Highly Qualified Professional Visa Spain (HQP)
Spanish employers looking to hire highly skilled workers from abroad must apply for a Highly Qualified Work Permit (Permiso de Trabajo como Profesional Altamente Cualificado) to gain legal entry for them into the country.
It can be a convoluted process to obtain a Highly Qualified Worker Visa for Spain, but Total Law’s professional immigration lawyers can help. Call us today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or message us online.
Highly Qualified Professional Visa Overview
The Highly Qualified Professional Visa or Work Permit is designed to attract highly qualified workers from outside of the EU (European Union) into Spain to stimulate businesses’ and the economy’s performance.
The Highly Qualified Professional Visa scheme is aimed at management and executive positions in large companies and strategic small and medium businesses (SMBs). The roles to be fulfilled by these visa holders are in industries that require specific knowledge, training and skills, particularly where Spanish companies may struggle to recruit EU nationals in.
The visa scheme is supported by the 14/2013 legal regulations regarding support for the internationalisation of highly skilled professionals.
Page Contents
- Highly Qualified Professional Visa Overview
- Eligibility Requirements for the Highly Qualified Professional Visa Spain
- Salary Requirements for Spain Highly Qualified Professionals Visa
- Documents Requirements for a Highly Qualified Work Permit in Spain
- How to Apply for a Highly Qualified Professionals Visa in Spain?
- Fees and Processing Times for Spain Highly Qualified Worker Visa
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility Requirements for the Highly Qualified Professional Visa Spain
The Highly Qualified Professional Work Permit scheme holds eligibility criteria for both the Spanish employer and the potential international employee.
Not all employers are eligible to hire international talent under the work permit scheme for highly skilled workers. The company must be either:
- A large company or strategic SME or SMB
- A company within a large group of companies
- A company developing projects that are considered to be of ‘strategic interest’ for the Spanish economy
To hire a graduate or postgraduate internationally, a company may do so under the Highly Skilled Professional permit scheme regardless of the size of their firm; providing their qualification meets certain criteria as being from a ‘prestigious’ university or business school.
If you’re unsure of your company’s eligibility under the scheme, call +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to speak to a Total Law expert.
The potential employee must meet the eligibility requirements to be considered ‘highly qualified’ in the field within which they will be working in Spain.
This means that applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Holding an undergraduate or postgraduate degree or PhD from a ‘prestigious’ university or business school
- Already be a highly qualified professional, manager or executive in their field
To confirm if the candidate you’d like to hire would meet the eligibility criteria, speak to a Total Law expert on +44 (0) 333 305 9375.
Salary Requirements for Spain Highly Qualified Professionals Visa
The work permit for highly qualified professionals is only eligible for roles that pay a certain salary per annum. This is:
- €54,000 or more minimum salary for a managerial or directorial position; OR
- €40,000 or more minimum salary for an academic or scientific position
A 25% reduction coefficient may be granted as an exception for positions where the applicant is:
- Working for an SME in the strategic sector; OR
- Is aged 30 or under
If the salary is paid ‘in kind’, the income can only account for 30% of the annual figure toward the permit.
For advice on salary requirements, speak to an expert at Total Law on +44 (0) 333 305 9375.
Documents Requirements for a Highly Qualified Work Permit in Spain
Both employer and employee must provide supporting documents along with their visa application to demonstrate that they meet the eligibility criteria. Copies of these documents are to be submitted online with the application, and originals taken along to the visa interview at a visa application centre.
Spanish immigration authorities reserve the right to request further documents at any time during the visa and work permit application processing period, but usually the standard requirements are:
- Certification indicating that the company meets the standard size criteria
- A copy of the official job offer made to the international potential employee
- A copy of the employment contract
- A job description for the role to be fulfilled
- The applicant’s valid passport (that does not expire during the duration of stay in Spain)
- The applicant’s professional CV
- Copies of the applicant’s professional and relevant qualification certification
- Any relevant background checks completed for the applicant
All documents must be accompanied by a certified translation into Spanish if they are not already in the language.
How to Apply for a Highly Qualified Professionals Visa in Spain?
The Highly Qualified Work Permit application requires action from both the Spanish company and the applicant. For uncomplicated applications, the process is as follows:
Employer becomes verified
Spanish companies may only hire Highly Qualified Professionals under this scheme if they meet set eligibility criteria, so must ensure they are verified to do so before any further steps are made.
Employer makes the applicant a job offer
A full job offer and contract must be issued to a potential employee from overseas who fits the bill for the vacancy and meet the employee criteria.
Applicant completes online application form
If the applicant intends to accept the job offer, they complete the Highly Qualified Professionals visa application form online.
The application fee needs to be paid at this point too; and can be done by either employer or employee, depending on their own agreement.
Applicant books and attends visa interview appointment
Applicants must book an appointment in advance at their local Visa Application Centre. For this appointment, they must take copies of their application form and all supporting documents.
Questions may be asked by an immigration officer and biometric information (usually a photograph and fingerprints taken) taken. The latter is usually used for a residence permit.
Employer and applicant await visa decision
Spanish immigration authorities review all visa and work permit applications individually. All parties await a decision while this takes place. If any further information or documents are requested during this processing period, the application is paused until they are received.
Applicant travels to Spain and commences work
If the highly qualified worker is granted their visa and work permit, they may travel to Spain and may begin work as soon as the permit is valid.
If support is needed by employer or employee at any time during the application period, processing time or for an appeal, Total Law can help. Call our office now on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to learn more about our specialist services.
Fees and Processing Times for Spain Highly Qualified Worker Visa
The fee for the Spanish Highly Qualified Worker Visa varies depending on the nationality of the applicant. In addition to the visa fee, a further €73.26 fee is payable for a residence permit.
To confirm the Highly Qualified Worker Permit fee for your potential employee, call +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to discuss with an expert.
On average, it takes between 10-20 days for a decision to be made on a Highly Skilled Worker Visa.
How Can Total Law Help?
To hire the best in international talent, a visa for Highly Qualified Workers (and their family members, if required) can be obtained.
Total Law’s team of specialist immigration lawyers can help both employer and employee navigate the process to ease the journey and ensure the maximum chances of success with the Highly Skilled Visa application.
Call our team now on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or message us online, to discuss your hiring plans and enjoy the best in global employment prospects.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are some circumstances in which reductions may be accepted to the minimum salary requirement for the Highly Skilled Workers Visa; particularly for large companies, gradates of a prestigious business school or those in a technical position working on a specific and strategic business project. Speak to one of Total Law’s immigration lawyers on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to learn more.
If an applicant’s sole eligibility criteria is their qualification, it must come from a specifically listed ‘prestigious university’ or one of several ‘prestigious business schools’. To learn more about the current list of universities and prestigious business schools, call +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to speak to a specialist.
A job offer and job contract must have been issued to the applicant ahead of any application being made for a Highly Qualified Work Permit, or the eligibility criteria will not be met and the application will be refused.
Family members can be added to a Highly Skilled Work Permit application where they are financially dependent on the primary applicant. This does, however, incur additional document requirements for the immigration office and visa department. To ensure your applicant can successfully apply with family members (including an unmarried partner), seek guidance from Total Law on +44 (0) 333 305 9375.
No. European Union citizens and EU Blue Card holders already have the right to live and work in Spain, unless their travel permission states otherwise or holds restrictions.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Total Law before making any decisions based on the content provided.