Immigration and Asylum

4 de September de 20264 de November de 2026

How to book an appointment to submit the 2026 extraordinary regularisation application in Galicia: Correos and Social Security

The 2026 extraordinary regularisation allows migrants who were already in Spain before 1 January 2026 and meet the procedural requirements to submit an application for temporary residence on exceptional grounds. The application period began on 16 April and will remain open until 30 June 2026. Applications may be submitted online or in person, but in-person submission always requires a prior appointment.

Quick answer

If you want to submit the application in person in Galicia, you must book an appointment first. An appointment can be requested in three ways through this link to the Regularisation Platform: https://www.inclusion.gob.es/regularizacion

Online with Cl@ve or a digital certificate, choosing the office, day and time.
Using a web form, without Cl@ve, but you cannot choose the office or day: the system assigns you a nearby appointment.
By calling 060, with assistance in Spanish.

In Galicia, documents submitted in person must be delivered at authorised Correos and Social Security offices. Galicia’s Foreigners’ Offices are not authorised to receive documents in person for this procedure. The only Foreigners’ Offices authorised for this procedure are in Madrid, Alicante, Valencia, Almería and Murcia.

1. What is the prior appointment for?

The prior appointment is used to visit an authorised office and submit the extraordinary regularisation application there. It is not an appointment to request general information or to review your entire case from scratch. For this reason, it is advisable to prepare the documents before going.

The in-person route works only by prior appointment. By contrast, the online route is available 24 hours a day throughout the application period.

2. First option: book an appointment with Cl@ve or a digital certificate

This is the most convenient option if you, a trusted person or an organisation helping you have digital identification.

How does it work?

You enter the official regularisation portal and access the appointment service with Cl@ve or a digital certificate. With this option, you can choose the office, date and time. If you do not have Cl@ve, someone who does can book the appointment for you by entering your details.

Simple steps

Go to the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration’s official regularisation website. Look for the prior-appointment section. Log in with Cl@ve or a digital certificate. Enter the details of the person who will submit the application. Choose the province, office, available day and time. Confirm the appointment and save the receipt.

This receipt is important: take it with you on the day of the appointment, either on paper or on your phone.

When is this option useful?

It is useful when you need to choose a specific office, want to control the day and time, or when a social organisation, lawyer, professional adviser, employment relations graduate or trusted person is helping you book the appointment.

3. Second option: book an appointment using the web form, without Cl@ve

This option is for people who do not have Cl@ve or a digital certificate.

How does it work?

The web form lets you request an appointment without digital identification, but there is an important difference: you cannot choose the office or date. The system assigns the appointment closest to the information you provide.

What information does the form request?

The official public information states that, so that you can be contacted and notifications can be delivered correctly, personal and contact details must be completed very carefully, especially your telephone number, email and postal address.

Before starting the form, have these details ready:

First name and surname.
Passport number, NIE if you have one, registration certificate or identity document you use.
Date of birth and nationality.
Address where you live in Spain.
Postcode, town or city and province.
Mobile phone number.
Email address.
Details of the people in your family unit if you are going to submit several applications together.
Province or area where you need the appointment.

Important advice

Enter your telephone number and email address correctly. If the email is incorrect or the telephone number does not work, you may miss the appointment notice.

4. Third option: book an appointment by calling 060

You can also book an appointment by calling 060. Assistance is provided in Spanish. The official hours stated for this procedure are Monday to Friday, from 09:30 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 19:30.

Prepare this before calling

Have your passport or identity document, full address, telephone number, email address and the details of any family members who want to submit the application with you in front of you.

Speak slowly and write down the appointment details: office, day, time and any code or reference you are given.

5. How do we book an appointment if we are a family?

A single appointment may be used to submit the applications of people in the same household simultaneously. This is very important for families, because it avoids booking a separate appointment for each member when they submit their applications together.

Simple example

A mother, a father and two minor children live together and are going to apply for regularisation. They can book one appointment for the family unit and bring a complete application for each person who is going to be regularised.

What to bring when applying as a family

Each person must have their own form and documents. It is not enough to put all the documents in the father’s or mother’s folder. Each case file must be clear and separate.

For minors, it is important to bring documents proving the family relationship: a birth certificate, family record book or another valid document, normally legalised or apostilled and translated where applicable.

6. Authorised offices in Galicia

According to the official list of regularisation offices, Galicia has 15 authorised offices between Social Security and Correos. The official list itself organises the offices by autonomous community and province.

Province of A Coruña

Type	Office	Address
Social Security	INSS – CAISS No. 1	Avenida Pedro Barrié de la Maza, 18, 15003 A Coruña
Correos	A Coruña OP	Rúa Alcalde Manuel Casas, s/n, 15001 A Coruña
Correos	A Coruña Branch 1	Av. Sardiñeira, Renfe station, s/n, 15007 A Coruña
Correos	A Coruña Branch 3	C/ Rodrigo Alfredo de Santiago, 38, 15010 A Coruña
Correos	Ferrol OP	Praza Galicia, s/n, 15402 Ferrol
Correos	Santiago de Compostela OP	Rúa do Franco, 4, 15702 Santiago de Compostela
Correos	Santiago de Compostela Branch 1	Rúa García Prieto, 12, 15706 Santiago de Compostela
Correos	Santiago de Compostela Branch 2	Rúa de Anxo Casal, s/n, 15704 Santiago de Compostela

Province of Lugo

Type	Office	Address
Social Security	TGSS – Provincial Directorate	Ronda Xosé Castiñeira, 26, 27002 Lugo
Correos	Lugo OP	Rúa San Pedro, 5, 27001 Lugo

Province of Ourense

Type	Office	Address
Social Security	INSS – CAISS No. 1	Plaza Eduardo Barreiros, 4, 32003 Ourense
Correos	Ourense OP	Rúa Progreso, 53, 32003 Ourense

Province of Pontevedra

Type	Office	Address
Social Security	TGSS – Provincial Directorate	Avenida García Barbón, 72, 36201 Vigo
Correos	Pontevedra OP	Rúa da Oliva, 19-21, 36001 Pontevedra
Correos	Vigo OP	Praza de Compostela, 3, 36201 Vigo

Social Security offices handle this procedure from 16:00 to 19:00 and Correos offices from 08:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday.

7. Important: Galicia’s Foreigners’ Offices do not accept these applications

Although regularisation is an immigration procedure, in Galicia you should not go to a Foreigners’ Office to submit the application in person for this procedure. In Galicia, the authorised points are the Correos and Social Security offices shown in the official list. The Foreigners’ Offices authorised for in-person assistance under this procedure are only those in Madrid, Alicante, Valencia, Almería and Murcia.

This does not mean that the Foreigners’ Office will not be involved later. It means that, to submit the documents in person in Galicia, you must go to an authorised Correos or Social Security office with a prior appointment.

8. What to check before going to the appointment

Bring the saved appointment confirmation, the relevant official form, your complete passport or travel document, copies of the documents, evidence that you were in Spain before 1 January 2026, evidence of having remained in Spain for at least five months, and a criminal-record certificate where applicable. The official information reminds applicants that all supporting documents must be in the applicant’s name and dated.

If you are submitting applications as a family unit, bring a separate folder for each person.

FAQ: frequently asked questions about appointments for the 2026 extraordinary regularisation

Can I go without an appointment?

No. A prior appointment is mandatory for the in-person route. Without an appointment, they should not see you to submit the application.

Is the appointment for submitting the application or only for requesting information?

It is for submitting the application in person. It is advisable to attend with the case file prepared.

Can I choose the office?

Yes, if you book the appointment with Cl@ve or a digital certificate. If you use the web form without Cl@ve, you cannot choose the office or date: the system assigns the appointment closest to the information you provide.

Can I book the appointment by phone?

Yes. You can call 060, with assistance in Spanish, Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 19:30.

Can someone else book the appointment for me?

Yes. The official information states that, if you do not have Cl@ve, you can ask someone who does to request the appointment by entering your details.

Does a family need one appointment for each person?

Not necessarily. The applications of members of the same household can be managed through a single appointment.

Can I submit my children’s documents as part of my case file?

That is not recommended. Each person should have their own application and documents. For minors, add the family documents proving the relationship.

What happens if I enter my telephone number or email incorrectly?

You may miss important notices. The Administration states that subsequent communications will preferably be sent through the channel used when the application was started, and asks applicants to enter their telephone number, email and postal address carefully.

Can I submit the application at any Correos office?

No. Only at Correos offices authorised for this procedure and with a prior appointment.

Can I submit it at any Social Security office?

No. Only at offices authorised for this procedure and with a prior appointment.

Do Galicia’s Foreigners’ Offices accept applications?

They are not listed as authorised points in Galicia for this procedure. In Galicia, you must use the authorised Correos or Social Security offices.

Until when can I submit the application?

Until 30 June 2026.

Does having a prior appointment mean that I already have residence?

No. The appointment only allows you to submit the application. The Administration must then admit it for processing and decide it.

Does the submission receipt allow me to work?

The submission receipt is not the same as the notice that processing has begun. According to the official information, the notice that processing has begun is the document that allows provisional work while the case is being processed.

Conclusion

A prior appointment is the gateway to submitting the 2026 extraordinary regularisation application in person. In Galicia, in-person applications are submitted at authorised Correos and Social Security offices, not at Galicia’s Foreigners’ Offices. The easiest way to avoid mistakes is to prepare all the documents beforehand, book the appointment through an official channel and bring a separate folder for each family member.

4 de September de 20264 de November de 2026

Admission for processing under the 2026 Regularisation: what it means, when it is notified and how it allows people to work provisionally

The 2026 Extraordinary Regularisation is generating a particularly important notification for many migrants and also for companies that need to recruit: the notice of admission for processing or notice that processing has begun.

This document is not yet the final decision granting residence. However, it has a highly significant practical effect: it provisionally authorises the applicant to reside and work in Spain while their case is being decided.

For the applicant, it means being able to join the labour market with greater legal certainty. For the company, it makes it possible to formalise employment without necessarily waiting for the final decision, provided that the person has this administrative notice and that labour and Social Security obligations are met.

What is admission for processing under the 2026 Extraordinary Regularisation?

Admission for processing is the notice through which the Administration informs the applicant that the application has been received by the competent authority and that processing has begun.

Within the framework of the 2026 Extraordinary Regularisation, it may mainly refer to two routes:

Twentieth additional provision — DA20. Intended for people who applied for international protection in Spain before 1 January 2026. The interpretative criteria of the Directorate-General for Migration Management indicate that anyone who applied for international protection before that date may qualify, regardless of whether they still have applicant status when the application is submitted.

Twenty-first additional provision — DA21. Intended for people in an irregular administrative situation who were in Spain before 1 January 2026 and meet one of the cases provided for: having worked or being able to demonstrate an intention to work, remaining in Spain with their family unit, or being in a documented situation of vulnerability.

Royal Decree 316/2026 provides that these permits may be applied for until 30 June 2026 and that, from the notice that processing has begun, the applicant is provisionally authorised to reside and work, as an employee or self-employed, until the procedure is decided, with a maximum decision period of three months.

What usually appears in the admission-for-processing notice?

Although the format may vary, these notices usually include:

Case file number. This is the administrative identifier for the procedure.

Applicant’s details. Name, NIE if available, and other basic details linked to the case file.

Date the application was received. This is relevant because it identifies when certain administrative periods begin to run.

Type of authorisation requested. For example, temporary residence on exceptional grounds under DA20, or temporary residence on exceptional grounds based on extraordinary roots under DA21.

Maximum decision period. The notice usually states that the Administration has three months to decide and notify the outcome.

Provisional authorisation to reside and work. This is the most important part: the person is provisionally authorised to reside and, if of working age, to work as an employee or self-employed anywhere in Spain and in any occupation or sector of activity.

Warning in the event of refusal. If the application is ultimately refused, the provisional authorisation automatically ceases to be valid, without any additional decision being required to withdraw it.

When is admission for processing notified?

The notice of admission for processing should generally be issued within the ten working days following receipt of the application by the authority competent to process it.

This means that Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays do not count. Therefore, ten working days do not necessarily equal ten calendar days: if a weekend or national, regional or local public holidays fall within the period, the actual calendar period may be longer. Law 39/2015 provides that, when periods are expressed in days, they are understood to be working days unless a law or European Union law establishes a different calculation, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

This notice is important because it informs the applicant that processing has begun, states the maximum period for a decision and explains the effects of administrative silence. In the case of the Extraordinary Regularisation, it is also the document recognising provisional authorisation to reside and work while the case is being decided.

This initial notice period must be distinguished from the period for the final decision: the Administration has a maximum of three months to decide and notify whether the authorisation is granted or refused.

The provisional authorisation to work should not be understood as taking effect solely because the application has been submitted. It takes effect when the person receives the notice of admission for processing or notice that processing has begun, expressly stating that provisional authorisation.

Practical development: Social Security number and healthcare

One of the most relevant developments in admission-for-processing notices is the reference to the Social Security number.

The notice states that, in the days that follow, the applicant will receive at the address given in the application —without having to go to a Social Security office— a decision recognising the right to healthcare. That decision will include the Social Security number assigned to the applicant and, where applicable, to their family members.

This point is especially important for recruitment. The document itself states that the Social Security number must be provided when the person starts work. In addition, with that decision they can go to the health centre corresponding to their address to request a health card.

A common misunderstanding should be avoided: this notice is not equivalent to registration as an employee with Social Security. The company must complete the registration, as in any ordinary employment, before work begins. What this notice makes possible is for the person to have an assigned Social Security number and provide it when formalising their employment relationship.

For companies, this is a practical advantage: hiring people whose applications have been admitted for processing and who have provisional authorisation to work can be handled more quickly, provided that the contract, registration and all other labour obligations are properly completed.

What does this mean for the applicant?

For the migrant, admission for processing represents a significant practical change while the case is being processed.

From that moment, they can:

reside provisionally in Spain while the procedure is being processed;
work as an employee;
work on a self-employed basis;
access formal employment;
be registered with Social Security;
prove to a company that they have provisional authorisation to work.

Provisional authorisation should not be confused with residence that has already been granted. It is a temporary authorisation linked to the ongoing procedure. It remains valid until the Administration decides the case. If the decision is favourable, the person will have temporary residence authorisation. If it is refused, the provisional authorisation will cease to have effect.

Royal Decree 316/2026 expressly provides that the notice that processing has begun must state that the applicant is provisionally authorised to work, and that refusal will automatically cause that provisional authorisation to cease to be valid.

Why is this important for companies?

For many companies, especially in sectors facing recruitment difficulties, admission for processing creates an immediate opportunity.

The company does not necessarily have to wait for the final residence decision. If the person has a notice of admission for processing recognising provisional authorisation to work, the company can move forward with the recruitment.

This may be especially useful in sectors such as:

care and support for people;
hospitality;
cleaning;
construcción;
logistics;
agriculture;
retail;
local services;
the social economy;
third-sector organisations.

Regularisation benefits more than just the applicant. It also provides security for companies that need staff and want to recruit within the legal framework.

What should a company check before hiring?

Before formalising the employment, the company should check several basic elements.

1. That the person has the notice of admission for processing. Submitting the application is not enough. The company must have the administrative notice stating that the application has been admitted or that processing has begun.

2. That the document recognises provisional authorisation to work. It must state that the person is provisionally authorised to work as an employee and/or on a self-employed basis.

3. That the provisional authorisation is still valid. The provisional authorisation remains valid while the case is being processed. If the decision is refused, it automatically ceases to have effect.

4. That the person has a Social Security number or that it is being correctly processed. The notice states that the Social Security number will be assigned and sent to the address provided. That number must be provided when the person starts work.

5. That registration with Social Security is completed before work begins. The employment must be formalised like any other employment relationship: contract, registration, salary in accordance with the applicable collective agreement, occupational risk prevention and compliance with all employer obligations.

6. That a copy of the documents is kept. The company should retain a copy of the notice of admission for processing, the identification documents and the employment registration completed.

¿Qué implica para la Seguridad Social?

Provisional authorisation allows the person to be hired and registered with Social Security. This is essential because it turns a situation of vulnerability or informality into an ordinary employment relationship with rights and obligations.

For the company, this means:

the possibility of regular employment;
Social Security contributions;
compliance with employment regulations;
reduced risks arising from informal employment;
bringing in people who are immediately available to work.

For the worker, this means:

access to formal employment;
social protection;
contributions;
verifiable work experience;
greater stability while their case is being processed.

What happens if the application is granted?

If the Administration grants the authorisation, the person will obtain temporary residence on exceptional grounds.

From that moment, they must follow the steps stated in the decision, including applying for the Foreigner Identity Card where applicable. The provisional authorisation is no longer the main legal title because a definitive authorisation has been granted.

What if the application is refused?

If the case is refused, the provisional authorisation to work automatically ceases to be valid, without any additional administrative decision being required.

This has two practical consequences:

the worker must immediately inform the company of the outcome of the decision;
the company must review whether the employment relationship can continue, because the person would no longer be authorised to work.

For this reason, it is advisable to monitor the case and keep all notices.

An opportunity to recruit with legal certainty

Admission for processing under the 2026 Extraordinary Regularisation is much more than a simple acknowledgement of receipt. It is the document that activates provisional residence and work authorisation while the Administration decides the case.

For migrants, it provides a real route into the labour market. For companies, it represents an opportunity to meet staffing needs with legal certainty and social responsibility.

In addition, assigning a Social Security number and recognising the right to healthcare facilitate the transition to a more orderly administrative and employment situation, although they do not replace the employer’s obligations to hire and register the worker.

At SenValos, we recommend that companies wishing to hire people in the process of regularisation carefully review the documents, properly formalise the employment relationship and seek advice if they have any doubts.

Well-managed regularisation benefits everyone: it protects rights, reduces the shadow economy, improves employment stability and allows many people who are already part of our society to contribute fully through formal employment.

Frequently asked questions about admission for processing under the 2026 Regularisation

Is admission for processing the same as residence being granted?

No. Admission for processing is not the final decision. It is a notice that processing has begun and, in these procedures, may provisionally authorise the person to reside and work until the case is decided.

When should admission for processing be notified?

Generally, within the ten working days following receipt of the application by the authority competent to process it. Working days exclude Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Can people work once their application has been admitted for processing?

Yes, provided that the notice expressly states that the person is provisionally authorised to work.

Can a company hire someone with this provisional authorisation?

Yes. The company can hire the person if they have a notice of admission for processing with provisional authorisation to work and the contract and Social Security registration are completed correctly.

Does the Administration automatically assign a Social Security number?

The notice states that the person will receive at the address provided a decision recognising the right to healthcare, which will include the assigned Social Security number. That number must be provided when the person starts work.

Does that Social Security number amount to registration as an employee?

No. A Social Security number is not equivalent to registration as an employee. The company must complete the registration before work begins.

How long does the final decision take?

The maximum decision period indicated for these procedures is three months.

What happens if the regularisation is ultimately refused?

The provisional authorisation automatically ceases to be valid. If the person was working, they must immediately inform the company.

4 de September de 20264 de November de 2026

Temporary protection for Ukrainians: New SEM Instruction 2/2026 allows switching to other residence permits

If you have temporary protection in Spain because of the war in Ukraine, now you may have more options for obtaining another type of residence permit in Spain.

Instruction SEM 2/2026, approved by the State Secretariat for Migration on 22 June 2026, explains how beneficiaries of temporary protection can switch to other residence permits without waiting for this special protection scheme to end.

This is important because temporary protection is not intended to last forever. It is currently scheduled to remain in place until 4 March 2027.

At SenValos, we explain what all this means in a simple way.

What is temporary protection?

Temporary protection is a special permit that the European Union created after the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.

Thanks to this system, many people displaced by the conflict were quickly granted authorisation in Spain to live, work, study and access services such as healthcare.

We can imagine it as a special door that was opened to protect quickly the people who had to leave Ukraine.

The problem is that this door is temporary.

For this reason, Spain has begun preparing other options for people who have already built their lives here and want to continue living legally in Spain when temporary protection ends.

What changes with Instruction SEM 2/2026?

Until now, it could be difficult to move from temporary protection to certain ordinary immigration permits.

Royal Decree 316/2026 changed this situation by allowing beneficiaries of temporary protection to apply from Spain for different stay or residence authorisations that can be processed within Spanish territory.

Instruction SEM 2/2026 explains how this change must be applied.

In simple terms, it mainly opens up the following possibilities:

Applying for one of the residence permits based on roots provided for in the Immigration Regulations.
Applying for one of the residence permits based on roots provided for in the Immigration Regulations.
Using the residence permit based on socio-training roots in certain cases involving people who are studying.
Using the residence permit based on socio-training roots in certain cases involving people who are studying.
Applying for long-term residence once the required five years have been reached.
Applying for long-term residence once the required five years have been reached.
1. Can I change temporary protection to a residence and work permit?

Let us look at each of these possibilities.

1. Can I change temporary protection to a residence and work permit?

Yes, it may be possible.

This does not mean that every person with temporary protection will automatically receive a new residence permit.

This is one of the most important new developments.

2. Can I apply for a residence permit based on roots if I have temporary protection?

This is one of the most important new developments.

Yes.

It also establishes something particularly favorable: time spent in Spain under temporary protection counts towards proving the required two years of residence for roots-based permits that require this period.

For example, a person who has been living in Galicia for several years under temporary protection does not have to start counting those years again from zero.

The time they have lived legally in Spain under temporary protection counts.

It will then be necessary to check which type of roots-based permit best fits their situation: work, training, family circumstances, social integration or other circumstances provided for in the regulations.

3. What happens to children who have temporary protection?

The Instruction also establishes special rules for minors.

In addition, while the parent remains under temporary protection, the minor’s authorization may be applied for without the ordinary six-month period provided for in the Regulations beginning to run yet.

In these cases, the Instruction removes some important difficulties: the prior two-year residence requirement does not apply, nor is it necessary to prove the financial means and accommodation normally required for this route. The application may also be submitted even if the parents still have temporary protection.

Families with minors should therefore review their situation especially carefully.

4. I am studying in Spain: what can I do?

There is also a specific solution.

But if they cannot do so, the Instruction allows the possibility of a residence permit based on socio-training roots to be assessed.

To do this, they must be undertaking one of the training activities accepted by the Regulations and must continue that activity when the time comes to apply for an extension.

Therefore, studying may be important when preparing for future residence in Spain.

5. Can I apply for other residence permits?

Yes.

The Instruction does not limit the change solely to work and roots-based permits.

The Instruction itself expressly mentions one possibility: a temporary residence authorization for family members of people who hold Spanish nationality.

This may be very important, for example, for a person benefiting from temporary protection who has started a family with a Spanish national and meets the requirements of this regime.

6. Does time spent under temporary protection count towards obtaining long-term residence?

Yes.

And this is probably another of the Instruction’s most important new developments.

Instruction SEM 2/2026 establishes that all the time during which a person has held residence through temporary protection counts towards those five years.

In addition, if they later change to another residence permit, both periods are added together.

A simple example:

A person has been legally resident in Spain under temporary protection for four years and then obtains another residence authorization.

They are taken into account when calculating when the person may reach the five years needed to apply for long-term residence, provided that they also meet the other legal requirements.

This is why it is especially important to review the situation of people who arrived in Spain during the first months of the war in Ukraine.

7. Do I have to give up temporary protection first?

It is not advisable to do so before obtaining the new authorization.

The Instruction establishes a very clear order.

First, the new authorization is applied for.

Then the Administration grants that new residence permit.

When they subsequently apply for their new Foreigner Identity Card (TIE), they will have to provide proof showing that they have applied to renounce temporary protection.\nThis is very important: having the right to apply for another permit does not mean that they must immediately give up temporary protection.

The case must first be examined and the new residence application must be processed correctly.

So, do all people with temporary protection have to change their permit now?

No.

Every situation is different.

One person may have a stable job. Another may be studying. Another may already have been in Spain for several years. Another may be a family member of a Spanish national. Another may have minor children.

The best route will depend on each person’s history.

When does temporary protection end for people displaced from Ukraine?

This does not mean that people have to wait until that date to look for another residence permit.

The purpose of these measures is precisely to facilitate a gradual transition to other legal situations when people meet the requirements.

Can I obtain long-term residence directly?

What is especially important about Instruction SEM 2/2026 is that it confirms that time spent under temporary protection counts in full when calculating those five years.

For this reason, people who obtained temporary protection during 2022 should pay particular attention to when they will reach five years.

Can I apply for a roots-based permit without first losing temporary protection?

Yes.

Is the new residence permit guaranteed?

The specific requirements of the type of roots-based permit applied for must then be proven.

Is the new residence permit guaranteed?

No.

The Instruction allows access to these procedures, but each authorization retains its own requirements.

That is why it is necessary to examine matters such as time of residence in Spain, work, studies, family circumstances, documentation, criminal records and any other relevant factor.

La decisión final corresponde a la Administración competente.

What do we recommend at SenValos?

It may still be advisable to keep your temporary protection, but you may also already meet the requirements for obtaining more stable residence through work, a roots-based permit, family ties or even long-term residence.

Not everyone should use the same route.

Before submitting an application or giving up temporary protection, it is advisable to check which option is safest for your situation.

Do you need help?

If possible, bring your temporary protection documents, passport, TIE, registration certificate, employment or study documents and any document related to your family situation.

The most important thing is not to give up your temporary protection before checking that the new residence route is suitable for your case.

Official sources: Instruction SEM 2/2026 from the State Secretariat for Migration; Royal Decree 316/2026 of 14 April; the Immigration Regulations approved by Royal Decree 1155/2024; and European legislation on temporary protection for people displaced from Ukraine.

Information updated in September 2026. This content is for information purposes and does not replace an individual assessment of each case.

4 de September de 20264 de November de 2026

End of humanitarian grounds for Venezuelan people in Spain: what changes and what to do now

Quick summary

Spain is changing one of the routes Venezuelan people have used most in recent years.

Until now, many people from Venezuela applied for international protection in Spain. If asylum was denied, they often received a residence permit on humanitarian grounds. This card allowed them to live and work legally in Spain.

But this is changing.

From June 12, 2026, Spain will stop granting and renewing temporary residence permits on humanitarian grounds for international protection. The Ministry of the Interior’s information note summarizes it as follows: from that date, these permits can no longer be granted or renewed, even if the application for international protection was submitted earlier.

This directly affects many Venezuelan people.

The main idea is simple: it is no longer advisable to wait for the asylum process to end, assuming that a humanitarian card will then arrive automatically. Each case must now be reviewed and the right route chosen.

What were the humanitarian grounds for Venezuelan people?

For years, many Venezuelan people applied for asylum in Spain. In many cases, Spain did not recognize asylum or subsidiary protection, but it did grant a temporary residence permit on humanitarian grounds for international protection.

This card allowed people to:

Live legally in Spain.
Work.
Have a TIE.
Renew the permit.
Build a more stable life.

For many Venezuelan families, it was a real solution: they could work, rent a home, send their children to school and live with less fear.

But this route will no longer work as before.

What does the new instruction say?

The Ministry of the Interior’s information note sets out two key dates.

From April 16, 2026, people who already hold an annual temporary residence permit on humanitarian grounds for international protection may request a change to other residence and work permits.

From June 12, 2026, temporary residence permits on humanitarian grounds for international protection may no longer be granted or renewed.

In simple terms:

If you have a humanitarian card, do not wait to renew it as before. You should explore a change of status.

If your asylum application is being processed, do not assume that, if it is denied, you will automatically be given a humanitarian card.

If you arrived before January 1, 2026, you may have a route through the extraordinary regularization process.

If you arrived after January 1, 2026, you are not included in that extraordinary regularization process.

Why is this changing?

The change is related to the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum. The information note explains that European legislation allows countries to have national humanitarian statuses, but requires those statuses not to be confused with international protection.

For this reason, Spain is stopping the use of humanitarian grounds for international protection as a general solution for many Venezuelan people whose asylum applications were denied.

In addition, Royal Decree 316/2026 introduces two new extraordinary routes:

The Twentieth Additional Provision, associated with form EX-31, for people who applied for international protection before January 1, 2026.
The Twenty-First Additional Provision, associated with form EX-32, for people who were in Spain before January 1, 2026 and meet certain work, family or vulnerability requirements.

Case 1: I am Venezuelan and applied for international protection before January 1, 2026

What changes for me?

If you are Venezuelan and applied for international protection before January 1, 2026, you should explore the EX-31 route.

This may apply even if the case is still being processed, there is an appeal, or the person no longer has applicant status for international protection, provided the procedure’s requirements are met.

Recommended steps

1. Check the date of your asylum application

The important point is whether you applied for international protection before January 1, 2026.

If the answer is yes, explore EX-31.

2. Do not withdraw your asylum application without advice

It is not advisable to withdraw the asylum application “just in case”. The interpretive guidance itself recommends not submitting a withdrawal or waiver when an application has already been filed or a permit is in force, because the purpose of the extraordinary process is to grant a permit to people who were in an irregular situation or are, or have been, applicants for international protection.

In the case of EX-31, if the permit is granted, to apply for the TIE you will have to prove that you have withdrawn the application for international protection or any pending appeal. But this step must be taken at the right time, not beforehand.

3. Prepare the documentation

You should prepare:

Official EX-31 form.
Complete copy of your passport, valid or expired.
Proof that you applied for international protection before January 1, 2026.
Proof that you stayed in Spain during the five months before the application.
Certificate of criminal records from the country or countries where you lived during the five years before entering Spain, or proof that you have requested it.
Proof of payment of the fee.
Documents proving your life in Spain: municipal registration, red card, asylum receipt, appointments, social reports, medical, school or employment documents.

4. Apply before June 30, 2026

The EX-31 permit may be requested until June 30, 2026.

It is not advisable to wait until the last day. If a document is missing, there may not be enough time to correct it.

5. Check the provisional authorization to work

From notification that processing has begun, the applicant is provisionally authorized to reside and work as an employee or self-employed person until the procedure is resolved.

This is important for people who need to work legally as soon as possible.

Case 2: I already have a residence card on humanitarian grounds

What changes for me?

If you already have a temporary residence card on humanitarian grounds for international protection, the main change is this: you should not plan your future on the assumption that it will be renewed in the same way as before.

The information note states that these permits will not be renewed from June 12, 2026. But it also opens a route forward: from April 16, 2026, holders of an annual humanitarian residence permit may request a change to other residence and work permits.

Recommended steps

1. Check which card you have

Check whether your card is a temporary residence permit on humanitarian grounds for international protection.

This is important because the possibility of changing status refers to this specific type of permit.

2. Do not wait for it to expire

If your card expires soon, review now which change of status you can request. Waiting until the last minute may leave you without enough time to secure a contract, prepare documentation or correct errors.

3. Explore a change to residence and work

Depending on your situation, a change to residence and work may be considered.

For example:

If you are already working, check your contract, registration with Social Security, employment history and payslips.
If you have a job offer, check whether the company can hire you.
If you want to work as a self-employed person, prepare a business plan and proof of financial means.
If you have a Spanish family member or a family member who is resident in Spain, consider whether a family-based route would be more appropriate.
If you have held legal residence long enough, also check whether you qualify for Spanish nationality by residence.

4. Get advice before applying

A poorly planned change of status can end in a refusal.

Before applying, check:

Card expiry date.
Length of legal residence.
Current or future employment.
Family situation.
Criminal record.
Passport or documentation available.
Pending notifications in DEHú or Carpeta Ciudadana.

5. If you have an expired Venezuelan passport, check its validity

There is a specific instruction reinstating the validity criterion for expired Venezuelan passports in immigration procedures and for the issue or delivery of the TIE, because many Venezuelan people are still experiencing difficulties renewing their passports.

Case 3: I arrived in Spain before January 1, 2026, but applied for asylum in January 2026 or later

What changes for me?

Este caso es muy importante.

If you are Venezuelan, arrived in Spain before January 1, 2026, but applied for international protection on or after January 1, 2026, you do not qualify through EX-31.

Why?

Because EX-31 is intended for people who applied for international protection before January 1, 2026.

But there may be another route: EX-32, that is, the extraordinary roots-based permit under the Twenty-First Additional Provision.

Put simply: in this case, the key date is not when you applied for asylum, but when you were already in Spain.

The Twenty-First Additional Provision allows foreign nationals who were in Spain before January 1, 2026 to apply for an extraordinary roots-based permit if they meet the cumulative requirements. They must also prove at least one of these situations: having worked or intending to work, living with a specified family unit, or being in a documented vulnerable situation.

Simple example

María arrived in Spain in November 2025. She did not apply for asylum when she arrived. She submitted her application for international protection in February 2026.

María cannot use EX-31 because she applied for asylum after January 1, 2026.

But María could explore EX-32 because she was in Spain before January 1, 2026, provided she meets the other requirements.

Recommended steps

1. Prove that you were in Spain before January 1, 2026

Keep and prepare clear evidence:

Municipal registration.
Air ticket or entry stamp.
Medical appointments.
School documents for your children.
Transfers, purchases or bank receipts.
Rental agreement or accommodation authorization.
Social reports.
Asylum appointments.
Documents from NGOs, town halls or social services.

2. Check whether you qualify through one of the EX-32 routes

EX-32 may be suitable if any of these situations applies:

You have worked in Spain.
You have a job offer or commitment to employ you.
You want to work as a self-employed person and can submit a declaration of responsibility.
You live with minor children, adult children with disabilities or first-degree ascendants.
You are in a vulnerable situation and can prove it with a report from social services or an authorized organization.

3. Prepare the basic documentation

You should prepare:

Official EX-32 form.
Complete passport, valid or expired.
Proof that you were in Spain before January 1, 2026.
Proof of continuous stay for at least five months before the application.
Criminal-record certificate or proof that you have requested it.
Documentación laboral, familiar o social según el caso.
Proof of payment of the fee.

4. Do not confuse EX-31 and EX-32

EX-31 is for people who applied for international protection before January 1, 2026.

EX-32 may be available to people who were in Spain before January 1, 2026, even if they applied for asylum later, provided they meet the extraordinary roots-based requirements.

5. Apply before June 30, 2026

EX-32 may also be requested until June 30, 2026.

Do not wait.

Case 4: I arrived in Spain after January 1, 2026 and applied for international protection when I arrived

What changes for me?

If you arrived in Spain after January 1, 2026 and applied for international protection after arriving, you cannot access extraordinary regularization through EX-31 or EX-32.

The reason is clear:

EX-31 requires you to have applied for international protection before January 1, 2026.
EX-32 requires you to have been in Spain before January 1, 2026.
If you arrived after that date, you are excluded from this extraordinary regularization process.

This does not mean that your asylum application does not exist. Your international protection case continues on its course. But there is a very important point: if your international protection is later denied and you want to apply for ordinary roots-based residence, the time you spent waiting for the asylum decision does not count towards the two years required for roots-based permits.

The Regulations establish that, to apply for roots-based residence, you must have stayed continuously in Spain for at least two years. They also add that time spent during the processing of an application for international protection is not counted until a final decision has been issued in administrative proceedings and, where applicable, judicial proceedings.

Put simply: while your asylum application is being examined, the two-year roots-based residence clock does not move forward.

When does time start counting for roots-based residence?

Time starts counting when the person stops being an applicant for international protection and becomes an irregular resident.

The administrative guidance states that a person is considered to be in an irregular administrative situation from the refusal decision if no appeal is lodged; or, if an appeal is lodged, from the last final decision dismissing the appeal or from withdrawal of the appeal.

Therefore, if a Venezuelan person arrives after January 1, 2026, applies for asylum and is ultimately denied at the final stage, they cannot add the time spent waiting for asylum when applying for roots-based residence.

As a general rule, they will have to wait two years in an irregular administrative situation from the date on which the refusal becomes final or from the legally defined start of that irregular situation.

Simple example

José arrived in Spain in March 2026 and applied for asylum in April 2026.

His case takes two years to resolve. In 2028, his international protection is denied and the refusal becomes final.

José cannot say: “I have already been in Spain for two years, so I can apply for roots-based residence.”

The reason is that those two years were spent as an applicant for international protection, and that time does not count towards roots-based residence.

If he wants to use an ordinary roots-based route, he will have to start counting from the moment he becomes irregular after the final refusal. In practice, he would have to wait another two years in an irregular administrative situation, unless he can use a different route.

Recommended steps

1. Keep your international protection case in order

Do not miss appointments. Check your notifications. Keep all documents: receipt, applicant card, appointments, communications and any evidence related to your case.

2. Do not rely on a humanitarian card as an automatic solution

In the past, many Venezuelan people thought: “If my asylum application is denied, perhaps I will be given humanitarian grounds.”

Under the new criterion, that expectation should no longer be taken for granted. From June 12, 2026, temporary residence permits on humanitarian grounds for international protection will no longer be granted or renewed.

3. Be clear that asylum time does not count towards roots-based residence

This is the most important point: waiting for the asylum decision does not help you complete the two years required for roots-based residence.

The clock starts when the international protection procedure ends and the person becomes an irregular resident.

4. Seek advice before appealing, withdrawing or waiting

Appealing a refusal may make sense in some cases, but it can also extend the period during which the roots-based residence clock does not start.

Withdrawing also has consequences.

Before deciding, it is advisable to review the case in detail.

5. Consider other ordinary routes for the future

If you cannot enter the extraordinary regularization process, it may be necessary to explore other options:

Study or training permit, if you meet the requirements.
Residence as a family member of a Spanish national, if there is a family relationship.
Work permits, if the conditions are met.
Ordinary roots-based permits when the time comes and if the deadlines are met.
Other permits provided for under immigration law.

6. Keep evidence from day one

Although time as an asylum applicant does not count towards the two years required for roots-based residence, keeping documents is still important.

Keep municipal registration, courses, social reports, school records, medical care records, family documents and any evidence of your life in Spain. They may be useful for future procedures.

Key difference between the four cases

The main question is: where were you and what had you done before January 1, 2026?

Situation	Recommended route
You applied for international protection before January 1, 2026	Review EX-31
You have a humanitarian residence card	Review change to residence and work
You arrived before January 1, 2026, but applied for asylum later	Review EX-32 if you meet the requirements
You arrived after January 1, 2026	You are not included in the extraordinary regularization process; continue with asylum and review ordinary routes

The most important idea is this: not all Venezuelan people are in the same situation. The date of arrival in Spain and the date of the asylum application completely change the route.

Frequently asked questions

Will Spain automatically withdraw humanitarian cards?

It is not being said that cards already granted will disappear all at once. What changes is that from June 12, 2026, these permits on humanitarian grounds for international protection will no longer be granted or renewed. That is why it is important to explore a change of status before the card expires.

If I have an asylum application in progress, will I be given humanitarian grounds?

From June 12, 2026, that outcome should no longer be expected as it has been until now. If your asylum application is in progress, explore other routes, especially EX-31 if you applied for international protection before January 1, 2026.

Do I have to withdraw my asylum application to apply for EX-31?

It is not advisable to withdraw without advice. In general, you should first check that you meet the requirements and submit the application correctly. If the permit is granted, to apply for the TIE you will have to prove withdrawal of the international protection application or pending appeal.

I arrived before January 1, 2026, but applied for asylum later. Can I regularize my status?

Not through EX-31, because EX-31 is for people who applied for international protection before January 1, 2026.

But you can explore EX-32 if you prove that you were in Spain before that date and meet the other requirements: work or intention to work, family unit or a vulnerable situation.

I arrived after January 1, 2026. Can I apply for EX-32?

No. EX-32 is intended for people who were already in Spain before January 1, 2026.

If you arrived later, you must continue with your international protection procedure and review other ordinary immigration routes.

If my asylum application is denied, does that time count towards applying for roots-based residence?

No. Time spent processing an application for international protection does not count towards the two years of residence required for ordinary roots-based permits. If international protection is finally denied, the roots-based residence period starts counting when the person becomes an irregular resident.

Until when can I apply for EX-31 or EX-32?

Until June 30, 2026, if you meet the requirements applicable in each case.

Can I use an expired Venezuelan passport?

Expired Venezuelan passports are accepted for many immigration procedures under the current joint instruction. Even so, it is advisable to provide a complete copy and check the specific procedure.

Conclusion

This change marks a before and after for many Venezuelan people in Spain.

Until now, many families relied on the fact that, even if asylum was denied, they might receive a humanitarian residence card. From June 12, 2026, that route will no longer work as before.

At SenValos, we recommend acting in an organized way:

Review your current situation.
Check the date you arrived in Spain.
Check the date you applied for international protection.
Do not withdraw from any procedure without advice.
Consider EX-31 if international protection was requested before January 1, 2026.
Consider EX-32 if you were in Spain before January 1, 2026, even if asylum was requested later.
Consider a change of status if you already have a humanitarian card.
Be clear that, for people who arrived after January 1, 2026, asylum time does not count towards the two years required for roots-based residence.
Keep all documents.
Submit applications within the deadline.

The key is simple: do not wait for the problem to arrive. Prepare the solution beforehand.

3 de September de 20264 de November de 2026

New immigration criteria of 18 May for the extraordinary regularization process 2026

The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration has updated the criteria for applying Royal Decree 316/2026, which regulates the extraordinary regularization process.

These criteria are important because they explain how the Foreigners’ Offices should interpret some parts of the legislation. In other words, they help clarify who may submit an application, which documents are required in certain cases, and what happens with minors, families, asylum seekers, vulnerable people, or people who already had another procedure under way.

In this article, we explain it in simple terms.

1. People who applied for asylum before 1 January 2026

One of the most important points concerns people who requested international protection, that is, asylum.

The criterion confirms that everyone who applied for international protection before 1 January 2026 may use this route.

And this is important: they do not have to remain asylum seekers when they submit the regularization application.

Therefore, people who applied for asylum before 1 January 2026 may apply for this authorization if they are in one of the following situations:

Their asylum application is still pending.
They withdrew their asylum application.
They withdrew an appeal against the refusal of asylum.
They received a refusal of asylum.
They filed an administrative or judicial appeal that is still pending.
They received a negative decision on the appeal.

Simple example

Ahmed applied for asylum in March 2025, was refused, and filed an appeal. Even if the appeal is still pending, he may also use this route.

If someone applied for asylum before 1 January 2026 but later withdrew the application, they may also use this route.

2. People who were in Spain before 1 January 2026 but applied for asylum afterwards

The criterion also clarifies another very common situation.

If someone was already in Spain before 1 January 2026 but applied for asylum after that date, they do not qualify through the international-protection route for applications made before 1 January.

In that case, they may apply for authorization through the extraordinary roots route, provided they meet the remaining requirements.

Simple example

Because he applied for asylum after 1 January 2026, he would not qualify through the route for international-protection applicants from before 1 January. However, he could qualify through extraordinary roots if he can show that he was in Spain before 1 January 2026 and meets the other requirements.

3. A vulnerability certificate is not required in every case

This is another very important point.

There are several routes for extraordinary roots. The legislation refers to three main possibilities.

First: having worked in Spain or intending to work. This may be demonstrated through previous employment, a job offer, or a declaration of responsibility if the person intends to work as a self-employed person.

Second: living in Spain as part of a family unit. For example, with minor children, adult children with disabilities, or first-degree ascendants with whom the person lives.

Third: being in a situation of vulnerability, demonstrated through a certificate or report.

The criterion makes clear that a vulnerability certificate or report is required only when the person applies through the vulnerability route.

It is not required if the person applies through the employment route or the family-unit route.

Simple example

If a mother applies because she lives with her minor child and they form a family unit, she also does not need a vulnerability certificate.

But if someone applies because they cannot demonstrate employment or a family unit and wants to apply on the basis of vulnerability, they do need the certificate or report.

4. Who can issue the vulnerability certificate or report

The criterion explains which entities may issue this certificate.

They may be issued by:

Third-sector entities registered in the Electronic Register of Immigration Collaborators.
Trade-union organizations registered in that register.
Public authorities with responsibility for social assistance or social services.

This means that not every association can issue this certificate. It must be properly registered or be a public body with competence in social services.

5. Important rules on vulnerability certificates

The criterion clarifies several practical issues:

The entity must be registered in the Electronic Register of Immigration Collaborators if it is a third-sector entity or a trade union.

If the entity has a limited territorial scope, it may issue certificates only within that territory.

For example, an entity registered to operate only in Galicia should not issue certificates for someone who lives in Andalusia.

The entity is not required to issue certificates. Being registered does not mean that it must issue certificates to everyone who asks for one.

The certificate may be signed by anyone who is part of the entity. That person does not have to appear individually on the register’s list of authorized people.

The certificate must bear the entity’s stamp, which may be electronic or physical.

The entity’s registration number must also appear.

The certificate must also be free of charge.

6. Reports issued by social services

The criterion also clarifies that the authorities competent in social assistance are public administrations with responsibility for social services.

For example, municipal or regional social services, depending on the case.

In these cases, the vulnerability report may be signed by anyone working for the public authority competent in social assistance.

This may make it easier to issue the document, because it does not require a specific person with a very particular position to sign it.

7. Important recommendation: do not withdraw or waive rights without reviewing the case first

The criterion recommends that people who have already submitted an application for a stay or residence authorization, or who already hold a valid authorization, should not withdraw the application or waive their rights without carefully analyzing their situation.

This is very important.

The extraordinary process is intended for people who were in an irregular situation or who are, or have been, applicants for international protection.

If someone already has an authorization or a procedure under way, giving it up may harm them.

Simple example

Another example: a person has submitted an application for renewal or modification. Before withdrawing it, they should check whether that is really in their interest.

8. Minors born in Spain

The criterion also addresses minors.

When someone eligible to apply for regularization has minor children, they may also apply for residence authorization for those children.

For minors born in Spain, the general rule in Article 159 is that the minor’s residence authorization is requested from six months after birth, or from the time one of the parents obtains residence if that occurs later. This extraordinary process creates an exception: there is no need to wait for those six months to pass before submitting the minor’s application together with that of the father, mother, or guardian who is applying for regularization.

Simple example

9. Minors not born in Spain

There is also a special rule for minors who were not born in Spain.

Normally, authorizing residence for a minor not born in Spain requires proof of two years’ prior residence, as well as the parents’ or guardians’ financial means and accommodation.

These requirements are made more flexible under this extraordinary process.

The two-year prior-residence requirement does not apply.

The parents or guardians are not required to demonstrate financial means and accommodation as they would in an ordinary family reunification procedure.

However, it must be shown that the minor has remained in Spain continuously during the five months before the application.

Simple example

10. Applications for minors must be submitted simultaneously

The criterion states that when someone applies for authorization under the twentieth or twenty-first additional provision and has minor children, or adult children with disabilities or support needs, they must also submit the children’s residence applications at the same time.

This means that the applications should be processed together so that they can be decided at the same time.

Simple example

It is not simply a matter of “adding the minor to the mother’s application”. The minor also needs a separate application, even though it is linked to the parent’s.

11. What happens if the adult’s application was already submitted without the minor’s application

The criterion also clarifies a practical situation.

If someone has already submitted their application for temporary residence on exceptional grounds without simultaneously submitting the minor’s application, they may submit the minor’s application until 30 June 2026.

The aim is for both decisions to be issued at the same time.

Simple example

12. This also applies to people with long-term residence

The criterion says that these transitional rules on minors also apply to foreign nationals who hold a long-term residence authorization, in relation to their minor children, adult children with disabilities, or people under their guardianship.

This is important because it extends the possibility of applying these special rules to families in which the parent already holds long-term residence.

13. Applications submitted between 20 May 2025 and 15 April 2026

The second transitional provision is very important for applications that had already been submitted before Royal Decree 316/2026 entered into force.

The criterion clarifies that it applies to pending applications submitted between 20 May 2025 and 15 April 2026, inclusive.

It also applies to pending appeals, both administrative and judicial.

This concerns temporary residence authorizations on exceptional grounds under Title VII of the Regulations, except for the authorization on humanitarian grounds under Article 128.1.

14. What requirements apply to these older applications

The criterion distinguishes between two situations.

For applications submitted under the fifth transitional provision of the 2024 Regulations before Royal Decree 316/2026 entered into force, the only requirements are proof of no criminal record and that the applicant does not represent a threat to public order, public security, or public health.

For other temporary residence applications on exceptional grounds that were pending and were submitted between 20 May 2025 and 15 April 2026, the applicant must have been in Spain before 1 January 2026 and meet the general requirements of the twenty-first additional provision.

Simple example

15. Which authorization is granted in those pending cases

The criterion states that people with pending applications submitted between 20 May 2025 and 15 April 2026 will receive the authorization they applied for.

Its validity will begin when it is granted.

This is important because not everything is automatically converted into a single new authorization. If the person applied for arraigo for training, they will receive arraigo for training. If they applied for another authorization on exceptional grounds, they will receive that authorization if they meet the requirements.

16. Special case: arraigo for training

The criterion clarifies that if someone had applied for arraigo for training and receives a favorable decision, they will receive that authorization with its own characteristics.

This includes authorization to work as an employee, subject to a maximum of 30 hours per week.

Simple example

A person applied for arraigo for training in October 2025 and is now granted the authorization. They may work, but subject to the limit applicable to this type of authorization: a maximum of 30 hours per week.

The criterion also clarifies an important issue concerning arraigo for employment and social ties.

The effectiveness of an application for authorization through arraigo for employment and social ties will not be conditional on prior registration with Social Security.

This means that prior registration is not required for the application to be effective.

Simple example

18. People with a valid authorization: beware of the deadlines

The twentieth and twenty-first additional provisions require that the person not hold a stay or residence authorization and not have a pending application for the grant, extension, renewal, or modification of an authorization.

The criterion clarifies that a person may not apply for these authorizations during the three months following the expiry of their authorization, because during that period they can still request an extension, renewal, or modification of their previous authorization.

Simple example

19. Family members: applying together does not mean everyone is exempt from the requirements

The criterion clarifies a very important point about family members.

The legislation allows certain family members to submit their applications simultaneously and for the applications to be decided at the same time.

This may apply to:

First-degree ascendants.
Spouse.
Registered partner.

However, the criterion clarifies that this option is for submitting the applications together and having them decided together. It does not mean that family members are automatically authorized or that they do not have to meet the requirements.

Each applicant must meet the general requirements of the authorization that applies to them.

Among others:

Being in Spain before 1 January 2026.
Having remained in Spain continuously during the five months before the application.

Simple example

Being the applicant’s husband is not enough.

20. Family unit in extraordinary roots

The criterion also explains how the family-unit route should be understood within extraordinary roots.

The family unit may consist of:

Minor daughters and sons.
Adult daughters and sons with disabilities who require support.
Adult daughters and sons who cannot meet their own needs because of their health.
First-degree ascendants with whom the applicant lives.

The criterion clarifies that the cohabitation requirement applies to all these family members.

In other words, having a family relationship is not enough. The people must also live together.

Simple example

But if someone’s mother lives in another city and they do not live together, the cohabitation requirement for that route would not be met.

21. Minors and family members with disabilities

For minor children or adult children with disabilities or support needs, the requirements of Articles 159 and 160 of the Regulations apply, with the specific features set out in the first transitional provision.

This means that a distinction must be made between:

Minor born in Spain.
Minor not born in Spain.
Adult with a disability or support needs.
Person who cannot meet their own needs because of their health.

In these cases, the application must be prepared correctly and include documents proving the family relationship, cohabitation, and residence in Spain when required.

22. First-degree ascendants and adult children without disabilities

The criterion clarifies that first-degree ascendants or adult children without disabilities must meet the general requirements of the twenty-first additional provision.

Pero, si forman parte de la unidad familiar y conviven, se entiende que tramitan por la vía de unidad familiar.

In that case, they do not need to demonstrate vulnerability through a certificate or report.

Simple example

Una persona vive con su padre, que también llegó a España antes del 1 de enero de 2026 y cumple los cinco meses de permanencia. Si se cumplen los demás requisitos, el padre puede ir por unidad familiar sin necesidad de certificado de vulnerabilidad.

23. Final summary: key points

The update of 18 May 2026 clarifies several important issues:

People who applied for asylum before 1 January 2026 may use the international protection route even if their asylum application is pending, has been refused, is under appeal, or they have even withdrawn it.

People who were in Spain before 1 January 2026 but applied for asylum after that date may use extraordinary roots if they meet the requirements.

A vulnerability certificate is required only when applying through the vulnerability route.

A vulnerability certificate is not required when applying through the employment route or the family-unit route.

Entities issuing vulnerability certificates must meet specific requirements.

It is not advisable to withdraw or waive rights to valid authorizations or pending applications without carefully reviewing the case.

Minors may submit their authorization linked to the parent’s application, under more flexible special rules.

Minors’ applications must be submitted simultaneously or, if the adult’s application has already been submitted, by 30 June 2026.

Pending applications submitted between 20 May 2025 and 15 April 2026 may benefit from the transitional regime.

Submitting family applications together does not mean that everyone is exempt from meeting the requirements.

Under the family-unit route, cohabitation is mandatory.

24. SenValos recommendation

This process may be a great opportunity for many people, but each case must be reviewed carefully.

Not everyone qualifies through the same route. It is not the same to have applied for asylum before 1 January 2026, to have applied afterwards, to have minor children, to live with family members, to have a job offer, or to be in a situation of vulnerability.

Therefore, before submitting the application, it is important to review carefully:

The date of entry into Spain.
The date of the asylum application, if there was one.
The current administrative situation.
Whether there is a valid authorization or a pending procedure.
Proof of residence in Spain.
Criminal records.
The family situation.
Whether there are minors or people with disabilities.
Whether or not a vulnerability certificate is required.

At SenValos, we recommend not submitting incomplete applications or applications filed under the wrong route, because this may lead to requests for additional documents, delays, or even refusals.

The key is to choose the right route and provide the appropriate documentation from the outset.

3 de September de 20264 de November de 2026

New instruction on applications for international protection in Spain: what changes from June 12, 2026

Since June 12, 2026, a new instruction from the Ministry of the Interior has governed how certain applications for international protection in Spain are processed. The instruction adapts Spanish procedures to the new European regulations of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Put simply: seeking asylum remains a right, but the Administration may process the application through different routes, depending on where it is submitted, how the person arrived in Spain, and whether they meet the entry conditions.

What is international protection?

International protection is the legal assistance that a foreign national may request when they cannot return to their country because they may face persecution, serious violence, threats, war, or other significant harm there.

International protection may take different forms, such as the right to asylum or subsidiary protection.

A simple example: if a person flees their country because their life, freedom, or safety is at risk, they can ask Spain to examine their case and decide whether they need protection.

What does this new instruction do?

The instruction does not create a new residence permit. Nor does it remove the right to seek international protection.

It explains how the Spanish Administration must process applications for international protection once the new European regulations apply.

These regulations seek to ensure that European Union countries have more similar procedures and that some applications are resolved more quickly.

The instruction says that applications may mainly be processed through three routes:

Border asylum procedure.
Accelerated examination procedure.
Ordinary examination procedure.

In addition, there may be a procedure to decide which European Union country is responsible for examining the application.

What is the border asylum procedure?

The border asylum procedure is a way of processing an application when a person requests international protection in circumstances related to entering Spain.

This does not mean that the person cannot seek protection. They can. However, their application is examined under a special procedure and within shorter time limits.

According to the instruction, this procedure may apply when the person:

applies for international protection at a border crossing point;
has been intercepted after crossing an external border without authorization;
arrives in Spain following a search-and-rescue operation;
or arrives through relocation from another Member State, provided the specified conditions are met.

In addition, to apply this procedure, the person must not have authorization to enter and must not meet the ordinary conditions for entry into the Schengen area.

Explained very simply: it is as if the Administration were saying: “First we will examine your application before deciding whether you may formally enter the territory.”

Does the person have the right to a lawyer?

Yes.

The instruction establishes that legal assistance is mandatory in the border procedure. This assistance must cover the formal submission of the application and the entire administrative process.

In addition, access to free legal assistance is guaranteed under Spanish law.

This is very important. A person requesting international protection at the border should not have to face the procedure alone. They must receive appropriate legal guidance from the outset.

Can UNHCR intervene?

Yes, but with an important condition: the applicant’s prior consent must be obtained.

If the person agrees, UNHCR may access the application for international protection and be heard before a decision declaring it inadmissible or rejecting it is issued.

This may be relevant in particularly sensitive cases, because UNHCR is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and has a specialized role in international protection.

How long can the border procedure take?

The instruction states that, at the outset, the Administration will try to assess whether there are grounds for inadmissibility or expedited refusal. In such cases, it will seek to decide and notify the person within four calendar days, although this period may be extended under the terms provided by law.

If it is not possible to decide within that period, the application may continue under the border procedure until a decision is made.

The maximum duration of the border procedure is 12 weeks, including any contentious-administrative appeal.

The Administration will try to resolve the administrative part as quickly as possible, preferably within the first six weeks from registration of the application.

What happens if six weeks pass without a response?

This point is important.

The instruction states that if six weeks pass without a decision and notification, this does not automatically mean that the person moves to the ordinary or accelerated procedure. Nor does it mean that they are authorized to enter Spanish territory.

In other words, the mere passage of time does not by itself change the type of procedure or automatically grant entry.

The Administration must continue processing the application and decide as soon as possible, without using the maximum 12-week period when it is not necessary.

What happens if the application should not follow the border procedure?

Not all applications for international protection are processed under the border procedure.

If the application does not fit that procedure, it must be processed under the accelerated examination procedure or the ordinary examination procedure, as appropriate.

It may also happen that an application begins under the border procedure but it is later found that it should not have followed that route. In that case, it may be transferred to the appropriate procedure.

The basic idea is this: each application must follow the appropriate legal route, depending on the person’s specific circumstances.

What happens with applications submitted in a CIE?

The instruction also addresses applications submitted in Immigration Detention Centres.

In these cases, the application will be processed under the appropriate procedure: border, accelerated, or ordinary. The Administration must apply the European regulations and, where compatible, Spanish law.

This means that a person held in a CIE may also apply for international protection, and their case must be examined.

When does this instruction apply?

The instruction applies from June 12, 2026.

Therefore, people who apply for international protection from that date onward, or whose proceedings are affected by this new regulation, must take these new processing criteria into account.

What does this mean for a migrant?

In simple terms, this instruction means four things:

First, it remains possible to seek international protection. No one should understand this instruction as a ban on seeking asylum.

Second, the procedure may be faster, especially if the application is submitted at the border or in circumstances linked to entry into Spain.

Third, it is very important to obtain legal advice from the outset, because the deadlines may be very short and an inadequate explanation of the case may harm the application.

Fourth, each case must be assessed individually. A person seeking protection at the border, a person already in Spain, a person in a CIE, and a person who arrived after a rescue operation are not in the same situation.

Frequently asked questions

Does this instruction remove the right to seek asylum?

No. The instruction regulates how applications are processed, but it does not remove the right to seek international protection.

Will all asylum applications follow the border procedure?

No. Only those that meet certain conditions. Other applications will follow the accelerated or ordinary procedure.

Can I have a lawyer?

Yes. In the border procedure, legal assistance is mandatory and must cover the application and the administrative process.

Is the border procedure always resolved in four days?

Not necessarily. The instruction says that certain initial cases should be resolved within four days where possible, but if that is not possible, the application may continue under the applicable procedure.

If six weeks pass, can I automatically enter Spain?

No. The instruction clarifies that failure to decide within six weeks does not automatically authorize entry or change the procedure.

Does this instruction also apply to Galicia?

Yes. It is a national instruction, so it applies to the processing of applications for international protection throughout Spain, including Galicia.

SenValos recommendation

If you are considering applying for international protection, or if you have already applied and have questions about your procedure, it is advisable to seek specialized guidance before making important decisions.

At SenValos, we work from Galicia, supporting migrants through immigration, international protection, regularization, and social and employment inclusion processes. Every case has its own details and should be reviewed calmly to avoid mistakes, especially when deadlines are short or procedures are accelerated.

3 de September de 20264 de November de 2026

Provisional work authorization under the regularization process does not expire after three months

One of the most frequent questions among companies that have hired people participating in the 2026 extraordinary regularization process is how long their provisional work authorization lasts.

The answer is clear:

The provisional authorization does not automatically expire when three months have passed. It remains valid until the Administration notifies an express decision on the application.

This was clarified by the Directorate-General for Migration Management in an interpretative criterion signed on 22 July 2026, concerning the provisional authorizations provided for in the twentieth and twenty-first additional provisions of the Immigration Regulations.

This clarification is especially important for companies, employment advisers and employers, as it prevents dismissals, contract suspensions or lost employment opportunities caused by an incorrect interpretation of the three-month administrative deadline.

What is the provisional residence and work authorization?

People who submitted certain applications as part of the extraordinary regularization process may receive a notice that the procedure has started.

From the moment this notice is received, the person is provisionally authorized to:

Reside legally in Spain.
Work as an employee.
Work as a self-employed person.

This provisional authorization allows a company to hire the person and register them with Social Security while the Administration examines and finally decides their case.

It is important to note that submitting an application, on its own, does not always mean that the person is already authorized to work. The key document is the administrative notice confirming that processing has begun and expressly recognizing the provisional authorization.

Why was there doubt about the three-month deadline?

Organic Law 4/2000 generally establishes a maximum period of three months to decide and notify applications for immigration authorizations.

When that period elapses without an express decision, the application may be deemed rejected by administrative silence.

This led some companies and advisers to interpret that, once three months had passed:

The provisional authorization ceased to be valid.
The worker had to be deregistered from Social Security.
The employment contract could not continue.
The company could face problems if it maintained the employment.

The Directorate-General for Migration Management criterion clarifies that this interpretation is incorrect.

Administrative silence does not terminate the provisional permit

Negative administrative silence is not equivalent to an express decision refusing the application.

Its purpose is to allow the interested person to file the appropriate administrative or judicial appeal against the Administration’s failure to respond.

Administrative silence is therefore a procedural mechanism that allows an appeal, but it does not automatically produce all the effects of an express refusal.

Furthermore, even after three months have passed, the Administration remains obliged to issue and notify an express decision.

The Migration Management criterion concludes that expiry of the maximum decision period does not determine the loss of the provisional authorization. It remains valid until an express decision has been notified.

How long does the provisional work authorization last, then?

Its duration is not necessarily limited to three months.

The provisional authorization remains valid:

From the notice that the procedure has started until the express decision bringing the case to an end is notified.

In practice, two outcomes are possible.

Favourable decision

When the Administration grants the application, the provisional authorization gives way to the definitive residence and work authorization.

The worker may continue their employment in accordance with the conditions of the authorization granted.

Express refusal

When an express unfavourable decision is notified, the provisional authorization is lost.

Therefore, it is the notified express refusal—not the mere passage of three months—that causes the provisional authorization to be lost automatically.

Summary for companies and employers

Case status	Can they continue working?
Received the notice that the procedure started and fewer than three months have passed	es
Received the notice that the procedure started and more than three months have passed	es
Three months have passed without an express decision	Yes, as long as no express refusal has been notified
The case still appears as being processed	Yes, if the provisional authorization was previously recognized
An approval decision has been notified	Yes, with the definitive authorization granted
An express refusal decision has been notified	The provisional authorization loses its validity
Only the application was submitted, but the notice that the procedure started has not been received	The provisional authorization has not yet been recognized

Can the company maintain the contract after three months?

Yes.

When the worker has received the notice recognizing their provisional authorization and there is still no express refusal, they may continue carrying out their work normally.

The company should not deregister the worker from Social Security, suspend the contract or end the employment relationship solely because three months have passed since the application or since the procedure began.

The criterion expressly states that people who have already received the notice that the procedure started may continue working normally until an express refusal is issued.

What documentation should the company keep?

Para disponer de una adecuada trazabilidad documental, es recomendable que la empresa conserve:

Una copia de la comunicación de inicio del procedimiento.
El documento en el que conste que la persona está provisionalmente habilitada para residir y trabajar.
Una copia del NIE, pasaporte o documento identificativo de la persona trabajadora.
Los justificantes relacionados con el alta y la afiliación en la Seguridad Social.
Las comunicaciones posteriores recibidas de la Administración.
Una consulta actualizada del estado del expediente cuando sea necesario comprobar que no se ha notificado una resolución denegatoria.

Estas comprobaciones permiten acreditar que la contratación se realizó basándose en una habilitación administrativa vigente.

What happens if the company receives an inquiry from its employment adviser?

An adviser, payroll office or human resources department may consider that the authorization has expired because three months have passed.

In that case, it is advisable to provide:

The worker’s notice that the procedure started.
The documentation recognizing the provisional authorization.
The interpretative criterion of the Directorate-General for Migration Management dated 22 July 2026.

The key message to convey is that negative administrative silence is not an express refusal and does not terminate the provisional authorization to work.

People who have not yet received the notice that the procedure started

The criterion also examines the situation of people who submitted their application but have not yet received the notice that the procedure started.

In these cases, after three months the interested person may file the appropriate appeal against administrative silence.

However, until the notice that the procedure started has been received, it cannot be understood that the person already has the same provisional authorization recognized for those who have received that document.

The Administration remains obliged to process the case and must subsequently notify both the start of the procedure and the final decision, whether favourable or unfavourable.

Frequently asked questions about the provisional authorization

Does the provisional regularization authorization last only three months?

No. Three months is the general period available to the Administration to decide, but it is not the maximum duration of the provisional authorization.

Is the work permit lost when administrative silence occurs?

No. Administrative silence allows an appeal to be filed, but it is not an express refusal and does not by itself terminate the provisional authorization.

Can a person continue working after three months?

Yes, provided that they have received the notice recognizing their provisional authorization and have not been notified of an express refusal.

Must the company deregister the person after three months?

A deregistration should not be processed solely because three months have passed. The authorization remains valid until an express decision is issued.

Is proof that the application was submitted enough to hire someone?

Not necessarily. The company must check that the person has received the administrative notice recognizing that the procedure has started and that they are provisionally authorized to work.

When does the provisional authorization end?

When the express decision is notified. If the decision is favourable, the provisional authorization is replaced by the authorization granted. If it is a refusal, the provisional authorization is lost.

Can a company hire someone with this authorization?

Yes. The provisional authorization allows the person to work legally while it remains valid. The company must keep the documentation proving that it was recognized.

Legal certainty for companies

The clarification published by the Directorate-General for Migration Management provides legal certainty for both workers and companies.

Administrative delay cannot automatically cause a person to lose their job or force a company to end an employment relationship that began lawfully.

Consequently, the main message for employers is the following:

If the worker received the notice provisionally authorizing them to work, they can continue working after three months until an express refusal is notified.

SenValos advice for companies

At the SenValos NGO, we help companies, advisers and employers resolve questions relating to:

Hiring foreign nationals.
Checking residence and work authorizations.
Documentation required to formalize a hire.
Status of extraordinary regularization cases.
Continuation of contracts while authorizations are being processed.
Immigration procedures related to employment.

Before making an employment decision based on a worker’s administrative status, it is advisable to review the specific case documentation and check whether any subsequent decision has been issued.

Official source: Interpretative criterion of the Directorate-General for Migration Management concerning the validity of the provisional authorization provided for in the twentieth and twenty-first additional provisions of the Regulations implementing Organic Law 4/2000, signed on 22 July 2026.

18 de April de 20264 de November de 2026

Extraordinary Regularization 2026 in Spain: A Clear Guide for Migrants and Asylum Seekers

12 de April de 20264 de November de 2026

Extraordinary Regularization 2026: What the Council of State says about asylum seekers, undocumented persons, minors, and families

27 de January de 202628 de January de 2026

2026 extraordinary regularisation: what has been announced and how to prepare if you are a migrant or if your company needs to hire staff

On 26 January 2026, a political agreement was announced to promote an extraordinary regularisation of foreign nationals already living in Spain. According to the information released, on Tuesday 27 January 2026, the Council of Ministers plans to approve the start of the processing of a Royal Decree that would articulate this process.

This is important: we are not yet looking at the final applicable text. The key practical factor will be the final Royal Decree and, above all, its publication in the Official State Gazette, together with the operating instructions (where to submit it, how to prove each requirement, internal deadlines, etc.). In the meantime, the smartest thing to do is to calmly gather information, avoid rumours and prepare documentation judiciously.

Below is a practical guide aimed at migrants, companies and employers who may benefit from this measure.

1) What is this extraordinary regularisation?

What was approved on 27 January is the formal start of the urgent processing of an extraordinary regularisation by Royal Decree, with the stated aim of providing legal certainty and bringing order to a situation that already exists in the country.

The Administration has announced a provisional timetable: applications are expected to be accepted from early April 2026 (once the procedures for the final approval of the Royal Decree have been completed) and the process will remain open until 30 June 2026.

This point is crucial: between ‘announcement/start of processing’ and ‘fully operational procedure’, there are usually details that change on a daily basis (forms, submission channels, accepted documentation, evaluation criteria). Therefore, today the priority is not to ‘rush’, but to prepare yourself to do things right when the BOE sets the exact rules.

2) Who could benefit: key criteria announced

According to what has been published, the central elements would be:

Cut-off date: be in Spain before 31 December 2025.
Minimum stay: proof of at least five months‘ stay/residence.
Criminal record: no relevant/serious criminal record (the exact wording will depend on the final text).
Groups: it is mentioned that it would cover people in an irregular situation and also asylum seekers (under the terms to be defined).

The official information already published expressly includes applicants for international protection, provided that they can prove that they submitted their application before 31 December 2025. In this case, the general requirement of a minimum stay of five months does not apply, because the criterion is based on the date of submission of the application for international protection.

For individuals who are in the appeal phase, following the denial of a red card or asylum, and who continue to be authorised to work due to the granting of precautionary measures (or other current coverage), it will be necessary to verify two aspects at the same time:

Plan 1 (extraordinary regularisation): the person either meets or does not meet the criteria that are ultimately confirmed for applicants for international protection (date of application, supporting documentation and absence of impediments).
Plan 2 (current work situation): the employment relationship continues to be based on a valid work permit (red card/renewals and, if applicable, proof of appeal and precautionary measures).

Regularisation, if ultimately applied to these applicants for international protection, may open the way to a residence permit that is intended to be more stable and with a subsequent ‘leap’ to ordinary status. However, until the Royal Decree is finally approved and published, it is prudent not to take anything for granted.

Minors and families: are they eligible for extraordinary regularisation?

Yes, in principle, minors can be included in this process, but it is important to explain this clearly to avoid misunderstandings. According to the official guidelines issued after the start of the process, regularisation is not only intended for ‘individual adults’, but also to protect family stability. In practice, this means that when an adult submits their application for regularisation, their minor children who are already in Spain are expected to be able to regularise their status at the same time. In addition, it has been pointed out that authorisation for minors could be valid for a longer period (five years has been mentioned), precisely to provide continuity and prevent children and adolescents from being caught up in constant renewals.

In the case of minors who are applicants for international protection, the criterion announced for applicants (the date of application before 31/12/2025) could also be relevant, but the exact fit will depend on the final Royal Decree and what is published in the Official State Gazette.

3) Expected benefits if you take advantage of the measure: announced practical effects

In the absence of the final text in the Official State Gazette, there are several elements that have already been officially communicated which, if confirmed as they stand, will have a direct impact on your planning:

The regularisation process sets a cut-off date (being in Spain or having submitted an application for international protection before 31 December 2025) and requires, as a general condition, that applicants have no criminal record and do not pose a threat to public order.

As for the effects, the authorisation granted would be valid for an initial period of one year, after which the person would have to comply with the ordinary provisions of the Immigration Regulations in order to consolidate their status. And, especially important for working life: it has been indicated that, once the application has been submitted, admission to the process would be decided within a maximum period of 15 days and that, from that admission, the possibility of working would be enabled. The Administration also sets itself a maximum period of three months to reach a decision.

4) If you are a migrant: how to prepare yourself now (without making mistakes)

Until it is published in the Official State Gazette, it is wise to prepare evidence and organise your information. Some useful actions:

Gather evidence of permanence (with clear dates)

The following have been cited as examples of valid documentation:

Register (registration).
Reports or proof of medical appointments.
Certificates of attendance at social resources.
Rental agreement.
Proof of money transfers.
Transport tickets.

Practical recommendation: create a folder (physical and digital) and organise it by month. What usually goes wrong in these processes is not “not having anything”, but rather not being able to demonstrate continuity or not being able to date the presence correctly.

Check your identity documents.

Although the final documentation requirements have not yet been published, in administrative practice it is usually essential to have:

Valid passport (if possible) or available identification documentation.
Legible and consistent copies (first names, surnames, dates).

If there are any inconsistencies, it is advisable to correct them with advice before submitting anything.

Avoid risks: fraud, ‘shortcuts’ and false promises

In regularisation scenarios, scams arise (charges for appointments, simulated contracts, unlicensed ‘agents’). A simple rule: no one can guarantee you a result before there is a procedure in the Official State Gazette and before studying your case.

5) If you are a company or employer: what changes and how to make the most of them

For a company, this measure can mean something very specific: expanding access to talent that is already working or could work, but without a stable administrative pathway.

What opportunities does it open up?

More legally secure hiring when the person obtains authorisation and legal registration.
Reduction in staff turnover and the underground economy, as employment relationships can be formalised.

What to do now

Although the final procedure will depend on the text published in the Official State Gazette, you can move forward with internal work that will allow you to react quickly and with legal certainty when the deadline opens. Start by assessing your actual staffing needs — profiles, shifts, work centres and peak times — to identify which positions could be filled as soon as people obtain authorisation to work. Next, it is advisable to define a clear circuit between Human resources, employment advice, risk prevention and team leaders , so that the incorporation is orderly and does not create bottlenecks in hiring, recognition, training, or documentation.

At the same time, establish an internal policy of compliance and document traceability: the company should only hire and register employees when there is valid authorisation or accreditation, and keep evidence (contract, registration, communications and any other required documents) in order to be able to demonstrate good practices in the event of any verification. This approach reduces risks and also instils confidence in your staff and customers.

How to support your staff

If your team includes asylum seekers with red cards who have been denied international protection but have appealed that denial and are working under precautionary measures (or other resolutions that maintain their eligibility), the most valuable thing your company can offer is order, legal certainty, and practical support.

In practice, this means periodically verifying—always with the utmost confidentiality—that the current documentation maintains the authorisation to work: valid red card, proof of renewal where applicable and, if applicable, resolution or proof of the appeal and the request/granting of precautionary measures. This is not a matter of ‘asking for too much’, but rather of ensuring that the employment relationship is based on a valid qualification and that the company can prove this in the event of any checks.

From there, useful support is operational: facilitating flexible hours for court appearances, notifications, appointments, or renewals; setting up a point of contact in HR to channel documentation without exposing the person; and establishing internal reminders about expiry dates and renewals, because an administrative oversight can lead to avoidable interruptions.

Finally, if the Royal Decree on regularisation confirms a specific route for asylum seekers in certain circumstances, the company can support its staff with a clear policy of verified information, avoiding rumours and always referring to specialist advice when there are doubts. This approach protects the individual, reduces risks for the company and reinforces a stable and dignified working environment.

6) Probable timeline and what to watch for starting 27 January

The decisive factors in the coming weeks will be: the final approval of the Royal Decree, its publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and the publication of implementation instructions (submission channels, documentary accreditation, internal deadlines, possible fees and admission criteria).

Until then, if your case fits the profile of a person who can benefit from this regularisation process, your best strategy is to prepare yourself to act within the planned window without improvising: organised documentation, clear dates and rigorous advice when the final text is available.

7) How SenValos can help you

At SenValos, we work with a simple idea: to guide you with accurate and realistic information, without feeding false expectations and focusing on safe decisions for you or your organisation.

Once the measure has been approved and published in the Official State Gazette, we will be able to:

Analyse your case (migrant) or your situation as a company/employer.
Assist you in interpreting requirements, preparing documentation, and avoiding errors.
Supporting you so that regularisation, if applicable, translates into stability, decent employment and real inclusion.

What is temporary protection?

What changes with Instruction SEM 2/2026?

1. Can I change temporary protection to a residence and work permit?

2. Can I apply for a residence permit based on roots if I have temporary protection?

3. What happens to children who have temporary protection?

4. I am studying in Spain: what can I do?

5. Can I apply for other residence permits?

6. Does time spent under temporary protection count towards obtaining long-term residence?

7. Do I have to give up temporary protection first?

So, do all people with temporary protection have to change their permit now?

When does temporary protection end for people displaced from Ukraine?

Can I obtain long-term residence directly?

Can I apply for a roots-based permit without first losing temporary protection?

Is the new residence permit guaranteed?

What do we recommend at SenValos?

Do you need help?

1. People who applied for asylum before 1 January 2026

Simple example

2. People who were in Spain before 1 January 2026 but applied for asylum afterwards

Simple example

3. A vulnerability certificate is not required in every case

Simple example

4. Who can issue the vulnerability certificate or report

5. Important rules on vulnerability certificates

6. Reports issued by social services

7. Important recommendation: do not withdraw or waive rights without reviewing the case first

Simple example

8. Minors born in Spain

Simple example

9. Minors not born in Spain

Simple example

10. Applications for minors must be submitted simultaneously

Simple example

11. What happens if the adult’s application was already submitted without the minor’s application

Simple example

12. This also applies to people with long-term residence

13. Applications submitted between 20 May 2025 and 15 April 2026

14. What requirements apply to these older applications

Simple example

15. Which authorization is granted in those pending cases

16. Special case: arraigo for training

Simple example

The criterion also clarifies an important issue concerning arraigo for employment and social ties.

Simple example

18. People with a valid authorization: beware of the deadlines

Simple example

19. Family members: applying together does not mean everyone is exempt from the requirements

Simple example

20. Family unit in extraordinary roots

Simple example

21. Minors and family members with disabilities

22. First-degree ascendants and adult children without disabilities

Simple example

23. Final summary: key points

24. SenValos recommendation

What is the provisional residence and work authorization?

Why was there doubt about the three-month deadline?

Administrative silence does not terminate the provisional permit

How long does the provisional work authorization last, then?

Favourable decision

Express refusal

Summary for companies and employers

Can the company maintain the contract after three months?

What documentation should the company keep?

What happens if the company receives an inquiry from its employment adviser?

People who have not yet received the notice that the procedure started

Frequently asked questions about the provisional authorization

Does the provisional regularization authorization last only three months?

Is the work permit lost when administrative silence occurs?

Can a person continue working after three months?

Must the company deregister the person after three months?

Is proof that the application was submitted enough to hire someone?

When does the provisional authorization end?

Can a company hire someone with this authorization?

Legal certainty for companies

SenValos advice for companies

Minors and families: are they eligible for extraordinary regularisation?

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