Spain announces to issue more student visas and work permits to non-EU candidates. The Government plans to allow some 50,000 non-EU students to combine their studies with work. Furthermore, the government also intends to grant more temporary visas for sectors that need workers, Minister José Luis Escrivá told reporters.
“There is room for improvement (in the immigration regulations) and procedures must be perfected with an economic vision of bottlenecks in the Spanish labor market,” he said.
The country’s minister of Social Security and Migration said on 3 June, that in order to deal with labor shortages in key sectors such as tourism and construction, plans have been made to relax the rules on work permits for foreigners. This all is happening as labor shortages have been recorded in the tourism, agriculture, construction, and technology sectors.
It will also facilitate access to work permits for those who can demonstrate a previous connection with Spain through the family, residence, or a job of at least two years, even if it is informal. A draft of the reforms lists the most urgent job openings as telemarketers, salespeople, delivery vehicle drivers, and software developers.
The Spanish tourism sector has seen a strong rebound, but companies are struggling to find workers willing to wait tables and clean hotel rooms, something the Spanish government has characterized as a problem across Europe.
The labor shortage also threatens billions of euros worth of European Union-funded projects that the Spanish government is counting on to return the economy to its pre-crisis level.
Requirements of Spain’s student visa
For a candidate, on the basis of currently adapted student visa regulations, the following applies:
- Not be a citizen of a State of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, or a family member of citizens of these countries to which the regime of citizens of the Union of the European Economic Area or Switzerland is applicable, or relatives of citizens of these countries to whom the regime of citizens of the Union is applicable.
- Not appear as objectionable in the territorial space of the countries with which Spain has signed an agreement in this regard.
- In case of requesting the authorization from Spain, be regularly in Spanish territory.
Furthermore, the applicant should:
- Have sufficient financial means to defray the expenses of stay and return to their country and, where appropriate, those of their relatives, according to the following amounts:
- For their support, monthly, 100% of the IPREM, unless it is duly accredited that the accommodation has been paid in advance for the entire duration of the stay.
- For the support of their relatives, monthly, 75% of the IPREM for the first relative and 50% of the IPREM for each of the remaining people, unless it is duly accredited that the accommodation has been paid in advance for all the time that there is to be. last the stay.
- The amounts used to defray the cost of the studies will not be computed for these purposes.
- Have paid the processing fee for the procedure.
- Have public or private health insurance arranged with an insurance Entity authorized to operate in Spain.
- In the case of underage students who are not accompanied by their parents or guardians, their authorization , with proof of the center, organization, entity and body responsible for the activity and the planned period of stay.
- Having been admitted to an authorized educational center in Spain , for the completion of a full-time program, which leads to obtaining a degree or certificate of studies.
In the event that the duration of the stay exceeds six months , the following will be required: - In the case of adults of criminal age, lack a criminal record in Spain and in their previous countries of residence during the last five years for crimes existing in the Spanish legal system.
- Not suffer from any of the diseases that can have serious public health repercussions in accordance with the provisions of the International Health Regulations of 2005.
Spain’s usually adapted visa application procedure
If you applyfromoutside of Spain for a residence permit for studies, the following procedures applies:
- Legal subject to submit the student visa application : the student, personally or through a representative. If you are a minor, your parents, guardians or duly accredited representative, personally.
- Place of presentation : Spanish diplomatic mission or consular office in whose demarcation the foreigner resides.
- Visa issuance fee : to be paid at the time of applying for the visa.
- Term of resolution and issuance of the visa : the maximum term to notify the resolution is one month counted from the day following the date of presentation of the application in the competent consular office for its processing. Once this period has elapsed without the Administration having given an express response, it may be understood that the request has been rejected due to administrative silence.
- The granted visa must be collected within two months from the notification. If the collection is not carried out within the aforementioned period, it will be understood that the interested party has renounced the granted visa and the procedure will be archived.
- The duration of the stay granted will be the same as that of the studies to be carried out, with a maximum limit of one year (or two years in the case of studies carried out in an authorized higher education institution, which give rise to to obtaining a recognized higher education qualification ).
- In the event that the stay for studies lasts longer than six months , the foreigner must personally request the foreigner identity card within one month of entering Spain, at the Immigration Office or Police Station of the province where the authorization was processed.
- The applicant will show his passport or travel document at the time of the fingerprint process and will provide:
- Foreigner card application
- Proof of payment of the card fee.
- A recent color photograph, on a white background, passport size.
- The student can come accompanied by their relatives , who must also request the corresponding visas.
- You can also carry out work activities for someone else or on your own, after requesting the corresponding authorization , and provided that the activity is compatible with the completion of the studies, and the income obtained does not have the nature of a resource necessary for your livelihood or stay. .