My Spain Non Lucrative Visa Application at Houston Consulate
We had in-person appointments in Houston this week. Below is the list of documents specifically requested by the BLS official. Houston has specific document requirements different from other consulates.
Hope this can help anyone going through Houston:
- National Visa Application (signed in blue ink)
- EX-01 form (signed in blue ink)
- Modelo 790 form (signed in blue ink)
- Passport (color copy, b/w copy) – you will also turn in your actual passport
- Driver’s License (color copy, b/w copy)
- Photo (passport-style photo, ours were too large but without issue they cut ours down to size and pasted it on our national visa application for us)
- Financial Summary Page (notarized/translated, original/copy)
- Bank Account Verification Letters (notarized/translated, original/copy) – we had verification of deposit letters from each bank
- 12 Months of Bank Statements (original/copy) – we have online banks and printed them out ourselves (no translation necessary)
- Health insurance certificates (actual certificate required showing 12 months coverage, original/copy) – many brokers will only provide a certificate 30 days prior to the start of the contract, however, we found “Innoinsure” broker who provided a certificate two days after payment and 90+ days prior to contract start date
- FBI Background Check (apostilled, notarized/translated, original/copy)
- Marriage Certificate (apostilled, notarized/translated, original/copy)
- Medical Certificate of Good Health (with doctor’s stamp, original/copy)
- Letter from Employer (notarized/translated/original/copy) – this was a letter from HR on employer letterhead, dated, and signed by HR, simply stating we were no longer employed or on unpaid leave and the final date we were employed (we were asked for this document by Houston officials)
- Affidavit (notarized/translated, original/copy) – a document containing four basic statements: brief work history, reasons we want to move to Spain, postal address in Spain, and commitment to no gainful work
- Proof of Accommodation (original/copy) – in Spain for the first three months, printed directly from Airbnb website in Spanish
Bring your money orders. Any other BLS-related charges can be paid with a debit card (no credit card).
We brought last year’s tax records just in case (not translated), however, Houston did not ask for any tax records, and we didn’t provide them.
We were told by the BLS official to expect an answer at some point in February 2025.
Questions and Answers
Q1: Did you have to leave your passport with the BLS after your appointment? If approved, do you have to appear in person to pick up the visa?
A1: You must leave your passport. There’s an option (for roughly $40) to have your passport shipped back to you. We paid for both passports to be shipped back.
Q2: Where did you go for the medical certificate?
A2: We called multiple clinics in our area until one agreed and acknowledged what we needed, made appointments, and got the paperwork.
Q3: Where did you go for translation and notary? I’ve been having a challenging time finding this service.
A3: We had the notary done at a local UPS store for $8 per document.
Q4: Are you younger than retirement age? Is this why they required employer verification that you aren’t working?
A4: We are, which I assume is likely the reason. However, they didn’t explain why, and they really don’t have this outlined as an item on their website.
Q5: Any advice on scheduling an appointment? I am in the habit of checking every morning but still haven’t found any availability.
A5: We finally had to break down and call the helpline and beg for an appointment. I have a full separate post on this process you can refer to.
Q6: What do you mean by a “financial summary page”? What sort of document is this? Do you mean something from a financial institution (such as a bank or brokerage) showing the current amount deposited, or something else?
A6: A financial summary page is a document you need if you have multiple bank accounts. You’ll need a simple, neat summary to show the total for all accounts. You can create this document yourself.
Q7: What exactly is a “bank account verification letter” as distinguished from just your bank statements?
A7: A verification of deposit is a timestamped document most banks have to prove the funds are in your account. If you have a physical bank, you can request this and have them add verbiage such as “this customer is in good standing.”
Q8: Did your notaries need to be in blue ink?
A8: Yes, we were required to sign in blue ink.
Q9: Is it possible to show what the financial summary looks like? Its general format, I mean.
A9: It’s just a self-prepared document that summarizes your total bank balances across different accounts.
Q10: The website doesn’t say the financials need to be translated and notarized that we can find. Is that something you did just in case, or was it a requirement?
A10: We were specifically asked to provide notarized and translated financial documents. Houston may have different requirements than other consulates.
Comments
- “We are going through Houston at the end of January 2025. Thanks for sharing!”
- “Houston seems to require way more than Los Angeles! In LA, you can get an answer as soon as two weeks. Congrats and good luck!”
- “We went through Houston in July and did not have to provide a financial summary page or bank account verification letters. Sounds like they have made changes to their requirements.”
- “I have been asked to submit three years of tax returns translated! I’m in New York. It’s interesting how they all vary.”
- “Did you do everything on your own, or did you hire a professional to guide you through the process?”
- “We are gathering our documents now. Thanks for the tips!”
- “Thanks for sharing! Did your notaries need to be in blue ink?”
- “Where did you find your broker?”
Conclusion
Applying for the Spain Non Lucrative Visa through the Houston Consulate comes with specific document requirements that differ from other consulates. Some applicants have noticed additional required documents, such as financial summaries and employer verification letters, particularly for those who are not of retirement age.
Key takeaways from the Houston experience:
- Expect to provide financial documents that are notarized and translated.
- Proof of accommodation for at least three months is required.
- Health insurance certificates must show full 12-month coverage.
- Scheduling an appointment can be difficult; calling the helpline may help.
- Passports must be left with the BLS, but shipping options are available for return.
This is a personal experience, and it’s not legal advice. Understanding the Houston consulate’s specific requirements and preparing accordingly is essential for the application process.
