Work and residence permit
To work in Spain, foreign nationals require a Work and Residence Visa. Applications for a work permit are not permitted if the foreign national has not regularised his or her situation in Spain.
Visas may be obtained at Spanish diplomatic missions in the country of origin and, in exceptional circumstances, in other foreign countries. The visa must be applied for personally.
Freelance work permits
Applicants must request authorisation in their country of origin. The validity periods are similar to permits issued to those working for third parties.
Where?
Foreign nationals must apply for the Work and Residence Permit at the Spanish diplomatic mission in their country.
Third party work permits
There are two ways of acquiring this permit and both can be done in the country of origin. The first is through a Named Offer made by an employer for a job which is difficult to fill in Spain. It would not be necessary that the job is one that is diffcult to fill in Spain if the application is one of preference (ie. The applicant has a spouse, mother or father with a renewed permit, a child of Spanish nationality…).
This is set on an annual basis, and is distributed around geographical areas to cover jobs which the national job market cannot fill. Offers for this procedure are generic, for countries with which Spain has agreements. There is also another possibility Visas to look for work, and these last for three months. Specific job-search visas may also be applied for by the children and grandchildren of Spanish nationals.
Types of third party work permits
There are three types of third party work permits:
- Initial. This is valid for one year, and is restricted to a single province and sector.
- Renewal. This is valid for two years, with no restrictions as to province and sector, and is a renewal of the previous permit.
- Renewal of the above for a further two years. After that, a Long Stay Residence Permit can be acquired.
The application for renewal extends the permit until resolution takes place. If the Administration does not resolve the issue in a period of three months, the permit is valid and the foreign national has the right to apply for renewal on the basis of of the failure of the Administration to apply within the stipulated time limit.
Where?
Job offers should be presented to the Office for Foreign Nationals in Bilbao.
Foreign nationals who do not reside in Spain should apply for the Residence and Work Visa at the Spanish diplomatic mission in their country of origin.
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