Working Holiday Visa Spain (Youth Mobility Visa)
Young foreign nationals from certain countries can travel to and work in Spain for up to one year on a Working Holiday Visa. This visa scheme is also referred to as Youth Mobility Visa (in Canada) or youth mobility programme.
If you are seeking more information regarding how you can obtain a Working Holiday Visa in Spain, whether you meet the eligibility criteria, how much money you need, what supporting documents you will have to submit, and to receive bespoke advice from our expert immigration advisers, call us today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or message us online.
What is a Working Holiday Visa in Spain?
A Working Holiday Visa is a temporary work permit in Spain, designed for foreigners belonging to certain nationalities as well as a specified age group.
It allows the visa holder to live and work in Spain for up to 12 months. Since a Working Holiday Visa cannot be renewed or extended, you will have to return to your home country once your visa validity is over.
The Spanish government initiated the Working Holiday Visa programme in 2018. The idea was to facilitate youth and cultural exchanges with certain countries Spain had an agreement with.
On one hand, Spain opened its doors to young foreigners through this programme, allowing them to obtain international work experience while exploring the natural beauty of Spain as well as its rich heritage and culture.
On the other hand, the visa programme provided an opportunity to Spanish employers wishing to leverage new, innovative skills, ideas and perspectives from talented and motivated foreign workers. This visa programme also takes care of the seasonal employment needs in certain sectors of the Spanish economy.
A Working Holiday Visa holder is allowed to engage in any employment during their stay in Spain. They can work for up to three months per employer.
However, you will not be allowed to take up professions requiring a qualification or professional licence in Spain. As a Working Holiday Visa holder, you may also be able to study in Spain for up to four months.
Page Contents
- What is a Working Holiday Visa in Spain?
- Who Can Apply for a Spain Working Holiday Visa?
- Additional Eligibility Requirements for Spain Working Holiday Visa
- Documents required for Spain Working Holiday Visa
- Application Process for a Spain Working Holiday Visa
- Processing Time and Cost for Working Holiday Visa Spain
- What Happens After Arriving in Spain on a Working Holiday Visa?
- Can I Renew or Extend My Working Holiday Visa in Spain?
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Apply for a Spain Working Holiday Visa?
Citizens from the following countries are eligible to apply for Working Holiday Visas in Spain:
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- New Zealand
- South Korea
Moreover, to be eligible to apply, you will have to be at least 18 years of age. The upper age limit varies among the countries. While the upper age limit is 30 years for citizens of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, a Canadian citizen can apply up to 35 years of age. This is because of the ‘Youth Mobility Program’ agreement in place between Spain and Canada.
Please also note that all participating countries have their annual acceptance quota under the Working Holiday Visa programme.
Additional Eligibility Requirements for Spain Working Holiday Visa
To be eligible to apply for a Working Holiday Visa Spain, you will need to fulfil certain additional criteria as well as the nationality and age requirements already discussed.
Financial Criteria
You must have sufficient economic means to cover your living costs in Spain.
The Spanish government uses IPREM (Public Indicator of Multiple Effects Income index reference) to determine whether foreign applicants meet the financial requirement specific to their Spain visa category (where applicable). For a Working Holiday Visa, the minimum required amount is equivalent to 100% of IPREM.
Medical Insurance
You must have access to public healthcare or private health insurance covering all risks insured by Spain’s public healthcare system. Your insurer must be authorised to operate in Spain.
In addition, your private medical health insurance policy must not have deductibles. It must be fully comprehensive, providing full health insurance coverage everywhere in Spain. The policy should cover the visa validity period and not involve any co-payments.
General Requirements
In addition, you must fulfil certain general requirements, such as:
- You must not have a criminal record (for Canadian applicants, a police check from all the countries the applicant has been to in the past five years is required)
- You must not be accompanied by any dependant family members
- You must not have been a recipient of this programme in the past
- You must have a functional knowledge of the Spanish language
- Your intention must be to work and travel in Spain (not only work)
- You must have completed at least two years of higher education
- You fully comply with Spanish health and police clearance requirements
- You must not work for the same employer for more than three months during your stay in Spain
- You have paid all required visa fees in full
- You have never entered or stayed illegally in Spain, or have not been refused entry into any of the Schengen countries
Documents required for Spain Working Holiday Visa
To apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Spain, you will need to submit the following documents along with your visa application:
- Valid passport issued in the last 10 years
- Birth certificate
- A National visa application form, duly completed and signed
- A recent passport-size, colour photo
- Documents (originals and photocopies) proving you have sufficient financial means to cover your living costs in Spain (e.g. bank statements)
- Health insurance from an insurance entity authorised to operate in Spain, covering all risks insured by Spanish social security system
- Criminal record check certificate
- A medical certificate affirming that you does not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for public health in Spain pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations
- Visa fee payment receipt
- A return ticket or proof of sufficient funds to purchase the same
- Proof of completion of at least two years of higher studies
- Contract of employment from a Spanish company/institution
- A work authorisation in Spain or Foreigners’ Identification Number (NIE)
- Support letter from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Application Process for a Spain Working Holiday Visa
Prior to applying for a Spain Working Holiday Visa, you will have to apply for, and obtain, your Foreigner Identity Number (NIE) in Spain.
It is your unique identification number as a foreigner in Spain, and will allow you to carry out official activities like opening a bank account. You will need to apply for your NIE at the local Spanish embassy or consulate in your home country.
Once you have arranged for your NIE as well as other required supporting documents for a Working Holiday Visa Spain, you will need to fill in the relevant national visa application form and book an appointment with your local Spanish embassy/consulate to submit your application in person.
On the date of your appointment, you will have to attend a visa interview and pay your visa fees. The consular officers may ask about your background, why you are applying for a Working Holiday Visa, or whether you have sufficient funds.
Please carry all your required documents with you. If the concerned Spanish consulate asks for additional documents, you will have to submit them within the deadline mentioned to avoid a delay in your visa processing (or even avoid a visa rejection).
Processing Time and Cost for Working Holiday Visa Spain
The processing time for a Spain Working Holiday Visa application varies between three to six weeks. In New Zealand, however, your visa application may be processed within two weeks.
The processing fee for a Working Holiday Visa varies depending on the applicant’s home country. The fee is AUD $485 for Australians, €100 for Canadians, and €80 for citizens of Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.
What Happens After Arriving in Spain on a Working Holiday Visa?
A Working Holiday Visa is valid for up to one year. It comes with the NIE (Foreign Identity Number). You must enter Spain within 90 days from the visa issuance date.
After arriving in Spain on this visa, you must register yourself with your local police station depending on your location in the country. You will also need to open your bank account and arrange for a place of accommodation.
If you wish to stay in Spain for longer than six months, you may also have to apply for a ‘Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero’ (TIE) which is the Foreigner ID Card in Spain.
Can I Renew or Extend My Working Holiday Visa in Spain?
A Working Holiday Visa can be valid for up to 12 months. However, this visa is non-renewable and non-extendable, meaning you will not be able to renew the same or extend its validity beyond the said period. You will have to leave Spain once your visa validity is over.
This is why holding a return ticket (or submitting proof of funds showing that you are able to pay for your return to your home country once your visa expires) is required while applying for a Working Holiday Visa in Spain.
If you are planning to stay in Spain for a longer term, you may apply for a student visa or work visa instead (provided you meet the respective eligibility criteria).
How Can Total Law Help?
A Working Holiday Visa application seems to be a straightforward process on paper. In reality, it can prove to be a challenging and time-consuming one. Moreover, you have the additional responsibility of successfully applying for and obtaining your NIE–which can also be a tedious process by itself–before you can apply for a Working Holiday Visa.
Even if you meet the eligibility criteria, you will have to provide enough documentary evidence to convince Spanish immigration authorities that you have sufficient financial means to reside in Spain, and you intend to both travel and work in the country (i.e. your primary purpose is not to work in Spain).
Appealing a Working Holiday Visa refusal is a lengthy and expensive process. Instead, you should focus on getting the application right the first time. As such, it is advisable to consult an immigration lawyer before as well as during your visa application process.
Total Law can help. Our team of sympathetic immigration advisers have the required legal expertise to assist you, regardless of the complexity of your case.
If you are seeking overall advice with your Working Holiday Visa application or you would like an immigration expert to complete your application on your behalf, we are happy to help. Our legal team also offers document and application checking services, in case you just need a final check to confirm that your documents and application adhere to the Spanish visa regulations.
To discuss further about how we can help you, do reach out to us today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or message us online to speak to one of our immigration lawyers.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You must not be a past recipient of the Working Holiday Visa in Spain to be eligible to apply.
Yes. Even if you stay less than 183 days in Spain, you will need to pay tax on your earnings in the country.
