Spain is one of the most popular European countries for emigration from the former Soviet republics, including Kazakhstan. This is due not only to the excellent climate, relatively inexpensive prices, accessible private medicine and the more than loyal attitude of the local population and official bodies towards foreigners, but also to the presence of a large number of options for relocation, clearly prescribed at the legislative level.

Pros and cons of moving to Spain from Kazakhstan

Let us draw the readers’ attention to the pros and cons of moving to Spain from Kazakhstan. In addition to the above advantages, the following should be mentioned:

• Excellent infrastructure, high-quality roads, good transport links within the country and within the EU;
• High quality food products at relatively low prices, constant presence of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables on store shelves;
• Cosmopolitan nature of resorts and most cities;
• Good level of medicine at low cost of private health insurance;
• Social and political stability;
• Unified and transparent schemes for purchasing real estate or starting a business, the same for both citizens of the country and foreigners.

Of the minuses, we note:

• Difficulties in the functioning of the banking system;
• High level of bureaucracy and slow work of official services.
• Lack of widespread use of the English language.

The disadvantages can be avoided if: a) you take your choice of bank seriously; b) conduct all affairs with the support of a good tax consultant and/or lawyer; c) hire a translator to accompany you through authorities or study Spanish.

Moving to Spain from Kazakhstan: working methods

There are different ways to move to Spain from Kazakhstan. All of them are prescribed by law and have clear conditions and requirements for the applicant. We will consider the following methods: study visa, residence permit without the right to work due to financial independence, residence permit without the right to work when purchasing inexpensive real estate, Golden visa, residence permit and marriage to a Spanish citizen.

We will not consider the method of moving to Spain on a work visa, because… it cannot be called widespread: an invitation to work is a rare case, suggesting that the employer is keenly interested in a foreign specialist due to the lack of necessary personnel in the local labor market. From a bureaucratic point of view, this is one of the most difficult ways to move.

Also, we will not dwell on the method of moving to Spain for family reunification. We only note that a resident of Spain can be reunited with a child, spouse or parents, and the most important conditions for this are the availability of sufficient living space and sufficient income for the family.

Study visa to move to Spain from Kazakhstan

Moving on a study visa is the easiest way. It is suitable for people under 35 years of age who want to get an education in Spain, improve their existing level of education and qualifications at a university or business school, and begin to intensively study Spanish with full immersion in the language environment.

The first place to start is to choose a suitable educational institution accredited by the Ministry of Education. If we are talking about a language school, then it must be accredited by the Cervantes Institute. The intensity of any studies must be at least 20 hours per week, and upon completion of studies, official diplomas must be issued.

Pros of choosing a study visa as a way to move to Spain from Kazakhstan:

• Minimum financial investment: you only need to confirm the availability of housing, full payment and enrollment in the course, as well as the availability of sufficient funds for living for the entire duration of the visa (important: for students, a relaxation has been made, and instead of an amount equivalent to 400% IPREM (as in the case of a residence permit without the right to work), you must show the amount based on 100% IPREM).
• The possibility of obtaining a visa both at home through the Spanish consulate, and directly in Spain itself (for example, if it is possible to come to the country on a tourist visa).
• Possibility of multiple visa extensions without leaving Spain in case of successful passing of exams and transfer to a higher course.
• The opportunity, after completing training, to request an annual residence permit to look for work in Spain, or a full-fledged residence permit with the right to work for hire (if an employer is found) or with the right to work for oneself (if there is a business project and a desire to start working as an individual entrepreneur).
• Possibility of obtaining a work permit (no more than 20 hours per week), if the nature and schedule of study allows such a combination.
• Possibility of obtaining a residence permit in Spain for family members of the student (spouse, child).
• The package of documents must include: documents on the availability of housing (own, rented or on campus), documents of an economic nature, a document on enrollment in a training course, medical insurance (providing full insurance coverage, including repatriation and hospitalization), a certificate of good conduct (for adult students), a medical certificate with a note of the absence of dangerous diseases.

In the case of a minor student, the above package is supplemented by a notarial consent of the parents/guardians for the child to travel to Spain, a notarial decision to appoint a responsible guardian in Spain, economic documents from the person sponsoring the trip, and a letter of guarantee from the sponsor to accept all possible expenses.

The current list of documents can always be found on the website of the Spanish Consulate or on the Migration Portal.

If a study visa is issued for a period of more than 180 days, then upon arrival in Spain you will need to apply for a plastic card (Tarjeta de Estudiante) at the police station at your place of residence.

Residence permit without the right to work for financial independence

This is another very popular way to move to Spain from Kazakhstan. Two important conditions include: the applicant must document that he has, where to live (the law allows for both his own housing and rented housing) and what to live on.

The issue of confirming financial independence must be taken seriously. As supporting documents, you can submit a certificate of employment indicating your position, salary, length of service and, preferably, the ability to perform your duties remotely.

Owners of their own business submit statutory documents, extracts from registers of entrepreneurs and legal entities, tax returns, and certificates of absence of tax arrears. In the case of passive income, statements from investment or pension funds, rental agreements, certificates of deposits, and, of course, bank statements are presented. All these documents serve as confirmation of the source of income and its legality.

In addition, it is mandatory to confirm the availability of funds for the entire period of validity of the residence permit (the initial residence permit is issued for a period of one year). The calculation is based on the IPREM indicator: the main applicant must account for 400% of the IPREM per month, while the amount must be deposited in a bank account for the year. If a residence permit for close relatives is requested at the same time, then for each additional family member an additional 100% of the IPREM must be paid.

In addition to all of the above, it is necessary to meet a number of additional requirements: not have a criminal record, not have a ban on entry into Spain, have health insurance with full coverage, have a medical certificate confirming the absence of dangerous diseases. A motivation letter for the consulate would be useful, in which the applicant in free form will justify his desire to move to Spain for permanent residence and describe what attracts him.

The advantages of this method of moving to Spain from Kazakhstan:

• Possibility to obtain a residence permit for the whole family (if possible, confirm the availability of sufficient funds).
• Opportunity to travel throughout the European Union.
• The opportunity to request the right to work after the first year of residence (it will be difficult to obtain the right to work for hire, but the right to work for oneself is quite possible if you have a business plan or an already established company where the owner plans to work as a manager).

There were some downsides:

• A Spanish residence permit requires the applicant to stay in Spain for at least 183 days a year, otherwise an extension will be denied.
• At each renewal, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds in your account (preferably in a Spanish bank). Because The first and second extensions are made for 2 years, the calculation according to the above formula should be carried out for exactly this period.
• The applicant and all members of his family must have private health insurance providing full coverage throughout Spain without any co-payments or restrictions.

Residence permit without the right to work when purchasing inexpensive real estate

This is a special case of the previous method of moving. Having purchased real estate in Spain worth up to €500,000 and being able to prove financial independence, it is also possible to request a residence permit without the right to work.

The rules for receiving and renewing are completely the same as those specified in the previous paragraph. As documents confirming ownership, a notarized bill of sale (Escritura de compraventa) and an extract from the Property Register (Nota Simple Informativa), received no earlier than 3 months before submitting documents to the consulate, are presented.

Golden visa as a way to move to Spain from Kazakhstan

The “Golden Visa” means as many as six ways of moving. What they have in common is that the paperwork takes place within the framework of the law “On the support of entrepreneurs and their internationalization” according to an accelerated and simplified scheme. Moreover, a residence permit is immediately given with the right to work to both the main applicant and adult members of his family.

A golden visa can be issued either through a consulate in the country of permanent residence of the applicant, or directly in Spain, if there is another opportunity to legally enter its territory (on a tourist visa, for example, or having another type of residence permit). A golden visa, unlike a standard residence permit, does not oblige you to stay in the country for 183 days a year: it is enough to come at least once during its validity period.

The Golden Visa can be extended provided that the required amount of investment is maintained or other basic requirements are met. At the same time, you can change the subtype of the visa (sell real estate and invest in financial assets, close deposits and open an innovative business, etc.) – the main thing is that there are grounds for maintaining/extending the Golden Visa as provided for by law.

Golden visa based on investment in financial assets

Investment options:

• 2.000.000 € in Spanish government bonds (government bonds).
• 1.000.000 € into the authorized capitals of Spanish companies.
• 1.000.000 € to Spanish investment funds.
• 1.000.000 € as a deposit in any Spanish bank.

Golden visa for purchasing expensive real estate

In this case we are talking about the purchase of real estate costing from 500,000 €. Borrowed funds can be used, but only in excess of the specified amount. For example, if you buy a house for 750,000 €, then 500,000 € should be your own, and the missing 250,000 € can be borrowed from the bank.

If the property is purchased by spouses and both want to obtain an independent Golden Visa (and not a visa for family members of the investor), then each spouse must invest €500,000 in the purchase. The law does not oblige you to buy one expensive object: you can purchase several of a lower value – the main thing is that the total purchase amount is at least half a million euros.

Golden visa for starting an innovative business

The law does not establish any restrictions on the volume of investments. The most important conditions are:

• The project should be based on scientific and technical innovations in the areas of IT technology, ecology, renewable energy sources, etc.;
• The project must be of public, social and economic interest for Spain as a whole and for the region in whose territory it will be implemented;
• The project must include job creation.
• The project must be approved by the Spanish Trade and Economic Representation in the country of residence of the applicant.
• The applicant himself must have the required level of education and professional skills in accordance with the chosen field of activity.
• Golden visa for highly qualified specialists

Who can count on receiving this type of Golden Visa:

• Senior management of large companies or groups of companies in strategically important sectors of the economy.
• Highly qualified specialists and senior management of projects that are commercial in nature and have social significance.
• Highly qualified specialists from higher educational institutions and business schools.

Golden visa for specialists in the educational and research fields

This method of moving to Spain from Kazakhstan is suitable for specialists engaged in research activities and in the development of innovative technologies, as well as for university teachers, business schools and research centers.

Golden visa for business travelers

As the name implies, this method is suitable for relocating specialists who are transferred within the company from the Kazakh branch to the Spanish one.

Golden visa for family members of the investor

Minor children, spouses, as well as adult children and parents of the investor who are in his care can receive a special residence permit – the Golden Visa of a family member of the investor. The validity period of this visa coincides with the main one, i.e. is dependent, but in terms of other characteristics it has no differences: it does not limit the period of stay, gives the right to work, and can be issued both through the consulate and in Spain.

If the Golden Visa was obtained on the basis of an investment in financial assets, the purchase of real estate or the implementation of an innovative project, you will need to take out medical insurance with full coverage, as well as confirm that you have sufficient funds for living.

Alegria company provides assistance in obtaining a Golden visa in Spain. We accompany you at all stages until you receive your resident card and subsequent renewal. More details about the service are here:

ВНЖ инвестора в Испании. Золотая виза в Испании – получение в Alegria Service

Legalization by Settlement in Spain

Legalization by settlement is a special type of receipt Spanish residence permit (residence) due to emergency circumstances. Legalization by settled life is of three types: by family settled life, by labor settled life and by social settled life.

Family Settlement in Spain

The first method – family settlement – is used very rarely, because it is suitable exclusively for foreign citizens whose minor child or parent has Spanish citizenship. In this case, there is no need to confirm any specific period of stay in the country, nor to submit an employment contract to the migration service. The main thing is to document the relationship with a child or parent who has Spanish citizenship.

Labor settlement in Spain

The second method is also rarely used, because legalization by residence requires that the applicant has resided continuously in Spain for at least two years, and during these two years worked for at least 6 months. The problem is that staying in the country illegally only allows you to work illegally. And in this case, the supporting documents are the conclusion of the Labor Inspectorate or a court decision. In other words, it will be possible to become legalized only by causing huge problems for the employer who agreed to hire an illegal immigrant. In case of a positive decision by the migration authorities, a residence permit will be issued with the right to work.

Recently, changes have been made to the legislation. And now this method can be used, for example, by citizens who had a residence permit with the right to work, who worked the required period (provided they were employed for at least 30 hours a week), but then for some reason did not renew or lost their residence.

Social settlement in Spain

Third way – legalization by social settlement – the most popular. It requires the applicant to confirm continuous presence in Spain for 3 years. To obtain the right to work, you must submit a full-time employment contract for at least a year. If the right to work is not required, or you have difficulty finding an employer, you can demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to live on (for example, in the form of savings or passive income). If there is a resident relative (for example, a spouse), a marriage certificate must be submitted. If there are no relatives, then you need to obtain a certificate of social integration from the local city hall.

The main difficulty with legalization by social settlement is finding a suitable employer who:

a) needs a foreign worker;

b) has no tax debts;

c) has a declared income that allows him to hire an employee and fulfill his obligations to pay wages and social contributions.

Marriage to a Spanish citizen

Marriage to a Spanish citizen We put it in a separate section, because in this case, the registration of a residence permit for a foreign spouse will take place within the framework of the provisions of a special law regulating the rights of European citizens and members of their families. In this case, marriage can be concluded both on the territory of Spain and abroad (at the consular authorities or at the local registry office of the country where registration takes place).

The paperwork procedure in this case is simpler and faster, but, nevertheless, you will still have to comply with a number of requirements regarding health insurance and the amount of family income.

Similarly, within the framework of a special law, family reunification occurs with a citizen of another EU country who has a residence permit in Spain.

Useful links

• Website of the Spanish Visa Application Center in Kazakhstan: https://kz.blsspainvisa.com/russian/index.php
• Website of the Spanish Embassy and Consulate in Kazakhstan: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/astana/ru/Paginas/index.aspx
• Migration portal of the Spanish Ministry of Integration, Social Security and Migration: https://extranjeros.inclusion.gob.es/es/InformacionInteres/index.html

Also, in conclusion, we would like to remind you that all documents issued in a foreign language must be translated into Spanish: if the translation is made on the territory of Kazakhstan, it must be certified by the Spanish consulate; if the translation is made in Spain, you can choose any sworn translator (traductor jurado) authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The current list of translators can be found on the ministry’s website: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/ServiciosAlCiudadano/Paginas/Traductores-Interpretes-Jurados.aspx