The Government is automatically extending the residence and work permits of foreigners for 6 months. As of this Wednesday, these authorizations will be extended without the need to issue an individual resolution for each one of them at the Immigration Office. Find out how this extension of immigration permits works and what are its requirements.
How long will the extension of immigration permits be?
The Secretary of State for Migrations has automatically extended for six months the residence and work permits of foreign citizens from the end of the State of Alarm, as published this Wednesday by the Official State Gazette (BOE).
According to the ministerial order, which enters into force this Wednesday, these authorizations will be extended without the need to issue an individual resolution for each one of them at the Immigration Office.
The objective of this rule is to prevent foreign citizens from being in a situation of unexpected irregularity, which is involuntary and emerged as a consequence of the suspension of administrative deadlines.
The current situation
The Secretary of State for Migration recognizes the impossibility of submitting applications for the renewal of these authorizations in person. Added to the difficulty of carrying out these procedures online, which has generated a “major legal uncertainty” for foreigners living in Spain.
To solve this situation, the ministerial order seeks to cover multiple cases with the development of seven articles that establish the extension of temporary residence and work permits, as well as stay permits for studies, student mobility, internships, and non-labor or volunteer services, provided for in the immigration regulations. In addition, the validity of the EU Family Member cards is extended during the State of Alarm and up to a period of six months from its end.
Automatic extension of Foreigner Identity Cards
On top of the aforementioned immigration permits, this rule also regulates the automatic extension of Foreigner Identity Cards (TIE) granted on the basis of long-term residence, as well as stays of less than 90 days.
Long-term visas, issued under a Youth Mobility Agreement and stay permits for studies of up to 180 days that were to expire during the State of Alarm will be extended for a period of three months, provided that the owner of the card is in Spain and has not been possible to them, due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 health crisis, to return to their country of origin.
Also, holders of temporary residence and work permits, stay permits, EU Family Member cards, and extended long-term residence cards who are abroad during the State of Alarm may enter Spain by presenting their valid and current travel document, along with the expired Foreigner Identity Card.
Finally, it is established that absences from Spanish territory, as a consequence of the impossibility of returning to the country due to the health crisis, will not be computable for the purposes of residence continuity.
Do you want to know more information?
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