Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
This firsthand experience details the Spain Non Lucrative Visa application process through the Manchester BLS center in June 2025.
“So we went for our appointment in Manchester yesterday (June 3rd 2025). The process itself was quite rushed (you have to stand at a counter and there is little room to sort your docs out), and we had to ask the lady on the desk to slow down a bit as she rushed through ‘can I have your xxx and then your xxxx doc’.
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There is no opportunity to get any feedback on the validity of your docs, so it wasn’t possible to ask if the bank statements etc. needed to be stamped. That will come later from the embassy, I guess. So, having not done this and having no time before our appointment, we will just have to wait and see.
For those applying in the near future, I would definitely recommend getting 12 months’ bank statements stamped in a branch and also requesting a bank account opening letter.
My husband called Santander yesterday and they said (after much searching to see if they could, as they’d not heard of this!) they would send it through in the post.
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Explore Cities →Not sure how long it will take though. We wish we’d known about this sooner as we could have been prepared for it.”
Questions and Answers
Q: “Where did you park for the Manchester appointment?”
A: “We parked in the NCP just 5 minutes away. It was expensive, and we didn’t pre-book, but there were spaces.”
Q: “Were you refused due to not having stamped bank statements?”
A: “No, we don’t know yet. We saw someone else mention it the night before our appointment but had no time to get them stamped. We’ll wait and see.”
Q: “Isn’t it best to use a professional?”
A: “We used a relocation agency, but the recent rule changes have not been consistently applied by staff in Manchester. It’s hard to predict exactly what they’ll ask for.”
Q: “Did BLS staff take 12 months of bank statements?”
A: “They didn’t check the content—just collected the documents like application forms, ACRO, health certificate, insurance, and financials.”
Q: “Did you get documents translated?”
A: “We’re not sure if the bank opening letter needs translation. Some say translations are only needed for documents with lots of text, not mainly numerical ones.”
Comments
“We had the same rushed experience in Manchester. Good luck with your process!”
“We expected more of an interview where documentation could be checked. But at BLS they just collect the documents and send them to the consulate.”
“Our Santander branch was great—they stamped 12 months of statements and gave us an account opening letter without charging. It really depends on the branch.”
“At Halifax, they stamped my printed statements and gave me an account opening summary. Super helpful!”
“We were successful through Manchester. I previously posted about the 12-month stamped bank statement requirement. Always take more than you think you’ll need.”
“BLS is just a document collection point. The embassy handles everything. If it says 12 months, it means 12 months. We waited 11.5 weeks for ours.”
“Keep an eye on your junk email—our request for additional documents went unnoticed for days.”
Conclusion
The Spain Non Lucrative Visa application process at the Manchester BLS center in June 2025 was described as fast but rushed, with limited interaction or opportunity to ask questions. Applicants are advised to:
- Bring stamped 12-month bank statements and an account opening letter from your bank.
- Understand that BLS staff do not evaluate documentation; they only collect and forward it.
- Be prepared for inconsistent experiences, both at BLS centers and bank branches.
- Check junk email regularly for embassy communications.
- Follow documentation requirements to the letter, even if others report different outcomes.
Planning ahead and being over-prepared—especially regarding financial documentation—can make a difference in reducing delays or requests for additional info.
Watch “New 2025 Financial Requirements for Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa”
Disclaimer:
Disclaimer: The content of this article is based on personal experiences and contributions shared by members of the Spainguru community. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified expert for guidance specific to your situation.
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