In order to apply for the visa, it is MANDATORY to pay for:

• Visa fee (Different rates apply based on reciprocity)
• Residence permit fee
• BLS service fee

• All Fees are non-refundable
• The Visa Fee is subject to change without notice

National visa application form.​ The applicant must complete and sign an official application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must sign the application.

Photo has to be glued to the application form. An updated photo-paper picture, passport size, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face. Photographs of toddlers or babies must not show any part of the adult holding them.

Valid, unexpired passport. Original and copy of the page or pages of the passport that contain biometric data. The passport must have a minimum validity of 1 year and contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.

Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction: State ID, Driver´s License or Student ID.

Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non Americans). Must present original and copy of Permanent Resident Card (Green card).

Visa fee. For nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, the United Kingdom and others, different rates are applied based on reciprocity. Please check the complete most recent visa fees 2024

Present the payment the day of your appointment. Only money orders are accepted, payable to the Consulate of Spain. No cash, personal checks, nor credit cards. The processing fee will not be returned even if the visa is not granted or canceled.

Form EX_01 "Solicitud de autorización de residencia temporal no lucrativa". Each applicant must complete and sign a copy of the form.

Form 790 code 052 , Each applicant must complete and sign a copy of this form, and ticking the box: "Autorización inicial de residencia temporal", the fee for 2024​ is US$ 12. Only money order payable to Consulate of Spain.

“Public or private health insurance certificate taken out with an insurance company authorised to operate in Spain. The insurance must cover all risks insured by the public health system in Spain.
The health insurance must meet the following requirements:
The insurance must cover all risks insured by the public health system in Spain. This coverage must be maintained throughout the validity of the authorisation.
The health insurance must not have a waiting period, grace periods, co-payments, deductions or coverage limit, that is, it must cover 100% of medical, hospital and extra-hospital expenses. However, if the insurance coverage is limited to a certain amount, this limit must not be less than €30,000.
Travel insurance will not be accepted. Insurance cards will not be accepted as proof of the contracting of health insurance.”

Proof of financial means. The applicants must prove that they have sufficient financial means to support themselves during their residence in Spain. The minimum required monthly amount is equivalent to 400% of the IPREM (by 2023 approx. US$ 2,600) and adding 100% of the IPREM for each family member.

These documents are the following:

For retired:

• Social Security Benefits or/and Private of Public retirement benefit (Army Veteran, Teacher`s union, etc.).
• Bank statements of the last 3 months from all bank accounts and any other source of income totaling the minimum required.

​​​​For non-retired people, add:​

• Last 3 years of TAX IRS returns
• Notarized in Spanish letter committing not to work while in Spain, not even online
• If the applicant works in a local company, a letter must be presented where they ensure that as soon as the visa is approved the contract will end and the applicant will not work even online.

Proof of accommodation. Provide one of the following documents (in Spanish):

• Lease of minimum 3 months signed by two parts of it.
• If the applicant own a property must present Title deed of property or Nota Simple.

Criminal record check certificate. Applicants over 18 must present original and copy of the criminal record check certificate issued by FBI and legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington DC. It cannot be older than 6 months from the application date.​

• The applicant must present criminal record certificates from the countries of residence of the last 5 years.
• The certificates must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator : American Translators Association https://www.atanet.org/

Bilingual Medical certificate, accrediting applicant´s good health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations. It must have the Doctor's Stamp, or can be printed on medical center´s letterhead; it must not be older than 3 months. It is recommended to use our template.

Required documents for family members.

The following family members may also obtain the visa:

• The spouse or unmarried partner that is legally registered.
• Children.
• Dependent relatives in the ascending line.

For each family member it will be necessary to submit:

• All the required documents specified in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13.
• Proof of relationship with the applicant:

Children: Birth certificate apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.

Spouse: Marriage certificate apostilled, translated into Spanish by a certified translator​ and issued in the last 6 months. Or a certificate of registration as an unmarried couple or any other document proving an unmarried partnership (joint taxes).

Relatives in the ascending line: Birth certificate translated into Spanish by a certified translator, and documents proving financial dependence (Tax return form)

The Consular Office may request additional documents or data.

Procedure

• Who can apply for a visa: This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district.
• Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person by appotiment at BLS International Office, located at 121 W Wacker Dr, St 1307, Chicago IL 60601. Book it through this link: https://blssoftwares.com/nationalVisa/appointments/appointment​
• Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to submit any missing documents, or to provide additional documents or data that are necessary for a decision regarding the application. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview.
• Decision period: The legal period for reaching a decision is ​3 months from the day after the application submission date, but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.
• Collecting the visa: BLS International​ will inform the applicant regarding the procedure for the return of the passport and any other original documentation.
• Refusal of the residence permit or visa: Refusals of the residence permit or visa will always be notified in writing, setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted was based.
• Appeals: If a residence permit or visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to this Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal is received. An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within the 2-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives notification of the refusal of the visa or residence permit or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.
• Validity period of the visa: The visa will be valid for 90 days. Once in Spain, a Foreigner Identity Card must be applied for within a period of 1 month from the applicant's entry into Spain, at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the corresponding Police Station.

Note: We regret we cannot accept photographs that do not meet these requirements

Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself, which should not have been used previously in the passport. The photograph should be in colour and:

• Taken against a white background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear share quality and with the face in focus.
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
• Full face, non-smiling [without sunglasses, a hat/cap or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background]
• Please stick the Photograph on the Visa Application Form.

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete. A photo booth meeting these requirements is available at the centre.

Decision period: Once the application is accepted as complete, the legal term to reach a resolution is 3 months from the day after the application was registered in the visa system (not from the date of receipt of application at the BLS office), but this time frame may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.

Refusal of the residence permit or visa: Refusals of the residence permit or visa will always be notified in writing, , setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted was based.

Appeals: If the residence permit or the visa are refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration in Spanish before the Office that denied the request within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal is received. to An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within the 2-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives notification of the refusal of the visa or residence permit or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.

Validity period of the visa: The visa will be valid for 90 days. Once the visa has been collected, the applicant must enter Spanish territory during the validity period of the visa.The visa must be stamped upon entry into the Schengen States and within the first thirty days, the applicant must apply for the Foreigner Identity Card or TIE (“Foreigner Identity Card”) at the Foreing National Office at the Police station in the city you will stay. The initial TIE is valid for one year and is renewable.

• National Visa Application Form
• Non-working residence visa application form (Form EX 01).
• Instructions to fill Form EX-01
• Residence permit application fee form (Form 790-052)
• Instructions to fill Form 790-052
• Medical certificate Template
• Disclaimer