Thousands of Pakistanis living in Spain are facing a serious problem after the country relaxed its immigration rules. Many migrants who hoped to legalize their stay have discovered they cannot move forward because they no longer have their passports.
Spain recently introduced measures to help undocumented migrants apply for legal residency. The policy created hope for many foreign workers, including Pakistanis. However, the opportunity has been difficult to use for those without valid travel documents.
Officials say a large number of Pakistanis either lost their passports during their journey to Europe or no longer have usable documents. Some migrants reportedly traveled through dangerous and illegal routes, often known as the “Dunky” route. During these trips, passports were sometimes lost. Others threw them away because they feared arrest or deportation if authorities found them.
Another issue is that many passports expired years ago. Without a valid passport, migrants cannot complete the paperwork required for legalization under Spanish law.
To address the situation, the Pakistani Embassy in Spain has contacted Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior with a request. The embassy wants the government to temporarily remove the rule that requires a police report before a new passport can be issued. Officials believe this step would make it easier for thousands of Pakistanis to apply for replacement documents.
Right now, anyone who loses a Pakistani passport must file a police report before requesting a new one. But the sudden increase in such cases has placed pressure on Spanish police stations, which are receiving a high number of reports. This has slowed the process and created additional stress for migrants already dealing with uncertain living conditions.
The embassy argues that relaxing the requirement could help undocumented Pakistanis quickly obtain passports and benefit from Spain’s updated immigration policy. It would also reduce administrative workload for local authorities.
So far, no final decision has been announced. The Ministry of Interior is still reviewing the recommendation, and it remains unclear whether the rule will be changed.
Until then, many Pakistanis in Spain continue to wait. While the new immigration policy offers a path toward legal status, the lack of passports has become a major barrier. A timely decision from Pakistani authorities could help thousands secure their future and start a more stable life in Spain.