Finished your studies and found a job in Spain? Learn how to switch from a student visa to a residence and work permit in 2026.

Have you finished your studies in Spain and received a job offer from a Spanish company? If you are a non-EU student holding a long-term study stay authorization, you may be eligible to change your immigration status and obtain a residence and work permit without returning to your home country.

This procedure is particularly important for international students who want to establish their professional careers in Spain after completing a university degree, master's program, or another qualifying educational course.

Under Spain's Immigration Regulation, approved by Royal Decree 1155/2024 and subsequently amended, eligible international students can apply to change their study stay authorization into a residence and employment authorization.

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we explain the requirements, deadlines, documents, employment conditions, and application procedure applicable in 2026, including when you can legally start working.

Can You Stay and Work in Spain After Finishing Your Studies?

Yes. Spain allows certain non-EU students who have successfully completed their studies to apply for a residence and work authorization if they have obtained a qualifying employment offer.

This procedure is commonly known as the modification of a student stay authorization into a residence and work permit.

It is regulated primarily by Article 190 of Spain's Immigration Regulation.

The procedure allows eligible students to move from an immigration status based on education to a residence authorization based on employment.

The distinction is important.

A student stay authorization allows foreign nationals to remain in Spain for educational purposes. Depending on the type of studies and the applicable conditions, it may also permit certain employment activities.

A residence and work authorization, however, allows the individual to live and work in Spain under the conditions established by the authorization granted.

Completing your studies does not automatically convert your student authorization into a work permit.

You must submit a formal application and demonstrate that you satisfy the legal requirements.

The advantage is that eligible applicants can complete the procedure from within Spain, without applying for a new work visa at a Spanish consulate abroad.

If you have recently graduated and received a job offer, our immigration lawyers can assess whether you qualify for this procedure.

Schedule your consultation here.

Who Can Change a Student Visa into a Work Permit in Spain?

Not every type of student authorization qualifies for modification under Article 190.

Eligibility depends on the legal category of studies or training that justified your original authorization.

The regulation covers specific educational activities referred to in Article 52 and specialized healthcare training under Article 58.

Eligible categories may include students who have successfully completed:

• Higher education programs, including qualifying university degrees and master's programs.

• Recognized post-compulsory secondary education programs.

• Certain qualifying training programs or specialized healthcare training activities.

The decisive factor is not simply the name of your course.

What matters is whether the education or training falls within the categories covered by the regulation.

For example, a student who completed an officially recognized university master's degree may qualify under different rules from someone who attended a language course.

It is therefore essential to examine your original immigration authorization and determine the precise legal basis on which it was granted.

What If Your Student Authorization Was Granted Before May 2025?

Spain's current Immigration Regulation entered into force on May 20, 2025.

Students who obtained their authorizations under the previous regulation, Royal Decree 557/2011, may be affected by transitional provisions and administrative instructions.

In particular, Instruction SEM 3/2025 addresses certain situations involving study authorizations granted under the previous legal framework.

This means that two students who completed similar educational programs might not necessarily have identical immigration options if their authorizations were issued under different regulations.

Before applying, it is important to check the date, legal basis, and conditions of your original student authorization.

Do You Need to Finish Your Studies Before Applying?

Yes.

To obtain the modification provided for under Article 190, you must have successfully completed the relevant studies or training and obtained the corresponding qualification or certificate.

Having a job offer is not enough if you have not yet completed your education.

For example, suppose you are completing a master's degree in Barcelona and a Spanish technology company offers you a full-time position.

If you still need to pass your final examinations or complete your master's thesis, you may not yet satisfy the academic requirement for the modification.

However, you do not necessarily need to wait until the physical diploma has been issued.

An official university certificate confirming that you have successfully completed your studies and obtained the relevant qualification may be sufficient, depending on the circumstances.

The important point is that your documentation must establish successful completion of the qualifying program.

If you are unsure whether your academic certificate is sufficient, our lawyers can review it before you submit your application.

Schedule your consultation here.

Requirements to Change Your Student Visa into a Work Permit in Spain in 2026

The modification procedure requires applicants to satisfy several immigration and employment conditions.

Article 190 refers to the employment authorization requirements established in Article 74 of the Immigration Regulation, with an important exception concerning the national employment situation.

The main requirements are explained below.

1. Successfully Complete Your Studies

You must demonstrate that you have completed the educational program or training activity covered by your student authorization.

An official diploma, completion certificate, or equivalent academic document may be required.

The document must adequately demonstrate that the relevant qualification has been obtained.

2. Have a Valid Employment Contract

You must have an employment contract signed by both you and the Spanish employer.

The contract must comply with Spanish employment legislation and guarantee continued employment during the period covered by the requested authorization.

The contract must also establish appropriate conditions concerning salary, working hours, and professional duties.

Its commencement or effectiveness must be consistent with the date on which you become legally authorized to work.

This is particularly relevant when employers want international graduates to join their teams immediately.

3. The Employer Must Meet Legal Requirements

The company offering you employment must satisfy the applicable obligations under Spanish law.

In particular, the employer must be registered with Social Security and up to date with its tax and Social Security obligations.

The company must also demonstrate sufficient economic, material, or human resources to conduct its business activities and fulfill its contractual obligations.

The immigration authorities may review the employer's financial situation when assessing the application.

Therefore, a signed employment contract does not automatically guarantee approval.

4. Have the Necessary Professional Qualifications

If the position requires specific qualifications or professional authorization, you must demonstrate that you meet those requirements.

For regulated professions, such as certain healthcare or engineering activities, recognition of professional qualifications or other administrative requirements may apply.

5. Meet the Personal Immigration Requirements

Applicants must also meet the applicable requirements concerning criminal records, public order, and other immigration conditions.

Article 190 includes a restriction concerning certain scholarships or grants received under sustainable development cooperation or humanitarian action programs.

This does not mean that every student who received a scholarship is automatically excluded.

The legal nature of the scholarship must be assessed, especially where transitional rules relating to older study authorizations apply.

Every application should be evaluated individually before submission.

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we help international graduates and employers determine whether the proposed employment arrangement satisfies the immigration requirements.

Schedule your consultation here.

Does the Employment Contract Have to Be Permanent?

Not necessarily.

Spanish immigration legislation does not establish a universal requirement that every employment contract submitted under this procedure must be indefinite.

The contract must comply with applicable employment legislation and satisfy the conditions required for the residence and work authorization.

A fixed-term contract may therefore be acceptable where its duration and other characteristics comply with the relevant requirements.

However, short-term contracts can create difficulties if they do not adequately establish the required continuity of employment.

The immigration authorities may consider the contract's duration, salary, working hours, and other relevant conditions.

For that reason, reviewing the proposed contract before submitting the application is strongly recommended.

Can You Apply with a Part-Time Employment Contract?

Yes, although an important salary requirement applies.

Where the contract is part-time, the remuneration must be equal to or higher than the Spanish statutory minimum wage applicable to full-time employment, calculated annually.

This means that a conventional part-time contract with a proportionally reduced salary may not satisfy the immigration requirements.

For example, a company may offer a perfectly valid 20-hour employment contract under Spanish labor law.

However, if the annual remuneration falls below the threshold required for this immigration procedure, the application may not meet the relevant conditions.

It is important to examine the gross annual salary, working hours, applicable collective bargaining agreement, and other contractual provisions.

When Can You Apply for a Work Permit After Finishing Your Studies?

The application deadline is one of the most important aspects of the procedure.

Under Article 190.6 of the Immigration Regulation, as amended in April 2026, the application may be submitted within the two months before or three months after the expiry of the study authorization or the date on which the qualification or corresponding certificate is obtained.

This allows eligible students to apply without necessarily waiting until their existing student authorization expires.

Consider the following example.

You complete your master's degree in July 2026, but your student authorization remains valid until November 30, 2026.

In September, a Spanish company offers you a position.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for the modification before November.

The exact filing deadline should be determined by examining both your academic documentation and the validity of your current authorization.

What Happens If Your Student Permit Expires During the Application?

An important amendment introduced by Royal Decree 316/2026, effective April 16, 2026, provides that an application submitted within the legally established period extends the validity of the previous authorization until the administrative decision is notified.

This provision offers additional protection to applicants whose existing student authorization would otherwise expire while their modification is being processed.

However, relying on the last possible filing date is not recommended.

You may need additional documentation from your university or employer, and delays in obtaining these documents can complicate your application.

The safest approach is to begin preparing your immigration strategy as soon as you know when you will graduate and whether an employer is interested in hiring you.

Can You Work While Your Student-to-Work Permit Application Is Being Processed?

Yes, under specific conditions.

This is one of the most significant practical advantages of the modification procedure.

Article 190.7 establishes that once the modification application has been admitted for processing, the study authorization provisionally acquires the status of a residence and employment authorization until the procedure is resolved.

The admission decision must expressly indicate the possibility of working full-time.

Consequently, eligible applicants may be able to begin full-time employment before receiving the final favorable resolution.

However, there is a crucial legal distinction between submitting an application and having it formally admitted for processing.

Simply registering the application does not necessarily mean you are already authorized to work full-time.

The employer and employee should verify that the relevant admission documentation has been issued and that the provisional employment authorization applies.

The authorization is provisional and remains dependent on the outcome of the immigration procedure.

If the modification is ultimately refused, the provisional authorization automatically ceases to be valid.

Therefore, starting employment without confirming the legal basis for doing so could create difficulties for both the worker and the company.

If your employer wants you to start immediately, our immigration lawyers can help determine when you are legally permitted to begin working.

Schedule your consultation here.

Documents Required to Change Your Student Visa into a Work Permit

The precise documents may vary depending on the applicant's circumstances, the employer, and the competent immigration authority.

However, a typical application will involve the following documentation:

• The applicable official application form, generally EX-26 or the corresponding regional form.

• A complete copy of your valid passport and documentation concerning your existing study authorization.

• Official evidence that you have successfully completed your studies.

• An employment contract signed by the employer and employee.

• Identification and corporate documentation relating to the employer.

• Evidence of the employer's economic capacity and business activity.

• Documents demonstrating the applicant's professional qualifications, where required.

• Any additional declarations or certificates necessary to establish compliance with the applicable immigration requirements.

Depending on the case, criminal record certificates or documentation concerning scholarships and other relevant circumstances may also be required.

Foreign public documents must generally be legalized or apostilled unless an exemption applies.

Official translations may also be necessary.

Particular attention should be paid to the academic completion certificate and employment contract.

These are central documents in the application and must clearly demonstrate that the principal requirements are satisfied.

Where the employer is a newly established company, additional financial documentation may be particularly important.

Similarly, where the graduate has been living in Spain for several years, the documentation needed to establish certain personal requirements should be assessed according to the applicable rules and administrative guidance.

A carefully prepared application can help reduce avoidable requests for additional documents.

How to Apply for a Residence and Work Permit After Studying in Spain

The modification application can be submitted from Spain.

Eligible applicants do not need to return to their country of origin to apply for a new visa.

The application may be submitted by the student or the employer, directly or through an appropriately authorized representative.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

The first step is to review your student authorization and verify that your completed studies qualify under Article 190.

You should also confirm the applicable filing deadlines and any relevant transitional provisions.

Step 2: Review the Employment Offer

The proposed employment contract must comply with immigration and labor requirements.

This involves examining the salary, working hours, duration, professional activities, and the employer's capacity to fulfill its obligations.

Where necessary, additional supporting documentation should be prepared.

Step 3: Submit the Application

The application is generally submitted electronically to the competent immigration authority.

In territories where the State administration is responsible for the procedure, applications may be submitted through the Mercurio electronic platform, subject to the applicable administrative arrangements.

However, different procedures may apply in autonomous communities with transferred executive responsibilities concerning employment authorizations.

Catalonia is an important example.

Step 4: Monitor the Application

After submission, it is essential to monitor the admission of the application and any subsequent administrative notifications.

If the immigration authorities request additional documentation, the applicant must respond within the applicable deadline.

The admission stage is particularly important because it can determine when the applicant becomes provisionally authorized to work full-time.

Step 5: Receive the Decision and Apply for Your Residence Card

Following a favorable decision, the effectiveness of the residence and work authorization is subject to the required Social Security registration.

The applicant must then apply for the corresponding Foreigner Identity Card, known as the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), within the legally established period.

This card will reflect the residence and employment authorization granted.

Visal Immigration Lawyers can assist with the preparation, submission, and monitoring of the application.

Schedule your consultation here.

How to Change Your Student Visa into a Work Permit in Barcelona

If you have studied in Barcelona or elsewhere in Catalonia, you should be aware that certain immigration and employment authorization procedures are handled by the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Catalonia has a specific procedure known as MOD03a, which concerns the modification of a long-term study or training stay authorization into a residence and employment authorization.

The procedure is submitted through the electronic channels established by the Generalitat.

Depending on the circumstances, the applicant or employer may submit the request.

Applicants must follow the specific documentary and electronic filing requirements applicable to the procedure.

This is especially important for international graduates who have received employment offers from companies based in Barcelona.

Human resources departments may be familiar with Spanish employment contracts but less familiar with immigration modifications and their administrative requirements.

Coordinating the company's employment documentation with the student's immigration application can prevent unnecessary problems.

You can consult the official MOD03a application guidance published by the Generalitat de Catalunya.

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we assist international students and employers with immigration procedures in Barcelona and throughout Spain.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Work Permit After Studying in Spain?

The legal period for resolving this modification procedure is three months, calculated according to the applicable administrative rules from the date the application enters the register of the authority competent to process it.

However, the actual processing time may vary.

Factors such as administrative workload, requests for additional documentation, and the circumstances of the individual application may affect how long the procedure takes.

If the legal decision period expires without notification of an express decision, the applicable administrative silence is negative.

This has legal consequences that should be evaluated carefully.

It does not necessarily mean that the authorities have substantively examined every aspect of the application and determined that the applicant does not qualify.

Where there is a significant delay, it may be appropriate to review the application's status and assess the available administrative or legal options.

How Long Is the First Residence and Work Authorization Valid?

The authorization granted under Article 190 has a validity period of one year.

After that period, the foreign national may apply for renewal if the relevant legal requirements are satisfied.

Article 190 also provides that the authorization granted has the effects established for the relevant category when renewed.

This is an important legal distinction because the employment conditions applicable to this modification are not necessarily identical to those of every ordinary initial employment authorization.

Your rights and obligations should therefore be assessed according to the specific authorization granted.

Does the Employer Need to Prove That No Spanish Worker Is Available?

No.

One of the major advantages of the Article 190 modification procedure is that the national employment situation requirement does not apply.

Article 190 refers to the employment requirements in Article 74 but expressly excludes Article 74.1(a), which concerns Spain's national employment situation.

As a result, the employer does not have to demonstrate under this procedure that there are no suitable Spanish or other available workers to fill the vacancy.

This makes the modification particularly attractive for Spanish companies seeking to recruit international graduates.

However, the exemption does not eliminate the other immigration requirements.

The employment contract must still be legally valid, the employer must satisfy the relevant conditions, and the applicant must meet the applicable personal and professional requirements.

What If You Find a Job Before Finishing Your Studies?

Many international students receive employment offers before graduation.

For example, a company may offer you a position during the final semester of your degree or while you are completing your master's dissertation.

In these situations, it is important to distinguish between working under a student authorization and obtaining a residence and work authorization after graduation.

Certain study authorizations, particularly those relating to higher education, automatically permit employment or self-employment when the professional activity is compatible with the studies.

As a general rule, student employment is subject to a limit of 30 hours per week, without prejudice to specific exceptions established by law.

Therefore, you may be allowed to work while studying, depending on your particular authorization.

However, this does not mean that you can automatically apply for the Article 190 modification before successfully completing the qualifying studies.

Nor should the student employment rules be confused with the provisional full-time work authorization that may arise when a qualifying modification application is admitted for processing.

If your employer wants you to begin working before graduation, an immigration lawyer can help determine the lawful options available.

What If You Finish Your Studies but Have Not Found a Job?

Not every international student obtains an employment offer immediately after graduation.

If you have completed qualifying higher education in Spain but do not yet have a job offer, another immigration option may be available.

This is the residence authorization for job searching or undertaking a business project, regulated under Additional Provision 17 of Law 14/2013.

This authorization is intended for eligible foreign nationals who have completed studies at a higher education institution and achieved at least Level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework.

It allows eligible graduates to remain in Spain while seeking suitable employment or preparing an entrepreneurial project.

However, the authorization does not itself permit employment.

This distinction is essential.

If you already have a qualifying job offer, the direct modification to residence and employment under Article 190 may be the more appropriate route.

If you are still looking for a job, the job-search residence route may deserve consideration.

Depending on your qualifications and proposed employment, other residence authorizations may also be available.

For example, certain positions may qualify under the residence authorization for highly qualified professionals established by Law 14/2013.

Choosing the appropriate immigration procedure requires an assessment of your academic qualifications, job position, salary, employer, and current immigration status.

Our lawyers can help you evaluate the available routes.

Schedule your consultation here.

Can Your Family Members Obtain Residence When You Change Your Student Permit?

In certain circumstances, yes.

Article 190.5 of the Immigration Regulation addresses the situation of eligible family members accompanying a student in Spain.

Family members covered by Article 56 who are living with the student when the modification application is submitted may qualify for residence authorization, provided the relevant requirements are met.

These include sufficient economic resources and adequate accommodation.

The resulting authorization is a residence permit based on family reunification.

Its effectiveness is linked to that of the principal applicant's authorization.

This is particularly relevant for international students who moved to Spain with their spouse or other qualifying family members.

It is important to consider the entire family's immigration situation before applying.

Changing only the principal student's authorization without evaluating the consequences for accompanying relatives may create unnecessary complications.

Common Mistakes When Changing a Student Visa into a Work Permit

Although the modification procedure offers important opportunities, applications must be prepared carefully.

A common mistake is submitting an application without adequate proof that the studies have been successfully completed.

Another is relying on an employment contract that does not meet the relevant salary, duration, or other immigration requirements.

Insufficient employer documentation can also lead to requests for additional evidence.

Applicants should also avoid assuming that an application receipt automatically authorizes full-time employment.

As explained earlier, the admission of the application for processing is legally significant for obtaining the provisional employment authorization.

Missing the application deadline is another serious risk.

The dates of graduation, issuance of academic certification, and expiry of the student authorization should be reviewed carefully.

Finally, employers and students should coordinate the procedure.

A company should understand when the employee may begin working, which documents it must provide, and how a refusal could affect the employment relationship.

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we recommend assessing the immigration requirements before the employment contract is finalized whenever possible.

Schedule your consultation here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing a Student Visa into a Work Permit in Spain

1. Can I change my student visa into a work permit without leaving Spain?

Yes. If you have successfully completed qualifying studies and meet the requirements of Article 190 of the Immigration Regulation, you can apply for the modification from Spain. You do not need to obtain a new employment visa abroad, provided your circumstances fall within the applicable procedure.

2. How long do I have to apply for a work permit after graduation?

The application may be submitted within the two months before or three months after the expiry of the study authorization or the date of obtaining the relevant qualification or certificate. Your exact filing period should be assessed according to the applicable dates and your individual immigration circumstances.

3. Can I work full-time while waiting for my work permit application?

Yes, under Article 190.7, once your modification application has been formally admitted for processing, your authorization can provisionally permit full-time employment. However, the initial application receipt should not be confused with the admission decision. You should verify your provisional employment rights before beginning full-time work.

4. Can I obtain a work permit with a 20-hour employment contract?

Potentially, but a part-time contract must provide remuneration equal to or higher than the annual statutory minimum wage applicable to full-time employment. A standard 20-hour contract with proportionally reduced pay may therefore be insufficient, even if the employment arrangement otherwise complies with Spanish labor legislation.

5. What if I have finished my university degree but have not received my diploma?

You may be able to use an official university certificate confirming that you have successfully completed your studies and obtained the relevant qualification. However, merely being enrolled or expecting to graduate is not sufficient. The supporting documentation must adequately demonstrate completion of the qualifying educational program.

Start Your Professional Career in Spain with the Right Residence Permit

For many international students, graduating in Spain is the beginning of a long-term professional career.

The possibility of changing a study authorization into a residence and work permit offers an important pathway for foreign graduates who have found employment.

The procedure can allow you to remain in Spain, begin working under the conditions provided by law, and establish a more stable immigration status.

Several features make this route particularly relevant in 2026.

You do not need to return to your home country to apply for a new visa.

The national employment situation requirement does not apply.

Eligible applicants may obtain provisional authorization to work full-time once their application is admitted for processing.

And the current regulation provides specific filing deadlines and rules protecting the validity of the previous authorization during the procedure.

Nevertheless, approval is not automatic.

The type of education completed, the academic documentation, the employment contract, the employer's financial situation, and the filing deadlines all matter.

Careful preparation is therefore essential.

Need Help Changing Your Student Visa into a Work Permit in Spain?

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we specialize in Spanish immigration law and assist international students, graduates, professionals, and companies with residence and employment authorization procedures.

If you have completed your studies and received a job offer from a Spanish company, we can assess your eligibility and help prepare your application.

Our legal services include reviewing your current immigration authorization, examining the proposed employment contract, identifying the required documents, and managing the administrative procedure before the competent authority.

We also assist employers who wish to recruit international graduates and need guidance on Spanish immigration requirements.

Have you finished studying in Spain and want to start working legally?

Schedule your consultation here.

During your consultation, our immigration lawyers can review your specific circumstances and explain the most appropriate route for your situation.

You can also contact us by WhatsApp at +34 618 702 253 or visit www.visalimmigration.com for further information.

Visal Immigration Lawyers — helping international graduates build their professional future in Spain.