Hundreds of Pakistani migrants have formed long queues outside the consulate in Barcelona. This follows Spain's new government decree that starts a major legalisation process for undocumented immigrants. The Socialist-led Spanish government approved this move to grant legal residency and work permits to about 500,000 people. These immigrants must have lived in Spain for at least five months by December 31, 2025. The Pakistani consulate on Sarrià Avenue is crowded, with people arriving hours before it opens at 9 a.m. Many need criminal record certificates, a must for the new program. Asad, waiting for four hours, said, "I've been waiting for four hours, but I'll stay as long as necessary." He needs a document to send to his mother in Pakistan to get his status proof. Asad confirmed, "I have no criminal record," one of the eligibility rules. Ahmed, in Barcelona for one year, said, "I need the letter to send to my mother, so she can get a certificate and send it to me." His wife and 3-year-old daughter remain in Pakistan. Legal papers will help them join him. Umar, who speaks Spanish and Catalan, helps others in the queue. He said sometimes calm turns into commotion when consulate staff hand out numbers. Asir and Ahmed, who arrived at 7:30 a.m., received number 192 by 10 a.m. Ayman said, "I have to do this because I don't know when they're going to deport me." He came to Spain alone two years ago and has lived in Andalusia, Madrid, and Barcelona. Omar, a bricklayer undocumented for three years, requested a power of attorney certificate to handle other paperwork. Lamine Sarr, spokesperson for the Regularización Ya initiative and member of Top Manta, said the rush was expected. "It's the best news an undocumented person can receive," he said. "It will allow work, decent housing, and reunite families after years apart." He added, "Life without papers is extremely difficult," and called the path to legal status "very complicated." The decree aims to help about 500,000 immigrants, including over 150,000 in Catalonia. Successful adults and their children will get five-year residency permits if they meet the requirements, including clean criminal records in Spain and their home countries.