Job Discussion Forums

[jovencito]

After reading a few replies and personal opinions I've spent some time doing some research.

It's always best to deal with facts. These facts are from current Spanish law governing student visas and becoming a legal resident of Spain.

The conclusion of my research is that the Student Visa is a legitimate way to enter Spain and be able to work and also that legal or not, anyone that can prove that they've been in Spain for a minimum of 3 years has the right to apply for residency as long as they've behaved themselves.

1 - Student Visas

"Los extranjeros que dispongan del correspondiente visado de estudios podr�n ser autorizados a realizar actividades lucrativas laborales, en instituciones p�blicas o entidades privadas, cuando el empleador como sujeto legitimado presente la solicitud de autorizaci�n de trabajo y se cumplan, con car�cter general, los siguientes requisitos:

Que se garantice al trabajador una actividad continuada.
Que las empresas solicitantes hayan formalizado su inscripci�n en el correspondiente r�gimen del sistema de Seguridad Social y se encuentren al corriente del cumplimiento de sus obligaciones tributarias y frente a la Seguridad Social. Se podr� requerir, adem�s, al empresario que acredite los medios econ�micos, materiales y personales de los que dispone para su proyecto empresarial.
Que las condiciones fijadas en la oferta de trabajo se ajusten a las establecidas por la normativa vigente para la misma actividad, categor�a profesional y localidad.
Que se posea la titulaci�n, en su caso, debidamente homologada o que se acredite la capacitaci�n exigida para el ejercicio de la profesi�n.
Que los trabajadores extranjeros no se encuentren irregularmente en territorio espa�ol.

Dichas actividades deber�n ser compatibles con la realizaci�n de los estudios, y los ingresos obtenidos no podr�n tener el car�cter de recurso necesario para su sustento o estancia."

What this means is that a person with a student visa can work. There's obviously some paper-work but the employer does this. The last line states that the work should not be used as a primary source of income, however this is a moot point as part of the student visa application requires that the student's parents guarantee the student a primary source of income during the study period.

Here's the requirement.

"Carta notarizada de los padres o guardianes asumiendo plena responsabilidad financiera para gastos de alojamiento y manutenci�n de al menos 1.000 d�lares por mes de estancia. Texto sugerido: �Certifico por la presente que yo el (padre, madre, otro, etc.) de (�) cubrir� su estancia en Espa�a con 1.000 d�lares mensuales y que soy responsable de los gastos que ocasione cualquier emergencia."

This letter means that the student does NOT have to prove financial means in terms of available cash. It is also proof that the primary source of income, according to the student visa application, is from the parents, therefore additional work is not considered as being a primary source of income.

2 - Residency in Spain

Spain is odd in the fact that it will allow anyone that has stayed in Spain by whatever means, the right to apply for residency after a minimum period of three years.

"2.- ARRAIGO SOCIAL: podr�n obtener esa autorizaci�n, los que acrediten la permanencia en Espa�a por un periodo m�nimo de tres a�os siempre que cuenten con un contrato de trabajo firmado tanto por el trabajador como por el empresario por un a�o de duraci�n, al tiempo de la solicitud, y carezcan de antecedentes penales tanto en Espa�a como en su pa�s de origen. As� mismo, han de acreditar v�nculos familiares con otros extranjeros residentes, o en su defecto, presentar un informe emitido por el ayuntamiento de la localidad en que resida que acredite su inserci�n social.

S� que puede reunir todos los requisitos para el arraigo social, que son:

- Para demostrar los 3 a�os sirven todo tipo de documentos oficiales, como el empadronamiento, la tarjeta sanitaria o cualquier otro.
- Para demostrar que se carece de antecedentes hay que aportar un certificado de penales legalizado y traducido. El de Espa�a no hay que presentarlo ya que la polic�a tiene los datos.
- Contar con un contrato de trabajo de un a�o de duraci�n, que contenga una cl�usla estableciendo que no entrar� en vigor hasta que se apruebe el permiso.
- Tener un familiar en primer grado con documentaci�n o un informe de inserci�n social municipal (se pide en los servicios sociales del Ayuntamiento)."

This is why the "empadronamiento" is important. To show three years, the "empadronamiento" is a valid document. You also need a police report showing that you aren't a criminal. A job offer. Either a family member or a document showing "insercion social" that you can get from the local town hall "ayuntamiento".

3 - Empadronamiento

This is the way to show that you have been in Spain for a minimum of 3 years. The 3 year countdown starts from the day you get your "empadronamiento".

Here's what the Comunidad de Madrid have to say about it.

"Todos los espa�oles tienen la obligaci�n de empadronarse. Los inmigrantes que se encuentren en situaci�n regular deben estar empadronados. Aquellos inmigrantes que no est�n en situaci�n regular, siguiendo con el Reglamento de Extranjer�a, cita que las personas que �vivan� en Espa�a con independencia de su situaci�n legal en nuestro pa�s, no siendo prueba de residencia legal ni cesi�n de derechos que la legislaci�n que le es de aplicaci�n no le atribuya de forma directa."

It says that everyone, legal or not, can get "empadronado". The "empadronamiento" is not used to chase down illegals.

If you come Spain on a student visa, the time that you stay in Spain as a student does not count towards the 3 year period for getting residency. [Added as a clarification for Wiganer who seemed a bit confused about what I wrote.]

[wiganer]

It's not true what you are saying. You won't get permanent residence anywhere in the EU on the back of a student visa, Spain included.

[jovencito]

Don't argue with me, argue with the law.

The law says you can. You say you can't. Who do you think is right? You or the law in Spain.

A friend of mine called Steve just finished the 3 year process. He now has a Spanish NIE (permanent resident card). Perhaps you should tell him that what he did is impossible because you say so.

Also, this info. is for Spain not for the the rest of the countries in the EU. I have no idea what happens in other EU countries.

[wiganer]

Now now, temper temper! Or else I will have to come over there and put you over my knee.

The student visa is not a residence permit, if the study ends then you leave the country. Three years studying in Spain does not make you eligible for a Spanish residence permit. Naturegirl will come along soon on this and put you right on this.

I know of SIX (Chinese) people who have tried to get residency in Spain on the back of student visas and failed miserably. You only know one, the lovely Steve - that means I win!

You are doing a great disservice to anyone daft enough to listen to your nonsense by putting their hard earned money into something that won't get them what they want in the long term - think about that.

[jovencito]

Fact twisting alarm activated

Where did I say that a student visa would get you residence?

What I said was that after spending 3 years in Spain, legally or not, you can apply for residency. This is absoutely true - to repeat, the law says so, not me or you or anyone else.

There's nothing daft about quoting facts from the law.

[wiganer]

[jovencito]

Good - I'm glad you re-read what I wrote.

[wiganer]

[jovencito]

A very strange reply considering I agreed with what you said in a previous post.

It's OK though, I added a line at the end of the original post to clarify things.

There is no relationship at all between the student visa and the 3 year option. They are 2 completely separate avenues. A student visa would be for someone that wanted a short stay in Spain and then return home. The 3 year option would be for someone that wanted to make Spain their new home.