The visa for highly qualified professionals (PAC) is a residence permit that allows citizens from outside the European Union to live and work legally in Spain, assuming that they will do so in a managerial or highly qualified position.
The residence permit as a highly qualified person is regulated by Law 14/2013 on support for entrepreneurs and not by the General Immigration Law, so all applications are directed to the Large Companies Unit in Spain (UGE).
How do I start the process?
The authorization is requested by the company or a duly accredited representative of said company who is interested in incorporating the services of a highly qualified professional into their company.
It can be an employment relationship, through an employment contract, or a professional relationship, in which the professional is a self-employed worker and seventy-five percent of their income comes from said company.
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Who can apply?
- Managerial or highly qualified personnel from large companies or business groups or SMEs in strategic sectors.
- Managerial or highly qualified personnel of business projects of general interest.
- Graduates and postgraduates from prestigious universities and business schools.
Benefits
- A residence permit for CAP will be required with a duration of up to two years renewable or the duration of the contract if it is less than two years.
- The residence permit allows you to live and work and is valid throughout the national territory.
- If the foreigner is outside of Spain, they can apply for a residence visa once they have obtained the authorization.
- Joint processing of family members (spouse or civil partner, minor children or adult children who are financially dependent on the holder and ascendants in their care).
- Streamlining the process in about 20 days and centralizing it in a single window: Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit.
- The National Employment Situation does not apply.
- Free movement within the Schengen member countries.
