Do I apply for the visa or does my employer?

Both play a part. Your employer applies for the underlying work-and-residence authorisation inside Spain first; once it is approved, you personally apply for the national visa at the Spanish consulate abroad.

Is the job market test always required?

For the general employee route it usually applies, unless the occupation is on the shortage list. Highly skilled roles typically avoid it by using the EU Blue Card or highly qualified professional routes under Law 14/2013 instead.

Can my family come with me?

Not automatically on the same visa, but you can apply for family reunification once you meet the residence and income conditions.

Long-stay visas (Type D)

Spanish Work Visa for Employment (Visado de trabajo por cuenta ajena)

A national long-stay visa for non-EU nationals who hold a Spanish job offer and an approved employer-sponsored work and residence authorisation to take up employment in Spain.

Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced

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Important information

Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Spain government website before you apply.

On this page

Who it's for
Requirements
What you can do
How to apply
Documents
Frequently asked questions

Issued by: Spanish consulate (visa) + immigration authorities (work authorisation)
Requires job offer: Yes - employer-sponsored
Labour market test: Usually applies (shortage-occupation list or unfilled-vacancy proof)
Initial duration: Typically up to 1 year, renewable
Path to settlement: Long-term residence after 5 years of legal residence

Who it's for

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals aged 16+ who have a concrete job offer from a Spanish employer and will work under an employment contract in Spain.

Requirements

A valid job offer / employment contract from a Spanish employer
Employer-obtained work-and-residence authorisation (initial application filed in Spain)
Post consistent with the labour-market situation (shortage list or proof the vacancy is hard to fill)
Qualifications or experience matching the role
Clean criminal record certificate (legalised/apostilled) covering the last 5 years
Medical certificate confirming no diseases with public-health impact
Valid passport

What you can do

Live in Spain and work for the sponsoring employer in the authorised occupation and area
Renew the permit and eventually access unrestricted work rights
Apply for family reunification once residence conditions are met
Build toward long-term (permanent) residence after 5 years

How to apply

The employer first files the work-and-residence authorisation with the Spanish immigration office. Once it is granted, the worker has a set period to apply for the national visa in person at the Spanish consulate serving their place of residence, submitting the authorisation resolution and supporting documents.

After the visa is issued and the worker enters Spain, they must register and apply for the foreigner identity card (TIE) within one month.

Documents

Completed national visa application form
Valid passport plus photocopy of relevant pages
Passport photo
Copy of the approved work-and-residence authorisation
Criminal record certificate (apostilled/legalised, for stays over 6 months)
Medical certificate
Proof of payment of the visa fee

Frequently asked questions

Both play a part. Your employer applies for the underlying work-and-residence authorisation inside Spain first; once it is approved, you personally apply for the national visa at the Spanish consulate abroad.

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.

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