Spain reforms immigration rules

Reform details

The new law will be submitted to the Council of Ministers of Spain in mid-November. According to El Pais, which has reviewed the draft version of the document, the time required to obtain a residence permit and work permit will be significantly reduced, which will simplify the integration of foreigners into the local labor market.

Students, workers, families and refugees whose applications were rejected in previous years will benefit the most from the new immigration rules. The draft law will allow foreigners who entered Spain illegally and plan to obtain a residence permit and work permit to be eligible to do so after two years of residence in the country. Let us recall that this period is currently three years.

In addition, the document aims to offer a smoother and simpler transition from a study-based stay to a residence and work permit.

Background

Earlier this month, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the government would introduce new immigration rules in November to speed up the legalization process for migrants already living in the country. His comments came during the Congress of Deputies meeting.

Sánchez also noted that Spain must choose between being an open and prosperous country or a closed-off, poor country.

"Throughout history, migration has been one of the great drivers of the development of nations while hatred and xenophobia have been – and continue to be – the greatest destroyer of nations. The key to solving the problem is to properly manage migration processes”, the prime minister stressed.

Context

In the fight against illegal migration, several EU countries have introduced stricter rules, including border controls. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed introducing stricter rules and deporting rejected refugees back to their home countries.

However, Spain has taken a very different approach to the issue. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said that immigration policy should be something the country can be proud of.

“We Spaniards are children of immigration, we are not going to be parents of xenophobia. Let us make an immigration policy that our elders can be proud of,” he said.

Statistics from the Interior Ministry of Spain show that 56,852 migrants entered the country illegally in 2023, both by sea and land.

Source: Schengen News

Photo by Victoriano Izquierdo on Unsplash

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