The new law on foreigners 2024 approved by the Spanish Government brings with it a number of important changes that can make life easier for many of us who have had to start a new life in this country.
And if you are Venezuelan and living in Spainyou probably already know how complicated it can be regularise your legal situation.
The processes are lengthy and the bureaucracy can be a headache. However, this new regulation aims to make simpler and more accessible procedures to obtain residence and work permits.
It also introduces new avenues to regularise thousands of people, including those who have applied political asylumbut they were rejected and are now in the irregular situation.
In this article, we will explain in a clear and simple way what this reform consists of, what the most important changes are and, above all, how it can benefit the Venezuelan community in Spain.
Because we know that behind every migration story there are dreams, sacrifices and the hope for a better futureRead on and find out everything you need to know!
What does the new 2024 law on foreigners consist of?
The new law on foreigners 2024 (Royal Decree 1155/2024)which will enter into force on 20 May 2025is a reform that the Spanish Government has approved to make easier and quicker process of regularisation of foreigners in Spain.
This reform simplifies many of the previously complicated and time-consuming procedures, which means that many people living in the country irregularly will be able to obtain their residence and work permit with fewer obstacles.
One of the main changes is the reduction of the waiting times and some of the requirements are eliminated. that previously made regularisation difficult.
For example, now, instead of having to living in Spain for three years to apply for a residence permit for "social roots"you only need to have lived in the country for a period of two years.
This makes life easier for many people who have come to the Spain in an irregular manner and, after being there for a while, they no longer have to wait so long for legalise their situation.
In addition, a new regularisation pathway for those who are in irregular status after their asylum application has been rejected.
This measure will benefit thousands of people, including Venezuelan nationals, who have been left without papers following a rejection in their application process. asylum.
In short, the new law on foreigners 2024 aims to facilitate the lives of migrants by providing more opportunities to live and work legally in Spain.
This reform not only impacts those who are already in the country, but also opens doors for those who are already in the country. plan to migrate to Spain, as it is simplify procedures for obtaining work and residence visas.
Definitely great news for those who are looking for a new opportunity!
Main changes in regularisation mechanisms
With the new law on foreigners 2024In recent years, a number of important changes have been introduced in the ways in which migrants can regularise their situation in Spain.
Here are the most relevant changes and how they could benefit you if you are Venezuelan and live in the country.
Arraigo socio-labour: a key option for regularisation
One of the main novelties of the new law on foreigners 2024 is the creation of the socio-occupational rootswhich merges two previous figures: the social roots and employment roots. This new category simplifies the regularisation process for many people who live in Spain without papersmaking it easier to access to a residence and work permit.
What is it about?
The socio-occupational roots is a mechanism that allows regularising the status of migrants who have been living in Spain irregularly for a period of time and wish to obtain a permission to reside and work legally.
This figure combines the best of the social roots (which is based on social and family ties) and of the employment roots (which depends on having an employment contract).
Now, with the entrenchment socio-labouronly it is necessary to submit a job offer to access regularisation, irrespective of whether they ties are mainly social or work-related.
What are the requirements?
The main requirement for access to this new type of entrenchment remains have an employment contract. However, the reform introduces some modifications that facilitate the process:
- Reduction of minimum contract hours: previously, in order to gain access to the employment rootsIn order to be able to work, it was necessary to have a contract of employment of at least 30 hours per week. With the new reform, this minimum is reduced to 20 hours per week, which opens up more possibilities for those who have part-time jobs or jobs in sectors with reduced working hours.
- Seasonal work: In addition, a major new feature is that it is now no longer necessary for the contract is continuous. It is possible to submit several contracts for seasonal or shorter periods of work in series to meet the minimum number of hours required. This is particularly useful for those working in sectors such as the agriculture, the hotel and catering industry or domestic servicewhere contracts may be temporary or of short duration.
Second Chance Arraigo: a new option for those who lost their permits
Another of the most beneficial changes is the second chance rootswhich gives a new opportunity to those who have had a residence permit in the last two years, but they lost it by administrative reasonsThe Commission has also been unable to renew it in time.
This means that if your residence permit expired because you could not renew it within the time limit due to a personal situation, you will now be able to opt for this new way to regularise your situation.
Socio-educational roots: studying and working to regularise your status
With the new socio-formative roots the aim is to correct the shortcomings identified in previous regulations and make the regularisation process more flexible for all those who want to improve their training and access new jobs.
What is it?
The socio-formative roots is a regularisation route that allows those who are in an irregular situation to gain access to a temporary residence permit in order to carry out a training course.
In contrast to other types of roots, this modality seeks to give the applicants the opportunity to opportunity to study and acquire new job skillswhich facilitates their integration into the Spanish labour market.
What are the key changes?
The reform of the law on foreigners 2024 introduces a number of important changes to the role of the socio-formative roots, seeking to make it more accessible and practical for those who wish to regularise their status through education.
Here are the key points:
- Flexibility to work while you study: one of the most relevant changes is that you will now be able to work up to 30 hours per week while you carry out your training course. This is a great improvement over the previous regulation, where eWork and training could not be combined. With this reform, you can hold down a job while you study, which facilitates your economic autonomy.
- Greater flexibility in the accreditation of enrolment: for example, if your course has a official deadline for registrationyou will be able to apply for the socio-formative roots up to two months before the course starts. In addition, you will have up to three months later of the granting of authorisation to certify that you have completed your enrolment, which will facilitates procedures and avoids complications.
- More types of training accepted: previously, only the following were accepted certain types of training, but with the new reform, the types of training that are considered valid are extended. It now also includes basic levels of compulsory adult education and training, This means that more people, regardless of their level of education, will be able to benefit from this pathway.
What about family roots?
The family roots has been one of the most used ways to obtain residency, especially by those who have close relatives (such as parents or children) already living legally in the country. Spain.
However, with the new reform, this option is more limited. Only the minors or persons with disabilities which are family members of EU, EEA or Swiss nationals will be able to benefit from the family roots.
Although this measure limits the scope of family rootsthe new family reunification scheme for foreigners with Spanish family members opens up new possibilities, as it will now be easier for the family members of Spanish citizens living legally in the country.
Regularisation for asylum seekers
The new law on foreigners 2024 brings good news for those who have seen their asylum application rejected.
For one year from the entry into force of the regulation, those whose applications have been refused may regularise their situation by means of the arraigo schemes after only six months living in Spaininstead of the two years that were previously required.
However, it is necessary to have a final decision of refusal. After this special period, the usual two-year residency requirement for access to these options will be reinstated. A opportunity to emerge from irregularity and build a more stable future.
Do you need help with your asylum application? In our article on the model political asylum letter for venezuelansyou will find examples and the procedures to be followed. We hope you find it helpful!
In short, the new law on foreigners 2024 represents a hope for thousands of people who have come to Spain looking for a better life.
Every change in the regulation, from the figures of entrenchment until transitional regularisationsis designed to open doors and give opportunities to those who, with effort and dedication, want to build their future here.
At CuriaraWe know what it means to start from scratch far from home, these reforms are a reminder that there are always ways forward. We hope this article resolves your doubts and helps you in this new adventure.
Curiara, uniting families.
