We got our passports back today from Houston BLS, with the Spain Non Lucrative Visa on them. It feels like it took an eternity:
6/15: Sent applications to HOUSTON BLS via USPS
6/17: USPS tracking showed delivery to BLS
7/18: Received email with reference numbers & requests for 2 documents (only for me, nothing requested of my wife).
7/18 & 7/19: Interacted by email and sent requested documents by email
8/9: Received a new email asking for two things (the same things I had sent before) and five things from my wife (three of these were not actually needed, one was outside the requirements, and one was a correct request to put our Spanish address on the EX-01). They gave a 15-day deadline to receive these things by U.S. mail.
8/19: Sent all requested materials to BLS via USPS.
8/21: Package received by BLS.
10/15: Received text and email with UPS tracking info.
10/18: Received passports and visas.
Total time from sending applications to receiving visas: 125 days
Time between BLS receipt of applications and ‘acceptance’ of applications: 31 days
Time between acceptance of applications and notification visas were in transit: 91 days
I posted previously that if we were to do this again, we would apply in person, not by mail. (Only after we applied did BLS add a disclaimer for Houston advising people not to mail in applications.) Folks going in to Houston recently seem to be getting their visas in a month, instead of nearly five months.
Along the way, I checked in with BLS three times by phone. They were polite but couldn’t shed light on our status. I sent many emails to BLS. They replied to all but one but never provided an actual status on our applications at any point.
If there’s a lesson here, it’s to supply what’s requested and be prepared to be very, very patient. We went through what I consider an extremely frustrating process that took much longer than at other consulates.
This experience dampened our excitement for the move to Spain, but we do intend to get there.
Questions and Answers
Q1: “What was your desired date to enter Spain?”
A1: “We hoped to be there by summer but now plan to be in Cordoba in December if everything else falls into place.”
Q2: “Guess there are perks to the LA Consulate requiring in-person appointments. There are pros and cons to each approach.”
A2: “True, each of the ten consulates handles things differently. If one consulate can issue visas in three weeks, it’s hard not to expect similar timing elsewhere. But it is what it is—we’ve finally got our visas.”
Q3: “Did the timing have anything to do with Spain’s ‘August shutdown’?”
A3: “Yes, that played a role, as did the increase in student visa applications during summer. Houston also shifted visa processing to BLS in April, which seems to have created some extra issues.”
Comments
“Don’t let it put you off! We waited 28 weeks, and it drove us nuts, but it’s wonderful once you get here. Good luck!”
“Once you arrive, keep in mind that getting the padrón and TIE takes more time but is worth it!”
“We went through Houston as well. Our confirmation was delayed, and then there was silence for weeks. We finally received our passports after about two and a half months.”
“We had a similar experience—August shutdown, student visa season, and BLS being new to the process in Houston. It was frustrating, but we eventually made it too. The positive side was we got to spend more time with family and friends before moving.”
“Don’t worry, future renewals are much easier since they take place in Spain!”
“Congratulations! Once you arrive, things are generally easier to accomplish—even with the bureaucracy.”
Conclusion
The Spain Non Lucrative Visa process at the Houston BLS office can be long and complex, particularly for those mailing in applications.
The summer season, high demand for student visas, and the recent shift to processing through BLS appear to have caused delays. Many applicants found it helpful to apply in person, if possible, to speed up processing.
Those who persisted through the Houston process emphasized patience, keeping track of updates, and setting realistic expectations. However, once the visa is obtained, the general consensus is that Spain is worth the wait.
