Non-governmental organisations across Spain are making a final push to help undocumented migrants apply for a special mass regularisation programme before the June 30 deadline. The initiative offers eligible migrants a one-year residence permit, and applications have far exceeded expectations, with around 1.27 million submissions compared to the government’s initial estimate of 500,000.

Aid groups such as CEAR and Cepaim are encouraging migrants to file their applications even if they are still waiting for documents from their home countries. Under the process, applicants may be allowed to submit missing paperwork later, giving many a chance to remain eligible. However, migrants from countries including Iran, Mali, Venezuela, Algeria and Nigeria have faced significant delays in securing the required documents, raising concerns that many applications could be rejected.

The Spanish government has indicated it does not plan to extend the application deadline despite growing appeals from NGOs. Rights groups warn that as many as 20% of applications could fail due to incomplete documentation and administrative hurdles. They are also calling for long-term reforms to simplify the legalisation process and reduce the time migrants spend living without legal status in Spain.

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