Question
Is it possible to take an employer’s letter to BLS London to give a resignation date, rather than a P45, to say a resignation will be a month after the BLS London interview?
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“We took letters off our employers to give our retirement dates, they accepted them. We are now on our 11th week of waiting. This was Manchester.”
“I was still working in the UK when I had my Spain Non Lucrative Visa appointment at Manchester last September. They asked for my P45 several times during the interview, but I just stood my ground and said that it wasn’t on their list of required documents, so I wasn’t going to provide it. My visa was granted in October.”
“Manchester wants to see P45s at the appointment. When we resigned from our employment, our P45s came through the post with no issues at all! We’re in our early 50s.”
“No, I had to give up work before Christmas in order to attend my appointment for the visa in January. Not ideal, but to my knowledge, there is no way around it if you want to be accepted.”
“Nope, you have to hand your P45 in at your interview.”
“You have to have an intended date to stop work. A letter from an accountant for the self-employed or an employer confirming the termination date was accepted in Manchester last November. Our visas were granted in 5 weeks.”
“I worked right up until a few days before we left. I had an official letter from work stating my finishing date. I also wrote a letter explaining clearly what my intentions were and when I would be entering Spain and had this translated. I had no issues getting the visa in Edinburgh.”
“I needed a P45 to prove I had finished in Manchester.”
“We had to quit as they (London) asked for a P45.”
“I was told and had to take my P45 to Manchester.”
Conclusion
Based on feedback from applicants, the requirement for a P45 varies depending on the consulate/BLS office. Some applicants in Manchester and London reported that they had to provide a P45, while others were able to submit an employer’s letter stating their resignation date.
In contrast, Edinburgh appeared more flexible, allowing a resignation letter and a personal statement outlining the applicant’s plans.
Those applying for the Spain Non Lucrative Visa should check the latest requirements for their specific consulate, as policies may differ.
If an applicant wishes to remain employed until just before departure, a resignation letter may work in some cases, but many consulates still request a P45 as proof of employment termination.
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