Residencia Búsqueda de Empleo/Job Search Visa: A new doorway for recent graduates.

For a non-EU citizen, finding a job in the Europe can be a tough and time-consuming process. It often requires constant availability for interviews and assessment tests, among many other things. To make matters worse, usually NIE was set to expire one month after the graduation. Job search visa is a rescue for this case, it was proposed by the government in September 2018, but came into complete effect by the end of November 2018.

What is Job Search Visa exactly?

The “job search visa”, formally known in Spanish as “estancia por estudios superiores que cesa, para búsqueda de empleo”, is a one-time 12-month residency permit that allows graduates to search for a job in Spain without any problems while it lasts. While in English we commonly say “visa” to refer to any status that allows you to live in a country, this status actually isn’t technically a “visa.” It is what is known as an “estancia” in Spanish, which means it’s a special kind of permission to remain in the country for a limited amount of time. It does not come with the same rights that come with formal residency, or “residencia“. However, if you successfully find a job during the period, you would then be able to apply for residency with permission to work.

• It is non-renewable and you can only apply for it 60 days before the expiration of your student NIE until 90 days after its expiration.
• As the job search, the visa scheme is new, the process is done entirely online. (Maybe it has changed in the recent times)
• The standard processing time is supposed to be 20 days but in reality, it can vary from 20 days to three months.
• You can include any dependents in the visa who relied on you during your studies.

Requirements for this visa

The requirements that you need to fulfil are the following:

1. The first requirement that you need to have it’s to have finished your studies. Those need to be a minimum level of 6 that is equivalent to a bachelor degree, and it can also be a Master’s degree (that is level 7) or a PhD that (level 8).
2. You should be residing in Spain at the time of your application, and you should apply just before or immediately after your graduation for the best chance of approval.
3. A recent university degree or higher* from a Spanish university. You can apply up to six months after your degree has been awarded.
4. Proof that you can support yourself during your stay in Spain and have the financial means according to the IPREM index**
5. Supportive documents, such as your updated CV and a motivation letter which outlines your plans for the future and your time in Spain.
6. Legal documents including your passport, a copy of your student visa, and a student ID (NIE).
7. Health insurance
8. You need to prove that you have enough economic resources to stay in the country during the time of your job research.
9. Pay the fee of the documentation which can be paid at most of the banks. You have to select 1 Initial authorization for temporary residence unless your situation differs according to the form.
10. Added information1. In the “Requirements for this visa” POINT 9 where you have to pay for the VISA please use this following link:
    https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/tasasPDF/prepareProvincia?idModelo=790&idTasa=052
    Fill up your personal details and select the province where you are applying for the job search visa and then select option 2.1 (Autorizacion de residencia inicial………). As of today, the amount of the fee will be Euro 10.72.

    2. Once you have arranged all the documents mentioned in the section “Requirements for this visa” of this page, you have to apply using this webpage: https://sede.administracion.gob.es/PAG_Sede/ServiciosElectronicos/RegistroElectronicoComun.html
    and find the ” Electronic Register” section mentioned inside the page.
    But to access the ” Electronic Register” page you need to have the DIGITAL certificate and to upload the documents in the portal it is better to have “AutoFirma” software installed in your PC. In the following link you will find the information about the software:
    https://firmaelectronica.gob.es/Home/Descargas.html

11. The Non-Lucrative Permits Application Form EX01. (Select Titular de estancia por estudios superiores que cesa, para búsqueda de empleo).

** IPREM Index

• 100% of monthly IPREM for the main applicant = 537,84 EUR per month.
• Additional 75% of monthly IPREM for first dependent (if applicable) = 403,38 EUR per month.
• Additional 50% of monthly IPREM for each additional dependent (if applicable) = 268,92 EUR per month.

As we’ve mentioned, the time frame is really important. Foreigner students can apply for this student permit 60 days before finishing their studies or 90 days after their studies have concluded, or till the student permit card has expired. You can apply to this Job search permit online.

Once you have applied for it, you have a period of 20 waiting days, where the institution can approve or deny your request.

Some other important details:

1. The job should be something related to your previous studies
2. You can apply for this procedure through online or electronic media.
3. All of the procedure should be made in the same city that you are residing, so the authorities can verify your official certificate.
4. This whole procedure has a period of 20 days to have an approved or denied response. After this period, if there is no response, the silence will be considered as approved. Even though it is “silencio administrativo positive“, no one actually knows how to claim that you have that and apply for the card. So, it is recommended to wait for your resolution. In the resolution, they would mention as silencio administrativo positive.
5. The relatives that have been accompanying the student willing to extend their say in order to find a job, will have permanency linked (the whole time) to the holder of the main authorization (the foreign student in Spain).
6. In the case of finding a job during the period in which the student residence permit is valid, you should require the main authorization that is corresponding to the organic laws.

Cost of the visa:

One of the first things people want to know is how much all this will cost. Well, the short answer is… It depends

The slightly longer answer is:

• You have to pay 10.72 EUR for the government fee payment.
• Healthcare might cost you between 50 EUR per month.
• Financial means you demonstrate to support yourself should be at least 6,500 EUR for the whole year. If you have deposits for around 537 EUR every month into your bank account in the last six month, then you can submit with the amount 3,500 EUR. (Remember that the bank statement, at the time of submission cannot be older than 10 days).

Submitting your application

After gathering the documents, it’s time to submit your application. The job search status was implemented in November 2018, so the only way to submit your application is online. In order to do this, you will need a digital certificate.

Obtaining a digital certificate is a relatively easy process and has four essential steps. You will need the digital certificate to apply for this visa online.

Requesting your job search status

Once you have downloaded the Digital Certificate, you should go to the Registro Electrónico Común (RED SARA) to request your job search status and submit your supporting documents.

Make sure to send your request to Delegación del Gobierno en Madrid – Área Funcional de Trabajo e Inmigración.

Success: Request accepted

When your request is accepted, you will receive an email with further steps. This involves getting your fingerprints scanned at the police station. For this, you will need some further documents, which are listed below, and you’ll have to make an appointment.

Documents checklist:

• Your passport, NIE and passport. (Don’t forget photocopies!)
• Recent 3×4 photos on a white background. (Take a couple of copies to be sure.)
• A copy of the resolution document, showing your request has been accepted.
• A printed screenshot of the “resolved-favourable”
• Certificado de (City hall registration)
• EX-17 form. (For question 4.1 select Tarjeta Inicial and for 4.2 select Residencia temporal con excepción de la autorización de trabajo.)
• Proof of payment of the 790-012 fee from the Ministerio del Interior. Simply fill out the form and take it to the bank.

Cost: Aside from travel expenses and the price of passport pictures, the only cost here is 15.76 EUR for the 790-012 fee.

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