Sipu Jha
Hundreds of Pakistani migrants have been queuing outside the consulate in Barcelona as Spain begins a major regularisation process for undocumented immigrants. The surge follows a decree approved by the Socialist-led Spanish government, reports Ara (Newspaper based in Barcelona). It offers legal residency and work permits to roughly 500,000 people who have lived in the country for at least five months as of December 31, 2025.The Pakistani consulate on Sarrià Avenue has been overwhelmed, with lines forming hours before the office opens at nine in the morning. Many migrants are seeking criminal record certificates, which are a key requirement for the new immigration programme.Some of the people waiting in the queue described their experience:
- Asad, waiting for four hours, said, “I’ve been waiting for four hours, but I’ll stay as long as necessary.” He is queuing to get a document to send to his mother in Pakistan so she can provide a certificate proving his status. He has no criminal record, one of the eligibility requirements.
- Ahmed, who arrived in Barcelona a year ago, explained in English: “I need the letter to send to my mother, so she can get a certificate and send it to me.” His wife and three-year-old daughter remain in Pakistan, and completing the paperwork will make it easier for them to join him.
- Umar, fluent in Spanish and Catalan, has been helping others in the queues. He noted that sometimes the calm turns into commotion when consulate staff hand out numbers to people waiting.
- Asir and Ahmed waited since 7:30 in the morning and received number 192 by 10:00.
- Ayman, said, “I have to do this because I don’t know when they’re going to deport me.” He came alone two years ago and has lived in Andalusia, Madrid, and Barcelona.
- Omar, a bricklayer who has been undocumented for three years, came to request a certificate granting power of attorney so he could get other paperwork processed.
Lamine Sarr, spokesperson for the initiative Regularización Ya and a member of Top Manta, said the rush for documents was expected. “It’s the best news an undocumented person can receive. It will not only allow them to work or access decent housing, but it will also allow them to see their families again after years of working in Spain,” he explained. He added that life without papers is extremely difficult and described the path to legal status as “very complicated.”
The decree is expected to benefit around 500,000 people, including more than 150,000 in Catalonia. Adults and their children will receive five-year residency permits if they meet the requirements, which include a clean criminal record in Spain and their home country.
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