Non-lucrative visa where do we start ?

@Seaandsun4me

Hello

Please note that I have created this new thread from your post on the Spain forum so that members can guide you.

Let us keep the New members thread from introductions.

All the best

Bhavna

@Bhavna Thank you!

@Seaandsun4me

Till members guide you, feel free to read the following thread : https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1037738

Have a nice day

Bhavna

@Seaandsun4me

You start with the website with all the instructions for your NLV application.

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/en/Servic … +lucrativa

This has full guidance, so it's mostly a box-checking exercise as you gather all the required documents. Then you submit your completed application to your local Spanish embassy/consulate. No need to feel intimidated by it, this is a very popular visa (especially for retirees) and lots of folks have applied successfully without any help from expensive immigration attorneys.

The main issue is the financial requirement as you need (approximately) 2,500 euros per month in PASSIVE income (i.e. rents, dividends, pensions). OR you can show savings of 30k euros (2,500 x 12 for your first year in Spain) instead.

Secondly, you must have a health insurance policy (not a travel insurance policy) that covers you in Spain, with ZERO deductible. They could be a worldwide policy from an American company, or it could be from a Spanish company (ASISA, etc.) specifically for Spain. The latter should be far cheaper.

Some more basic stuff like a passport, photograph, medical certificate. There's a specific application form and your application payment. A criminal record check. Most of this pretty straightforward.

They'll probably call you in for an interview.

I have read that I have to get an fbi background check and physically go to the Spanish embassy to apply.  Which is a 6 hour drive for me.  So you are saying I don’t have to go?  I’ve been on the website.  Even when I have google translate into english, I still cant seem to download the forms.  Any secret sauce for that?

@Seaandsun4me

Yes, you need a criminal record check, as noted in the requirements. A medical certificate too.

I don't think you have to deliver your application personally, but you can try, I guess. My understanding is that you courier them a completed application. But I haven't done it, so I can't say for sure. Doing whatever the consular guidance says, is probably the best your best bet. :-)

There seems to be a broken link for the NLV application form.

Here's the Consular guidance from Los Angeles, which is in English:

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulado … ativa.aspx

The general visa application form is OK

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/en/Embaja … c3%a9s.pdf

Their NLV link is also broken, maybe this will do instead:

https://www.inclusion.gob.es/documents/ … rativa.pdf

@gwynj Thats a big help, thank you!!

@Seaandsun4me. Start at the Consulate website, make sure you will be able to fulfill all the requirements.

Thanks everyone for all this info. I will take a look asap.

@gwynj

Great info!

Thank you gwynj.

Chris

You will need to get a Hague Apostille for the FBI background check—you can do this through an official “channeler” which is costly but quick, or mail the document to Washington DC for the Apostille, which can take weeks but is far less expensive.             The background check is valid for 3-6months, depending on the consulate, so timing

will be key when compiling your documents.

Also, the health insurance you get must be health insurance that is accepted in Spain,

and not travel insurance. There are several known private Spanish health insurers that

are very familiar with the visa requirements, such as no deductible & no copay. The policy

must be valid for one year from the time of arrival into Spain.

I have just completed putting together all of my documents, and now just waiting for an appointment with the Los Angeles Consulate, which is proving to be very challenging.

Good luck!

@compel Update, turns out each consulate has its own separate requirements so be sure to find out which one is ”yours”.  After March 1st the Washington DC consulate is requiring physical appointments.  meaning, you have to go there.  Many documents must be translated into Spanish and some will require something called an Appostile as well as some documents that will require a notary.  The appostile is basically a special certification trusted by the Spanish. You will have to send your FBI report to them to get the certification. 

@rdruby699 Great informmation!  I have just learned this too.  Thank you!

Hi all. I'll be applying for an NLV through the San Francisco consulate. Does anyone know if they're requiring a physical appointment? I can't tell by looking at their website and I can't get a person on the phone. Thank you.