Spain to legalise 500,000 undocumented migrants, including Bangladeshis

The government of Spain has approved a sweeping regularisation programme that will allow up to 500,000 undocumented migrants, including Bangladeshis, to apply for legal status, reports Al Jazeera.

The initiative, endorsed by the government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is set to take effect this week, with applications opening online on April 16 and in person from April 20 until June 30.

Under the scheme, eligible applicants will be granted temporary residence and work permits for one year.

To qualify, migrants must have entered Spain before January 1, 2026, provide proof of at least five months’ residence, and have no criminal record.

Those granted temporary status will subsequently be eligible to apply for long-term residency.

Officials say the move is aimed at addressing labour shortages and demographic challenges, as Spain grapples with a steadily ageing population. The government has described the initiative as both necessary and fair, giving a much-needed boost to economic stability.

However, the decision has sparked political debate. Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo criticised the plan as “unfair, unsafe and unsustainable,” while some officials have raised concerns over the capacity to implement it effectively.

The programme has been welcomed by migrant communities, including Bangladeshis living in Spain. In a video shared by Al Jazeera, Bangladeshi migrants in Barcelona were seen celebrating the decision.

One migrant, Murul Wahed, said the opportunity offers a glimmer of hope after years of hardship. “Life here is very difficult without proper work and housing.

Everyone is happy that the process to become legal is finally getting under way,” he said.

Analysts say the initiative places Spain in a distinct position at a time when anti-immigration sentiment is on the rise across parts of Europe, signalling a more inclusive approach to migration management.