Collective Regularization in Spain: Yassine Azzar Believes Demand Has Significantly Exceeded Expectations

BARCELONA – The recent collective regularization operation for migrants in Spain has sparked unprecedented enthusiasm, far exceeding initial estimates from Spanish authorities. This was stated by Yassine Azzar, a legal advisor, immigration law researcher, and director of the Legal Solutions firm in Barcelona, during an interview with MCG24.

According to him, the Spanish government anticipated the regularization of around 500,000 migrants, but the number of individuals who submitted or attempted to submit an application has reportedly surpassed 1.3 million, revealing the extent of the accumulated needs following many years without an exceptional regularization procedure.

Drawing from his experience in immigration law, Azzar explains that his firm faced a significant influx from the very first days of the operation. Despite the pressure, the teams at Legal Solutions continued processing and filing applications up until the last hours before the official closure of the campaign.

The legal advisor emphasizes that the main challenges faced by applicants involved obtaining certificates of good conduct and certain administrative documents required, particularly for specific nationalities. He praised the responsiveness of Moroccan consular representations and the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which facilitated the issuance of necessary documents for Moroccan nationals.

Yassine Azzar reminds us that applications are currently under review by Spanish authorities and urges applicants to be patient. He clarifies that applications are not processed in the order they are submitted, but according to the internal procedures of the immigration authorities.

He also stresses that the end of this exceptional regularization does not mean the closure of pathways for regularization in Spain. Several legal avenues remain available, including various forms of arraigo, student residence permits, non-profit residence permits, and other mechanisms provided for by Spanish legislation.

Additionally, Azzar notes that his firm has assisted applicants from numerous nationalities, showcasing the international nature of this operation. He believes that regularization will also have a positive impact on the Spanish economy by promoting the integration of thousands of workers into the job market and strengthening contributions to the social security system.

In conclusion, Yassine Azzar urges migrants to consult exclusively with specialized and trustworthy firms to avoid fraud or administrative errors. He reminds them that obtaining a residence permit marks the beginning of a legal journey that requires adherence to Spanish law and continued efforts until securing long-term residence, and, if applicable, Spanish nationality.