To ease and correct Spanish immigration, you need to follow these steps:
The first thing to do is to determine which one is the right one for you with a residence permit or visa.
Then, you must check the specific requirements and conditions of that residence permit.
Find out if you can apply directly from Spain when you are a tourist or if you need to submit documents from your home country.
Prepare documents and send them to the competent authorities.
Get your visa and travel to Spain.
The steps above are easy to say, but for many, Spanish immigration can be a daunting task. If you get the right advice from a professional immigration lawyer upfront, immigration to Spain will be easy.
You may not know where to start, or you still have a lot of questions, Xu Baotong's team of lawyers has summarized some suggestions based on the practical experience of Spanish immigration processing, which will help you and your family complete the entire Spanish immigration process more easily.
People considering immigration to Spain do not know at first where to start and what they should do to successfully obtain a residence permit. That's why Baotong Xu's team of lawyers is here to share 9 tips that will really help you immigrate and move to Spain with ease.
1. Assess your situation before doing anything.
In order to determine how you should obtain a residence permit in Spain, it is first necessary to understand your current situation, as well as what kind of application route and scheme you should choose, and how to prepare the application materials for immigration to Spain.
There are different types of residence permits in Spain, each with a completely different procedure. For example, obtaining a work permit is a completely different process from obtaining a non-profit visa.
That is why your first step is to see which visa is best for your situation based on your situation and plans in the country.
To solve this doubt, there is a first question that you should even answer before. Are you from a European or non-EU country? Because, in the first case, you will do it easily; In the second case, things get more complicated.
Those individuals from EU countries, EEA countries or Switzerland do not need to apply for a formal residence permit. The Schengen Agreement allows them to live and work legally in Spain and to obtain a work permit very quickly. They only need to obtain a so-called EU registration certificate.
On the other hand, if you're from a non-EU country, things get more complicated. You need to meet certain requirements and conditions, which can be a bit difficult. But don't worry, our team has handled many similar cases and will help you make things easier.
2. General procedure for Spanish immigration
As a non-EU citizen, the procedure for obtaining a visa in Spain is usually the same.
Keep in mind that in addition to some visas stipulated by the Entrepreneur Law, such as the entrepreneur visa or the highly qualified professional visa, you will always need to start the application process from outside Spain.
This is really important. What's more, if you want to get a work permit, make sure you find a job offer and get a work permit before arranging anything else.
The first thing to do is that you submit your application at the Spanish Consulate or Embassy in China. They will forward your application to the Spanish immigration authorities for review.
If your application is successfully accepted, the consulate or embassy will give you a visa. With this document, you can now travel to Spain and enter the country. Please note that you must be sure to enter Spain within 90 days of receiving your visa.
To enter the country and apply for a NIE Number, you will have to apply for a residence permit. If your conditions meet the requirements and you will be granted a residence permit.
This residence permit will allow you to live in the country for a full year. Once the year is over, you will be able to renew for another two years if you still meet the same requirements, and so on.
After renewing your residence permit several times and having lived for 10 years, you can apply for Spanish nationality.
3. About work permits
Many people who are willing to live in Spain want to opt for a work permit. Since other residence permits can mean that conditions and requirements are difficult to meet, a work permit may be a suitable option for some migrants.
If you want to get a work permit in Spain, you first need to find a job offer while you still live in the country.
The work permit application process is very strict, and you can only apply if the job offer you find is within the so-called shortage occupation list.
As we mentioned before, if you are an EU citizen, you will not have any problems here. You will receive a work permit within 24 hours.
If getting a regular work permit can be a bit difficult, try to see if you meet the requirements for an entrepreneur visa or a highly qualified work permit. This process is easier to implement.
4. Forget about difficult procedures: Spanish non-profit visa
As the name suggests, in this case, if you have enough financial means to make ends meet in this country, a non-profit visa will be your best option.
Again, you are a non-EU citizen willing to immigrate to Spain. Moreover, you don't need to worry about lengthy lists of requirements and cumbersome apps. You just want to move to Spanish territory as easily as possible.
You just need to prove that you have 400% IPREM on your bank account, get a private social security contract, and start applying for this residence permit. It's that simple!
5. NIE number
Once you get your visa at a Spanish consulate in your country and enter Spain, the first step is to get your NIE Number.
This is the basic ID number for foreigners, and it is required for almost everything. Open a bank account, start a company, buy a property, open a bank account, or obtain a residence permit. Without a NIE you cannot do any legal or economic proceedings in Spain.
Applying for a NIE is a relatively simple process. Apply at the police station of your Spanish city.
6. Documents common to Spanish immigrants
Xu Baotong's legal team reminds everyone that each residence permit has its own unique features. Each of them requires its own specific requirements and documents. Nevertheless, in any application process, there are some problems that arise, regardless of the type of permission.
These documents are always required when migrating to Spain:
6.1 Background checks, including criminal records in Spain and any other country in the last 5 years.
6.2 Health insurance in Spain (public or private).
6.3 Passport (original) and photocopy. Two ID photos are also required. ⠀
6.4 Documents proving that you have sufficient financial means to sustain yourself in the country for daily life. ⠀
Then, of course, depending on the type of license you are applying for, some additional documents will be added to the list. For example, an entrepreneur visa or self-employed work permit requires that a business plan for the project be submitted at the same time.
7. Documents translated into Spanish
All documents you submit must be legally translated into Spanish and apostille. Many of our clients ask us if they can send documents in their native language, and the answer is no, it must be Spanish.
8. You can bring your family
If you have passed all the legal procedures for Spanish immigration, you already have the legal status of a resident of Spain. You have renewed your first residence permit, are happy with your new life in the country, and you also want to make your family a part of it. You can easily take your family to Spain. If you live in the country for more than a year, you can apply for residency and work authorization for parents, spouse, children, parents of your spouse.
9. Find an immigration lawyer you trust and trust
As you can see, the process of immigrating to Spain and getting a visa can be a bit tough. You will have to submit a large number of requirements and documents, and depending on your situation, additional work may be required to bridge the gap between your own circumstances and immigration requirements.
For example, where should the documents be sent? How long do I have to wait? What additional requirements do you need to meet for your situation?
That is why, in many cases, the best option is the help of a professional immigration lawyer who handles the entire procedure for you, so you don't need to worry about anything.
Regardless of the country you are immigrating to, getting the right legal advice is crucial.
Mr. Xu Baotong is a senior partner of Shanghai Jinkun Law Firm, a council member of the International Bar Association (IBA), a mediator of the Asian Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation Center, an arbitrator in China, and an arbitrator of the Thai International Arbitration Center (THAC). Xu Baotong's legal team focuses on overseas immigration, overseas investment, commercial, foreign-related, equity, contract and arbitration dispute resolution, and has more than ten years of experience in court trial practice and rule research. This article cannot be regarded as legal advice or opinions on specific cases, but only as a summary of the experience of the author's team in handling similar cases. If you encounter similar legal problems, you can contact Mr. Xu Baotong for more targeted advice and solutions.