Are you a non-EU citizen wondering how to work as a foreign student? The direct answer is no; a student visa allows you to reside and undertake internships, but generally not to work. However, there’s a legal alternative that facilitates your entry into the job market: the job search visa.
This residence permit allows you to stay in Spain after finishing your studies to look for a job or start your own business. Below, we’ll explain everything you need to know to take advantage of this exciting opportunity in 2025.
The Job Search Visa in Spain: A Bridge to Your Professional Future
The job search visa is a non-lucrative residence permit that allows foreign students to remain in Spain for an additional period of up to 12 months after completing their higher education. This time is designed to facilitate an active job search or the creation of a company.
Before this option, students had to leave the country upon finishing their studies, unless they secured a job offer before their student card expired. With the entry into force of Royal Decree 629/2022 and the update to immigration regulations, this permit has brought a significant improvement for international students looking to work in Spain with a student visa after completing their studies.
Key Advantages of the Job Search Visa
Applying for this visa offers significant benefits for your professional career in Spain:
- Additional Stay: You can legally remain in Spain for an extra year, without needing to make investments.
- Family Reunification: Your family members (spouse, children) can maintain their legal residency with you.
- 100% Online Process: The entire process is carried out electronically through the immigration department’s online portal, speeding up your application.
- Fast Resolution: The administration has a maximum period of 20 business days to resolve your application.
Although the job search visa does not immediately allow you to work in Spain with a student visa, it is a strategic and essential step towards later applying for a residence and work permit.
Can You Work as a Foreign Student? Clarifying Concepts
As we mentioned, you generally cannot work in Spain with a student visa. Students can undertake training internships or work a limited number of hours per week (maximum 30 hours), provided the employment is compatible with their studies. However, full-time employment or regular entry into the labor market is not permitted.
The real opportunity for full-time work arises when you obtain the job search permit. Subsequently, you’ll need to change it to a residence and work permit upon receiving a suitable job offer or starting your own business.
How to Apply for the Job Search Visa in 2025
Essential Requirements to Obtain the Job Search Visa
To apply for this visa, it’s crucial that you meet the following requirements:
- Completion of Higher Education: You must have completed studies at a minimum of Level 6 (University Degree), Level 7 (Master’s), or Level 8 (Doctorate) according to the European Qualifications Framework. Important: Language courses or unofficial training programs are not valid for this visa.
- Medical Insurance: You’ll need a public or private policy that covers your entire stay in Spain, without co-payments or waiting periods.
- Sufficient Financial Means: You must demonstrate economic solvency equivalent to 100% of the monthly IPREM (Public Indicator of Multiple Effect Income) in force for the entire search period. For 2025, this translates to approximately €600 per month.
- Recognized Educational Institution: Your university or study center must appear on the official list of authorized entities. You can check the updated list on the Ministry of Universities website.
- Application Deadlines: Submit your application within 60 days before or up to 90 days after finishing your studies.
Required Documentation for Your Application
You will need to submit the following digitized documents:
- Form EX01 duly completed (selecting the job search option).
- Proof of payment for fee model 790/012 in Spanish Modelo 790/012.
- Full copy of your valid passport and NIE.
- Updated certificate of empadronamiento (registration at the municipal census).
- Certificate of completion of studies.
- Medical insurance and proof of financial funds.
Once your application is submitted, you can track it online. If you don’t receive a response within 20 business days, it will be considered rejected by negative administrative silence.
How to know if your university is valid?
It’s essential to verify, before enrolling in a program, that your institution is included in the official list of the Ministry of Universities. This will be a determining factor for later accessing the job search permit.
Your Next Step: From Search to Job Opportunity
Finding employment in Spain doesn’t mean you can start working automatically. Once you find an offer, you’ll need to change your job search visa status to one of the following permits:
Change to Employed Work Permit
If you find a company that wants to hire you:
- The employment must be directly related to your academic background.
- It must be justified that your profile is suitable for the position offered.
You can apply for:
- Highly qualified worker permit: If the salary exceeds €40,000 per year.
- Regular employed work permit: Subject to the national employment situation (with exceptions).
Starting Your Own Business
If your vision is to become an entrepreneur, you can apply for:
- Entrepreneur residence permit (Law 14/2013): If your project is innovative and technology-based.
- Self-employed residence permit (traditional): If the project is more conventional.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I work full-time in Spain with a student visa? No, with a student visa, you can only work part-time (maximum 30 hours per week) and only if the employment is compatible with your studies. To work full-time, you must change your immigration status after finishing your studies and obtain a work permit.
- What happens if I don’t find a job during the 12 months of the job search visa? If, at the end of the 12-month period, you haven’t obtained an employment contract or started a business, you must leave Spain or change your immigration status to another type of residency if you meet the requirements.
- How much money do I need to demonstrate to apply for the job search visa in 2025? You must accredit sufficient funds equivalent to 100% of the current IPREM for each month of stay requested. For the entire year 2025, you should have approximately €7,200 in total to cover your expenses.
The job search visa offers a real and accessible alternative for those who wish to stay in Spain and start their professional careers. Although you cannot immediately work in Spain with a student visa, this modality creates a direct bridge to the job market. Take advantage of this resource, prepare adequately, and take the first step towards your professional future in Spain.Would you like to continue your professional journey in Spain after finishing your studies?
At Entre Trámites, we help you manage your job search visa and the subsequent change to a work permit or entrepreneur residency. You can also contact us directly through this contact Form for us to call you, or if you prefer, you can schedule a free consultation or write to us on WhatsApp. We’re here to make the process easier for you!
