Barcelona
Ciutat Refugi Ajuntament de Barcelona

The Orientation and Support Service for Immigrant Residents (SOAPI) has published a document addressing any doubts that may arise about the measures applied in terms of foreigner status in the face of Covid-19.

One of the main changes in the measures approved for the situation caused by COVID-19 is the extension of residency and stay permits in Spain. This means,  just as the Municipal Immigration Council proposed, that foreign nationals will be able to extend their residency and work permits for six months once the state of emergency ends.  This provides greater certainty for thousands of migrant residents in the context of the social crisis.

The Orientation and Support Service for Immigrant Residents (SOAPI), with the collaboration of the Translation and Intercultural Mediation Service,  has published a document which seeks to resolve any doubts that may arise about this and other measures applied in terms of foreigner status. The guide uses a FAQs format and is constantly being updated. It is structured into four different sections: validity and extension of residency and stay permits; applications for international protection; applications in relation to foreigner status and applications for reports in relation to foreigner status issued by the Government of Catalonia.

The document is available in ten different  languages to reach as many people as possible. It can be downloaded using the following links:

• Catalan
• Spanish
• English
• French
• Russian
• Arabic
• Chinese
• Urdu
• Bengali
• Tagalog

The SOAPI is Barcelona City Council’s expert service on shelter and support for migrants.  It offers information, guidance, help and advice with regard to knowledge of the local environment, getting a health card, registering as a resident, learning languages, immigration procedures, rights and duties, associations, leisure, culture and other matters.