As of 20 May 2025, the updated Reglamento de Extranjería — the Spanish Immigration Regulation — has come into force. It introduced significant changes to the process of switching from a student residence permit to a work residence, particularly for students enrolled in language courses. 

In this article:

• Who can modify a Student residence permit into a Work residence
• Who cannot apply
• When to apply
• Key requirements
• Good news
• Summary

Who сan modify a Student residence permit into a Work residence

• Language course students who submitted their visa applications before 20 May 2025 retain the right to modify their student residence to a work residence — provided they have a valid employment contract or a self-employment project.
• Students enrolled in officially recognised higher education institutions can also apply for modification, even if their application was submitted after 20 May, thanks to specific provisions in the regulation that support this pathway.

Who cannot apply

• Students who obtained a student visa after 20 May 2025 and are studying  in non-accredited language courses (not affiliated with an official university or higher education institution) cannot convert their student  residence into a work permit.
• If your original visa application for a language course was submitted before 20 May, but you decide to renew your student residence instead of modifying it — the opportunity to modify will be lost. That’s why it’s crucial to make a strategic decision before your current residence expires.

When to apply

You can apply for modification:

• Up to 60 days before your student residence expires
• And up to 90 days after its expiration

Key requirements

To submit a modification request, the following essential documents and conditions are required:

1.  A valid passport and current student residence permit
2. Certificate of course completion, corresponding to the studies that granted your student residence
3. Proof of relevant education or professional experience
4. Employment contract with a Spanish company: 
    ▫️ Indefinite-term
    ▫️ 40 hours per week
    ▫️ With a monthly salary of at least €1,184
    
5. The company must be financially compliant, with up-to-date tax and social security payments
6. The studies must not have been subsidised by Spain or the applicant’s home country under any sustainable development or humanitarian cooperation programmes — this requirement has been reinstated under the new regulation. 

Good News: You can work while awaiting the decision

Since 20 May 2025, a new rule has been introduced: if you apply for a modification after completing higher vocational education, you are allowed to start working full-time (40 hours/week) as soon as your application is marked admitida a trámite (accepted for processing).
Previously, students were not permitted to work until receiving formal approval of their modification request.

Summary

•  Language course students who applied before 20 May 2025 can switch to a work residence   
• Renewing your student residence (instead of modifying it) will cancel the opportunity to switch — make sure to decide before the renewal
• Students enrolled in accredited universities or higher education institutions retain the right to apply for modification regardless of when they applied
• If you're applying from a higher education background, you're now allowed to work full-time while waiting for the outcome of your application    

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