Second-chance residence after a lapse (arraigo de segunda oportunidad)

Key rules

• Who qualifies: You must have held a residence permit that lapsed because you could not meet the renewal conditions.
• Recent lapse: Your permit must have lapsed within a limited period before you apply, roughly two years.
• What you get: A one-year residence permit that allows work as an employee or self-employed, renewable under the general rules.

The time limit and eligible permit types come from a recent reform, so confirm them with the Ministry of Inclusion or your local immigration office before applying.

Who this route is for

Second-chance arraigo is for people who once held a residence permit that lapsed and was not renewed. It applies when you could not meet the renewal conditions. It was introduced by the 2025 reform.

Two things decide whether you qualify: what kind of permit you had, and how long ago it lapsed.

What your old permit must look like

• It must have been a residence permit, not a short stay or a visa.
• It must have lapsed without being renewed.
• The reason must be that you could not meet the renewal conditions.

How recent the lapse must be

The lapse must be recent. It must fall within a limited period before you apply, which is roughly two years. Work out the exact date your permit ended and count from there. If you are near the limit, do not wait. The exact time limit and the permit types that count should be confirmed before you apply. Ask the Ministry of Inclusion or your local immigration office.

What you get

A successful application gives you a one-year residence permit. It lets you work as an employee or as self-employed. After that year you can renew it under the general rules.

What to do next

1. Find your old permit and note the date it lapsed.
2. Note why it was not renewed.
3. Use the checklist below to prepare, and the questions below for common doubts.

Checklist

• Check that your previous permit was a residence permit that lapsed and was not renewed.

• Confirm the reason it was not renewed: you could not meet the renewal conditions.

• Work out the date your permit lapsed and check that it falls within the limited period before you apply, which is about two years.

• Ask the Ministry of Inclusion or your local immigration office to confirm the current time limit and which permit types qualify.

• Plan for a one-year permit that allows work as an employee or self-employed, renewable under the general rules.

Frequently asked questions

What permit does second-chance arraigo give me?

Second-chance arraigo gives you a one-year residence permit that lets you work as an employee or self-employed.

Can I apply if my old permit lapsed because I could not meet the renewal conditions?

Yes, this route is meant for people whose residence permit lapsed and was not renewed because they could not meet the renewal conditions. The lapse must be recent, within a limited period before you apply, which is about two years.