This post is to give you a sense of what it’s like to apply for the Spain Non lucrative visa with a family – 2 adults + kids – as a walk-in at the BLS in MIAMI for a non-lucrative visa on March 21, 2025. We have not been approved yet. Will update post if/when we are approved. (Thinking positively.)
IN SUMMARY: We arrived at 7:40am, had to rearrange papers, place/date/sign applications, and take photos, and were done at 10:20am.
NITTY GRITTY:
We chose to do a walk-in appointment. We arrived on a Friday at 7:40am and were fourth in line for walk-ins. When you arrive, there is a small lobby with a handful of chairs. The security guard will ask you how many are applying and make a note.
For families, the protocol is ONE parent goes on behalf of the family, while the kids stay chaperoned in the lobby. When you are called, the security guard immediately asks to see your driver’s license and passport.
I took my husband’s driver’s license with me, all our passports, and all the paperwork, while my husband stayed back in the lobby with the kids.
I was escorted by the security guard to a pretty snug room with 3 tellers behind a glass window and tiny counter space. However, there was a tiny desk area you could organize papers if need be.
The teller immediately asked for our driver’s licenses and passports (they keep the passports, and they’ve give the licenses back to you). Then she asked if she could have each person’s paperwork separated into piles – one pile person with all the documents. Well, we had our paperwork organized by type of document, not person.
So, I had to do the dreaded shuffle on the tiny desk in the back, separating our paperwork out. So, it’s IMPORTANT, when you’re ready to submit all your documents, MAKE SURE YOU’RE ORGANIZING THEM BY PERSON, NOT BY DOCUMENT TYPE.
For example – the way we did it – the wrong way:
- Nat’l Application
- Nat’l App – Husband
- Nat’l App – Me
- Nat’l App – Kid
- EX-O1
- EX-O1 – Husband
- EX-1 – Me
- EX-1 – Kid
- 790-052
- 790-052 – Husband
- 790-052 – Me
- 790-052 – Kid
- Etc…
Correct Way:
- Husband:
- Nat’l Application
- EX-01
- 790-052
- FBI Background Check
- Etc….
- Me:
- Nat’l Application
- EX-01
- 790-052
- FBI Background Check
- Etc…
Note: we only submitted ONE original marriage certificate, ONE photocopy and ONE translation – I put it in my husband’s pile. We didn’t submit an original marriage certificate for each application. Same for the proof of financial means. Because we were part of one family, they didn’t need it for each person.
Also, make sure your applications are signed! We didn’t sign any of the applications beforehand, bc we weren’t sure on what to put for Place (Miami vs. Florida), and we weren’t sure if it needed to be dated the same day as we were applying. So we brought a pen to sign there.
To save you and the teller time, go ahead and sign your paperwork with MIAMI, DD/MM/YYYY once you know you’re going to get in (the security guard will give you a heads up). For your kid’s application, only ONE parent needs to sign it (for us as a married couple).
Also, we made a mistake and put our passport number on Form 790-052 under NIF/CIF/NIE. It should be left blank – the teller mentioned they will fill that in once approved. The teller let the mistake slide and said not to worry about it.
Once I submitted the paperwork in their respective piles, I joined my husband and kids back in the lobby to wait to be called to have our photos taken. We opted to get our photos done at the “photo booth” at the BLS to save time and save us fretting on the quality of the pic and whether it matched the specifications.
(We’ve been burned in the past.) It was simple and quick. The teller will take two separate pictures of you. Don’t smile, and make sure your ears are showing.
After the pics, we all got escorted back to the lobby to wait on our application receipts or to know if we were missing any documents. (Talking to the guard, it seems that he often sees people having to come back the next day bc they are missing paperwork. If the teller doesn’t say anything to you, it’s less likely the consulate will need any additional paperwork for approval.)
We were called back for our respective receipts, and there was no mention of additional paperwork needed. Just that we could check our status with the barcode at the top of the receipt and they would email us with the respective email address on the application. Left the building at 10:20am.
NOTE: Check to make sure that it’s YOUR receipt. One of our receipts was wrong – the teller had accidentally put someone else’s receipt onto my receipt documents. We went back in a few hours later and it was easily remedied. Here’s the correct receipt below.
Questions and Answers
Q: Did you pay with debit card or cash?
A: Debit card only. No cash or money order accepted.
Q: Is $277 the cost per person?
A: Yes. $277 USD per applicant.
Q: Is this for an individual or family?
A: Price is per person. Extra fees may include photos, photocopies, or form filling.
Q: What did you include in your child’s document pile?
A: National Visa Application, EX-01 form, two passport-sized photos, original passport with a copy, apostilled and translated birth certificate, health insurance certificate, and the 790-052 form.
Q: Do all family members need to be present?
A: Opinions vary. One user said only one adult was needed at submission, while another reported that all family members, including kids, had to be present at the Miami BLS office.
Q: Do bank statements need to be translated?
A: No. One 12-month copy was sufficient. The teller did not require a second.
Q: Do marriage certificates need to be translated?
A: Yes. Must be apostilled and officially translated.
Q: Are documents required to be single-sided?
A: Not confirmed. One applicant asked but didn’t get a definitive answer.
Q: Is proof of accommodation required?
A: Officially, no. But one applicant provided Airbnb booking details just in case. There’s no harm in adding it if it’s available.
Comments
“We used Miami as well, also live in Atlanta. Turned in our paperwork on April 30th and got approval text yesterday—14 days total!”
“We had to switch from a student visa appointment and pay $80 as walk-ins, but we were glad they accommodated us.”
“Visa cost was $277 each. Surprising line items included photocopies and form filling fees, even though we provided everything ourselves.”
“My lawyer is asking for proof I own my residence. I live with my father, so unsure what to submit since it’s in his name.”
“Miami BLS doesn’t require accommodation proof, but we added Airbnb details for peace of mind.”
“I couldn’t get through to anyone by phone. It’s good to know walk-ins were accepted in March.”
“Make sure to double-check your receipts—one of ours was filed incorrectly but easily fixed.”
“Processing at Mission is the most painful part. My app status changed after two days. Still waiting.”
Conclusion
Applying for the Spain Non Lucrative Visa as a family at the Miami BLS center can be a smooth process, even as a walk-in—if you’re well-prepared. The key takeaway is organization: prepare your documents by applicant, sign forms ahead of time, and bring a debit card for payment.
While not all documents (like bank statements) need translation, items like the marriage certificate and birth certificates do. Including optional documents, such as Airbnb reservations, can add peace of mind.
Here are Spainguru’s recommended Sworn translators.
Despite some small hiccups—like receipt mix-ups or unexpected fees—the process is manageable. Walk-ins are allowed, but verifying this with current policy is smart. Miami BLS offers a practical route for families if you go in ready and informed.
This article is based on a personal experience and is not legal advice, nor it replaces official requirements.
