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052 — Exceptional Circumstances Authorization (Autorización de Residencia por Circunstancias Excepcionales)
VisasSpain052 — Exceptional Circumstances Authorization (Autorización de Residencia por Circunstancias Excepcionales)
SpainSpain•Europe
Open

052 — Exceptional Circumstances Authorization (Autorización de Residencia por Circunstancias Excepcionales)

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

At a Glance

Processing Time

3 months

Application Fee

54.36 EUR

Stay Duration

1 year

Renewable

No

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Not Specified

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Not Required

Apply Now Official Information
Spain flag

Living in Spain

Cost of Living
25% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary€24,000
Quality of Life
186/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

The Arraigo (Autorizacion de Residencia por Circunstancias Excepcionales) is a Spanish regularization pathway for undocumented individuals who have built genuine ties in the country. Subcategories include Social, Laboral, Familiar, and Formacion, each targeting a different profile of integration.

The authorization is valid for 1 year, grants full work rights as employee or self-employed, and can be renewed and converted to standard long-term residence. Fees total EUR 54.36 (EUR 38.28 for the authorization + EUR 16.08 for the TIE card). Processing takes up to 3 months.

This visa is ideal for undocumented migrants already living in Spain who can demonstrate at least 2 years of continuous presence and meaningful social, family, or labor ties.

Fee Breakdown

Administrative authorization fee (Modelo 790-052)
38.28 EUR
TIE card fee (Modelo 790-012)
16.08 EUR

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Employee Work Visa (Visado de trabajo por cuenta ajena)
Spain flagSpain

Employee Work Visa (Visado de trabajo por cuenta ajena)

Validity1 year
Processing3 months
View Visa Details
Self-Employment Visa (Autónomo)
Spain flagSpain

Self-Employment Visa (Autónomo)

Validity1 year
Processing4-6 months
View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Proof of continuous residence in Spain (typically 2 years)

Lack of criminal records in Spain and countries of residence for the last 5 years

Valid passport

Evidence of social, family, or labor ties (e.g., employment contract, family relationship, or social integration report)

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Provides a legal pathway to residency for individuals currently in an irregular situation
  • Includes authorization to work as an employee or self-employed individual
  • Serves as a stepping stone to long-term residency and potential citizenship

Worth Knowing

  • Requires proof of continuous presence in Spain, which can be difficult to document if undocumented
  • Strict requirements regarding criminal records and absence limits from Spain
  • Application must be submitted in person within Spain, not from abroad

Application Process

1

Gather required documentation including proof of residence and ties

2

Schedule an appointment at the local Foreigners' Office (Oficina de Extranjería)

3

Submit the application and pay the required administrative fee

4

Await decision and, if approved, register with Social Security

5

Apply for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE)

Application Forms

Go to application portal
EX-10 Form
Solicitud de autorizacion de residencia/residencia y trabajo por circunstancias excepcionales
Fill online

Verified Claims (17)

Last verified May 31, 2026
Application StepsGather required documentation including proof of residence and ties; Schedule an appointment at the …inclusion.gob.es
Fee BreakdownAdministrative authorization fee (Modelo 790-052): 38.28 EUR; TIE card fee (Modelo 790-012): 16.08 E…visalimmigration.com
FeesEUR 38.28 (administrative authorization fee - Modelo 790-052) + EUR 16.08 (TIE card - Modelo 790-012…visalimmigration.com
FormsEX-10 Form (Solicitud de autorización de residencia/residencia y trabajo por circunstancias excepcio…inclusion.gob.es
Forms · EX-10 Form · descriptionSolicitud de autorizacion de residencia/residencia y trabajo por circunstancias excepcionalesinclusion.gob.es
Included Nationalities—inclusion.gob.es
Application Portalhttps://mercurio.delegaciondelgobierno.gob.es/mercurio/mercurio.delegaciondelgobierno.gob.es
Official Infohttps://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/vivir-en-espana/tipos-de-autorizacion/no-cuenta-con-una…inclusion.gob.es

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