Spanish Non Lucrative Visa at Chicago: Working While Applying

Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question

We will be applying for a Spanish Non Lucrative Visa through Chicago. I planned to work until right before we move. Can you still be working when applying for the visa? We have sufficient passive income to meet the minimum.

Answers

These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:

“Yes but to play it safer why don’t you be done with work totally long before that? Although a letter explaining should do the trick. But then again it is up to the one reviewing and processing your application so no one here can guarantee you ????”

“You are expected to NOT work on an Spanish Non Lucrative Visa. My wife retired with a pension and was not required to sign a notarized and translated (into Spanish) affidavit stating she would not work. I sold my company a few months prior to the Chicago NLV interview date and thus had to sign a notarized and translated affidavit letter.”

“Hi, my husband & I got our NLV’s via the Chicago Consulate a few months ago. They were very strict about me promising not to work when I got to Spain. I was asked to provide evidence that my employment in the US had ended. An affidavit that required official translation. It’s the kind of thing you want to have ready for your interview, otherwise it will delay the process of being granted the visa even more.”

“Technically, you can work while it’s being processed but you have to provide “proof” that you won’t be working in Spain. Show them a cut-off date via an affidavit that has been translated by one of their approved translators.”

“Yes, you can not be in Spain working for a Spanish employer but you could be in Spain working for a US based company.”

“We were required to provide a letter stating that we would not work, either in Spain or remotely, when we got our NLV last July.”

Conclusion

The responses indicate that while actively working during the application process for a Spanish Non Lucrative Visa through the Chicago consulate is possible, it is highly scrutinized.

Applicants are generally expected to demonstrate that they will not engage in employment upon relocating to Spain, often requiring official affidavits and evidence of cessation of employment in the U.S.

It appears there are varied experiences and requirements depending on individual circumstances and the specific documentation reviewed by the consulate. Consulting with a legal expert on Spanish immigration law is advised to navigate this process effectively.

Bruno Bianchi CEO & Spain Immigration Expert

Bruno Bianchi is the founder and CEO of Spainguru, Spain's largest expat immigration community with 150,000+ members. Since 2014 he has helped thousands of people relocate to Spain through expert guides, webinars and vetted professional services covering visas, residency, taxes and life in Spain.

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