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Residence for authority collaboration, national security or public interest

SpainSpecial cases

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in Spain Read the five questions ↓

What exactly is the official special programme/status and why does it exist?

This is a temporary residence authorisation for exceptional circumstances for foreigners who collaborate with administrative, police, prosecution or judicial authorities on matters unrelated to the fight against organised networks, or where public-interest or national-security reasons justify authorising their residence in Spain.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rd/2024/11/19/1155/con
    1. Se podrá conceder una autorización a las personas extranjeras que colaboren con las autoridades administrativas, policiales, fiscales o judiciales en cuestiones ajenas a la lucha contra redes organizadas, o cuando concurran razones de interés público o seguridad nacional que justifiquen la necesidad de autorizar su residencia en España.

Which specific population, role, circumstance or historical/legal situation does it cover?

It covers foreigners who collaborate with administrative, police, prosecution or judicial authorities on matters unrelated to the fight against organised networks, or whose residence in Spain is justified by public-interest or national-security reasons.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The official source does not state the complete answer to this question for this route.
  • https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rd/2024/11/19/1155/con
    1. Se podrá conceder una autorización a las personas extranjeras que colaboren con las autoridades administrativas, policiales, fiscales o judiciales en cuestiones ajenas a la lucha contra redes organizadas, o cuando concurran razones de interés público o seguridad nacional que justifiquen la necesidad de autorizar su residencia en España.

What circumstance, event, relationship, nomination, invitation or status activates access?

Access is activated by the collaboration itself or by the public-interest or national-security circumstance; the authorities concerned may urge the competent bodies to grant the authorisation to the person.

See recorded sources

What sponsor, authority, nomination, certification, evidence or other step must occur before the status can be obtained?

No visa is required; the foreigner applies in person to the competent body with a valid passport (or registration card/travel document) and documents proving the situation. For police/prosecution/judicial collaboration and national-security cases, a report from the relevant police headquarters (State or regional) and, where applicable, the prosecution or judicial authority must accompany the application.

See recorded sources

What immigration status and rights result, how long do they last, can family be included, and what happens if the special qualifying circumstance ends?

Temporary residence valid for one year, with a work authorisation (employed or self-employed) without geographic or occupational limits. Authorisations granted by the Secretary of State for Security can be extended for successive one-year periods while the reasons persist; if the authorities conclude the reasons have ceased, the holder may apply for an ordinary residence or residence-and-work authorisation under article 191. The official source does not state whether family members can be included.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Family inclusion is not stated.
  • Extension rule for authorisations granted by the Directorate-General for Migration Management is not stated specifically.
  • https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rd/2024/11/19/1155/con
    La concesión de una autorización de residencia temporal por circunstancias excepcionales prevista en este capítulo llevará aparejada una autorización de trabajo por cuenta propia o ajena en España sin limitación de ámbito geográfico y ocupación durante la vigencia de aquélla
  • https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rd/2024/11/19/1155/con
    1. En virtud de su carácter excepcional, las autorizaciones previstas en este capítulo, así como sus prórrogas, tendrán una vigencia de un año
  • https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rd/2024/11/19/1155/con
    c) Las personas titulares de una autorización concedida por la persona titular de la Secretaría de Estado de Seguridad, o autoridad en quien delegue, podrán prorrogar la autorización por periodos sucesivos de un año siempre que se aprecie por las autoridades competentes que persisten las razones que motivaron su concesión. Solamente en el caso de que las autoridades concluyesen que han cesado las razones que motivaron su concesión, podrán solicitar una autorización de residencia o una autorización de residencia y trabajo de acuerdo con lo previsto en el artículo 191 de este Reglamento.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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