Renovación de Residencia y Trabajo por Cuenta Ajena
Renewal of a work residence permit with the right to be employed
Renewing a work and residence permit for employed persons (Autorización de Residencia y Trabajo por Cuenta Ajena) allows the employee to continue working legally in Spain and retain their resident status.
Your personal manager will accompany you every step of the way, monitoring all stages and resolving any issues that arise.
Preparation of documents
We take care of the entire document preparation process, including checking them to eliminate errors and delays.
Case audit
If your situation is complex, we will conduct a detailed audit and offer customised solutions to increase your chances of success.
Personal manager
Your personal manager will accompany you every step of the way, monitoring all stages and resolving any issues that arise.
Preparation of documents
We take care of the entire document preparation process, including checking them to eliminate errors and delays.
Case audit
If your situation is complex, we will conduct a detailed audit and offer customised solutions to increase your chances of success.
Who is it suitable for?
This extension is intended for non-EU nationals who:
Hold a valid work permit with the right to be employed (General Scheme).
They wish to continue working in Spain under an employment contract.
Have completed or are currently completing the minimum period of employment required by law.
✍ General Terms
Traductor Jurado (Sworn Translation) — a translation performed by a translator officially accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some documents on the list must have a "jurado" translation. You can find the full list of accredited translators via this [link]. In addition to the official list, there are many agencies that work with multiple translators at once.
NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) — a unique identification number for foreigners. This number is assigned once for life. You can request it separately at the police station or receive it automatically after applying for a residency permit (VNV).
TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) — the physical ID card for foreigners in Spain. It contains your photo, NIE number, and the type and expiration date of your residency.
Padrón / Empadronamiento (Registration) — a local census registration (residency certificate). Registration in Spain is much simpler than in many other countries; you can register even in a rented apartment.
Cita (Appointment) — any scheduled meeting or booking, even a romantic date ❤️. In the context of visas, it refers to an appointment at a government office or police station. For example: "you need to book a cita for fingerprints."
Tasa (Government Fee) — a state tax or administrative fee that must be paid for various legal procedures and applications.
Matrícula (Enrollment) — an official document confirming enrollment in an educational institution for a specific course, including the exact study dates.
Nota Simple — an extract from the Spanish Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad) containing essential information about a property and its legal status. The document is valid for no more than 3 months.
✍ Health Insurance Terms
Sin copago (No Co-payment) — insurance policies with full coverage where you don't have to pay extra for each doctor's visit.
Sin carencia (No Waiting Period) — insurance policies without "waiting periods" for certain services (for example, you can get an MRI immediately rather than waiting 6 months after the policy starts).
Key legislation
Law 4/2000 (Organic Law 4/2000). Royal Decree 1155/2024 (Articles 80 and 81) — govern the renewal of residence permits and employment contracts.
Requirements
The key requirement is proof of fulfilment of employment obligations and continuity of service.
Period of residence: It must be confirmed that, during the period of validity of the previous residence permit, the applicant met one of the following conditions:
At least 9 months' employment (registered with Social Security) within the last 12 months.
At least 18 months of employment within the last 24 months.
OR has worked for 6 months and is looking for work (registered as unemployed), and signed a new contract at the time of renewal.
OR has been employed for less than 6 months for reasons beyond their control (e.g. illness, violence), is seeking work (registered with the SPE) and holds a contract at the time of renewal.
No criminal record: No criminal record in Spain or in countries of previous residence.
Tax and social security arrears: No outstanding debts to the tax authorities (Agencia Tributaria) or the social security system (Seguridad Social).
Validity period: The permit is valid for 4 years (if this is the second or subsequent permit leading to permanent residence).
Required documents
Main list
Renewal application form (Official Form EX-03).
A valid passport.
A copy of the current TIE.
Employment history statement (Informe de vida laboral) to confirm the period of employment.
Proof of payment of the fee (Form 790): Code 052, sections 2.2.1–2.2.7
Application procedure
The procedure is carried out at the Foreigners’ Office (Oficina de Extranjería) in your area of residence. The application must be submitted within 60 calendar days before the expiry of your current residence permit or within 90 days after its expiry (submitting the application after the expiry date may result in a fine).
Serving:
It is usually submitted by the employer or the applicant, preferably online.
Consideration:
The processing time is up to three months. Submitting an application automatically extends your legal stay until a decision is made.
Obtaining a TIE:
If approved, you must apply for a new TIE card from the police.
Don’t let your residence permit expire!
We will help you put together a comprehensive set of documents, confirm that you have fulfilled all your obligations (whether work-related or academic), and submit your application on time to avoid fines and ensure that you can continue to live in Spain legally.
What does the service include?
Suitable for most applicants. We provide full support throughout the entire process and see your application through to the granting of a residence permit.
Case assessment: Checking documents for compliance with Spanish immigration regulations.
Preparing the application: Compiling a complete set of documents for the consulate or immigration authorities.
Health insurance: Finding a competitive policy and taking out insurance with a Spanish company.
Medical certificate: Arranging for the issue of a standard-format medical certificate.
Certified translation: Official translation (2 pages included in the price).
Technical translation: Preparation of translations (3 pages included in the price).
Application process: Booking an appointment at the Consulate and obtaining access codes.
Completing forms: Preparing all forms, applications and receipts for the payment of fees.
Submission by a solicitor: Electronic submission of documents via the solicitor’s official portal.