This firsthand account comes from a member of Spainguru’s Spain Non Lucrative Visa Facebook group, sharing their recent experience of a walk-in appointment at the Miami Consulate.
The information provided is based on personal experience and is intended to offer insight and encouragement for others navigating similar challenges. Please note that this is not legal advice but rather a detailed account of one individual’s journey. Always consult official consulate guidelines and seek professional assistance if needed to ensure your application process is accurate and smooth.
Walk-In Appointment at Miami Consulate (November 2024)
I would like to share the details of my walk-in appointment today. I didn’t have an appointment and had been trying for months, so we decided to do a walk-in. We got there at 6:30 am and were first in line. By 7:30, there were five people behind us, mostly for tourist and student visas.
At 8:05, the security guard started calling people with appointments, but there weren’t any. He then called the walk-ins in the order of arrival. When we mentioned we were applying for the Spain Non Lucrative Visa, he initially hesitated. I explained that our paperwork was about to expire, and he asked for our passports to check inside the office.
When he came back, he said we could proceed but would have to pay an $80 walk-in fee per person. By 9:30, they called us to turn in our paperwork, passports, and driver’s licenses. The staff was helpful and friendly. Around 10:30, we got our licenses back, paid the fee, and were told that everything looked good. If anything was missing, they would email us.
They also took pictures of each of us (even though we brought our own). They said the processing time is about six weeks, but hopefully, it’ll be sooner.
For reference, we are a family of five—late 30s-40s with three minor children—and paid $1,365 in total ($273 x 5). I hope this motivates others struggling to secure an appointment!
Questions and Answers
Q1: “Do they email you the passports, or do you have to go back to collect them?”
A1: “They said we have to go back to the BLS office between 3-4 pm.”
Q2: “Did they keep your passports? I thought they would keep them.”
A2: “Yes, they kept them.”
Q3: “Does anyone know if Los Angeles Consulate has walk-in hours? My documents will expire soon if I can’t secure an appointment.”
A3: “Los Angeles is not a BLS-run system for Spain Non Lucrative Visa, so there aren’t any walk-in appointments.”
Q4: “How long is the processing time for the Spain Non Lucrative Visa at Miami?”
A4: “Based on various experiences, the standard processing time seems to be around three weeks. Some have reported delays or quicker processing depending on the documentation.”
Comments
- “Congratulations to you and your family! It’s a relief to have this step done.”
- “It’s helpful to know that walk-ins are possible. Sad about the $80 fee, but at least it’s an option.”
- “Our friends applied in June 2024, and theirs took three weeks despite missing documents. July applications also took three weeks, even with minor issues.”
- “Thanks for sharing this. It’s reassuring to see that persistence pays off!”
- “Walk-in appointments are a lifesaver given the difficulty in securing appointments online.”
- “Wow, that’s relatively inexpensive! I might start gathering my documents to apply as soon as we return from Portugal.”
Conclusion
Applying for a Spain Non Lucrative Visa through a walk-in at the Miami Consulate can be a viable option when online appointments are unavailable. Persistence and preparation are key.
Be ready to arrive early, pay the $80 walk-in fee, and ensure all documents are in order. With an estimated processing time of three to six weeks, families and individuals can successfully navigate this process despite the challenges.
