Work Visa for Spain

As with most information about the bureaucracies of Spain, it's only a guide in your efforts toward a work visa.

Posted by The Expatriator

Tagged: spain visa, working, work visa spain, list, visa spain, information, requirements, process, procedures, work visa for spain

Information and guide to getting a work visa in Spain.

There is no “working holiday visa” like there is in Japan for instance. No, Spain is a part of the EU, and as such carries the same process and requirements as for the rest of the Schengen countries’ work visas. Spain also has fairly a fairly high unemployment rate, making your work visa very difficult to get. See Working in Spain, Being Autonomo for more about working in Spain; also see the super-comprehensive jobs in Spain list.

Note that the Ministry of Public Administration has recently created a new system for those who already have work visas to renew their visa online. This system can be found here.

The following is the best guide to the process of gaining a legal work visa for non-European passport holders that we’ve been able to put together. As with most information about the bureaucracies of Spain, it’s only a guide in your efforts toward a work visa. We wish you the best of luck with this.

Please note that there is no legal right nor any guarantee to a work visa /permit.
  1. Attend interviews with the desired company of employment, with the intention of being selected.
  2.  
  3. Submit ALL the following documents to the Subdelegación del Gobierno in the city you are trying to move to and work in. (Note that this involves many hours in queues or, alternatively, contracting a Spanish Lawyer):
    • Official application form (EX-1), signed and stamped by EMPLOYER.
    • 3 passport photos (not high-gloss)
    • Photocopy and original of passport (must be valid for duration of work-term)
    • Official job offer form (EX-5), signed and stamped by EMPLOYER. The job offered must be full-time and 10 months or longer
    • Original official company fiscal identity document (CIF)
    • Original official company social security inscription document, as well as documents TC-1 and TC-2.
    • Certified originals from the Tesoreria General de la Seguridad Social and the Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria proving that the company is fully up to date in its tax and social security payments.
    • Official certification that the job on offer has already been advertised in the official Provincial Unemployment Office and that no suitable European candidate has applied.
    • Document describing the services offered by the company and why a non-European should be employed to work there.
    • Original and photocopies of degree transcripts/certifications and credentials, with the official seal of convalidatation of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture (Madrid)
  4. Make an appointment with the Spanish Consulate serving your official home address (in country of origin) in order to process all the documentation which they require for a work visa . This usually includes, amongst others, the official job offer document, stamped by the Subdelegación del Gobierno; official certificate of no criminal record in country of origin and local health certificate. This step can be undertaken by you or your legal representative, and can take up to 4 months to be processed.
  5. Once your home country’s Spanish Consulate has processed your work visa , you have to fetch it in person. It can not be handed to ayone other than you.
  6. As soon as you have your work visa you can return to Spain, finalise the application for a work/residence permit and start work. Please note that there is no legal right nor any guarantee to a work visa /permit. All applications are evalutated by the authorities in Spain.

Finally, appreciate that the legalisation procedure is difficult, lengthy, and expensive for everyone, making Spain an illogical choice for those who do not intend to be here for at least 2 to 3 years.

Last updated 31 05 2007


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29/Jul/2010:
firewall said:

Hello there,

Please let me know about the needed paper work to get married in Spain. I am an Indian citizen and I would like to know what papers I need in order to marry in Spain.

I know there are few papers but I am confused.
First I need date of birth.
Second single's certificate (Fe De Solteria Y Vida).

But some people say that "You can give a Sworn Affidavit" while some say "No this could be arranged from Deputy Commissioner´s office" and while some say "Just Sworn Affidavit from your parents will be accepted"

So please let me know exactly what I need.

Thanks.

 
21/Jun/2010:
Cat777 said:

Here is the timeline/conclusion of our Extranjeria epic:

Husband's work permit: 18 month wait (fortunately he was able to commute back and forth and work as a freelancer for his Spanish employer)

Husband's work visa: 3 month wait (in Canada)

Wife (that's me) and daughter's non-lucrative visa application (applied for at same time as husband's work visa): 11 month wait (in Canada) - DENIED (Spanish Immigration did not take husband's salary into account and we were incorrectly advised to apply for this visa)

After husband had his visa for 1 year he was allowed to apply for a Family Reunification visa for us, which was approved after 2.5 months (in Canada). Bonus: Family Reunification visa now includes permission for family members to work in Spain without applying for any other visas!

31.5 months, in toto. Now we're living in Spain and happy we didn't give up.

Best wishes to all of you.
Warmly from Mallorca,
Cat

 
17/Jun/2010:
timothywhite1 said:

Here's where I start to see some inaccuracies with the above and below. First, the lengthiest part of the work permit process was honestly just collecting all the paperwork and preparing everything with the lawyer. The stories below of one year+ waiting seem a bit ridiculous; once everything was filed, the government guaranteed a response in under 30 days and honestly I had the approval letter on my desk within 2 weeks. The second part of the process (visa); took a grand total of 3 days! I was even able to email my obtained work permit and copy of passport in advance so that I would only have to go to the consulate once for pickup of Visa.

I will suggest (and maybe this is why my situation differed from below) for your company to invest in a lawyer that has experience in this area. My company set me up with someone that knew the process and was able to taylor all of my paperwork specifically to the application to avoid any delays.

 
17/Jun/2010:
timothywhite1 said:

Okay as I just went through this process so let me provide some feedback to what is written above (and probably more importantly) what is written below.

First off, as the economy in Spain is pretty much in the tank right now, you're potential employer should have a very good idea as to whether or not you have any shot of obtaining the coveted permit to work before they extend you an offer. From what my company told me, if it's any sort of a job that they can justify either creating more jobs in the future (jobs with "manager" or "director" in the title); or is in an industry that Spanish workers lack experience (think tech sector); it shouldn't be a problem getting the paper.

 
14/Nov/2008:
Cat777 said:

Hi all,
If you've been waiting for what seems like forever for your Spanish work permit, take heart (or if you have an impatient nature, be forewarned): My husband and I are Canadian and he has been offered a design job in Spain. His company applied for the work visa over a year ago (12.5 mos!)and we just received confirmation now that it has (finally!) been approved. Now to apply for our visas - hopefully it won't take as long but we're not holding our breath or trading in our parkas and snow shovels just yet. Have any of you had trouble getting visas for your spouses/young children? Do any of you know if Spanish immigration could possibly give a husband a visa but not his dependent wife and child?
I'll keep you posted...
Warmly from Montreal,
Cat

 
19/Sep/2008:
lorraine said:

Hi Nate
You are right, to my disappointment no one answered so I have continued with my personal believes, rightly or wrongly, in tact.
I believe on a temporary residence visa you need to have a work permit to work. I got a 5 year temporary visa when I married a Spanish national. When I renewed this I got a permanent residence visa and now believe I can legally work without a work permit. I never declared any income in the first 5 years.
Goodluck and congratulations on your marriage. Spain is wonderful and although I'm in Australia trying to sell Spanish products at the moment I'm looking forward to getting back.
Cheers
Lorraine

 
01/Sep/2008:
ndbike said:

Hi Lorraine,

You asked a question below that I never saw an answer for. Can you legaly work with your residency from getting married?

I'm in a similar situation. My girlfriend is Spanish and we are getting married this month in Seville. Once I'm married will I be able to apply for jobs and work without much hassel?

Thanks!
Nate

 
04/Apr/2008:
eviebohan said:

Hi,
Regarding The Expatriator's comment on 15/Jun/2006:

"...according to your tourist visa you can stay your 90 days while you wait for your work visa. You'll still have to return to your home country to pick it up though."

This is regarding filing for your work visa which will potentially take up to 3 months to process, but staying in Spain.

My question is, how would I return to my home country without my passport (which I have to turn in with my visa application)?

Thanks,

Evelyn

 
12/Feb/2008:
lorraine said:

Hi tonaltek (tt)
You don't say what country you are a citizen of as that is where you would make your application from. If non-EU you need a job offer to get your residency and work permit (as I understand it).
Your application for residency includes needing a copy of any records held by the police department, but I presume of your country of citizenship(passport you have).
If you are an EU resident all this changes as you can get the residence visa straight off or not bother. To get a work permit I think you go through the normal process of having a job offer i.e. your future employer does most of the applications etc.
Goodluck
Lorraine
PS On the issue of lengthy times I now know I'm jinked as 4 months to renew my residency including the standard 45 day I'm now waiting for the actual card and with a total time of 12 hrs in queues (to date). On the bright side the renewal is as a permanent resident and for 10yrs!

 
06/Feb/2008:
tonaltek said:

Hello,
I am considering applying for a work visa in Spain. I was a resident in the U.S. for a while and had a run in with the law but don't live there now. Will this affect my chances of being accepted if i apply as a citizen of another country? Thanks for any advise.
tt

 
25/Apr/2007:
EricS said:

Hello, I'm very interested in Teaching English in Spain and I've only just started looking into the process - this website is very helpful - I'm serious about moving to Spain and teaching, is there any way you can provide me with a rough estimate of how long all the process of obtaining a work visa, etc will take me so I can plan accordingly? I know there are a several variables that affect the timeframe but all I am looking for is an estimate.

thanks
Eric

 
27/Feb/2007:
markfwarren said:

Hello, I'm an American teaching English in Prague. I currently have my work Visa here and was wondering if anybody knew if that would help at all in getting a Spanish work Visa.
thanks
Mark

 
25/Jun/2006:
mak said:

Hi cmanio,
My husband and I had set up a company before moving to spain and were going to work as self-employed.
Good luck with the interview !

 
25/Jun/2006:
cmanio said:

Hello Mak
What kind of residency visa did you apply for? Did you find a job who obtained a work permit for you? Or did you go on a student visa? Cuz I've got my interview soon and I want to know my avenues.
Thank you

 
23/Jun/2006:
mak said:

Dear Tano,
Check this website for the correct info, as it depends on the nationality of your fiancee and your personal circumstances.

http://www.conspalon.org/indexeng.html
Here is what I had to do:-
1)Checked the above website
2)Wrote to the Consulate
3)Received a application form for a RESIDENCY VISA & visa information
4)Wrote to make an appointment, with loads of copies of required documents(you will be rejected without an appointment)
5)Got appointment date
6)Went to consulate with original and copies of required documents
7)Got my residency visa on the same day
The word of warning,
1)As far as I know, your fiancee CANNOT apply for a work permit WHILE IN SPAIN !!
2)In my case, it took me 4 months to obtain a residency visa, though due to my nationality and financial circumstances, it should have been very straightforward. So allow PLENTY OF TIME !
Does't his employer obtain a visa for him ?
Good luck.

 
22/Jun/2006:
Tano said:

I would appreciate some help. I am an EU citizen planning to relocate with my fiancee to Spain.Unfortunately, my fiancee is not an EU citizen and will need a visa. He was offered a job in Spain -however, we are unsure as to how to proceed.
Should he apply for a tourist visa (for 3 months) and later apply for a work visa, while in Spain? or should he apply for a work visa before travelling to Spain? I heard that applying for a work visa can be very difficult.
Can you please give me suggestions?

 
14/Jun/2006:
The Expatriator's avatar The Expatriator said:

Missy: Sure you can, according to your tourist visa you can stay your 90 days while you wait for your work visa. You'll still have to return to your home country to pick it up though wink

Lorraine: Your residencia MAY be good enough to work without a specific work permit, but it's a good question! Since you're here, why not ask an employer friend.

 
14/Jun/2006:
missyvoncuteshoes said:

Does anyone know if I can be IN spain at the time that my visa is processing?

 
30/May/2006:
lorraine said:

I hope I haven't missed the answer to my question while reading what I can find on visas and work permits. I am a Kiwi married to a Spanaird and living in Spain. I have a five year residence visa, NIE(which incidently took close to a year to obtain, not difficult just tediously slow at every step. Reading Joanna's comment she must be in a very different part of the country to me as our Comisaría wouldn't manage anything in 'a month or so'!) Anyway does this visa allow me to work legally or do I have to have a work permit as well?

 
12/May/2006:
Joanna said:

As the UK is part of the European Union, all you need to do to get your N.I.E. (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is to present your passport, certificado de empadronamiento (a piece of paper the you get from your local disctrict that certifies where you are registered to live) & application form (you can download it from the legal/ID numbers page here) at your local comisaría. I think it´s usually processed within a month or so.

If you want to get a mortgage through a Spanish bank then you'll have to have an NIE, same as for working for taxation purposes.

 
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