Question
What documents should I submit to get my Spain Non Lucrative Visa approved at Miami Consulate?
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
Required documents:
- National visa application form. Each applicant must complete and
sign a visa application, filling in each of its sections. - Non-working residence application form. Each applicant must
complete and sign a copy of the EX-01 form, filling in each of its
sections. - Photograph. A recent, passport-size, color photograph, taken
against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective
glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face. - Valid, unexpired passport. The original and a photocopy of the
page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data must be
submitted. The passport must have a minimum validity period of 1 year
and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago
will not be accepted. - Proof of financial means. The applicant must submit the originals
and a copy of the documents proving that they have sufficient financial
means to cover the expenses of residing in Spain for the initial year of
the residence permit, or accrediting that they have a regular source of
income.
Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where
applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into
Spanish. - Criminal record check certificate dated no more than six months
before the application date, stating that applicant does not have criminal
record where they have resided for the past five years. Not applicable
for students under 18 years old. You must request a background check
verified by fingerprint comparison. The criminal background check must
be issued by the US Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI).
The background check must be issued within six months prior to the
submission of the visa application. We do not accept local police
criminal certificates.
The criminal record must be legalized with the Apostille certification and
translated into Spanish by a sworn/certified translator. (The translation
does not need an Apostille and the Apostille does not need a
translation) - Proof of public or private health insurance from an insurer
recognized and authorized to operate in Spain. The insurance must
cover all risks normally covered for nationals and must be maintained
for the entire duration of the authorization.
It must cover at least all the preventive, diagnostic, treatment and
rehabilitation assistance activities that are carried out in health centers
or socio-health centers, as well as urgent health transport.
It must be health insurance (not travel). Therefore, it is not necessary to
cover repatriations and/or evacuations.
The health insurance must not have a deficiency, copayment, or coverage
limit, that is, it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital, and out-of-hospital
expenses. - Medical certificate: A recent doctor’s statement, dated no more than
three months before the application date, with the doctor or medical
center’s letterhead, duly signed, stamped and translated into Spanish by
a sworn/certified translator - Driver’s license that proves your legal residence in our jurisdiction.
- Immigration status in US (not applicable for US citizens): Green Card,
valid US student visa, work permit (stamp on the passport) or parole. - Payment of fees. To pay the fee for the residence permit at the Consular
Office, the applicant must complete all the fields of, and sign, two copies of
form 790 code 052, ticking box 2.1 (initial temporary residence permit). For
citizens of the United States of America, the fee is $152 (money order).
Q&A Section
Q: Did you have to drive to Miami to drop everything off for the Spain Non Lucrative Visa application?
A: Yes, current procedures (MArch 2024) require applicants to physically drop off their documents at the Miami Consulate. Previously, some applicants could mail their documents, but as of recent changes, an appointment must be made to present documents in person.
Q: What happens after you drop off your documents?
A: Once your application is approved, the consulate will contact you via email with the day and time for you to come in and pick up your approved visa. They schedule the appointment for you, so there is no need to do it yourself.
Q: Is it possible to just drop off the documents and leave, or must I stay in Miami until they are processed?
A: Unfortunately, the current rules require applicants to return to pick up their documents once the visa is approved. This means you will have to make two trips if you do not reside locally. However, some applicants have turned the necessity of a second trip into an opportunity for a short vacation.
Q: How have others handled submitting their documents?
A: Some applicants, who managed to submit their documents before the new appointment requirement took effect, were able to send their documents via mail. However, now that in-person drop-off is mandatory, applicants must plan accordingly.
Q: Can you share a copy of the medical certificate letter required for the application?
A: The medical certificate letter is a standard document needed for the visa application. It must be recent (dated no more than three months prior to the application date), on the doctor or medical center’s letterhead, and duly signed and stamped. It must also be translated into Spanish by a sworn/certified translator. Due to privacy and policy compliance, sharing personal medical documents in the group might be restricted, but generic templates could be available upon admin approval.
Q: What are the sentiments about the new rules for document submission?
A: Many applicants express frustration about the need to physically travel to Miami, especially those living far from the consulate. However, understanding that these are the official rules, they comply and sometimes plan additional activities around their trips to make the most out of the situation.
This article is for information purpose only and based on a personal experience. Make sure to consult the official Miami Consulate requirements for a Spain Non Lucrative visa application.
