Immigration FAQ

• Highly Qualified Employee Work Permit
• ICT
• Employee Visa (seasonal work activities)
• EU Blue Card

• Visa type C for Business
• Visa type D for studies, work and family reunification

• The work permit process is estimated to take 20-30 working days from the date of submission.
• Within 1 month following the approval, the required consular appointment will take an estimated 10 working days from the date of submission.
• The residence permit process will commence after arrival and is estimated to take 30-40 working days.
• Total estimated typically between 2-5 months.

Application submission time can range from a few weeks to a month + depending on ability to obtain necessary documents, plus translations and apostilles.

• Approximately 20-30 working days for the Work Permit stage.
• Approximately 30-40 working days for the Residence Permit stage.

Initial validity is typically ~ 1 year, but can be renewed for up to 5 years.

Employees can begin working upon arrival, as they will receive the approval prior to entry to Spain.

No.

No expedited processing, costs are N/A.

• Long-term residence permit can be applied for after 5 consecutive years of residence in Spain.
• Permanent residency can be applied for after this long-term residence permit step.
• Amount of time in country will be calculated to ensure required 5 years+ is spent in Spain.

• Passport copy
• Passport photos
• Visa application form
• Visa fee payment 
• Employee resume
• Employee educational documents (university degrees)
• Criminal record check certificate (employee and dependents over 18) – cannot be older than 6 months showing residence for the past 5 years and must be translated and legalized by the consulate of the issuing country
• Dependent relationship certificates—marriage certificate for spouse support, birth certificate for each child for family support (must be translated and legalized by the consulate of the issuing country)
• Medical certificates will be required for steps in country

Yes, documents must be translated and some require legalizations or apostilles.

• Residence card appointments can be scheduled in location outside of address of residence.
• If pursuing consular appointment outside of country of citizenship, a valid residence permit in the country of application must be held and an apostille police clearance certificate for that location must be provided.

No.

• Employment contract
• Signed application forms

Renewals can only be submitted 60 days prior to the current expiration date.

Spouses
Not on dependent residence card alone, must obtain separate employment visa status.

Partners
Not on dependent residence card alone, must obtain separate employment visa status.

Yes.

Not officially, but attempts can be made to prove strength/length of relationship to support dependent status.

Residence cards must be returned to the police station before final departure.

• Document services/requirements can add extra preparation length.
• Some documents must be newly issued and valid within the past 6 months.
• Education/experience qualifications must meet the criteria in order to obtain approval. 
• Re-entry permits can be obtained to allow travel while renewals are in process.