Socio-labour roots residence
If you already live in Spain and a company wants to hire you, socio-labour arraigo can get you your papers. We support you from the very first step.
What it involves
Socio-labour arraigo (arraigo sociolaboral) is a way of getting your papers (a residence and work permit) if you already live in Spain without legal status and a company wants to hire you. It is based on your time in Spain and on an employment contract that the employer undertakes to sign with you once the permit is granted.
Is this your case?
- You have been in Spain for some time without papers and an employer has offered you a contract.
- You work in hospitality, farming, construction or care work and your boss wants to regularise you.
- You don't know whether your job offer is valid or what documents the company has to provide.
- Your arraigo was refused because something was missing from the contract or the employer's papers.
How we help
We review your time in Spain and the job offer before submitting anything, because many refusals come from a poorly drafted contract. We coordinate with the company the documents it has to provide, submit the application and follow the file through to the decision. When it arrives, we explain the next steps: registration with Social Security and the fingerprint appointment for your card (TIE). We can help you in Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight, French and English, at our offices in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Málaga and Barcelona or online, wherever you are in Spain.
If you don't have a job offer yet, training roots residence or social roots residence may suit you better.
Frequently asked questions
- How is socio-labour arraigo different from a work permit applied for from my country?
- Socio-labour arraigo is for people who already live in Spain. If you are abroad, the usual route is an initial residence and work permit, which the company applies for while you wait in your country.
- What do I do if the company pulls out before the decision?
- Let us know as soon as possible. Depending on the stage of the process, another job offer or a different route, such as another type of arraigo, can be considered. The important thing is not to leave the file unanswered.
- Can I start working as soon as I submit the application?
- Generally, no. You have to wait until the permit is granted and the company registers you with Social Security. We explain what to do at each stage so you don't put your papers at risk.
Last updated:
Tell us about your case.
A first conversation — confidential and without obligation — to understand whether we can help, and how.
We speak Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight (Berber), French and English.