Spain Work Visa for Filipinos
If you are planning to travel from the Philippines to work in Spain, your new Spanish employer may need to first obtain a work permit for you, then you must apply for a Work Visa applicable to your employment situation.
Total Law offers affordable immigration advice from our expert lawyers who can help you choose the correct visa, answer any immigration queries, complete your application on your behalf, and generally increase the chances of receiving a successful visa decision. Contact us at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or online for more information.
Overview of Spanish Work Visas
If you’re applying from the Philippines, as a non-European Economic Area citizen, you will need a Spain Work visa to be allowed to enter and work or start a new business in Spain.
You will need to meet specific eligibility criteria to apply for a Spain Work visa, for example, you may need an offer from a Spanish employer and they must have applied for a work permit, or you may need to provide proof of your experience or skills. Each visa has different restrictions and visa duration, and only some will allow your family members to apply for dependent visas.
In some cases, Filippinos may be exempt from applying for a Work visa in Spain, though you may need a Schengen or Long-term National (D) visa to enter the country. Exemptions include university professors, technicians, scientists, foreign journalists, clergy and artists travelling for specific performances.
Work Permits
In some cases, you will only be able to apply for a Work visa if you have already received a job offer and contract from your new employer in Spain.
In these cases, the employer will first have to apply for and supply a Work permit to be submitted as part of your visa application.
The visas that require a Work permit as part of the visa application include:
- Highly Qualified Work visa
- Intra-company Transfer visa
- Seasonal Work visa
Types of Spain Work Visa
Highly Qualified Work Visa
You may be able to apply for the Highly Qualified Residence permit if you have a higher education qualification or postgraduate degree, vocational training, a business school qualification or three years of experience in your field of employment.
This permit has a validity of three years and, provided you continue to meet the original approval requirements, can be renewed upon its expiry. If you are working in Spain with this visa, your immediate family members will be able to apply for dependent visas and your spouse will be allowed to work.
EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card, like the Highly Qualified Residence permit, is designed for skilled professionals, but there are a few key differences. The EU Blue Card offers unique benefits, allowing short- and long-term movement between EU countries.
To be eligible for this visa, you must have a higher education degree earned over at least three years or at least five years of experience in your area of expertise. You must also have a valid job contract or offer that lasts at least six months.
The EU Blue Card is also valid for three years and is renewable as long as you meet the renewal conditions. Spouses and children can join you on dependent visas and your spouse will be allowed to work.
Intra-company Transfer Visa
If you work for a multinational organisation, the Intra-company Transfer (ICT) visa allows you to work in Spain within the same organisation. There are two types of ICT visa; the EU ICT allows managers, specialists and trainees to transfer to companies of the same group in Spain, and the National ICT applies to people who do not fit the criteria of the first.
If you are planning to apply for an ICT visa, you will have to have worked for the company you are transferring within for a minimum of three months. As a manager or specialist, this visa will allow you to work in Spain for three years and any immediate family members will be eligible to apply for a dependent visa that will also allow them to work while in Spain.
Seasonal Work Visa
You may wish to work in Spain during the peak holiday season over the summer period in Europe. The Seasonal Work visa is a short-term visa that allows you to work in Spain for the duration of your work contract (for a maximum of nine months).
To be eligible to apply for this visa, your Spanish employer must provide you with suitable accommodation, your travel to and from Spain must be covered, and you must return to the Philippines when your contract is finished.
If your contract is shorter than nine months, you may be able to extend your visa up to nine months.
Self Employment Visa
If you are self employed, it is also possible to live and work in Spain, provided you can prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your business, have relevant skills and experience, have contracts from client companies, and have all relevant licences required for your business.
In some cases, you will need to provide a business plan as part of your application. The Self Employed visa is valid for up to one year and can be renewed.
Entrepreneur Visa
If you intend to move to Spain to set up an innovative business that aligns with the interests of the Spanish economy, then you may be eligible to apply for an Entrepreneur Work permit.
To apply for this visa, you must provide a business plan to the Economic and Commercial Office or the Directorate-General for International Trade and Investments (ENISA). The ENISA will provide a business report that must be submitted to the Spanish authorities to prove that your new business is both viable and benefits the Spanish economy.
When issued, this visa lasts for three years, although it is eligible for renewal for an additional period of two years.
Au Pair Work Visa
The Spanish authorities offer an Au Pair visa for people between 18 and 30 years old that allows them to live with a Spanish family and provide au pair services, such as household activities and babysitting.
For this visa, you would have to have a clear au pair agreement with the host family, proof that you can pay for yourself during your stay, have private healthcare insurance, proof you can speak Spanish, and show you live at the same address as the host family.
Nationals from the Philippines staying in Spain for longer than 90 days will need an Au Pair visa and will likely need to take at least 20 hours of Spanish lessons per week as a condition of the visa application.
Digital Nomad Visa
If you plan to live and work in Spain while working for a company that is not located in Spain, you may be eligible for the Digital Nomad visa. To apply, you must prove that you are employed by a foreign company, meet Spain’s minimum income requirement, and have accommodation and private healthcare insurance arranged for the duration of your stay in Spain. If you have a full-time employment contract, you must also prove that you have been employed for at least three months before applying.
You can apply for the Digital Nomad visa from within Spain, the Philippines, or another country. If you are already in Spain, you may be granted a visa for up to three years; if you are applying from a Spanish consulate in the Philippines, you will be issued a visa for a maximum period of one year and can renew and extend it once you arrive in the country.
Documents Required
Each type of Work visa will require slightly different documents, but generally, you will need to submit the following required documents:
- Visa application form
- Work authorisation
- Work contract
- Work permit
- Two recent passport size photos
- Valid passport
- Police record
- Medical certificate
- Medical insurance
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of professional experience
- Licences and registration required to work in Spain
- Proof of financial means
How to Apply for a Spain Work Visa?
When applying for a Work visa for Spain, firstly, your new Spanish employer must apply for and receive a Work and Residence permit on your behalf.
Secondly, you must apply for a Spain Work visa application from the Philippines. This may include an interview at a Spanish consulate at a visa centre.
Finally, you must collect your Foreign National Identity Residence Card upon arrival if you are staying in Spain for more than six months.
Spain Work Visa Fee and Processing Time
The cost of a Spanish Work visa depends on the type of visa you choose to apply for and where you come from. For example, if you are from the Philippines, you may be charged €219.10 for a Self Employed visa.
Visa applications are typically processed within one month; however, this can take up to two months. It is advised that you leave plenty of time before travelling to account for any delays.
After Arriving in Spain
When you arrive in Spain, you may need to register to work. If your working visa is valid for less than six months, then you can start work without any further action.
If your visa is valid for more than three months and requires you to obtain a residence permit, you must register at the appropriate Social Security system in Spain within one month of your arrival. This is the responsibility of the employer, in the case you are an employee. However, if you are self employed, you must apply yourself.
How Can Total Law Help?
At Total Law, our team of specialist immigration lawyers are able to support businesses and individuals correctly apply for all work permits and visas necessary to employ an individual from the Philippines in Spain.
Total Law is able to assess all qualifications, experience and documents to ensure you are applying for the most appropriate visa and have the best possible chance at receiving a positive decision from the Spanish authorities.
To hear further information on how Total Law can support you with your permit or visa application, call us today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or complete our online contact form.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a Self Employed visa, you can operate under a business that already exists; however, for the Entrepreneur visa, you must be setting up a new business.
You can submit an appeal for reconsideration of a refused visa within one month of the day you receive your refusal notification.
