Changes in the Immigration Law: how do they affect immigration procedures?

The recent changes that Spanish legislation has undergone directly affect foreigners seeking to work, study or reside in Spain. The changes in the Democratic Memory Law and the recent creation of what is known as the Startups Law and the visa for digital nomads, modify the panorama for millions of foreign citizens.

New benefits for students

One of the groups with the greatest benefits acquired thanks to this new regulation is that of students. After the recent reforms, the visa allows you to opt for a job of up to 30 hours a week that can be made compatible with the studies, thus opting for Spanish residence once completed. In the same way, without having developed a professional career, students will be able to continue in Spain during the year after completing their studies without the need for a new application to extend their permit.

Job opportunities for foreign students

◾ Work permits of up to 30 hours per week
​◾ Possibility of applying for residency at the end of the studies
​◾ An additional year of stay without the need to extend

Rooting by training

Another relevant figure is that of arraigo by training, which allows those foreigners from outside the European Union who are in an irregular situation and wish to start a training career in Spain to opt for temporary residence. Those who are going to start their studies and meet the requirements specified in the regulations, can opt for a 12-month residency that can be extended for another 12, thus also facilitating entry into the world of work.

family reunification

There is a key aspect that considerably facilitates the life and future of foreign families in Spain, is family reunification. Considering the regulations, foreigners who obtain a residence visa in Spain can opt for family reunification, this means that the visa is extended to their relatives. Family members are understood to be all the children and also the spouse of the visa holder, thus allowing the closest family to also reside in Spain on a regular basis during their stay. Family reunification, in addition to extending the visa to the applicant’s relatives, also extends its benefits.

help with immigration issues

Catalog of Difficult to Cover Positions for specialized professionals

The latest additions of new trades to the Catalog of Difficult-to-Fill Positions facilitate access and increase the number of foreign professionals who can opt for residence in Spain thanks to the regulations. This list includes professions that are in demand in Spain and for which there are no professionals trained here, with the intention of being able to hire these professionals in other countries. The complete list of professionals included can be consulted through the Public State Employment Service (SEPE). In the latest amendment to the regulations of the Immigration Law, the changes introduced in the list are intended to respond to the current demand for positions that Spanish workers, mainly due to lack of training, cannot cover. This catalog makes it easier to hire foreign professionals with specific skills at source.

help with immigration issues

Visa for Digital Nomads: attract talent and facilitate remote work

With the creation of the Startup Law, Spain seeks to attract international talent beyond the borders of the European Union. The regulation facilitates residence in Spain for those foreigners who, with considerable purchasing power, can carry out their work remotely. It also benefits entrepreneurs, offering benefits and favorable tax policies. In addition, international investors can benefit in terms of administrative procedures and residence visas thanks to the new regulations.

Migrant investors interested in Spain and in obtaining Spanish residence can apply for a visa as investors. For them, a series of economic and investment limits are established that determine that the applicant meets the requirements. For example, in the case of homes, a minimum investment of 500,000 euros is determined, but this is not the only investment that interested foreigners can opt for.

Those who are interested in opting for any of the new benefits present in the current Spanish regulation should consider the importance of the procedures for the success of their project. In the case of a decision with important consequences, it is always advisable to have specialized legal advice to guarantee that the outcome is satisfactory. Even before making the decision, it is convenient to know the rules and regulations available, as well as to be clear about the necessary procedures to be able to benefit from them and the required documentation. Furthermore, considering the recent modifications, it is even more relevant to have a legal professional specialized in this field who can carry out the process in the proper way and thus obtain the desired result.

read also