Migrant regularisation deadline ends Tuesday with over 900,000 applications

The extraordinary regularisation process for migrants in Spain closes on Tuesday, with more than 900,000 applications submitted. The government defends the process as a success, while NGOs warn of delays and possible duplications.

The deadline for Spain's extraordinary migrant regularisation process ends on Tuesday, June 30, with the Ministry of Migrations reporting over 900,000 applications as of June 15. The process, which began on April 16, was initially expected to benefit around half a million people, but the National Police had estimated that up to 1.35 million migrants could be eligible. With the clock ticking, various organisations are pressuring the government to extend the deadline.

According to official figures, the number of applications stands at more than 900,000, but the Ministry has cautioned that this figure may include duplicates. 'The data is still being filtered,' a Ministry spokesperson said, adding that the process is proceeding normally and that provisional authorisations are already being issued after a thorough review of each file.

However, concerns remain about those who may be left out due to the lack of time to gather the necessary documents. In response, several political groups—including Podemos, Sumar, EH Bildu, ERC, and BNG—have presented a non-law proposal in Congress to extend the deadline. They argue that the June 30 cut-off is arbitrary and that 'if there is political will, it can be done,' despite the government's insistence that an extension is not possible.

Defending the process, Minister of Migrations Elma Saiz called it a 'success for the country' and emphasised that it will culminate in the 'emergence of employment, with rights and obligations for migrants and the strengthening of the labour market.' She stressed that the regularisation is 'not a full stop' but the beginning of a long-term strategy to modernise migration policy, 'expand social protection, and strengthen our public pension system.'

On the other hand, the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR) offered a different perspective on the volume of applications. On June 15, the organisation estimated that one million applications had been submitted, surpassing official figures. However, its director general, Mónica López, also warned of 'the possibility of duplications,' explaining that 'surely, in that million there will be many duplicates because people have applied through different channels.' López stated that, even though two weeks remained until the deadline, there was already talk of one million applications.

López also highlighted the state of the processing: according to CEAR data, only about 300,000 applications have been admitted for processing, representing just 30% of the total submitted. She denounced a 'significant delay' in management, saying that 'the 15 days that were initially mentioned are not being met in most cases,' generating uncertainty among applicants. She also warned that the final number of applications could be even higher due to last-minute submissions.

The regularisation process has been a key issue in Spanish politics, with debates over its capacity to integrate migrants and its impact on the economy. As the deadline approaches, thousands of migrants are rushing to complete their paperwork, while officials work to process the avalanche of applications. The government has promised to release a comprehensive evaluation after the process concludes.

For those who have not yet applied, the deadline is strict: Tuesday, June 30, at the end of the business day. Applicants must have submitted their documentation through the official channels to be considered.