Delays in Residence and Work Applications in Spain Due to Immigration System Malfunction

Government sources in Spain have reported an ongoing technical failure in the electronic immigration management system, causing delays in processing thousands of residence permits, work authorizations, and family reunification applications submitted by foreigners residing in the country.

Sources explained that the issue stems from a serious glitch in the AdiXtra database, which is used to verify applicants’ criminal records—a critical step for many residence and work applications within the Spanish system.

This malfunction has halted the automated processing of most applications, forcing immigration officials to manually review each case individually, significantly increasing waiting times.

According to available information, the malfunction began last December and is still ongoing, with estimates suggesting that over 150,000 applications are currently stuck in the queue due to the system’s inability to process the data.

The issue arises at a time when the Spanish government is planning a large-scale regularization of at least 500,000 undocumented migrants starting next April, which further amplifies the pressure on immigration offices and their services.

With no official timeline for the system’s return to normal operation, thousands of newcomers in Spain remain waiting to learn the status of their applications—whether for a residence permit, work authorization, or long-term residence renewal—amid concerns of extended waiting periods and more complicated administrative procedures.

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