How to emigrate to Spain from Colombia

To immigrate to Spain from Colombia, you must justify entry into the European country. This means you must demonstrate a valid reason for traveling, such as being hired by a company or having sufficient means to settle in Spanish territory.

Foreign citizens wishing to reside in Spain must obtain prior authorization to do so. Once this authorization is obtained, the corresponding visa allowing entry to Spain will be obtained.

Residence in Spain can be temporary or permanent, depending on your specific situation and circumstances.

Requirements to come from Colombia to Spain

If you don’t have a European passport, you need to meet certain requirements to immigrate to Spain. Pay particular attention to the purpose of your trip and how long you intend to stay in the Iberian country before making a decision.

Once you have defined this, the next step is to select one of the visas for Spain. Although they may seem similar, they are not applicable to all nationalities and do not have the same costs. Here is a general classification of the existing visas:

Types of visas to immigrate to Spain from Colombia:

Short-Stay Visas:

• Short-term visas: Stay of up to three months, maximum of six months. With this visa, you can study a short-duration course.
• Long-term visas: Maximum stay of one year, allowing you to study and work, but only for up to 20 hours per week.

Residence Visa (Temporary):

• Non-profit visa: Allows a three-month stay in the country as a resident. During this time, you can study but not work.
• Residence visa for employed work: Requires you to be over 16 years old. Allows a stay of more than three months and less than five years. To obtain it, you must have a prior contract with a Spanish company.
• Residence visa for self-employed work: Requires you to be over 18 years old. Allows a stay of more than three months and less than five years. Your income must come from a commercial activity you conduct on your own.

How can you obtain permanent residency?

The process is easier if you have a residence visa (temporary). Upon completing 5 consecutive years in the country, you can apply for permanent residency in Spain.

What are the differences between the different residencies for immigrating from Colombia to Spain?

Temporary residence visas authorize you for an initial year and two renewals of two years each to complete the five years of residency.

In contrast, the permanent residence card is valid for 5 years. If you remain continuously in the country for ten years, you can apply for Spanish citizenship.

Now, here’s an interesting fact: if you have been in the country with a temporary residence visa for at least three years continuously, you can apply for permanent residency.

Can you access permanent residency if you have a stay visa?

Yes, but the counting of years is different. If you were in Spain for three years with a stay visa because you were studying, only 50% of the time will count, which is 1.5 years. If you spend the same time with a residence visa, they will count the full years.

You can start with a stay visa and then renew it to obtain a residence visa. Don’t forget how the times are counted for your permanent residence application!