Spain Enhances Job Seeker Visa with 12-Month Validity Period
Spain Extends Job Seeker Visa to 12 Months With New Eligibility Rules
Spain has officially extended the validity of its job seeker visa from three months to up to 12 months, offering professionals more time to secure employment within the country. The move is part of broader immigration reforms aimed at easing the entry and residence of non-EU nationals.
Specific Conditions Apply to Applicants
While the extended visa offers greater flexibility, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria to qualify. According to a report by Público, applicants must satisfy at least one of the following conditions:
Hold a degree from a Spanish university
Be a child or grandchild of a Spanish citizen
Work in a high-demand, qualified profession in Spain
In addition, all applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves for the 12-month period. As noted by Fábio Knauer, CEO of Aliança Global Group, the financial requirement is estimated at a minimum of €600 per month, totaling €7,200 for the year.
Conversion to Work Visa Upon Employment
Once a job offer is secured, the job seeker visa can be converted into a work visa, which includes all obligations related to Spain’s Social Security and Tax Authority systems. This streamlined transition is designed to help integrate qualified professionals into the Spanish labor market more efficiently.
Comparison With Portugal’s Job Seeker Visa
Spain’s job seeker visa differs notably from Portugal’s, which is valid for 120 days and extendable by another 60 days. Spain’s 12-month duration offers a significantly longer time frame for job searching, but it also imposes more stringent eligibility and financial conditions.
Additional Requirements for Visa Approval
Applicants must also meet general visa requirements, including:
A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree from a Spanish institution
Valid health insurance coverage in Spain
A declaration of sufficient financial resources
No criminal record in Spain or in any previous country of residence
Application submission while the study permit is still valid or within 90 days after its expiration
New Immigration Reforms Introduced
The changes to Spain’s job seeker visa are part of broader reforms to the country’s Foreigners Regulations, which were updated on May 20. These updates aim to simplify the immigration process and potentially regularise the status of over 300,000 migrants annually. The new regulations are designed to enhance labor market integration and support entrepreneurship among foreign nationals
For Portuguese citizens, however, visa-free transit and residence in Spain remains in place due to EU freedom of movement agreements.
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