When it comes to the Health Certificate required for the non lucrative Spain visa, many applicants find themselves in a perplexing situation. A concerned community member from Spainguru’s Facebook group asks: “How can a doctor sign this certificate that lists various health conditions and prohibits phrases like ‘to the best of my knowledge’? What’s the right approach?”
Insights from Spainguru Facebook Community
Member Advice: The Importance of Proper Paperwork
One community member advises, “We have been advised to use the top bit. It needs to be on headed GP practice paper, signed, dated, and include the GP’s license number. Remember, it’s only valid within three months of issue, and don’t forget to get it apostilled (especially for the London consulate).”
Headed Medical Practice Paper: A Must-Have
Another member highlights the significance of using “headed medical practice paper” and ensuring the inclusion of the GP’s license number for the certificate’s validity for being accepted for the non lucrative Spain visa application.
A Costly Tale: The GP Dilemma
One community member shares a cautionary tale, “We had a right chew on with this two years ago. Our UK GP said they’d sign it then refused later… We ended up paying a lot of money to a private company who do letters for people working abroad. It was a very expensive nightmare. At the time though some people had GPs around the country signing the Spanish required letter for twenty quid. There was no sense in the situation at that time.”
Face-to-Face or virtually in Spain: The Game-Changer
For those physically present in Spain, a member reveals, “We got ours done by a doctor in Spain. He had a template that he had to fill in then he wrote it all out by hand on his headed notepaper. We were physically in Spain as you can’t use remote certificates anymore without being in Spain. They have to be face to face, virtual or not. But you need to be in Spain. Quite a few have had their visas refused because they couldn’t prove they were actually in Spain when the certificate was issued.”
Thorough Documentation: The Key
Another member advises documenting the process carefully, stating, “Had mine done in Spain, wrote it and typed it… as handwriting is often bad with doctors. Ensure it’s timed and dated with passport stamps to prove it.”
Seeking Alternatives: A Backup Plan
If your GP refuses to sign, a community member suggests, “Use the template they provide and get a different doctor to sign if yours refuses. It’s usually straightforward.”
Navigating GP Registration: The Home Office Factor
Understanding the GP’s registration is vital. “The doctor in England has to be registered with the Home Office. Very few local general practitioners are on this list, and most are unaware of this,” a member reveals.
Legalization Process: The GMC Register
Regarding GP registration, another member clarifies, “They don’t have to be registered with the FDCO. If they’re not, the Legalisation Office makes its own direct inquiries with the GP surgery to confirm GMC registration (General Medical Register). It then apostilles the letter/certificate.”
Proactive Approach: Avoiding Delays
A proactive member shares their experience, “We had a delay because our doctor was not on the legalization register to compare his signature. So, we had to wait while that was done. It’s worth asking first to save time.”
Unconventional Insights: Direct Communication with FDCO
In a surprising twist, one member highlights a direct interaction, saying, “Not when I actually spoke one to one with FDCO. They told me they do not contact the doctor directly and that it was down to me to approach my GP for himself to apply to be put on the GMC register, which I did, and fortunately, my GP eventually agreed to do this, even though the GP who is on the GMC register was unaware of this procedure. It caused much delay and two refusals for apostille before the final application was accepted. I also asked the FDCO for a list of doctors who are on the register but was told on the phone by them that they could not because it was against the data protection act. I have all the paperwork from my lawyer to back this up. Luckily, I now have the NLV and am in the process of renewal for year 2-3. Still not easy even with a Gestor.”
Conclusion: Navigating the Health Certificate Maze
In conclusion, according to Spainguru’s Facebook group members, the journey to obtain the Health Certificate required for a non lucrative Spain visa can be a labyrinth of complexities. Insights from Spainguru Facebook group members provide valuable guidance, emphasizing the importance of meticulous paperwork on GP practice paper, timely issuance, and apostille. Physical presence in Spain for certificate issuance from a Spanish doctor is crucial, and the GP’s registration with the Home Office or GMC plays a pivotal role. However, it’s important to note that individual circumstances may vary. These insights are based on the experiences of Spainguru Facebook group members, and Spainguru assumes no responsibility for their accuracy. Therefore, for precise guidance on the Health Certificate and non lucrative Spain visa applications, consulting immigration experts is highly recommended.
