Spain Work Visa

Spain is an enticing country to live in with thousands of people applying and many manage to get one. In order to work in Spain, non-EU citizens need a Spanish Work Visa to be able to start working in the country legally. One thing to remember is that, unlike other EU countries, permits and Visas are two separate things in Spain. You can either migrate to Spain in order to work there or, in case you have studied there, apply to stay and find a suitable job. In this blog, we will guide you through the details about the Spain work Visa. 

Types of Spain Work Visas

There are various types of Spain Work Visas available for different types of jobs and different lengths of employment. Some of them are:

Long Term Work Visa	The application process involves the employer applying on the worker’s behalf with the Ministry of Labour and authorising their hiring (as discussed before). It grants you residency for a period of two years and is renewable for up to five years. To qualify, you need to have an annual salary of about €40,000- €54,000. (INR 34,88,280- 47,07,021). This can vary on basis of job type.
Seasonal Work Visa	These are part-time job Visas and are valid for the duration of the job. The application process is similar to that of long term work Visas.
Self-Employed Work Visa	These allow you to work in Spain as a freelancer. You need to apply for a Work Visa at the Consulate or Embassy yourself. They are valid for one year but can be renewed if the conditions are still met. After holding a self-employment Visa for five years, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency in Spain.
EU Blue Card	The EU Blue Card is for people who have spent at least three years completing a higher education qualification/or have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience at a high level. It is a work contract that includes a salary (which is at least 20-50% more than the average wage). Workers are required to apply for a Visa once their Blue Card is approved. An EU Blue Card is valid for one year but can be renewed.
Entrepreneur Visa	The Entrepreneur Visa is a residency permit that allows you to live in Spain for a two-year period to start your project, given that it goes in line with the general interests of the country’s economy. The government is much stricter and more selective while handing out this Visa. They only accept projects with a big potential to grow. If your business is performing in accordance with your business plan, you can renew this Visa.

Also Read: Benefits of Studying in EU

Post Study Work Permit in Spain

If you’re studying in Spain and wish to stay in the country after the completion of your degree, you need to apply for a Job Search Visa. You must consider the location if you wish to settle down as the cost of living varies across different locations. The job search Visa allows you to stay in Spain for a period of one year. It cannot be renewed or extended and the applicant needs to find a job that meets the aforementioned criteria within the span of the year.

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Processing Time and Eligibility

You can apply for any of the Spain work Visas either 60 days before the expiration of your student foreigners identity number or until 90 days after its expiration. The process can take up to 3 months so it’s better to apply earlier. In order to qualify for a Job Search Visa, you need to:

• Be residing in Spain when applying for it.
• Hold a recent university degree or higher from a Spanish university.* 
• Provide supporting documents like your CV and a letter which outlines your plans for the future and time in Spain.  The job position you aim to secure should be highly qualified with a high salary.
• Have proof of health coverage.
• Provide legal documents like your passport, a copy of your student Visa and a student ID.  

*Not all Universities or Study Courses are eligible so you should check the official website to confirm.

Once you secure a job, your employer has to apply for a Work Permit on your behalf. They have to authorise your hiring by proving that the job has been advertised but there were no suitable candidates within Spain or the EU in front of the Ministry of Labour. After obtaining a work and residence permit, you can apply for a Work Visa. The Work Permit applications can take up to 8 months to process, and once the application has been approved, the embassy or consulate will issue the work and residence Visa.  

General Application Process

The different types of Visas have different application processes. In the aforementioned case of long term Spain Work Visas, the employer makes the initial application on the worker’s behalf while in the case of others like an entrepreneurship or freelance Visa you have to apply yourself at the respective consulate/embassy in your country:

• In the case of the former approach, the first step is to secure a job. This is followed by authorization by the ministry of labour. 
• In the latter case, you have to provide an investment plan or a freelancing plan 
• Once your application is successful, you are given the authorization to work. The Local Embassy/Consulate will be informed and your application process can proceed.  Apply for 3 months before your intended trip to Spain. The application can be submitted either in person or by an authorized representative at the Spain Visa application centre.
• You need to submit the required documents. 
• After making an interview appointment, you are required to attend the interview, provide your biometrics, and pay the Visa fees on the day of the interview as well.
• The Visa application process usually takes less than 30 days. However, it can be extended up to 2 months as well, which is why applying in advance is recommended to avoid any hassles.

Documents Required

• 2 filled out National Visa application forms.
• 2 recent passport size photographs should be attached to the form. (coloured with white background)
• Two photocopies of demand draft of payment of Visa fees.
• Valid passport.
• Police clearance certification.
• Medical certificate.
• The authorisation of the work document of the applicant. (if employed)
• Original work contract. (if employed)
• Apostille of Hague (The Apostille is an official government-issued certificate added to documents so they will be recognised when presented in another country. Indian documents must be apostilled, for them to be valid in Spain. In India, it is the Ministry of External Affairs that issue an Apostille)

*Different types of Visas can require additional documents. The Embassy/Consulate can also ask for additional information or summon you for a special interview.

Additional Requirements

After arriving in Spain, foreign workers must:

• Register in the corresponding social security scheme.
• Apply for a foreigner identity card.

Documents should be presented in two sets:- Originals and Photocopies. Back to Back pages are preferred. Do not staple any documents and do not provide any documents that have not been mentioned. Documents have to be submitted on the basis of how they are listed in the information sheet for your specific category of Visa.

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Reasons for Rejection of Spain Work Visa

There are instances in which your Visa is denied to you. Listed below are some of the more common reasons in which Visas have been denied:

• In case you lack accommodation or sufficient economic means.
• In case false or invalid documents have been presented.
• In case the applicant has a criminal record.
• Submission of Incomplete documentation.
• Refusal to appear for a special interview.

Cost

The fee for a National Visa is  ₹5,367 and is only payable through bank demand draft. In case of an additional fee, a separate draft must be attached.  Self Employment Visas include an ₹18,053 INR for self-employed work authorization and a ₹969 for residence authorization. If you apply through BLS (in the case of short term Visas), you need to pay the BLS International Service Charge of ₹1,382.

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