How Do I Get a Long Term Work Visa in Spain as an Indian?

Want to stay in Spain for a long time? You can apply for a long-term work visa. The long-term work visa Spain is called a National or D visa. Those who want to stay and work longer than 90 days in Spain can apply for this visa. Spain issues different types of long-term work visas. You need to apply for the right visa type depending on your occupation. A long-term work visa is available to a non-EU national intending to work in the country. This blog covers everything you need to know about the long-term work visa in Spain.

Can Indians Get a Long Term Work Visa in Spain?

Yes. Indian nationals can get a long term work visa.  Spain offers different types of work visas for Indian nationals. For example, you can apply for an employee work visa, researcher work visa, internship work visa, or self-employed work visa. These work visas allow you to stay in the country for longer than 90  or more than 90 days. However, to apply for a work visa you must ensure that you have received a job offer from a recongised employer. On the other hand, EU/EEA nationals are exempt from the work visa requirement.

What are the Types of Long Term Work Visa Spain?

There are different types of long-term work visas. Depending on the type of occupation you are undertaking, you need to apply for the right type of visa.

1. Employee visa: Those above the age of 16 wanting to work in Spain can apply for this visa. However, you need a job contract to apply for this type of visa. The visa is available for seasonal workers as well.
2. Researcher visa: This visa is available to those who want to undertake research activities in business entities, in any Spanish university, or R&D&I centre in a research institution. You need a job offer to apply for this visa.
3. Internship visa: Those who have a university degree (in the last 2 years) or who are pursuing studies that can lead up to a degree in abroad or Spain can apply for this visa. However, such applicants must be participating in an internship programme with an internship contract.
4. Self-employed work visa: Those who are above the age of 16 and want to engage in self-employed work. You need a self-employed work permit, and an initial residence permit to work.
5. Entrepreneur visa: This visa is for foreigners moving to Spain to carry out work necessary to engage in entrepreneurial and innovative activities that are of interest to Spain.
6. Digital nomad visa: This visa is for those who want to live in Spain on a holiday while taking up a remote job either in Spain or India/Nigeria. You can also be self-employed
7. Long-term residence or EU long-term residence recovery visa: This visa is for those who have previously held a long-term residence permit in Spain. This visa is mainly meant for applicants who have been absent from the EU territory for 12 or more months or have obtained a long-term residence status in any other country in the EU.
8. Visa for highly qualified workers and for intra-company transfers: This visa is available for highly skilled professionals, and members of senior management personnel who meet specific criteria. The visa is also useful for intra-company transfers.

Understand the Spain Visa Requirements for Digital Nomads

General Documents Required for a Long Term Work Visa Spain 

Every work visa is different. However, certain documents are essential irrespective of the work visa you are applying for. These documents must be translated either into English or Spanish and submitted to the Embassy/Consulate. We have provided these mandatory documents below:

1. Passport– That is valid for 6 months beyond the duration of your stay.
2. Visa Application form– Complete the long-term work visa application form & sign it. In the case of minors, any 1 of their parents can sign the visa application.
3. Photograph– A recent colour passport-size photograph taken against a white background.
4. Photocopies- Photocopies of your current passport, and your previous passports
5. Work Contract- A work contract copy from a recognised employer. The contract must be stamped by the Foregin National’s Office (if applicable)
6. Medical Certificate- To prove that the applicant does not suffer from any disease that can affect the public health.
7. Criminal record certificate– To prove that you have a clean record. This must be issued from India/Nigeria (your home country).
8. Accommodation- Proof that you have arranged your accommodation in Spain
9. Proof of the representative’s identity and capacity – In case of a minor applicant, any parent can submit a passport copy.
10. Visa Fee Payment- Pay the visa fees application for a long-term work visa.

Download the long-term visa Spain Application Form in English from here

How to Apply for Long Term Work Visa Spain?

You can apply for a long term work visa by following the instructions below:

1. Choose the work visa you want to apply for- The first step you need to take is to be clear about which work visa you want to apply for
2. Ensure you have applied for a work permit- In the majority of cases, a work permit has to be obtained before applying for a work visa. Your employer is responsible for applying for a work permit on your behalf.
3. Get a foreign identity number– Certain Spain work visas require you to get a foreign identification number. This unique number is granted after you submit your application. You may need this number before applying for a work visa.
4. Fill out the long-term visa application Spain– At this stage, download your long-stay work visa application form, and complete it. You also need to sign the form 
5. Gather the documents– A work visa application requires the submission of several documents. Gather the documents for the specific work visa.
6. Schedule your appointment– Schedule your visa appointment at an embassy/consulate or the visa application centre as required.
7. Show up on the date of your appointment- Submit your visa application form, and bring your documents along with you. You are required to submit your biometric information and pay the visa fees
8. Attend visa interview– A visa interview is mandatory for long stay visa applicants.
9. Wait for a decision – During this stage the application processing takes place. You need to wait for the processing time to be over for a decision on your application.
10. long term work visa spainCollect documents – Lastly, collect your passport, and other documents from the visa application centre. 

Processing Time for Long Term Work Visa Spain

The processing time for the long term work visa in Spain is provided below:

Work Visa Type	Processing Time
Employee visa	1 month after the date of submission of the visa application
Researcher visa	10 days after the date of submission of the visa application
Internship visa	10 days
Self-employed work visa	1 month
Entrepreneur visa	10 days
Digital nomad visa	10 days
Long-term residence or EU long-term residence recovery visa	3 months
Visa for highly qualified workers and for intra-company transfers	10 days after the date of submission of the visa application

Fees for Long Term Work Visa Spain

The Spain embassy in New Delhi has provided the latest fees for visas. This fee is applicable for all long-term visas. The fee is valid from September 2024 onwards.

Work Visa Type	Visa Fee (INR)
Long Term Work Visa Fees (in general)	8.185,00

Understand the cost of living in Spain

Validity for a Long Term Work Visa Spain

The validity period for a long stay work visa in Spain is provided below:

Work Visa Type	Validity
Employee visa	90 days or more than 90 days
Researcher visa	Valid for 1 year, or the same period as the residence permit granted
Internship visa	NA
Self-employed work visa	90 days
Entrepreneur visa	1 year
Digital nomad visa	Maximum of 1 year or the same validity as the authorization granted to live and work in Spain.
Long-term residence or EU long-term residence recovery visa	90 days
Visa for highly qualified workers and for intra-company transfers	Valid for 1 year, or the same period as the residence permit granted

What is the Minimum Salary for a Work Visa in Spain?

To get a long term work visa Spain you must get a job offer from a recognised employer. Moreover, the job must provide you with a minimum salary. This is to ensure that you will be able to take care of your living expenses while in Spain. The minimum amount needed is around EUR 33,908. The minimum wage in Spain is EUR 1260. 

To get the general employee visa you must secure a job that offers you a minimum wage. However, for highly qualified positions you need a salary of EUR 40,000 in a year. For the Director level position, you must have a salary of EUR 55142.

How Difficult is it to Get a Work visa in Spain?

A work visa in Spain can be obtained if you meet the eligibility criteria, and submit the documents. However, it is important to know that getting a work visa is a complicated process. You need to get the work permit, and then the work visa. At present, the work visa approval rate stands at 77.4%. This means that only those applicants who meet all the requirements are given a work visa.

Can I Get a Visa to Stay in Spain for 6 Months?

Yes. If you want to stay in Spain for less than 90 days within 180 days you need a Schengen visa. On the other hand, if you want to stay for precisely 90 days or more than 90 days you can apply for a National visa. The National visa (Type D) is given for work purposes and long-term study purposes in Spain. Hence, this is the visa you need to apply for long term work.

To learn more about the top Universities in Spain, watch this video:

What Can I Do if My Visa Application is Refused?

A long term work visa Spain application can be rejected. In case, of a visa refusal you can take the following steps:

1. Reapplication- Identify the reason for the visa rejection from the refusal letter. Thereafter, you can correct the mistake and reapply.
2. Visa appeal– That is, only if the application rejection has been unfair. The appeal has to be filed within 1 month of the visa rejection. The court will decide within 2 months.

Steps To Take After Arriving in Spain

After getting your long term work visa Spain approved travel to Spain. Thereafter, you need to take the following steps for a comfortable stay.

1. Get a Foreigner Identification card (TIE)– apply for it within 1 month of reaching spain. The application for this can be made at the Foreginer’s office.
2. Register for the Social Security Scheme– Everyone who has received an employment visa needs to register for the Social Security scheme. This must be done before applying for the identity card.

FAQs

We hope you now understand all about the long term work visa Spain. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!

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