Spain Working Holiday Visa – Youth Mobility Visa

Overview of Spain Working Holiday Visa

The Spain Working Holiday Visa program allows young people from certain countries to travel and work in Spain for up to one year. You can work for up to 3 months per employer.

The program promotes cultural exchange and facilitates travel opportunities between the participant’s home country and Spain.

The program is available to Australian, Canadian, Japanese, New Zealand, and South Korean citizens. It is for young people aged between 18 to 35. The upper age limit varies for different countries.

During your stay in Spain, you can take on any employment, although you cannot opt for professions that require a qualification or professional licence.

Why was the Spain Working Holiday Visa Launched?

The Spain Working Holiday Visa was launched in 2018 to open opportunities for young people to explore the country and its culture while gaining valuable international work experience.

They launched the visa in response to the increasing demand from youth worldwide who wanted to travel and work in Spain and employers who wanted to hire foreign talent to fill certain positions.

Moreover, it supports the Spanish economy by providing new, innovative skills and perspectives from foreign workers.

The visa program also benefits employers who can take advantage of talented and motivated candidates from abroad.

This program opens up new possibilities for businesses that may not have been available before and can help to bring new energy and ideas into the Spanish job market.

Furthermore, this visa has been helping to shape the future of international business in Spain since its inception.

Eligibility for Spain Working Holiday Visa

Before you apply for the Spain Working Holiday Scheme, you must ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements.

The eligibility criteria for the Youth Mobility Visa vary depending on the applicant’s country of origin. However, some general requirements apply to all applicants:

• Age between 18 and 30 (or 35 for Canadian citizens)
• Sufficient funds to support yourself throughout your stay i.e., €7,200 per annum (2023), according to Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples(IPREM)
• Not be accompanied by family members
• Not have a criminal record
• You did not avail this opportunity in the past
• You are not accompanying any dependants
• Understanding of the functional level of Spanish
• The purpose of travel should be to work and travel, not to work only

For Canadians

• A police check from all the countries the applicant has been to in the last 5 years.

Documents Required for Youth Mobility Visa

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, you’ll need to gather the required documents for your visa application form. These documents include the following:

• A valid passport
• A birth certificate
• Travel Insurance
• A medical certificate
• A completed national visa application form
• Proof of funds (such as a bank statement)
• A return ticket or proof of sufficient funds to buy one
• Proof of completion of at least 2 years of higher education
• Evidence that you have arranged employment in Spain
• Health insurance from a private insurance provider or National Healthcare System
• A work authorization or Foreigners’ Identification Number (NIE)
• Support letter from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
• A clearance certificate from the Police station in your Country

How to Submit Working Holiday Visa Application?

Overview

Once you’ve gathered all the required documents, you can submit your application to the Spanish consulate in your home country. Make sure to fill out all the forms accurately and include all necessary documents.

For Canadians

• Attend the appointment at Spanish Embassy in Ottawa
• You can mail your finished application along with all the documents to Toronto at [email protected] if you are not a resident of Ottawa.

The Interview and Approval

Once your application is submitted, you may be asked to attend an in-person interview at the Spanish embassy or the Spanish consulate in your country of origin. At the interview, you’ll be asked various questions about your plans for your stay in Spain and your ability to support yourself financially.

What Does the Visa Interview Look Like?

It is a short meeting of applicants with a consular. They will ask simple questions about your background, visa application, and reason for applying for this scheme. You should have your documents in a proper file.

Await the Decision

When your application is submitted and you’ve had your interview, all that’s left to do is wait for the decision. The Spanish consulate will review all your documents and information and decide whether to grant you the Visa.

Receive Visa

You will receive a notification upon the approval of your visa. You must present this visa when entering Spain.

Enjoy Your Stay

Once you have received your visa and arrived in Spain, you can start enjoying your stay. Make sure to take advantage of all the opportunities that Spain has to offer and make the most of your working holiday.

Fee and Processing Time of Working Holiday Visa

Fee

After completing the application form, you will need to pay the visa fee, which can also usually be done online. The fee varies depending on the country of origin. It is €80 for Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. While Canadians have to pay €100.

Processing Time

The processing time for a visa on the Youth Mobility Program is 3 to 6 weeks. It is two weeks in New Zealand.

What to Do After Arriving in Spain?

After arriving in Spain on a Youth Mobility Visa, there are a few things that you should do to ensure that your stay is legal and that you have all the necessary documents in order. Here are a few steps you should take:

• Settle at your pre-arranged place
• Register with the police
• Open a bank account
• Familiarise yourself with Spanish culture and customs

It’s recommended to keep all the documents related to your visa in a safe place. These can be required at any point during your stay.

Is Spain Working Holiday Visa Extendable to More Than 12 Months?

The visa is non-renewable and non-extendable, which means that once the visa has expired, you will not be able to renew or extend it, and you will have to leave the country. However, you need to apply for a different type of visa, such as a student visa or a work visa, if you meet the requirements and conditions of those visas.

Benefits of This Visa for Young People

Cultural Exchange

The program provides an opportunity for young people to experience Spanish culture and customs firsthand and to gain a deeper understanding of this vibrant country and its people.

Work Experience

It allows young people to gain valuable work experience abroad, which can benefit their future careers.

Language Skills

Living and working in Spain provides an opportunity to learn a new language which can be helpful in both personal and professional contexts.

Travel

The program also allows young people to travel and explore the country at their own pace. Spain is known for its rich history, beautiful landscapes, delicious cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. In addition, it is heaven for football lovers.

Personal Growth

Living and working abroad can be a challenging and rewarding experience that can help young people grow personally and develop independence and self-confidence.

Affordable

The Spain Working Holiday Visa program is relatively affordable, and the process is easy, which makes it accessible for young people from a variety of backgrounds.

Networking

You get an opportunity to connect and build relationships with professionals from various countries, which can enhance your career prospects.

How Can You Get Help From IAS?

Applying correctly and appearing in the interview prepared will save you precious time and elevate your chances of getting accepted. The immigration experts at IAS can help you to make your visa application process easy.

The Immigration Advice Service will offer the most recent information and updates on the Working Holiday Visa program.

Our team of experts will guide you through the process, step-by-step, ensuring that you complete your application accurately and on time.

Over and above that, we provide information on common mistakes people make and what to expect during the interview so that you can feel prepared, confident, and at ease.

To learn more about our services and how we can help you with your Spain Working Holiday Visa interview or the application process, reach out to IAS at (+44) 333 4149244 or contact us online today.