The Highly Qualified Professionals Visa (PAC) is a residence and work permit for citizens from outside the European Union who wish to reside and work in Spain in positions requiring high professional qualifications. This visa is granted on the basis of an employment relationship with a specific company and is subject to a series of requirements detailed below.
Eligibility Requirements
This visa is intended for persons who meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Higher education or equivalent professional experience of at least three years.
- University or postgraduate degree obtained from universities or business schools of recognized prestige.
- In the case of regulated professions, such as lawyers, doctors, engineers or architects, it is compulsory to have the homologation of the degree in Spain before submitting the application.
The job offered must be in accordance with the applicant's qualifications, and the working conditions defined in the corresponding collective bargaining agreement shall apply.
Permit Conditions
The PAC visa allows for an initial residence and work authorization of up to three years, extendable for two more years. In case the employment contract has a shorter duration, the permit will be adjusted to the duration of the contract. After five years of legal residence, it is possible to apply for permanent residence.
In addition, this visa grants free movement within the Schengen Area, allows travel to other member countries without the need for additional visas. It also offers the possibility of including family members in the application from the beginning of the process.
Salary Requirements
To obtain this visa, the salary offered must be equal to or above the following thresholds:
- 40,400 € per year for most of the high-skilled positions.
- 54,578 € per year in the case of directors, managers or other senior management positions.
These salary requirements ensure that the positions offered correspond to roles involving high qualifications and responsibility.
Application Procedure
The PAC visa application can be made from abroad, through the Spanish Consulate, or from Spain, as long as the applicant is in a regular situation. The process includes two main stages:
- Residence and work authorization: Processed by the company before the Large Business Unit (UGE). The resolution time is 20 days.
- Visa: Once the authorization is approved, the applicant must go to the Spanish Consulate in his/her country of origin or residence to obtain the visa, with an approximate processing time of 10 days.
Relationship to the Job
The PAC visa is strictly linked to the employment position in the company submitting the application. If the employment relationship is interrupted, either by resignation or dismissal, the worker must notify the UGE of this circumstance. To maintain PAC residency, a new application must be submitted within 30 days, provided that it is demonstrated that the applicant continues to meet the high qualification requirements.
There is the possibility of changing the PAC permit for a general residence and work authorization after one year of legal residence. However, in this case, the applicant would no longer be considered as a Highly Qualified Professional under this specific authorization.
Recognition of Titles
For those in regulated professions, such as doctors, lawyers, clinical psychologists or engineers, it is mandatory to homologate academic degrees in Spain before starting any application process. This process can take more than a year, and in some medical specialties, up to three years or more. Therefore, it is essential to start this process well in advance.
Additional Features
- No labor market test is required to process this permit.
- The application can be submitted by an authorized representative, which simplifies the process for the applicant.
- The filing of the application for authorization extends the validity of the holder's residence or stay in Spain until the final resolution of the procedure.
Conclusion
The Visa for Highly Qualified Professionals is a mechanism designed to facilitate the incorporation of highly qualified talent into the Spanish labor market. Its structure is based on a direct link to the job offered, which requires the applicant and the company to comply with strict technical and salary requirements. This visa also provides significant benefits, such as the possibility of including the family from the outset and freedom of mobility within the Schengen Area.
Planning the process well in advance, especially in cases requiring homologation of degrees, is essential to ensure the success of the application.
