Spain Job Seeker Visa Validity to be Extended from 3 to 12 Months

The Spanish Government announces that the validity of the job seeker visa will be increased in 2025.

Spain is all set to extend the validity of the Spain Job Seeker Visa from the present 3 months to 12 months. The new 1-year validity for the Spain JSV will give skilled foreign workers better opportunities to explore their job prospects in Spain.

The visa extension has been announced by the Spanish Government under its ongoing efforts for meeting the demands of the Spanish labour market. According to a recent report by Schengen News, the change comes about under the reformed Spanish immigration law.

When will the Spain Job Seeker Validity be extended?

The exact date has not been announced by the authorities so far.

Why the extension in the Spain Job Seeker Visa?

The extension is in line with the high worker demand in the local labour market. The new 1 year permitted stay in Spain as a job seeker will have a significant impact. It will benefit the country in filling its labour requirements. The JSV extension will also give skilled foreign workers prolonged access to the job market in Spain.

With the new 1-year validity period, all foreign workers that wish to live and work in Spain will get an extended period to find a job. After securing permanent employment in Spain, the foreign workers must go through the formal process to stay on as a skilled worker.

What are the eligibility requirements for a Spain Job Seeker Visa?

The basic requirements to apply for a job seeker visa for Spain include -

• Valid passport, with minimum 6-month validity left
• A detailed job search plan outlining planned activities in Spain as a job seeker and the targeted industries and job roles
• Bachelor’s degree or above
• Sufficient funds to cover projected stay
• Health insurance coverage applicable for entire stay
• Accommodation arrangement to stay in Spain

How many European countries grant job seeker visas?

6 European countries offer the job seeker pathway to foreign workers to enter their country and conduct job search activities. These are -

• Germany
• Portugal
• Austria
• Denmark
• Spain
• Sweden

The German Opportunity Card was launched on June 1, 2024. Since then, there has been a steady rise in the number of applicants submitting visa applications through the German Missions in India. Per a recent report, Germany is on track to grant 200,000 work Visas by year-end.

The Portugal Job Seeker visa is another popular visa option among skilled workers applying from India for EU job search visas.

Other immigration and visa changes by Spain Government

900,000 irregular migrants to be regularized

In May 2025, Spain will introduce various other changes related to foreign nationals. 300,000 migrants will be regularized every year till 2027. With this, a large number of undocumented migrants in Spain will get the required authorization to remain in the country.

During 2025-27, Spain will give 900,000 irregular migrants the right to live and work in Spain. According to Minister of Migration Elma Saiz, “The regulation opens doors that were previously closed by means of three keys: formation, employment and family.”

Spain wants to tackle its labour shortages through the regularization of migrants. Considering the high number of migrants that come to Spain every year, the Spanish Government intends to give those already within its territory a chance to live and work there legally.

Spain Golden Visa Real Estate Investment Pathway to End

Additionally, there is a major change expected in the Spain Golden Visa Program. From January 2025, the real estate investment option might be discontinued for the Golden Visa for Spain. On November 14, 2024, the Congress of Deputies in Spain approved the bill to remove the real estate investment option for securing a Golden Visa for Spain.

With the upcoming changes in Spanish immigration and visas, work permits and residence permits will be more accessible for migrants. There will be a more streamlined process for Spanish work visas from 2025.

For more visa and immigration updates, subscribe to Kansas Overseas Newsletter.