Many foreign citizens come to Spain for studies, seeking opportunities in our diverse educational institutions, in this post we discuss about changing student card to work in Spain.
As studies progress, some may wish to work. If offered a job, one option is to change your student card to a Residence and Work Authorization for Employees.
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In this post we cover the following: (click any section to see its content)
Changing student card to work in Spain.
- AUTHORIZATION FOR WORKING AS AN EMPLOYEE »
- REQUIREMENTS FOR MODIFYING STUDY STAY »
- DOCUMENTATION FOR MODIFYING STUDY STAY »
- APPLYING FOR EMPLOYEE AUTHORIZATION »
- FAMILY MEMBERS OF STUDENTS »
- PROCEDURE INFORMATION »
- AUTHORISATION FOR WORKING AS AN EMPLOYEE »
- ALL TYPES OF RESIDENCY AVAILABLE IN SPAIN
- SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A SOLICITOR »
AUTHORIZATION FOR WORKING AS AN EMPLOYEE:
When seeking a modification from a Study Stay to Residence and Work Authorization for Employees, it’s the employer who applies for the residence and work authorization.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MODIFYING STUDY STAY:
- Completed studies or research, training, or internships
- No entry prohibition in Spain
- No criminal record in Spain or previous countries of residence for the last five years
- Not within the commitment period of not returning to Spain
- Payment of fees for residence and work authorization processing
- Signed employment contract ensuring continuous activity during the authorization period
DOCUMENTATION FOR MODIFYING STUDY STAY:
Documents needed for changing your student card to work as an employee include:
- Completed and signed application form
- Copy of the complete passport or travel document
- Proof of qualifications required for the profession
- Identification of the requesting company
Note: Foreign public documents must be legalized by the Spanish Consular Office or, if applicable, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
APPLYING FOR EMPLOYEE AUTHORIZATION:
The employer or authorized representative can submit the application at the Immigration Office or online through the Mercurio platform.
When to Apply for the Change of Student Card to Resident?
Within 60 days before card expiration or within 90 days after expiration. The timely submission extends the stay authorization until a decision is made.
Residence for work:
- Family Members of Students
- Family members with student cards can obtain residence authorization through family reunification
FAMILY MEMBERS OF STUDENTS:
What authorization will my family members have if I modify my student authorization? Family members of the foreigner who hold the student card and are living with them as family members of students can obtain a residence authorization through family reunification.
PROCEDURE INFORMATION:
The foreign worker or their representative can submit the application at the Immigration Office. The resolution takes up to 3 months.
Upon receiving Social Security affiliation, the worker must personally apply for the Foreigner Identity Card within a month.
For family reunification, the family member should present necessary documents, and the authorization’s effectiveness aligns with the reuniting family member.
Note: All documents must be translated and presented in Spanish.
APPLICATION FOR AUTHORIZATION FOR EMPLOYMENT (EMPLOYEE STATUS):
The authorized entity to submit the request for changing the student card is the employer or entrepreneur, either in person or through a legitimate representative with legal business representation. (Refer to the list of authorized entities).
Immigration Office of the province where services will be provided. You can also submit the application electronically through the Mercurio platformExternal link to the portal. Please note that having an electronic certificate is essential for transactions via the Mercurio platform. When is the request made to change from a student card to resident?
It can be done within the 60 days before the card expires or within the 90 days following the expiration of your study stay authorization. A timely submission will extend the validity of the stay authorization until a resolution is reached.
For wages less than twice the Minimum Interprofessional Salary (SMI): Section 1.1 for employee with residence authorization. For wages equal to or higher than twice the SMI: Section 1.6 for employee with residence authorization.
Request resolution period: 3 months from the day after it is received by the competent authority. If the Administration has not notified within this period, it may be considered a denial by administrative silence. (If notification is not possible, it will be announced in the Unique Edict Board (TEU) https://www.boe.es/notificaciones/. If electronic notification is chosen or legally required, the resolution will be notified through publication on the electronic platform. If access to the resolution is not made within 10 business days of publication, it will be considered notified).
The effectiveness of the granted residence and work authorization is conditional on the worker’s affiliation and registration with Social Security.
Within one month from the worker’s registration with Social Security, they must personally apply for the Foreigner Identity Card at the Immigration Office or Police Station in the province where the authorization was processed.
The applicant will present their passport or travel document at the fingerprint process to prove their identity and provide:
- Foreigner Identity Card application
- Certification of Social Security affiliation and/or registration
- Three recent color photographs, white background, passport size
ALL TYPES OF RESIDENCY AVAILABLE IN SPAIN:
- Golden-Visa Spain (Spain citizenship by investment)
- Non-Lucrative visa Spain (Spain visa non lucrative)
- Self-Employed visa Spain (self employed expats in Spain)
- Digital-Nomad visa Spain (remote worker in Spain)
Please see-here our video-blog with options and legal-advice to obtain residency in Spain.
Remember that immigration procedures and immigration regulations change regularly, so it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest information from reliable sources. If you have specific questions or concerns about your situation, it’s advisable to consult with immigration authorities or legal professionals specializing in immigration matters, please click-here » to do this.
DO YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE TO CHANGE YOUR STUDENT CARD IN SPAIN?
We are a Spanish Solicitor and assist our clients with all types Spanish legal processes.
Permanent residency is obtained after 5 years of Spanish Residency through Self-Employed Residency, Digital-Nomad, Non-Lucrative Residency or Golden-Visa. This followed by 5 years as a permanent resident in Spain and means you can then obtain Spanish Citizenship with a Spanish Passport.
