Spain Non Lucrative Visa Los Angeles Approval Experience June 2025

This first-hand account details a Spain Non Lucrative Visa application at the Los Angeles BLS office in June 2025, including process, costs, and tips.

My Spain Non Lucrative Visa Los Angeles Experience

After almost 10 weeks, NLV (365-day validity, multi-entry) was finally approved (Los Angeles BLS → Barcelona) and now it’s time for me to give back! I think it’s super important to be transparent about true costs, so I’ve included that, and I also plan to create more accessible documents in the future.

To clear up the most recent confusion: there is a $30pp (even minors) “flexi fee” that you can pay in-person (debit/cash only) in order to pick-up your visa outside of the standard 3pm-4pm window. Additionally, the bank form with the 12-month summary that everyone is looking for (post 20 May 2025 NLV updates) is called the “Deposit Account Balance Summary”; I do not have this added in the picture of required documents that I included, but I have updated the info below to reflect these changes and provide additional context.

Disclaimer: none of this post contains legal advice nor should be taken as such. Additionally, I applied before 5/20, so keep that in mind.

What you will find in this post:

• Background
• Addressing Common Misconceptions (as they relate to BLS’s Los Angeles office only)
• Complete Timeline
• NLV: Required Documents
• NLV: Total Cost Breakdown
• NLV: Tips & Tricks
• Additional Documents

Background

We applied for the Non-lucrative Visa through the BLS office in Los Angeles in May 2025 and did not use any form of legal assistance to complete the process. Although I am married, the application only included me (main applicant) and my dependent child. My spouse’s intention is to move later via a Digital Nomad Visa.

I project manage my personal life and decided to experiment with a “bare minimum” document list to clarify what’s truly required. I took three sets of documents: main applicant, dependent minor, and additional documents for use only if requested.

Addressing Common Misconceptions (Los Angeles BLS)

• You do not need an actual address/Airbnb/rental agreement to apply; intended city/country is sufficient.
• You do not need to pay a full year of private health insurance upfront if you can pay monthly from an IBAN account.
• Only previous year’s tax return was requested (though I recommend bringing the last three years).
• Bank statements do not need notarization or stamps; however, since 20 May 2025, the “Deposit Account Balance Summary” is required.
• Only vital records and FBI checks require apostille.
• Apostilles and sworn translations must be dated within six months of the appointment, but the vital record itself can be older.
• Use a certified sworn translator registered with the Spanish government.

Complete Timeline

The process took less than seven weeks to gather documents and schedule the appointment, plus 9 weeks 5 days from appointment (5/9) to approval (7/16). The post includes a detailed day-by-day breakdown of document requests, appointments, translations, and approvals.

NLV: Required Documents

Primary Applicant

1. Letter of intent – Original + Copy
2. National visa application form – Original
3. Passport-sized photograph (only 1 needed) – Original or Copy
4. Valid, unexpired passport – Original + Copy
5. ID card: state driver’s license – Original + Copy
6. Non-lucrative visa (NLV) application form (EX-01) – Original
7. Residence permit application fee form (790-052) – Original (x2)
8. Proof of health insurance: certificate of coverage – Original or Copy
9. Bank statements (3 months) – Original or Copy
10. Tax return(s), only previous year needed – Original or Copy
11. Termination letter or affidavit – Original, Notarization
12. Criminal background check (18+ only) – Original, Apostille, Sworn Translation
13. Medical certificate (clearance) – Original + Copy, Bilingual Template or Sworn Translation
14. Money order: $140 + $11 – Original
15. Proof of accommodation (Airbnb/rental agreement) – Not required
16. BLS disclaimer form – Not required

Dependent, Minor

1. Letter of intent – Original
2. National visa application form – Original
3. Passport-sized photograph (only 1 needed) – Original or Copy
4. Valid, unexpired passport – Original + Copy
5. ID card: school ID – Original + Copy
6. Non-lucrative visa (NLV) application form (EX-01) – Original
7. Residence permit application fee form (790-052) – Original
8. Proof of health insurance: certificate of coverage – Original or Copy
9. Medical certificate (clearance) – Original + Copy, Bilingual Template or Sworn Translation
10. Proof of relationship: birth certificate – Original, Apostille, Sworn Translation
11. *Proof of relationship: marriage certificate – Original, Apostille, Sworn Translation
12. *Authorization letter from non-traveling parent – Original, Notarization, Bilingual Template or Sworn Translation
13. School enrollment confirmation: invoice – Original or Copy
14. Money order: $140 + $11 – Original

NLV: Total Cost Breakdown

Main Applicant

• Appointment scheduling fee (NLV application): $18.00
• Visa fee (NLV application): $140.00
• Residence permit fee (NLV application): $11.00
• Optional SMS/STS notification fee: $8.00
• Bank money order fee: $10.00
• FBI background check request: $18.00
• Apostille request for FBI background check: $20.00
• 2-day shipping (FedEx): $10.00
• Optional courier processing: $95.00
• Parking (state apostille pick-up): $12.35
• Visa photographs (2): $18.31
• Printing sworn translations (2 pages): $1.31
• Printing sworn translations (4 pages): $2.62
• Translation: FBI background check with apostille (2 pages): $81.31
• Bank fee (service + conversion): $1.12
• Optional e-fingerprints for FBI: $50.00

Dependent, Minor

• Appointment scheduling fee (NLV application): $18.00
• Visa fee (NLV application): $140.00
• Residence permit fee (NLV application): $11.00
• Optional SMS/STS notification fee: $8.00
• Bank money order fee: $10.00
• Apostille request for birth certificate: $26.00
• Apostille request for marriage certificate: $26.00
• Visa photographs (2): $18.31
• Translation: birth certificate with apostille (2 pages): $81.31
• Translation: marriage certificate with apostille (2 pages): $81.32

Total cost for both applicants: $906.96

• Main applicant: $489.40
• Dependent, minor: $417.56

NLV: Tips & Tricks

1. Print your BLS “Appointment Letter” and bring it — they ask for it first.
2. Schedule your appointment before gathering all documents; aim for about a month out.
3. Use both a fingerprinting service and a courier for the USDOS apostille to avoid mistakes and delays.
4. Separate appointments are required for children, with separate contact details.
5. Avoid using Chrome to book appointments; many have issues completing payment.
6. Only applicants are allowed in the waiting room during the interview.
7. Joint account holders should ensure authorization letters are clear if both aren’t applying together.
8. Glue your picture to the top right of the National Visa Application Form.
9. Keep passports, ID cards, and money orders separate from other documents for easy access.
10. Organize documents in the order shown in the “Required Documents” list.
11. Ask your bank about free notary services.
12. When notarizing, ask for a jurat over an acknowledgement.
13. Use a AAA membership for cheap/free passport photos if available.
14. Use an EU bank account to avoid paying a full year of health insurance upfront — monthly billing is possible.
15. You can start your health insurance policy up to 3 months in advance.
16. Choose your 90-day entry window start date strategically.
17. For school-aged children, an invoice from the school may suffice for proof of enrollment.
18. Follow consistent date and address formats in all forms (dd-mm-yyyy, “Provincia” = Country, etc.).

Additional Documents

(Brought but not always required — useful for complex cases)

1. School enrollment confirmation: invoice
2. Authorization letter from non-traveling parent
3. Copy of other parent’s passport
4. Proof of relationship: marriage certificate* (with apostille and sworn translation)
5. BLS disclaimer form
6. Deposit Account Balance Summary for each bank account (requested in person at branch)
7. Two additional years of tax returns
8. Minor’s letter of intent (signed but not notarized)
9. Minor’s notarized affidavit promising not to work
10. Copies of original documents containing the sworn translator’s stamp and signature

Questions and Answers

These are the Questions and Answers from Spainguru’s Facebook group members:

Q1: “What is your understanding of the May 20, 2025 change to 365-day visa validity?”
A1: “No solid information yet, but I’m treating it as having 365 days to enter. It seems in line with how Spain operates, and I believe it could be defended legally if challenged.”

Q2: “Is the medical certificate valid for three months?”
A2: “Yes, it’s only valid for three months, so you’ll need a new one if it expires before your appointment.”

Q3: “Are afternoons better for booking BLS appointments in Los Angeles?”
A3: “That’s what I was told by BLS, and it worked for me.”

Q4: “Which courier did you use for the FBI apostille?”
A4: “Shelly from Jet Signature Notary. Turnaround was about 10 days with great communication.”

Q5: “Which vendor did you use for visa pictures?”
A5: “PostalAnnex. They are experienced with visa photos and reasonably priced.”

Q6: “Which bank issued your Deposit Account Balance Summary?”
A6: “Chase, but most banks should offer a similar document.”

Q7: “Did you enroll your child in a Spanish school before applying?”
A7: “Yes, an international school.”

Q8: “How did you arrange monthly health insurance payments?”
A8: “Opened an account in April, chose July as the start month, and paid monthly via IBAN.”

Q9: “Which health insurance provider did you use?”
A9: “Sanitas, chosen for its large local clinician network.”

Q10: “How does the FBI background check apostille process work?”
A10: “Request online, do fingerprints at USPS, get results the same day, send PDF to courier for apostille, receive the apostille by mail.”

Comments

“This is truly amazing. I wish I had known to get an appointment before finishing all the paperwork.”
“As a professional organizer, I admire the planning and detail in this post.”
“Thank you for sharing such comprehensive cost and requirement information—it removes a lot of stress from the process.”
“First, let me congratulate you on your organizational skills—they’re outstanding.”
“This is absolutely incredible. Even though I already have my NLV, I appreciate the level of detail you’ve shared.”

Conclusion

This Spain Non Lucrative Visa Los Angeles application in June 2025 highlights that success comes from preparation, knowing the real requirements, and staying flexible when rules change—such as the new 365-day validity period introduced in May 2025.

Applicants benefit from bringing additional documents, understanding timelines, and using reliable services for apostilles, translations, and health insurance.