This firsthand experience details the Spain Non Lucrative Visa application process at the Los Angeles consulate, including tips and lessons from June 2025.
Spain Non Lucrative Visa: My Application at the Los Angeles Consulate – June 2025
“Quick summary of our Spain Non Lucrative Visa appointment at Los Angeles today.
Got there early, lots of names called with no response (mostly students, I think) so hubby and I started our appointments together 10 minutes early. Very kind and patient young man attending to us.
We are retired and on SS for a while now, so maybe this contributed to the ease of things.
Asked for just 3 months of bank statements; he did not mention the balance letter. However, we had quick response from our two regional banks; wrote a letter with information requested.
We submitted these with our bank statements. Our big bank, American Express, said they do not have this sort of thing, so I wrote an attestation of balance, etc., translated via Google, had it notarized. No comment on these extra documents from our clerk, but he took them.
One year tax returns: 2024.
All the expected stuff: med insurance, med certificate, background check, etc. We were vastly over-prepared. Told hubby it was like when we had dinner parties in the Midwest: always have more.
- Some things we had that they did not ask for (yet…cuz ya never know):
- Proof of accommodation in Spain.
- 3 years tax returns; 12 months bank statements. (Just 1 and 3.)
- Multiple copies of everything–anything that needed copies, they only asked for one extra.
- Hubby’s HR letter confirming his last day of work a couple of months ago.
- NIE certificate (we have because we are in the process of buying a property).
Special note: because I had not changed my name back from first husband’s when Mr. Right and I were married, our cert did not have my current (maiden) name.
I got new copies of divorce papers (that say first husband will ‘allow’ me to revert to maiden name), had those apostilled and translated, wrote a sworn letter saying I began using my maiden name after I married Mr. Right.
BLS guy took those papers when I offered them. Finally, we were told it could take up to twelve weeks, but probably sooner. We were done in about 40 minutes.”
Questions and Answers
Q: “Did they ask for the December 31, 2024 bank statement? This new requirement has me sweating bullets! Also the average balance letter. We bought two cars cash last year and it dropped our balances. Now I am wondering if we will be denied?”
A: “They did not ask for it, but we had letters for 3 of our four accounts (small regional banks, willing to help). We just clipped those to our bank statements. Hard to know what might get flagged, but I am hopeful if folks have enough during these last three months, it will work in their favor.”
Q: “Congratulations! I’ll be doing mine through Chicago and am freaking out about the accommodation proof. What sort of proof did you have just in case it was needed?”
A: “We booked a room through Booking.com for the first month and printed the confirmation in Spanish (just set the language to Spanish). Our realtor found us a short-term (3 month) rental and provided a Spanish/English contract. LA requirements say just 3 months needed.”
Q: “May I ask how long it took for you to get an appointment?”
A: “We were nonstop on the site for two days after May opened up. Kept getting kicked out of the process until we weren’t.”
Q: “What kind of appointment did you have? Family or individual?”
A: “Two individual appointments.”
Q: “Did you translate the income tax forms?”
A: “No, we did not translate tax forms.”
Comments
“Over-prepare is ok. Giving info they don’t request is overproducing and causes issues. I worked 22 years in immigration. It’s always a crapshoot. Rules and policies change with the wind. Hope all goes well.”
“Great write-up. They told us ‘up to 12 weeks.’ We are just over a month now waiting. They took 3 months of statements from us versus 12 and 3 years of tax returns. They didn’t ask for accommodation or even where we were going (though we put Valencia on our applications). Everyone has different experiences. Best of luck!”
“I’ve seen two people who received the pick-up text this week after waiting 5 weeks. Hopefully, you will get yours this week!”
“Los Angeles always says it will take a while but then they tend to move quite quickly so I’m sure you will hear back soon. Best of luck!”
“Holy sweet jesus! I just got a text from BLS that my application is ready for pick up. Woohoo!”
“This bodes well for those of us with an upcoming appointment in LA. I suspect they might ask for more documents from us seeing that we will be very newly retired—like 2 days before our appointment.”
“We were unable to get a family appointment and tried the student one just to get an appointment. We were turned away. Not sure if it was because we were late or because we had a student appointment. We were told there is a computer glitch and people can’t get a family appointment anymore and to make individual appointments.”
“I kept getting kicked out as well. I think I was able to switch between the computer on WiFi and my phone on mobile data only while trying to book 4 appointments for my family. On the day I actually saw available appointments (April 4), it took me 3 hours to book the appointments amongst all the error messages.”
Conclusion
This firsthand account of applying for the Spain Non Lucrative Visa at the Los Angeles consulate in June 2025 provides useful insights into the process. Preparation is key, but flexibility and patience are equally important.
While only three months of bank statements and one year of tax returns were requested, the applicant came with extra documentation just in case. The consulate did not require accommodation proof or translated tax documents, but having them available can provide peace of mind.
Booking appointments remains a challenge, with the website often glitching. Persistence pays off, and many users report that individual appointments are easier to secure than family ones. The estimated processing time is up to 12 weeks, but some applicants have received approvals in five.
Overall, being over-prepared, respectful, and informed can help smooth the way through the NLV application process in Los Angeles.
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.
Recommended Immigration Experts
Carefully selected Spanish immigration lawyers and legal professionals to help you with visas, residency applications, and Spanish citizenship.
Contact Immigration ExpertsJoin the Community!
Welcome to Spainguru’s Community Hub!
Connect with thousands of expats, aspiring residents, and digital nomads in Spain. Our vibrant community is here to support you every step of your journey, offering invaluable advice, shared experiences, and real-time answers to your questions. Find your tribe and make your move to Spain smoother and more enjoyable!
Spain Immigration
For general inquiries and discussions about all types of Spanish immigration processes.
Join Group
NLV (Non-lucrative visa)
Dedicated to discussions and support for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa application.
Join Group
Digital Nomad Visa
Your go-to group for questions and tips about the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa.
Join Group
Spain Immigration for Filipinos
A specific community for Filipinos navigating immigration to Spain.
Join Group
Portugal Golden Visa
For discussions and advice on obtaining the Spanish Golden Visa through investment, as an alternative to the deprecated Spanish Golden Visa as of April 2025.
Join Group
Americans in Spain
A community specifically for Americans living in or planning to move to Spain.
Join Group
Americans Retiring in Spain
Connect with fellow Americans thinking about retiring in Spain.
Join Group
Spanish Non-lucrative Visa Subreddit
A dedicated subreddit for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa.
Visit Subreddit
Digital Nomad Visa Subreddit
Find resources and discussions specifically for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa.
Visit Subreddit
Americans in Spain Subreddit
A community for Americans living in or moving to Spain on Reddit.
Visit SubredditStay informed!
Don’t miss out on important updates, guides, and community events. Follow us on our various platforms!
Frequently Asked Questions
Our communities are designed to provide a supportive environment for individuals interested in or currently living in Spain. You can ask questions, share experiences, get advice on visas, residency, daily life, and connect with like-minded people.
Yes, all our communities are actively moderated by the Spainguru team and dedicated volunteers to ensure a respectful, helpful, and spam-free environment.
While you can get general advice and personal experiences, please remember that information shared in these groups is not official legal or immigration advice. For specific, personalized guidance, we recommend consulting with a qualified professional.
You can contribute by sharing your experiences, answering questions, offering tips, and welcoming new members. Positive and constructive engagement is always encouraged!
