
At a Glance
- Government processing times for all major work authorization types under the Entrepreneur’s Act in Spain are now approximately four months, up from the statutory processing time of 20 business days, due to a continued backlog.
- Employers seeking to send employees to Spain are advised to initiate transfers and assignments well in advance, and to account for the delays in planning work start dates.
The situation
Fragomen reports that processing of all major work authorization types under the Entrepreneur’s Act in Spain is now approximately four months, up from the statutory processing time of 20 business days. The delay is due to a backlog at the Large Companies Unit, the main immigration authority for employment-based immigration.
Impact
- Plan ahead. Employers and foreign nationals should initiate transfers and assignments well in advance of their anticipated work start date to compensate for the delays.
- File administrative silence request. Applicants should request the Large Companies Unit to confirm approval based on the ‘administrative silence’ rule, under which applications are automatically approved within 15 business days if the statutory processing time of 20 business days has passed and there has not been a request for additional information. Notably, however, this 15-business-day adjudication time is currently delayed.
Background
Spanish immigration authorities have faced processing delays due to a backlog since June 2019, exacerbated by staff shortages in the December holiday period. Separately, appointment delays for many application types in Madrid and Barcelona, reported in October 2019, still persist.
The application processing times in Spain fall on the high end for average work authorization processing times in the European Union:
Looking ahead
The authorities have not yet announced any specific actions to address the backlog. Applications are currently adjudicated on a first-come-first-serve basis.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post
Senior Associate Stephania Bertoni Norris and Associate Kelsey McGonigle discuss how travelers and businesses should prepare for potential changes to Chile’s eligibility for the US ESTA program.

Blog post
Partner Azeem Mohiuddin discusses Kuwait’s evolving visa landscape, talent mobility trends and emerging business opportunities for employers in 2025.

Podcast
Michali Henig of HelloFresh shares her global mobility career journey and offers insights into attracting international talent to Germany, covering immigration, relocation, integration and more.

Media mentions
Manager Kirsty Moore shares insights in a podcast interview on recent UK immigration changes, their impact on the construction industry and steps employers can take to remain compliant.

Awards
Partners Audrea Golding and Emily Allen are finalists for the 2025 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards in the Thought Leadership and Innovative Leaders categories.

Video
Explore Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and learn how to apply for permanent residency. Includes eligibility, application steps and benefits for skilled workers and graduates.

Blog post
Senior Manager Noman Khan explores Iraq’s shifting compliance landscape beyond its oil industry, highlighting emerging regulatory trends and challenges.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg highlights how new US visa rules restrict travel for students from Nigeria and Ghana.

Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.

Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Blog post
Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.

Blog post
Senior Associate Stephania Bertoni Norris and Associate Kelsey McGonigle discuss how travelers and businesses should prepare for potential changes to Chile’s eligibility for the US ESTA program.

Blog post
Partner Azeem Mohiuddin discusses Kuwait’s evolving visa landscape, talent mobility trends and emerging business opportunities for employers in 2025.

Podcast
Michali Henig of HelloFresh shares her global mobility career journey and offers insights into attracting international talent to Germany, covering immigration, relocation, integration and more.

Media mentions
Manager Kirsty Moore shares insights in a podcast interview on recent UK immigration changes, their impact on the construction industry and steps employers can take to remain compliant.

Awards
Partners Audrea Golding and Emily Allen are finalists for the 2025 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards in the Thought Leadership and Innovative Leaders categories.

Video
Explore Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and learn how to apply for permanent residency. Includes eligibility, application steps and benefits for skilled workers and graduates.

Blog post
Senior Manager Noman Khan explores Iraq’s shifting compliance landscape beyond its oil industry, highlighting emerging regulatory trends and challenges.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg highlights how new US visa rules restrict travel for students from Nigeria and Ghana.

Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.

Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Blog post
Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.