We just picked up our Spain Non Lucrative Visa at the New York Consulate – June 21st 2024.
On the day that we dropped off the package in May, we were asked to return with the three most recent years of our 1040s and IRS form 9325 for each year all translated within ten days.
They also wanted a letter from our employers confirming that we had stopped working and a notarized sworn statement in Spanish in which we promised not to work during the duration of our visa.
From the day we returned with the requested extra information to receiving the visas was three weeks.
We chose to use an attorney to guide us through the process, as we were pretty busy with our jobs at the time. It didn’t seem absolutely necessary, but she was very helpful in answering questions, making sure that we didn’t forget anything or have to redo paperwork, and getting us the appointment.
She didn’t know about 1040 requirement, and I assume that’s because it’s a new request from the New York Consulate.
Our sworn translator is in Spain and was very good, and super fast. When we had to get back to her about the 1040s, as we were only given 10 days to get that done, she managed it in about four days.
Questions and Answers
These are the questions and answers from the Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
Q1: “Did you find the requirement for three years of 1040s and IRS form 9325 typical?” A1: “It seems to be a new requirement from the New York Consulate. We weren’t initially aware of this until our appointment.”
Q2: “How essential is it to hire an attorney for the application process?” A2: “It’s not absolutely necessary to use an attorney, but ours was very helpful in managing the paperwork and ensuring we didn’t miss any requirements, especially with the new requests from the consulate.”
Q3: “How quickly did your translator need to work given the consulate’s tight deadline?” A3: “Our translator in Spain was very efficient, managing to get all our documents translated within four days despite the short 10-day deadline given by the consulate.”
Conclusion
Navigating the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa application process at the New York Consulate can present unexpected challenges, such as new documentation requirements.
Utilizing the services of a professional, whether a lawyer or a translator, can significantly ease the burden of the application process. Always be prepared for potential last-minute requests and ensure all documents are accurately translated and submitted on time.
