Temporary residence exempt from a work permit

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What is temporary residence exempt from a work permit in Spain?

Temporary residence exempt from a work permit is a permit that allows a foreign national to live in Spain without having to apply for a separate authorization to carry out their work activity.

Who can submit an application for temporary residence exempt from a work permit in Spain?

The following people can apply for temporary residence exempt from a work permit in Spain:

1. Technicians, researchers and scientists invited or hired by the General State Administration, the autonomous communities, universities, local authorities, or organizations whose purpose is to promote and develop research and which are promoted or majority-owned by any of the above.
2. Teachers, technicians, researchers and scientists invited or hired by a Spanish university.
3. Senior staff or teaching staff of cultural or educational institutions dependent on other States, or private institutions of recognized standing officially recognized by Spain, that run cultural and educational programs from their respective countries in Spain, provided their activity is limited to carrying out those programs.
4. Civilian or military officials of foreign state administrations who come to Spain to carry out activities under cooperation agreements with a Spanish administration.
5. Correspondents for foreign media outlets.
6. Members of international scientific missions conducting work and research in Spain with authorization from the competent state or regional administration.
7. Artists who come to Spain to give specific performances that do not involve ongoing work.
8. Religious ministers and members of the hierarchy of different churches, denominations and religious communities, as well as professed members of religious orders.
9. Foreign nationals who are members of the representative, governing or administrative bodies of internationally recognized trade unions and business organizations, provided their activity is strictly limited to performing the duties inherent in that role.
10. Foreign minors of working age under the guardianship of a competent child protection service, for activities proposed by that body that promote their social integration while they remain under its guardianship.

How do you apply for temporary residence exempt from a work permit?

You must apply for temporary residence exempt from a work permit as follows:

If the foreign national does not live in Spain, they must apply for the relevant visa at the consular office responsible for their place of residence and prove that they meet one of the circumstances that justify exemption from the work permit requirement. After collecting the visa, they must enter Spain while it is valid, which cannot be for more than three months.

If the foreign national already lives in Spain, they can apply for an exemption from the work permit requirement themselves at the Immigration Office responsible for their place of residence. The authorization will be valid from the date of the decision granting it.

If the authorization is valid for more than 6 months, the foreign national must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card at the Immigration Office for the province where they live or where their authorization was processed, within 1 of entering Spain or, if they already live in Spain, of being notified of the decision.

How long is temporary residence exempt from a work permit valid in Spain?

The duration of temporary residence exempt from a work permit depends on the length of the project for which it is granted. The initial authorization can be valid for a maximum of 1 year and may be extended: the first extension can be for up to 2 years, and the next for a further 2 years, provided the circumstances that led to the authorization being granted continue to apply.