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Every year, Spain attracts a huge flow of tourists from different countries. Major cities: Madrid and Barcelona are becoming the center of a gathering of people of different cultures and nationalities. And this is not surprising. A Spanish residence permit provides a number of advantages: to travel visa-free in the EU and Schengen countries, to be serviced by banks (loans, loans, mortgages) on an equal basis with the indigenous population, to legalize family members (spouse, children) in the country, to receive social and medical assistance, to apply for scholarships and budget places in state universities of the country, and also subsequently obtain permanent residence and a passport of a Spanish citizen. According to the latest data from Eurostat, Spain ranks second (after Germany) among European countries in terms of the number of migrants arriving in the country. They stay in the Kingdom on different terms. But it is in Spain that it is possible to obtain a residence permit for settlement, which is divided into three types.
Residence permit for the social type of settlement (Arraigo social):
Residence permit for the working type of settlement (Arraigo laboral) — residence permit based on work activity:
It is very difficult to obtain a residence permit for Arraigo laboral, since Spanish companies cannot formalize an employment contract with illegal immigrants. This threatens with a heavy fine for both the employer and the applicant, who may also be deported.
Residence permit by family type of settlement (Arraigo familiar):
The main requirement for obtaining a residence permit for family settlement is the mandatory provision of a child's birth certificate as proof that he was born in Spain, or a statement from the parents, to which documents on their citizenship are attached.
Regardless of the type of residence permit, the applicant must meet the general requirements:
All materials are provided exclusively in Spanish. The translated documents must be certified by the Legalization Department of the Consulate General in Spain, or they must be translated by a sworn translator licensed in Spain. At the same time, government-issued papers must be legalized (applies to countries that have not signed the Hague Agreement) and apostilled (if documents are from countries that have signed the Hague Agreement).
When all the necessary documentation has been collected, you need to apply to the Extranjeria branch in the region where the applicant directly resides. If he is a minor or incapacitated, then his legal representative does it.
Usually, the application is considered within three months, but in the absence of complaints, the procedure may take no more than 4 weeks.
After all the documents have been studied and verified, the applicant will be invited to an interview. During the interview, an immigration officer will check the applicant's knowledge and understanding of the Spanish language. By the way, this is an important criterion for obtaining a residence permit. It is quite possible to reach the A2 level in Spanish in 2-3 years. The applicant must understand what he is being asked about, be able to answer the questions asked in detail, and communicate on everyday topics. For example, they may be asked why they left their country, why they chose this city or area (the applicant's place of residence). They may ask you to name representatives of the city administration, list the sights of the province, etc. It is better to prepare in more detail for such issues in advance. After the interview, the applicant will be given documents confirming his integration, and within a month from the date of the decision, he can obtain a residence permit. To do this, he must personally report to the local police department for foreigners, submit biometric data, pay a state fee (38.28 euros — for settlement) and fill out an application for a foreigner's identity card. The term of such a residence permit can be from one year to five years, depending on the type of document. After this period has expired and the grounds for residence in Spain have been preserved, a foreigner can apply to the Immigration Department to extend a residence permit (it can be extended 2 times, for two years), and having lived in the Kingdom for 5 years with a residence permit, he has the right to apply for permanent residence. After 10 years of legal residence, an immigrant can apply for citizenship in accordance with the general naturalization procedure.
Note: despite the fact that it is possible to obtain a residence permit in Spain, it is still a rather risky business. Illegal stay in Spain is considered a serious violation, for which a fine of €500 to €10,000 is provided. Needless to say, it is quite difficult for illegal immigrants to find a job and find an apartment for permanent residence. In addition, such immigrants are deprived of basic social benefits: unemployment, pregnancy and childbirth, disability. Therefore, we recommend that you still legalize in Spain legally. Write in the comments, what ways do you know about obtaining a residence permit in the Spanish Kingdom? Which ones would you like to know more about?