Spain Non Lucrative Visa: How I Obtained a Second Passport (US Consulates)

Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

For those applying for the Spain Non Lucrative Visa, I faced an issue of potentially having the Spain Consulate hold my passport indefinitely while I had an international trip planned. Thankfully, I learned about obtaining a second passport, which solved my problem. Here’s a breakdown of how the process went:

• 09/18/24: Sent the second passport applications (one for me, one for my spouse) to the US State Department. I expedited the applications, which required a separate fee, and included our primary passports. I sent them using Priority Mail Express.
• 10/01/24: The second passports were issued.
• 10/02/24: The second passports were mailed to us, and the primary passports were also sent separately on the same date.
• 10/03/24: We received our second passports (without the primary ones).
• 10/07/24: My spouse received their primary passport.
• 10/10/24: I received my primary passport.

Questions and Answers

These are the questions from the Spanish Non Lucrative Visa group members and their answers:

Q1: “Can’t you apply without sending your primary passport?”
A1: Yes, you could use your birth certificate instead of your first passport. However, for us, it was simpler to send the primary passport.

Q2: “What’s the process for getting the second passport? Any tips on filling the forms?”
A2: We used Form DS-82 and submitted it along with our primary passports. The tool provided by the US State Department to generate the form has a known bug, so we filled out the PDF manually: DS-82 Form. You can also check the instructions here: How to Apply for a Second Passport.

Q3: “Is there a sample statement to explain the need for a second passport?”
A3: Yes, the State Department provides a sample statement, which I modified slightly to personalize it for our situation: Sample Statement for a Second Passport

Comments

Several members chimed in with their own thoughts and experiences, adding value to the discussion:

• “We used Miami as well and had similar experiences. The Spain Non Lucrative Visa process at the consulate can be tricky, especially with the documents. Great that you solved it by getting the second passport!”
• “Sending the primary passport is quicker in some cases, but the birth certificate option is useful for those who don’t want to risk sending their passport if they have upcoming travel.”
• “The premium lounge fee for getting appointments sooner seems like a good option, though some find it unnecessary.”

Conclusion

If you are applying for the Spain Non Lucrative Visa and have concerns about sending in your passport while planning international travel, applying for a second passport is a great solution.

The process is relatively quick, especially with expedited services, and ensures that you can continue traveling while your visa application is being processed. Make sure to check the State Department’s guidelines and use Form DS-82 when applying.

Join our community!

Make sure to join our dedicated Spanish Non Lucrative Visa group here!

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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