 SITUATION?

As a general rule, there is no deadline for scholarship applications, so you may apply any time prior to the start of your program (and following your admission application submission if applying for a master program and after being admitted if you are applying for a bachelor degree.) Funds are still available for programs starting in fall 2020.

1. ARE SPANISH CONSULATES OPEN?

Yes. If for any extremely exceptional reason your local Spanish Consulate has decided to close, they would announce it on their website, or they would tell you by phone. (Keep in mind that Consulates’ main purpose is to help Spanish nationals, so they should be operative these days and providing regular services).

2. WHAT DO I DO IF MY CONSULATE IS NOT REPLYING TO ME? 

Given the volume of work they probably have these days, it may take longer for them to reply to emails. Instructions for visa applications are available on most Consulate website, or they may redirect you to their external services provider (BLS), so keep this in mind because sometimes the information you are seeking is available in just a click! If you are still unable to find what you are looking for, you may ask your local IE office or Student Services. If you have already submitted your visa application and would like to know whether it has been accepted, you should first consider that the average processing time is 4-6 weeks (student visas) or 2-4 weeks (tourist visas), and that these timings may lengthen given the current situation.

3. WILL THE VISA APPLICATION DEADLINES CHANGE?

Deadlines remain the same. Candidates should consider that the average processing time is 4-6 weeks (student visas) or 2 weeks (tourist visas), and that these timings may lengthen given the situation. According to the current regulation, candidates may apply for their student visa once they have paid their place reservations and only 90 days before the beginning of the program. Tourist visas applications can be submitted 180 days before the start of the program. As some Consulates are admitting student visa applications exceptionally 180 days before the start of the program, we recommend that candidates contact their local consulate as soon as possible to confirm what deadlines and timings they are applying.

4. WILL I GET HARD COPIES OF MY VISA SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS?

At the moment, the Student Services department is working remotely so hard copies cannot be produced. However, the Spanish Consular authorities have confirmed that Consulates should be accepting print outs of the documents that Student Services will send you by email. At the same time, you can ask Student Services to send your local Spanish Consulate confirmation emails and authentication of your visa documents.

5. IF I DO NOT RECEIVE MY STUDENT VISA BEFORE CLASSES START DUE TO HEAVY WORKLOAD AT THE CONSULATE, WILL MY ABSENCES BE EXCUSED?

Please contact Student Services if the beginning of the classes is approaching and you have not yet received your student visa, despite having submitted your visa application in time. We will do our best to contact your local Spanish Consulate and to try to expedite your visa process. If this does not work either, or you simply submitted your application late, you will need to contact your academic team to explain your situation and determine what options are available to you.

6. CAN I RETURN TO SPAIN IF MY NIE/AUTHORIZATION HAS EXPIRED WHILE I WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS? WHAT IF MY STUDENT PERMIT OR NIE RENEWAL WAS IN PROCESS WHEN I LEFT THE COUNTRY?

Do not go to the airport if your travel documentation is not up to date. Please contact your Spanish Consulate well in advance before your scheduled return to Spain to work out a solution. They may ask you to apply for a tourist visa, a new student visa, or may provide you with some sort of travel document due to the exceptional circumstances.

7. CAN I RECEIVE MY NIE CARD BY MAIL IN MY HOME COUNTRY?

No. NIE cards must be collected in person at the Police station where you applied for it. No exceptions can be made in this respect. If you were about to collect your NIE card before leaving Spain and do not hold a valid authorization to return, contact your local Spanish Consulate and explain your circumstances so that they can give you the best advice on how to return to Spain.

8. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED TO HAVE MY FINGERPRINTS TAKEN FOR MY NIE CARD, SHOULD I GO?

At the moment, and while the quarantine lasts, all administrative entities have suspended their activities (e.g. migratory authorities). Their offices are closed, and appointments have been cancelled, and new appointments will not be scheduled until further notice. Once the quarantine ends, Student Services will get in touch with the authorities to see if cancelled appointments can be recovered.

9. WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM STILL IN SPAIN AND MY STUDENT VISA EXPIRES BEFORE THIS SITUATION ENDS AND I STILL HAVE NOT HAD MY FINGERPRINTS TAKEN?

Since all administrative processes and deadlines have been suspended, your visas’ expiration has been too (i.e. it has been frozen). Given the circumstances, the authorities will not take the expiration date into account when you finally continue with your NIE process.

Once the isolation period in Spain ends and if you missed an appointment during this time, please contact Student Services and we will try to help you.

10. DO I NEED A LETTER TO SUPPORT MY RETURN TO SPAIN ONCE ON CAMPUS CLASSES RESUME?

As of today, this is not a requirement in order to return to Spain. The Student Services Office will be in contact with the Immigration Authorities once the quarantine ends (as of now, the end date is May 25th) and will inform students of any requirement changes.

11. CAN I RENEW MY NIE IN MY HOME COUNTRY?

No. You can only do so in person, in Spain. We are aware that some of you are under student permit renewal processes or are about to obtain your first NIE card. In these cases, we would like to inform you of the suspension of all administrative procedures involving the immigration authorities and police. Thus, all appointments related to either authorities have been cancelled if they fall within the period before the movement restrictions in Spain end. However, this will not affect students’ ongoing immigration procedures if they are still in Spain; the immigration deadlines have also been temporarily suspended for those who have remained in the country. Students that are currently in their home countries and do not have the necessary documentation to come back to Spain should contact their local Spanish Consulates now to enquire about their options once the quarantine ends.

12. GIVEN THE SITUATION, WHERE CAN I VERIFY IF I WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER SPAIN?

At the moment, travelling is highly discouraged by authorities unless it is absolutely necessary. We recommend you contact your local Spanish Consulate now to inquire about your options.

13. HOW SHOULD I PROCEED IF MY CONSULATE IS CLOSED?

It is unlikely that Spanish Consulates have closed but it is possible that, given the current situation, some are prioritizing the cases of Spanish citizens and thus may not accept visa applications until a future date. If you cannot reach your local Consulate by mail, phone, or through the visa services provider (BLS), please get in touch with Student Services.

14. THE CONSULATE SAID THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT ELECTRONIC COPIES OF THE DOCUMENTS, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Please contact Student Services team and we will help you communicate with the Consulate, as they should be accepting electronic copies.

15. WHEN SHOULD I PLAN TO TRAVEL TO SPAIN?

Before booking a ticket, we always recommend students contact their local  Consulate first, to know 1) if there are any travel restrictions that would prevent them from being able to enter Spain and 2) if they have the necessary documentation to be accepted into the country.

16. DOES THE EU TRAVEL BAN AFFECT STUDENTS?

Due to the rapidly changing situation, we recommend you contact your local Spanish Consulate to verify if you can travel or not.

17. WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS YOU NEED FROM ME TO START MY VISA APPLICATION?

Once your place has been reserved in the program, you will receive a welcome email with a link to our visa questionnaire which will help you provide us with all the necessary information. To know what additional documents you need to submit to your Consulate, we recommend checking their website or contacting them directly. Please keep in mind that, while we provide you with some of the necessary documents, it is your responsibility to ensure you are submitting all the correct documents to your local Consulate.

18. WHOM SHOULD I CONTACT AND WHEN SHOULD I START THE PROCESS FOR MY VISA?

Depending on your Consulate, you may be able to start the visa process within the 180 or 90 days before your expected arrival in Spain. Thus, to know how far in advance you should book a visa appointment and prepare your documentation, we recommend you contact your local Spanish Consulate well in advance.

19. DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE COVID-19 SITUATION TO BE OVER AND THE CONSULATES TO RE-OPEN TO START THE PROCESS OF VISA APPLICATION OR I CAN DO IT ONLINE? 

You should start your visa application process as soon as allowed by the Consulate (180 or 90 days before the beginning of the program, depending on the Consulate). Up to the date, visa applications can only be made in person at the Consulates. However, we highly recommend checking their websites for any updates or news about the process (some of them may allow some steps to be done online or by post).

20. WILL I BE ABLE RETURN HOME DURING WINTER BREAK? 

It will depend on how the COVID-19 situation evolves. We encourage students to avoid making non-essential travel plans  until the situation becomes clearer.

21. WILL IE UNIVERSITY SUPPORT ME IN GETTING MY VISA MORE QUICKLY THAN USUAL?

We are doing our best to coordinate directly with Consulates in order to facilitate the visa process, but please keep in mind that, since the issuance of a visa has its own timeline which varies by Consulate and country, the speed at which your visa is granted is ultimately dependent on each Consulate.

22. IF A VISA IS SECURED BUT THE STUDENT CAN’T ATTEND IN FALL, WILL THE VISA BE RECOGNIZED FOR THE SPRING EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE A 90-DAY LIMIT?

If you find yourself in this situation, contact your local Spanish Consulate. They will be able to give you official, up-to-date information about your options.

23. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE CONSULATE TOLD ME THAT THEY ONLY HELP SPANISH CITIZENS WITH URGENT MATTERS?

This may be the case for the moment but things should be back to normal relatively soon. If you continue to have difficulties in submitting your visa application and begin classes in 90 days or less, please contact Student Services.

24. MY HOME COUNTRY DOES NOT REQUIRE A VISA TO ENTER SPAIN. CAN I SIMPLY REENTER SPAIN WITH MY PASSPORT? 

Although we are currently living in exceptional circumstances, immigration laws still apply to non-EU citizens. Thus, those who wish to travel should keep their legal documentation up-to-date. Students who are currently in their home countries and, for whatever reason, do not have the necessary documentation to return to Spain or enter the country for the first time, should contact their local Spanish Consulates as soon as possible to enquire about their options once quarantine ends.

25. I HAD COVID-19. WILL THE CONSULATE ASK ME FOR A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE?

At the moment, and to our knowledge, you must submit a medical certificate of good health when applying for a student visa. For now, this certificate does not include specifications regarding COVID-19 but, moving forward, it’s possible that you may be asked to prove that you either don’t have the virus or that you have successfully recovered from it. The Consulate or the visa services provider will inform you about this specific requirement, if necessary.

26. ARE SPANISH HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDERS STILL PROVIDING COVERAGE AND HOW?

Spanish health insurance providers like Sanitas, Adeslas, and Cigna are still providing coverage to its users, mainly through video consultations due to the quarantine. As soon as the quarantine ends in Spain, they are expected to resume their normal activities. If you require assistance, we encourage you to contact your health insurance provider and follow their instructions.

27. FOR EUROPEANS: I’M PLANNING TO BRING MY EHIC CARD, IS THE SPANISH NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FUNCTIONING NORMALLY?

During the current State of Alarm in Spain, requesting non-urgent medical services is highly discouraged by the Spanish Ministry of Health. However, once the State of Alarm has passed, the system is expected  to  resume its normal functions.

28. CAN I APPLY FOR THE EHIC IF I HAVE A EUROPEAN PASSPORT, BUT DON’T LIVE IN A EUROPEAN COUNTRY?

You must have a residence in a European country in order to apply for the EHIC, and you must apply in person.

29. WILL I NEED TO BE IN QUARANTINE WHEN I ARRIVE TO SPAIN?

It depends on when you arrive to Spain and how the Covid-19 situation evolves. Please consult your local Spanish Consulate before travelling to Spain.

30. SHOULD I RESERVE MY HOUSING ALREADY? 

We at Student Services believe that it’s never too early to start thinking about where you’d like to live in Madrid and Segovia. We suggest that you start by figuring out in which area you want to live, as well as which type of housing serves your needs (student residences, flats, etc.). If you are interested in a particular residence, we recommend that you contact the residence manager or landlord directly to discuss any queries that you may have, such as availability, potential refund policies if you decide to book now, etc. If you are interested in a flat, we also recommend getting in touch with the landlord as early as possible, though please keep in mind that they may not accept reservations as far in advance as residences do.

31. CAN I WAIT UNTIL THE SUMMER TO RESERVE HOUSING, WHEN THE SITUATION IS MORE CERTAIN?

If you are interested in a particular residence or flat, we recommend that you contact the residence manager or landlord as soon as possible. Of course, whether or not to book a room immediately is a personal decision, but please note that spots are limited, and student residences fill up very quickly. If you are interested in renting a flat, landlords are generally reluctant to reserve a flat far in advance (especially in Madrid), so we recommend deciding now in which area you would like to live in order to find a flat more easily during the summer.

32. WILL THE RESIDENCE GIVE ME A REFUND IF I AM NOT ABLE TO ATTEND IE UNIVERSITY DUE TO COVID-19?

As we are under exceptional circumstances, most of the residences are reevaluating their policies. Since the residences that we recommend are not owned by IE Universities and each one has its own unique policies, we strongly encourage students to contact them directly in order to understand specific cancellation and deferral policies. Likewise, the IE University Student Services team is available at ieustudentservices@ie.edu and is in regular contact with the recommended Student Residences in order to be able to inform students.

33. ARE STUDENT RESIDENCES FOLLOWING HEALTH GUIDELINES TO AVOID THE SPREADING OF THE VIRUS?

Yes. Although the residences and other companies specialized in accommodation are not managed by IE University, they all abide by the health guidelines laid out by the World Health Organization and Spanish health authorities. Such guidelines include precautions including thorough and routine disinfecting, staggered meal services, social distancing among employees and residents, restricted use of the common spaces, and more. For specific information, please contact the residence in which you are interested and IE University Student Services at ieustudentservices@ie.edu.

34. IF I MAKE A RESERVATION THROUGH BEYOND CAMPUS AND CANNOT COME IN THE END, WHAT WILL BE THEIR REFUND POLICY?

Beyond Campus will be flexible with their refund policy due to circumstances out of the students’ control (i.e. border closures, inability to obtain a visa, etc.) Such flexibility could entail up to 50% reimbursement of the reservation fee, depending on how the situation has progressed due to COVID-19. We always recommend that you consult them directly about specific conditions before making your reservation