Thousands more migrants to be regularize per year

Spain’s left-wing government on Tuesday announced an immigration law reform that will regularise tens of thousands more migrants per year, in a fresh contrast to harsher policies elsewhere in Europe.

Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain needs migration to fill workforce gaps and counteract an ageing population that could imperil pensions and the welfare state.

Economic concerns are also at the heart of the latest reform, which eases visa requirements, extends their duration in some cases and simplifies paperwork.

“We want to make it easier for foreigners to get a job matching their professional profile and that companies find the professionals they need,” Migration Minister Elma Saiz told a news conference.

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The government will reduce the period from three years to two, during which irregular migrants must live in Spain to automatically have a right to a visa.