Last Updated on May 19, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
If you are planning to apply for the non lucrative visa San Francisco BLS office with your family, this firsthand account will help you prepare. A SpainGuru community member recently shared their experience applying as a couple with a four-year-old daughter.
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →Their appointment went smoothly overall. However, they learned several important lessons about family applications that could save you time and stress. In particular, they discovered key details about document requirements for dependents and minor children that are not always clear from the official instructions.
Below, you will find their full account, followed by a Q&A with other community members and the key takeaways for anyone preparing a family NLV application at the San Francisco BLS.
The Experience: Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco BLS with Family
“We are a couple in our 40s with a 4 year old daughter, applying with savings. We listed a desired relocation date of June 15 to Madrid but realistically we’d move July or later for tax reasons.”
“Three back-to-back appointments were booked the first week of January. Apparently there wasn’t as much demand that month! I accidentally booked my husband first even though I’m the primary applicant, but the BLS worker let us all go together and had me start.”
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See Vetted Lawyers →“Overall, it went smooth! The one learn is that the family members don’t need to supply duplicates of the financial docs (bank letter, bank statements, taxes). I wanted to call this out for anyone else in the same family situation, as I made 2 extra copies of all of these for my husband and daughter’s file, which was a TON of wasted paper.”
“The SF BLS site does say: Required documents for family members — for each family member it will be necessary to submit all the required documents specified in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 if applicable and 11. In this list, 8 is missing, which is the financial docs, so this tracks from the BLS instructions.”
Tips for Applying with a Minor Child
“Some callouts if you’re applying with a minor child: Both parents have to sign all documents. We needed an extra copy of both parents’ IDs to include in her file. When booking, I had to use my sister’s phone number for my daughter’s BLS account because it wouldn’t let me reuse mine or my husband’s. The rep was able to update it in her computer to my phone number in their system.”
“We both provided promise not to work letters with future resignation dates, but before our planned relocation date. We also included sworn translated copies of our resignation emails. She seemed to skim my letter and read my husband’s maybe a little more closely but didn’t flag anything.”
Community Q&A
Other SpainGuru members asked follow-up questions about the experience:
Q: How long did you wait to get a BLS appointment?
“Be sure to look the first few days of March. The month of February opened up the first week of January.”
Q: Do you need to upload a photo for the BLS appointment?
“Yes, I had to upload a picture when making the appointment. Have one ready to go and make sure the file size isn’t too big. The maximum file size is 200 KB.”
Q: What needs to be translated and what needs to be apostilled?
“You get an apostille for the FBI check, marriage certificate, and birth certificate for my daughter. I translated all of the above except the marriage and birth cert apostilles since the California apostille was already bilingual. I ordered the background check early December, sent the apostille request to the Department of State end of December, and had it back in 4 weeks.”
Key Takeaways from This Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco BLS Experience
Family Members Do Not Need Duplicate Financial Documents
The most valuable lesson from this experience is that dependent family members do not need their own copies of financial documents. Specifically, bank letters, bank statements, and tax returns only need to appear in the primary applicant’s file. The SF BLS instructions confirm this by listing required document sections for family members and deliberately omitting section 8, which covers financial proof. As a result, you can save significant time and paper by preparing only one set of financial documents.
Special Requirements for Minor Children
When applying with a minor child, there are several extra steps to keep in mind. First, both parents must sign all documents in the child’s application file. Second, you need an extra copy of both parents’ photo IDs for the child’s folder. Third, you will need a separate phone number to create the child’s BLS account since the system does not allow duplicate numbers. However, the BLS representative can update the phone number in their system during your appointment.
Booking Tips for San Francisco BLS
This applicant booked three back-to-back appointments during the first week of January when demand was low. Consequently, they had no trouble securing slots. For anyone targeting the San Francisco BLS, check for new appointment availability in the first few days of each month. In addition, have a passport-style photo ready with a file size under 200 KB, as you need to upload one during the booking process.
Apostille and Translation Timeline
The applicant ordered their FBI background check in early December and sent the apostille request to the Department of State at the end of December. They received the apostilled documents back in about four weeks. Therefore, plan to start your background check at least two to three months before your desired appointment date. Additionally, note that California apostilles are bilingual, so marriage and birth certificates apostilled in California may not need separate translations.
Promise Not to Work Letters
Both spouses provided promise not to work letters with future resignation dates set before their planned relocation date. They also included sworn translated copies of their resignation emails as supporting evidence. The BLS representative reviewed these without flagging any issues. For more guidance on preparing your application, check SpainGuru’s complete NLV guide.
If you need help with translations, apostilles, or other visa paperwork, SpainGuru’s recommended visa services can assist at every step. You can also find expert immigration lawyers through SpainGuru’s directory.
Here you can find SpainGuru’s recommended NLV-related services: https://spainguru.es/services-for-spanish-visas/
Join SpainGuru’s Spain Non-Lucrative Visa Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spanishnlv
Frequently Asked Questions
Do family members need their own financial documents for the NLV?
No. According to this applicant’s experience at San Francisco BLS, dependent family members do not need to submit duplicate financial documents. The primary applicant provides the bank letters, statements, and tax returns. As a result, the BLS instructions for family members deliberately exclude the financial documents section.
What extra documents are needed when applying with a minor child?
When applying with a minor child, both parents must sign all documents in the child’s file. You also need extra copies of both parents’ photo IDs for the child’s folder. Additionally, you will need a birth certificate with an apostille and translation for the child.
How far in advance should I book a San Francisco BLS appointment?
This applicant booked in early January for a late February appointment. New appointment slots typically open in the first few days of each month. Therefore, check the BLS website during those early days. Demand was lower in January, so timing your search strategically can help you find availability more easily.
How long does the FBI background check and apostille process take?
The applicant ordered the FBI background check in early December and sent the apostille request at the end of December. The apostilled document came back in about four weeks. In total, plan for roughly two to three months from start to finish when you include processing times for both steps.
Do California apostilles need to be translated for the NLV?
Not always. This applicant noted that California apostilles are already bilingual, meaning they include both English and Spanish text. As a result, their marriage certificate and birth certificate apostilles did not require separate translations. However, the FBI background check apostille still needed a sworn translation.
This article captures a personal experience shared by a SpainGuru community member and does not constitute legal advice. For professional guidance, consult with expert immigration lawyers through SpainGuru’s recommended services: https://spainguru.es/services-for-spanish-visas/
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