How To Apply For a Non-Lucrative Visa To Spain? The website is vague and it’s very frustrating to figure out exactly what documents are needed. Due to many requests, I will explain how the process is done. Please note my process was completed in January 2017. At that time, I was residing in Los Angeles so the process could be different depending on which state you are applying from.
What is a Non-Lucrative Visa?
A Non-Lucrative Visa is a visa needed to stay longer than 90 days. This visa does not allow you to work therefore you must show a reliable source of income and substantial savings. The rumored amount needed in the bank is 25,816€. Why this number? I have no idea.
Depending on the time of the year, many study abroad students may be applying for a visa as well. With that in mind, it can seem impossible to get an appointment at the consulate.
As you fill out the forms, bring in block letters using blue ink.
**Note** Dates are filled out DD/MM/YY instead of the usual way MM/DD/YY
Click here for the requirements. To make life easier, below is a detailed explanation.
Step 1: Obtain An Appointment At The Spanish Consulate
Make an appointment at the Spanish Consulate by clicking here. Register your email address and create a password. Timing is important. Upon visa approval, you must enter Spain within 3 months. To add to that, you will have to give up your passport for processing. Therefore, do not plan any travel outside the country during that time frame. After my appointment with the consulate, my passport turnaround time was 18 days. But again, it can be different for others.
Spanish Consulate
5055 Wilshire Blvd Suite 860
Los Angeles, CA. 90036
323.938.0158
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
cog.losangeles@maec.es – Email if you have any questions.
Parking lot is cash only
Step 2: Paperwork
- Document Check List – Print this page and make a copy
- Visa Application Form – Fill out in block letters with blue ink. Make a copy.
- One Passport Photo – Take a look at the specs
- Passport – Original and photocopy
- ID Card or Driver’s License – Original and photocopy
- EX01 Form – You may follow this sample here. No photocopy needed
- 790 Form – You may follow this sample here. The $11 tax fee is CASH ONLY
- Medical Certificate – Make an appointment with your general physician. Explain to them that you are moving out of the country and the consulate requires the doctor to sign the following statement. This letter must be issued within 3 months of your appointment with the consulate. The nurse practitioner CANNOT sign. After obtaining a doctor’s signature and office stamp, have this letter translated to Spanish by an “Official Sworn Translator.” Example below:
Medical Certificate Of Good Health
This certificate verifies that Mr./Ms. ………………………………………………………………………
is free of drug addiction, mental illness, and does not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions to public health according to the specifications of the International Health Regulations of 2005. The contagious diseases include, but are not limited to smallpox, poliomyelitis by wild polio virus, the human influenza caused by a new subtype of virus and the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), cholera, pneumonic plague, Bellow fever, viral hemorrhagic fevers (e.g.: Ebola, Lassa, Marbug) West Nile Virus and other illnesses of special importance nationally or regionally (e.g.: Dengue Fever, Rift Valley Never, and meningococcal disease.)
_____________________________________________________________________
Doctor Signature & Date
9. Certification of “Absence Of Police Records.” (Original, Translation, Copy of Both)
This was a pretty lengthy process:
a. Print out the Request Form and fill out what you can
b. The fee is $32. Bring a personal check. Pay To: “Department of Justice.” However, I’m not 100% sure so leave it blank and wait till you get to the fingerprint location.
c. Using google, I found a fingerprinting location near me. It cost me $20. After fingerprinting, they submit it electronically. After 7 days, I received a letter in the mail stating I was clear of any criminal history.
d. Finally, have the letter notarized and translated to Spanish. This document requires the Apostille of the Hague Stamp which will be explained below.
10. Proof of Financial Funds (Original, Copy, and Translation)
It is possible to have your bank statements translated to Spanish if you bank with Wells Fargo. After all, you will save money on translations of these pages. Print 3 months prior of bank statements of your checking and savings account. As a prerequisite, an income of at least €2,130/month must be demonstrated. If you don’t have that kind of income, you have to show at least €25,560 (€2,130 x 12 months = $30,131 USD – minimum amount you must have in your account.) This document requires the Apostille of the Hague stamp which will be explained below.
11. Medical Insurance (Original, Copy, and Translation)
It is important to select al health insurance plan specifically stating 0 copay and 0 deductible. Travel Insurance does not meet the criteria. In the end, I chose Sanitas insurance for 80€/month. To warn you, many insurance companies in Spain will not insure clients with “pre-existing conditions.” Upon approval from Sanitas insurance, this letter was received as proof of insurance.
When it was time for my renewal, I switched to a much cheaper insurance. AME Insurance costs 37€/month. Here, I paid a whole year in advance and was provided with all the necessary documents. If you would like to sign up for AME Insurance, please contact Rosa: rruiz.ameasistencia@gmail.com.
12. Visa Fees
Purchase a money order in the amount of $140 made out to: General Consulate of Spain Los Angeles.
13. Proof of Accommodations
To show proof, you will need an invitation letter from family or a friend who will be responsible for your accommodations. My boyfriend from Spain emailed a letter along with his passport stating his job title and my reason for being in Spain. Email: cog.losangeles@maec.es (Different consulates will have different rules)
OR you can provide an actual lease for an apartment or house in Spain. I believe a short-term AirB&B would suffice however beware of rental scams.
14. Disclaimer Duly Signed And Attached To Application
I don’t recall ever having to do this when applying in 2017 so this must be a new requirement. Below is the statement:
DECLARACIÓN DE DESCARGO DE RESPONSABILIDAD
Descargo de responsabilidad al Consulado General de España y a sus empleados, así como al Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación, por el extravío o cualquier daño de mis documentos durante su custodia o transporte, excepto en caso de fraude o negligencia grave.
DISCLAIMER
I release hold of the Consulate of Spain and its employees, as well as the Spanish Foreign Ministry, from any and all claims resulting from a possible loss or damage of my documents while in custody or during transport, except in cases of intent or gross negligence.
___________________________________________________________
Lugar, Fecha, Firma / Place, Date, Signature
How Do I Get An Apostille Stamp?
There are two ways to get an Apostille Of the Hague Stamp
- Option 1 – You may mail the documents via mail. In addition, all documents require a notary. According to the website, it lists mailing instructions for only California, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. If you do not reside in these states listed above, your best bet is to do a google search on how to obtain an Apostille of the Hague stamp.
- Option 2 – You may go in person should there be an office in your area that processes the Apostille of the Hague stamp.
Los Angeles Regional Office (10am – 3pm)
300 South Spring Street
Room 12513 (12th floor)
Los Angeles, CA. 90013
213.897.3062
Parking lot and street parking available
Process Of Getting Your Stamp
Cost: $20/document and $6 processing fee. Credit cards accepted! Before entering the building, you must pass through a metal detector. Next, take the last set of elevators up to there 12th floor. You’ll see signs pointing to the office. Grab a ticket number along with the yellow form (seen below.) Soon after your number will be called and you will present an ID and a form of payment. Wait time varies from 20 minutes to 1 hour depending on what time of the day you go.
Notary
Keep in mind all documents must be notarized before obtaining the Apostille stamp. In the event you forget to do so, around the corner is a notary.The fee is $10 per document and credit cards are accepted.
Coast Stationery Co, Inc
127 E 4th Street
Los Angeles, CA. 90013
213.624.3781
Sworn Translators
The website requirements has a list of recommended Official Sworn Translators. After all, I did reach out to every single one and as a result, only a few responded. How To Apply For A Non-Lucrative Visa To Spain
I suggest Rocio Corredor: ro.traductora@gmail.com. She charges $25/page and is reliable.
Step 3: The Day Of Your Appointment
Triple check your documents. In the first place, be on time! Second, there is no sign in sheet when you enter the office. Third, wait until your name is summoned. As nervous as I was everything went smooth. The only document missing was a letter stating why I was moving to Spain. As a simple solution, the clerk had me write a letter stating I would be moving in with my boyfriend. Finally, you will temporarily surrender your passport. After 18 days, an email was received declaring that my visa was approved!
When I returned to the office to pick up my passport, I noticed Spain Visa sticker at the end pages of the passport book. This is valid for 90 days. Along on that visa page is your NIE number (basically your social security number for Spain.) Because of the time of year I applied, the turn around time was quick however remember that processing times vary.
Step 4: Once You Land In Spain
Once you enter Spain, you have to get your residency card and that’s a whole other process. If you don’t have a Spanish speaking friend helping you, I recommend contacting JustLandedBCN.com. This company will help you with all paperwork and appointments. Your residency card is valid for 1 year. As you’re traveling in or out of Spain, immigration officers will always ask you for this card. Here is my lovely residency card! How To Apply For A Non-Lucrative Visa To Spain
Ready For Your Renewal?
Hope you enjoyed my How To Apply For A Non-Lucrative Visa To Spain. One year definitely goes by fast. Plan on staying for a longer period of time? It’s important to start planning for your renewal.
Need Help Moving?
Check out rates at parcelmonkey.com. For customs, be sure to declare your items as used. You will have to pay a fee and also provide documents of residency. I’m not quite exactly sure how they came up with the fee amount but all I had to pay was 70€ to the delivery driver and there I received my whole life packed up in 5 boxes. How To Apply For A Non-Lucrative Visa To Spain