Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
This morning (May 10th 2023) I attended my non lucrative Spain visa appointment at the Manchester Consulate UK, hopefully this will help others when going for theirs! I was only applying for myself so no partner or children involved.
Before I begin sharing my experience, I want to clarify that my visa has not been approved yet, and I am eagerly awaiting a response from the consulate.
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →My appointment was at 10:30am so arrived at 10:15am checked in at security at the main entrance and put my bag through the scanner, picked a ticket from the console at the back of the waiting area and was allocated a number. As soon as I sat down my number appeared on the wall screen directing me to the relevant window.
The young lady dealing with me was very polite and patient and asked for the following documents:
The general visa application (I had already attached my photo and signed and dated it).
- EX01 (already signed and dated) I had put my Spanish address in section 3 and was asked to change it to my UK address.
- Passport and photocopy of every page (inc. blank pages, I also left a special delivery envelope so my passport could be posted back to me).
- Original copy of police check certificate (ACRO certificate) – apostilled & translated.
- Original copy of medical certificate – apostilled & translated.
- Copy of Health Insurance certificate.
- Bank/Investment statements (previous three months) obtained from the bank the day before.
- P45 (only the first page was taken). Related read: “Can a resignation letter to HR suffice as proof of ending employment? (UK Consulates)“
- Proof of purchase for apartment Spain.
- Tax form 790/052 (I was asked to change the address on this from my Spanish one to my address in the UK) I signed the first two pages at the consulate and was given page two back as my copy, page three wasn’t used.
I then paid the fee which totalled £525.45 (£9.45 for the general visa fee and £516 for form 790/052).
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Everything was done by 10:45am so took about 20-25 minutes in all.
Just a waiting game now
Q&As
How did you pay the fee?
You pay at the counter with your debit/ credit card.
Did you have to take out health insurance before moving to Spain?
Yes, the consulate asked for my health insurance certificate at the appointment!
Did you get your bank statements stamped and validated by the bank or did you just give them the statements?
(Answered by other members of Spainguru’s NLV Group) Get every page of your statements stamped and signed by the bank. All free.
Author: Carl Blakeman
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