Job search visa
Residence authorisation to stay in Spain for up to 24 months to look for work or start a business, after finishing university studies in Spain. It is not a consular visa: you apply in Spain with form EX-26.
📋 No employment while searching. When you find a job you must apply to switch to a residence-and-work permit and wait for it to be granted; filing the application does NOT allow you to start working. Maximum decision period, three months (art. 77.6 RD 1155/2024).
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Step by step
✅ How to apply, from Spain
You apply in Spain, online via the Mercurio e-office, addressed to the Delegación/Subdelegación del Gobierno of your province. It is not processed at a consulate.
- Apply within the deadline — From 60 calendar days before your student stay expires, up to 90 calendar days after finishing your studies.
- Gather your documents — EX-26, passport, level-6 qualification, proof of funds (100% IPREM or 50% + accommodation), health insurance, criminal-record check and fee 790/052.
- File online — Through the Mercurio e-office, addressed to the Delegación/Subdelegación del Gobierno of your province (in Spain, not at a consulate).
- Decision — Positive administrative silence: if there is no reply within 20 working days, it is deemed granted.
- Look for work or start a business — You have up to 24 months (non-renewable) to find a job or prepare a business project.
- When you find work: switch permit — You (or your employer) file the change to a residence-and-work permit with a contract matching your qualification. You must wait for the decision before starting work; working earlier exposes both you and the company to penalties. Maximum decision period, three months (art. 77.6 RD 1155/2024).
Condición: Having finished studies at a higher education institution and reached AT LEAST Level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework, which corresponds to a bachelor's degree. At least — a master's (7) or a doctorate (8) also count. The 17th Additional Provision does not require the studies to have been "long-term".
Mistakes that get applications refused
⚠️ Confusing it with the Non-Lucrative Visa
Consecuencia: Preparing the wrong financial requirements
Solución: The Non-Lucrative Visa requires ~400% of IPREM and does NOT allow you to work. This authorisation requires only 100% of IPREM and is meant for job-seeking and then working.
⚠️ Thinking there is a general "come to Spain to job-hunt" visa
Consecuencia: Applying for something that does not exist
Solución: This authorisation is only for people who finished studies at a higher education institution in Spain. But job-search visas do exist — art. 43 of RD 1155/2024 creates two classes, for children or grandchildren of a Spaniard by origin (art. 44) and for certain occupations and territories (art. 45), with twelve months of residence to look for work. They are not available on demand, they depend on the quota approved by the ministerial order on collective hiring at origin. And if you find a contract, it is the EMPLOYER who files the initial residence-and-work application.
⚠️ Trying to apply at a Spanish consulate
Consecuencia: Wrong channel
Solución: It is not a consular visa: you apply in Spain, online via Mercurio, to the Delegación/Subdelegación del Gobierno.
⚠️ Thinking it lasts 12 months
Consecuencia: Planning your job search poorly
Solución: The authorisation lasts 24 months, non-renewable (not 12).
⚠️ Starting work before filing the change to a work permit
Consecuencia: A breach that can invalidate the permit
Solución: Do not work until the change to a residence-and-work permit is GRANTED. Filing does not authorise you to start — the competent body decides and notifies within a maximum of three months (art. 77 RD 1155/2024), and the permit's effect is further suspended until you are registered with Social Security (art. 77).
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Spain job seeker visa?
Up to 24 months, non-renewable.
How do I apply / is there an official website?
Online via the Mercurio e-office with form EX-26, addressed to the Delegación/Subdelegación del Gobierno. Official info: Ministerio de Inclusión, Hoja 20.
Can I work with it?
Not while searching. Once you file the switch to a work permit you must wait until it is granted before starting work.
How much money do I need?
100% of IPREM (~€600/month), or 50% if you prove pre-paid accommodation.
Do I need a job offer to apply?
No.
Who qualifies?
People who completed a long-term student stay in Spain with a level-6 (university degree) qualification.
Legal basis
Seventeenth Additional Provision of Law 14/2013; RD 1155/2024 (Immigration Regulation); Instruction DGM 1/2018.
Checked against the consolidated text on 2026-09-01.
Official sources
Última actualización: 2026-07-07