Spain Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco – Firsthand Experience April 2026

Last Updated on June 12, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

This article is based on a real firsthand experience shared by a Spainguru community member who applied for the Spain non lucrative visa San Francisco at the BLS office in April 2026. Their account of the Spain non lucrative visa San Francisco appointment covers the documents requested, the booking ordeal, and what BLS actually checked.

Firsthand Experience: Spain Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco

This group has given me so much help that I would love to share our experiences at the San Francisco BLS. First of all, the appointment process itself. We really were worried about getting an appointment for April. I started searching online the last week of February, checking every 30 or so minutes (sometimes more often when I was bored).

On March 3rd at 6:30PM (PM, not AM) appointments opened up. I had checked at 6:15PM and there was nothing. We tried to book our appointments back to back, but the BLS website timed out on me just as I was hitting “Submit” and it locked my appointment so I could not get to it, nor could I make a new one. I went into full-blown panic mode, trying to cancel that appointment and re-book, but it would not let me.

Finally, after many deep breaths, I managed to book one for the day after my wife’s. Fast forward a little over a month to our first appointment. We had hoped they would see us together, despite our appointments being a day apart, but she said she could not, as she could not access my information yet. No big deal. I did, however, get to sit with my wife while she had her appointment.

We entered at street level and were directed by the guard to the floor with the BLS office. Upon entering, the Spain BLS office is at the end of the hall. Our appointment was at 9:00am and I think we got seen at 9:03 or so. Very efficient. We were done by 9:33. From here on out I am going to use “we” and “ours” although it was only my wife who got processed; mine is tomorrow.

The first thing she asked for was our appointment letter along with a driver’s license (physical, not a copy). Then, passport and photocopy. They needed a color copy, and we only had black and white, so she went ahead and made a copy for us, just the pages with the photo, none of the blank pages.

From there she asked to see our visa application and glued the photograph for us. We got a 45mm x 35mm photo made at Walgreens to comply with what BLS states on their website, although numerous folks said a standard passport photo would work. From there, she asked to see the EX-01 form.

This was our first hiccup. The version our immigration service filled out for us was the 2011 version and BLS wanted the 2024 version, which makes perfect sense. She was very patient as we filled out the required version. From there, she checked the 790 fee form. At that point I lost track of the order, but she basically asked to see:

• Bank statements: we brought 4 months’ worth. They were unredacted and had both my wife and my name on them; she highlighted my wife’s name on each copy and added them to the stack.
• Tax returns: we provided 3 years, and she did not say whether that many were necessary, but she took them all.
• Proof of health insurance coverage.
• Health certificate: my wife had a different version than mine, but she told us either would work.
• Letter of intent: signed by both of us and officially translated.
• FBI background check with apostille (she kept the original).
• Marriage certificate with apostille (she kept the original).

The next hiccup came in the form of the affidavit stating we will not work. We used a template provided by our service and she read it very carefully. She said she would accept it but the consulate may question it because the template only stated we would not work in Spain and did not specifically call out that we would not work remotely for any other country.

She suggested we adapt it, so we got it notarized at the UPS store in San Francisco and will use it for my appointment tomorrow; she said she would replace my wife’s submitted version with the new one at the same time. It turns out this document is not rocket science: just state you are not going to work in Spain for anyone, whether a Spanish, American, British, or EU company. No work at all. Sign and get it notarized, and make sure your passport number is on it.

Although she did not ask for it, we also provided the translated letters of resignation/retirement from our employers. Our visa date was mid-July, but the letters state we are officially retired as of May 1. That was about it. It was fairly painless, although there were many hours of lost sleep leading up to it. She did NOT ask for any kind of rental contract, although we had one.

A few other thoughts: we used an immigration service and they gave us a bit of wrong info in the form of outdated templates. Overall, though, they were responsive and answered our questions within 24 hours. I think we could have done this without their help just using the resources on this Facebook page. It was more fear of the unknown that had us shell the money out for a service.

My recommendation is to breathe, prepare carefully, ask questions, make sure you have copies of everything, and give yourself plenty of time for translations and apostilles. Otherwise, it is not nearly as daunting as we thought. As a side note, of the 6 or so other people we saw in the office, 4 of them were for student visas. If you are having trouble finding appointments, that volume of student visas could be the reason.

EDIT: the second appointment went very smoothly. In and out in 20 minutes, same person, who was very nice. Remember, though, the mission of BLS seems ultimately to accept and screen your paperwork for the consulate. She made it very clear that if there are issues she did not see, the consulate would reach out.

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

Spain Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco: What This Experience Reveals

One applicant’s morning at the BLS counter offers several reusable lessons for anyone preparing a Spain non lucrative visa San Francisco application. The following themes stand out from this experience and the discussion it generated.

Spain Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco: Document Requirements Actually Requested

BLS San Francisco worked through a clear sequence: appointment letter, physical driver’s license, passport plus a color photocopy, the visa application form with a glued photo, the EX-01 national visa form, the 790 fee form, bank statements, tax returns, proof of health insurance, a health certificate, a letter of intent, and an apostilled FBI background check. For the married couple, an apostilled marriage certificate was also collected.

• Bring a physical driver’s license, not a copy.
• Have a color photocopy of your passport photo page ready, not black and white.
• A 45mm x 35mm photo matches BLS’s stated specification.

Spain Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco: The EX-01 Form Version Matters

A recurring snag in this case was the EX-01 form. The version supplied by the applicant’s paid immigration service was the outdated 2011 edition, but BLS required the current 2024 version. A second commenter reported the exact same EX-01 issue at the same office, so this is not a one-off. Confirm you are using the latest official EX-01 before your appointment.

Spain Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco: The Affidavit Not to Work

The affidavit stating the applicant will not work was scrutinized closely. The officer warned that wording limited to “will not work in Spain” may be questioned by the consulate, because it does not explicitly rule out remote work for a company in another country. The practical fix was to state plainly that the applicant will not work for any company anywhere (Spanish, American, British, or EU), include the passport number, and have it notarized.

Spain Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco: Accommodation Was Not Requested

Although the applicant had a rental contract ready, BLS did not ask for proof of accommodation. This is consistent with reports from other consulates where housing proof is not a fixed requirement at the BLS stage, though it is still wise to have it available in case the consulate requests it later.

Spain Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco: Bank Statements and Tax Returns

The applicant submitted 4 months of unredacted bank statements showing both spouses’ names, with the secondary applicant’s name highlighted on each page. Three years of tax returns were handed over, and the officer accepted all of them without confirming whether that many were strictly required. When statements are joint, highlighting the relevant applicant’s name helps the file move quickly.

Spain Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco: Health Insurance and the Health Certificate

Proof of health insurance coverage was requested, and a commenter who paid the full annual premium in advance noted that both their attorney and many group members recommended doing so. Another applicant worked with a broker who would adjust the policy start date once the visa is granted. On the medical side, two slightly different health certificate formats were both accepted, suggesting some flexibility on the exact template.

Spain Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco: Appointment Booking Challenges

For many, the Spain non lucrative visa San Francisco booking is the part applicants describe as the most stressful. In this case, April appointments were released on March 3rd at 6:30PM local time, not in the morning, and nothing was available just 15 minutes earlier. Slots can vanish or lock if the website times out mid-submission, so applicants should be prepared to act fast and stay calm.

• Appointments appeared to release roughly at the start of the month for the following month.
• Check frequently in the evening window, not only the morning.
• Only “prime” slots tended to show for NLV; the BLS worker hinted there are no non-prime NLV appointments, with non-prime slots largely tied to student visas.
• Have every applicant’s details prepared in advance, since one appointment equals one individual.

For the full picture of how appointments, requirements, and renewals fit together, see the Spain Non Lucrative Visa guide, and for an even deeper dive into the process, spainnonlucrativevisa.com covers requirements and timelines in detail.

Spain Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco: Processing Times Vary by Region

After the Spain non lucrative visa San Francisco appointment, BLS forwards the screened file to the consulate, which makes the decision. In this case the applicant was told to expect roughly 8 weeks to 3 months, with the officer noting that the destination region in Spain can affect speed. A commenter heard a range of 2 weeks to 3 months, and mentioned seeing someone approved in as little as 8 days. For families, the package is only submitted to the consulate once every member has completed their appointment.

Comments from Other Spainguru Community Members

The discussion generated several valuable insights from other applicants:

• The same EX-01 version problem (2011 instead of the required 2024 form) was reported independently by another San Francisco applicant.
• For married couples, one apostille and one sworn translation of the marriage certificate was generally sufficient, with the original placed in the secondary applicant’s file and a copy used for the primary.
• Several members felt the visa itself is manageable without an agency; the part worth paying for would be securing an appointment.
• One applicant noted that, at the LA office, the FBI background check, marriage certificate, letter of intent, and affidavit not to work all had to be translated by a sworn translator and notarized.
• Paying the full year of health insurance in advance, or working with a broker to set the start date around the visa grant, were both common strategies.
• Each applicant needs their own appointment; one commenter had four appointments across three days for a family of four.
• A dependent who is not present can sometimes be represented by a parent or spouse, but the family file is only submitted once all appointments are complete.
• Booking only “prime” slots was widely echoed, since NLV appointments rarely appear among standard slots.
• Multiple members emphasized preparing copies of everything and allowing generous time for translations and apostilles.

Taken together, these comments confirm that document handling, translation rules, and processing speed can differ between San Francisco and other consulates, so always cross-check the specific requirements for your office.

Non-Lucrative Visa Health Insurance Resources

• Health Insurance for Spanish Visas — what qualifies for the NLV, costs, and accepted policies.
• Spainguru’s health insurance overview for NLV, DNV, and student visas.
• Non-Lucrative Visa Health Insurance Guide — requirements and accepted full-coverage, no-copay policies.

FAQ: Spain Non Lucrative Visa San Francisco

What documents are required for the Spain non lucrative visa in San Francisco?

In this experience, BLS requested the appointment letter, a physical driver’s license, passport plus color photocopy, the visa application with photo, the EX-01 form, the 790 fee form, bank statements, tax returns, proof of health insurance, a health certificate, a letter of intent, an apostilled FBI background check, and an apostilled marriage certificate for the couple. Always confirm the current checklist with BLS and the consulate before your appointment.

Which version of the EX-01 form does BLS San Francisco want?

BLS required the current 2024 version of the EX-01. Two applicants in this thread arrived with the outdated 2011 version supplied by paid services and had to redo it on the spot. Download the latest official form directly before your appointment.

Do I need to submit multiple years of tax returns?

This applicant brought three years of tax returns and BLS accepted all of them without stating how many were strictly necessary. Bringing several years is a safe approach, but requirements can vary by consulate, so check your office’s guidance.

Is proof of accommodation required for the Spain non lucrative visa in San Francisco?

In this case BLS did not ask for a rental contract, even though the applicant had one. It is still sensible to carry proof of accommodation in case the consulate requests it during its review.

How many months of bank statements should I bring?

The applicant submitted four months of unredacted bank statements. For joint accounts, highlighting the relevant applicant’s name on each page helped the officer process the file efficiently.

Does the affidavit not to work need specific wording?

Yes. The officer warned that an affidavit limited to “no work in Spain” might be questioned, because it does not rule out remote work for a foreign company. State clearly that you will not work for any company anywhere, include your passport number, and have it notarized.

How hard is it to get an appointment in San Francisco?

Appointments are difficult and tend to release around the start of the month for the following month, in this case at 6:30PM local time. Slots are limited, often only “prime” slots appear for NLV, and the website can lock an appointment if it times out, so be ready to book quickly.

How long does it take to get approved after the appointment?

This applicant was told to expect roughly 8 weeks to 3 months, with the destination region in Spain affecting speed. Other members reported anything from about 8 days to 3 months. For families, the consulate only receives the package once every member has completed their appointment.

Can I work remotely on the Spain non lucrative visa?

No. The Spain non lucrative visa San Francisco does not permit work, including remote work for a foreign employer, which is exactly why the affidavit wording is scrutinized. Applicants who plan to work remotely should look at the digital nomad visa instead.

Does each family member need a separate appointment?

Yes, one appointment equals one individual. One commenter had four appointments across three days for a family of four, and BLS held the applications until every member had completed their appointment before submitting the family package.

If you are mapping out your wider relocation, Spainguru’s Moving to Spain guide walks through the steps that follow visa approval.

This article is based on the contributions and experiences of Spainguru community members and is no legal advice. Consider consulting a legal expert for personalized guidance. Consult expert immigration lawyers here: https://spainguru.es/services-for-spanish-visas/

Bruno Bianchi CEO & Spain Immigration Expert

Bruno Bianchi is the founder and CEO of Spainguru, Spain's largest expat immigration community with 150,000+ members. Since 2014 he has helped thousands of people relocate to Spain through expert guides, webinars and vetted professional services covering visas, residency, taxes and life in Spain.

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