The new immigration regulations in Spain, recently approved and published in the Official State Gazette, introduce significant modifications to facilitate the social and labor integration of migrants. The most relevant points are highlighted below:
Changes in the figures of rooting:
- Arraigo social: The requirement of permanence in Spain is reduced from three to two years, maintaining the need to demonstrate family ties or social integration by means of a report.
- Social and labor roots: Replaces the former labor roots, with requirements of two years of residence and a work contract. The minimum number of working hours is reduced to 20 per week.
- Socio-educational rooting: Allows migrants to work and train simultaneously in in-demand professions, improving their job opportunities.
- Arraigo de segunda oportunidad: Regularizes those who lost previous authorizations and have been in Spain for two years.
Improvement of family reunification:
- The age of dependency for children is extended from 21 to 26 years of age and for ascendants to 80 years of age.
- It includes more categories of family members, such as non-formally registered partners and caregivers of Spanish citizens.
Simplification of permits and visas:
- All initial authorizations will have a duration of one year, with automatic four-year renewals, simplifying procedures.
- Student visas will cover the entire academic program, avoiding annual renewals, and the transition to work permits after studies is facilitated.
Protection for seasonal workers:
- Their job security, habitability and rights are improved, in addition to allowing changes of employer in case of abuse.
General benefits:
- Reduction of time and requirements to regularize the status of migrants.
- Greater stability and protection in authorizations, promoting labor and social inclusion.
These measures seek to integrate some 300,000 people annually, encouraging regularization, reducing irregularity and promoting hiring at origin.
You may also be interested in:
Everything You Need to Know about the Digital Citizen's Certificate
Visa for Spain from the U.S.A.: Online Procedures and Presentation at Consulate
