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- From Student Residence to a Work Permit in Spain
From a Spain Student Visa to a Work Permit
We help you move from student status to a residence permit that lets you work fully in Spain. The procedure takes place inside the country, with no new visa.
Moving from a Spain student visa to a work permit is for people who are finishing their studies and want to stay. Student status is meant for studying, and you can only work on it to a limited extent. To switch, there is a change of status procedure (modification): you move to residence for employment, self-employment (autónomo) or the job search status after graduation. A decision usually takes 2–3 months. If you file while your student card is still valid, you remain in Spain legally during the review.
The key is to choose a basis you actually have: a contract with an employer, a self-employment plan or completed studies at the required level. We check whether you meet the conditions for your studies and deadlines, choose the option and prepare the documents so there is no gap between statuses. It is best to start a few months before your card expires.
Who it is for
- Students finishing their studies in Spain who want to stay
- Graduates with a job offer from a Spanish company
- People planning to work for themselves as autónomos
- University graduates who need time to look for a job
Requirements
- A valid student status in Spain at the time of filing
- Completed studies, or the conditions on their length and results are met
- A basis for work: a contract with an employer, a self-employment plan or the right to a job search permit
- No criminal record
- Filing before your student card expires
What we do
- Review your status, studies and work plans
- Choose the basis: employment, self-employment or job search
- Check your employment contract or business plan
- Prepare and file the change of status application
- Answer requests from the immigration office
- Help with your new TIE card and social security registration
Key documents
- Passport and your current student TIE card
- Degree or certificate of completion
- Employment contract or job offer, for employment
- Business plan and income forecast, for self-employment
- Criminal record certificate, if requested
- Receipts for the state fees
How it works
- Situation reviewyour status, card expiry date, studies and work options
- Choosing a basisemployment, self-employment or job search
- Documentsa contract or business plan, study documents and application forms
- Filingthe change of status application, before your card expires
- Decision and cardusually 2–3 months, then a new TIE card
Timeline
A decision usually takes 2–3 months; you file from inside Spain before your student card expires and stay legally during the review.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- Filing after your student card expires can cost you the right to change status inside the country
- A contract with a salary below the standard or outside your field raises questions
- Unfinished studies or attendance problems make the switch harder
- Self-employment needs a realistic business plan with numbers, not a general description
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $2,200. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How do I move from a Spain student visa to a work permit?
Through a change of status procedure inside Spain. You need a basis for work: a contract with an employer, a self-employment plan or the right to the post-graduation job search status. The application is filed before your student card expires, and a decision usually comes within 2–3 months.
Do I have to leave Spain?
No, the change of status happens inside the country. What matters is filing while your student card is still valid. Then you remain in Spain legally during the review and do not lose the residence time you have built up, which will count toward long-term residence.
Can I become self-employed right after my studies?
Yes, if you have a realistic business plan and clear sources of income. The immigration office looks at the business plan, your qualifications and any licenses required. We will help you prepare the plan and the numbers and, after approval, register as an autónomo.
What if I do not have an employer yet?
University graduates can get a separate status to look for work or start a business after finishing their studies. It gives you time to find an employer without leaving Spain. We will check whether you qualify based on the level and length of your studies.
What changed after the 2025 reform?
New immigration regulations have been in force since May 20, 2025, and the rules for moving on from student status have changed. We check the requirements against the current version, not against advice from previous years, and choose your route with the new conditions in mind.
Can my family move to the new status with me?
Yes. If your family members live in Spain with you, we change their status in parallel with yours. You will need to show that your new income covers everyone. We file the applications so that everyone's card dates stay in sync.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
