Madrid Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions

Please note that Suffolk University is requiring students who reside in the United States to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before traveling to Madrid, in order to protect the health and safety of our community. We also strongly recommend vaccination for all students who are not US residents or citizens, as well as faculty and staff. We will accept all COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved in your home country unless directed otherwise by US health authorities. SUMC reserves the right to require any complementary documentation in order to comply with health protocols and to protect the University.

Further information about our COVID-19 vaccination requirements. We will update these as plans evolve, and you can expect to hear from us in other ways as well.

As always, we are here to support you and look forward to working with you in your exciting next chapter as a Suffolk University student.

Will online courses be offered at SUMC this fall?
During the 2020-2021 academic year, all Suffolk Madrid classes were in-person, on campus. We expect to continue to offer in-person classes for the Fall 2021 semester. Remote accommodations will only be made for students who need to isolate for health reasons.

Will I be required to get a COVID-19 vaccination prior to arriving on campus in Madrid?
Suffolk is requiring students who reside in the United States to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before traveling to Madrid, in order to protect the health and safety of our community. We also strongly recommend vaccination for all students who are not US residents or citizens, as well as faculty and staff. Exemptions may apply for medical or religious reasons. For more information, please review the Vaccine Requirements for Students FAQ.

Will Suffolk Madrid accept the vaccination I receive in my home country?
As of May 2021, the University anticipates being able to accept full vaccination with any COVID-19 vaccine approved in a student’s home country, including those without U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. However, Suffolk will need to comply with any Spanish vaccination requirements: It is possible, for example, that the Spanish government may require COVID-19 inoculation through certain pre-approved vaccines for entry into the European Union. The University will continue to follow the latest guidance as well as any additional restrictions issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Spanish government. We will keep you informed of any changes.

What if I am unable to get vaccinated before the beginning of the fall semester?
As there is currently limited vaccine availability in Spain, as of May 24th, the Spanish government has not indicated it is vaccinating non-residents. Please let us know if you think you will not be vaccinated in your home country prior to arrival in Madrid, and we will do our best to work with you to find a solution.

What if my Spanish visa is delayed and I cannot arrive in Spain by the start of the semester?
Arrival day for all students is August 30th, 2021. If a student has a documented extenuating circumstance (visa delay, testing positive for Covid-19, etc.), they have until Monday, September 27th to arrive in Madrid. Classes begin on Tuesday, September 7th, so if you are not in Madrid by that time, you are expected to participate remotely until you arrive. Students may not unilaterally decide to arrive late to campus; this option is only available for students experiencing justified delays. If this is the case for you, please contact [email protected] to request permission to arrive later to campus.

Is there a visa requirement to enter Spain as a student?
Any U.S. citizen who wishes to study in Spain for a period of longer than 90 days must obtain a student visa. The Center for International Programs & Services (CIPS) is available to help most students apply for the visa at the Spanish Consulate in Boston. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please consult with the Spanish authorities about your specific visa requirements. You are also encouraged to reach out to CIPS to see if it is possible for them to assist you with your visa.

Will Suffolk provide me with documentation to enter Spain?
Yes. Please pay attention to your Suffolk email throughout the summer, as we will be in regular communication with you about the necessary paperwork and visa process.

Can I take Boston courses remotely from Spain?
It may be possible for certain students to take one or more online Boston courses while studying in Madrid. If you have a pressing academic need, or, if you would not otherwise be able to study on the Madrid Campus, you may petition to take up to two online Boston courses (6-8 credits) in addition to your on-campus, in person courses. Please be advised that in order to comply with Spanish student visa requirements, and to maintain your institutional financial aid package, all students must maintain full-time status (12-17 credits) while studying on the Madrid Campus. For more information about the online course petition process, please contact the Director of International Programs & Services.

If I plan to study in Madrid this fall, by what date do I have to arrive?
The arrival date for all students in Madrid is Monday, August 30, 2021. If you are unable to arrive by this date, please contact [email protected] to request permission to arrive late and inform us of your travel plans.

What are the COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements to enter Spain?
As of May 24th anyone entering Spain (including Spanish or EU citizens) from a foreign destination must be mindful of the following COVID-related procedures:

  • You must be able to demonstrate proof of having received the full vaccination dose(s) of a vaccine currently recognized by the European Medicines Agency (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Astra-Zeneca, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac, Sinopharm) AND have waited the required time for acquiring immunity, OR
  • You must have a negative PCR test taken within the 72 hours previous to your arrival in Spain (not 72 hours before departing your home country), or a negative antigens test taken within the 48 hours previous to your arrival in Spain. Results can be written in Spanish, English, German, or French. Print out your results sheet. OR
  • A certificate from your doctor indicating that you have had Covid-19 and are now safe to travel. This letter must be dated at a minimum 11 days after your first positive test result, and at a maximum 180 days after your first positive test result.
  • If you get tested at the Suffolk Boston testing clinic, bring a photo of the main page of your passport, and remind the testing staff to include your passport number on your results sheet.
  • In addition, all travelers entering Spain must fill out the Health Control form found at Spain Travel Health, download the QR code that is emailed to you, and present this QR code both prior to boarding in the United States and upon arrival in Madrid.

Do I need to do any paperwork upon arrival in Spain?
Upon landing in Madrid, you will be asked to download the Spain Travel Health app, which is a brief questionnaire to indicate whether you have any COVID-like symptoms. You must answer the questions, and the app will give you a QR code, which you will need to scan to leave the airport. (If the app doesn't work for you, don't worry, they also have paper versions in the airport.)

Can I work remotely for Suffolk while I am outside the United States?
No. At this time, you will not be able to work remotely for Suffolk while living outside the country. If you will be inside the United States during the semester, you are permitted to engage in remote work for Suffolk University. If there is any change in this policy, we will let you know.

Can I do a remote internship in the United States if I am in Spain?
Yes, provided that you meet all eligibility requirements for CPT, you are permitted to do a remote internship from outside the United States. Please contact the ISSO for more information about applying for CPT.

Can I go back to my home country mid-semester for a vacation or to visit family?
At the present time, we anticipate returning to our usual policy of allowing students to travel freely throughout the semester. However, it is possible that the current health situation does not improve by August 2021, in which case we will maintain our strict travel policy (i.e. you must seek approval from the SUMC Director prior to traveling). If we do allow free travel, we strongly encourage students to stay mindful of their Spanish visa requirements and deadlines to ensure that they do not overstay their visa or find themselves outside Spain when their visa expires. For more information about visas, please contact [email protected].

How will I get to Suffolk’s Madrid campus when I arrive?
Please fill out this arrival form with your flight details. Students arriving by 4pm on the stipulated arrival day, who communicate their flight details via this form, will be eligible for airport pickup. If you arrive later than 4pm on the stipulated arrival day, you will be responsible for making your own way to the residence hall via taxi or public transportation. Please monitor your email throughout the summer for more specific instructions.

Are there any waivers or paperwork I must sign prior to arrival in Madrid?
Please monitor your Suffolk email throughout the summer. If there are any additional documents you must sign, we will inform you via email.