Spain Job Seeker Visa
for Graduates 2026
Graduated from a Spanish university? You may be able to stay for another 12 months on a job seeker visa to find work or start a business. Here is who qualifies and how it works.
The Spain Job Seeker Visa for Graduates — Prorroga para Búsqueda de Empleo
The prorroga para búsqueda de empleo o para emprender un proyecto empresarial — commonly called the job seeker visa or graduate stay — allows university graduates to remain in Spain for 12 months after completing their degree to look for work or set up a business. It is one of the most valuable post-study options available and is specific to graduates of official university programmes.
Who Qualifies for the Job Seeker Visa
- Must have completed a bachelor's (grado), master's (máster), or doctorate (doctorado) at an officially recognised Spanish or EU university
- The degree must be an official university degree (títulos universitarios oficiales) — not a private non-official programme or language school certificate
- Must have been legally resident in Spain on a student visa at the time of graduation
- Must not have been absent from Spain for more than 90 cumulative days during the study period
- Must apply before the current student visa expires
What the Job Seeker Visa Allows
- 12-month extension to remain in Spain after graduating
- Search for employment in Spain and accept a job offer
- Set up a business or entrepreneurial project in Spain
- Continue to live in Spain with legal residency during the 12 months
- The right to work remains during the job seeker period — you can work while searching
- Not renewable — one application only
Who Does NOT Qualify — Language School Graduates
This is a critical distinction that catches many students off guard. The job seeker visa is specifically for graduates of official university programmes. It does not apply to language school graduates, vocational training graduates, or private academy graduates — even if they studied for several years.
Not Eligible for Job Seeker Visa:
Graduates of language schools (academias de idiomas), private non-university courses, vocational training (FP) programmes, and non-official private institutes do not qualify for the job seeker visa extension. If you studied at a language school, your post-study options are different — you would need to pursue a work permit through an employer or return to your home country and apply for a work visa.
Our immigration specialists can advise on the best pathway for your specific situation — whether or not the job seeker visa applies to you.