IMPORTANT NOTICE
In accordance to the Law RD 1155/2024, the new Immigration Regulation comes into effect on May 20th, 2025 introducing significant changes to current visa procedures. This may require additional documentation that is not listed on the current website and will be updated as soon as possible.
Please note that the content of our web page is for guidance only. Only the legal regulations in force at the time of application submission apply.
Proof of financial means: Required documentation for non-lucrative residency visa applications regarding financial means must include, among other documentation:
Certificate from the bank(s) indicating:
In order to apply for a non-working visa at the BLS Spain Visa Application Center in Washington DC you must be a resident in our jurisdiction (Washington, DC., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina).
Please be sure that you have already all the required documents before scheduling an appointment, as only complete applications with all the requirements will be admitted.
Applicants must make an appointment in the National Visa Appointment option and submit in person all the documentation in:
BLS - SPAIN VISA APPLICATION CENTER, WASHINGTON DC 1660 L St NW, Second Floor, Suite: 216, Washington, DC 20036
In order to apply for the visa, it is MANDATORY to pay for:
| Consulate Visa Fee Based on Citizenship & Duration | Amount in USD |
|---|---|
| All other Citizens | 106 |
| United States of America | 140 |
| Australia | 313 |
| Canada | 789 |
| United Kingdom | 691 |
| Bangladesh | 94 |
| Mauritania | 282 |
| Ethiopia | 548 |
| Residence Fee (optional) | 13 |
| BLS Service Fee | Amount in USD |
| All Nationals | 20 |
| Notifications (SMS) | 5 |
Insurance for Long Term Visa
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Disclaimer:- By clicking this link, you will be redirected to the third party website, your personal data will be handled in accordance with their privacy policy. Please note that BLS does not collect or process any information you provide on their site and does not hold any liability with respect to any dispute.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Visa to reside in Spain without carrying out any gainful (work or professional) activity, provided that the applicant has sufficient and guaranteed means to live on. This visa does not constitute a work permit and does not allow any type of work or professional activity, including remotely (online).
The following family members may also obtain the visa:
In order to apply for a Non-working visa at the BLS Spain Visa Application Center in Washington, D.C. you must be a legal resident in our jurisdiction (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina).
Please be sure that you have all required documents before scheduling an appointment, as only complete applications with all requirements will be admitted.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
1. One Application form ( National Visa Application form): Each applicant must complete and sign a national visa application, filling out every section. It can be filled out electronically or handwritten in capital letters. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents or a duly accredited representative must sign the application.
Please do not forget to fill out numbers 17, 18 (your address, email and telephone number), 21 (intended date of entry) and 23 (applicant’s address in Spain) on the application form.
2. One photo (Photo Service available at Center): Glued onto visa application form. Photo specifications: Recent (taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance), passport-size, color photograph, printed on matte/glossy paper, taken against a white, light, clear, uniform background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the applicant’s full oval of the face.
Photos with a dark background or with objects or people that can be seen behind your head will not be accepted.
The photo should meet the requirements pictured here, against a white background.
3. Valid, unexpired passport: The original and a photocopy of the page that contain biometric data must be submitted. The passport must have a minimum validity period of 1 year and contain two blank visa pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
4. Proof of legal residence in the United States. Non-U.S. citizens must submit proof of legal residence in the United States: U.S. Resident Card (Green card) or valid U.S. long term Visa. The original document will be verified during the appointment.
B-1 and B-2 visa holders cannot apply for a visa in the United States; they must apply for it in their country of residence or country of origin.
5. Proof of residence in the consular district: The applicant must be a legal resident in our consular jurisdiction (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina). Residence must be proven by one of the following, valid documents: U.S. driver’s license, state ID, lease agreement. The original document will be verified during the appointment.
6. Completed Form EX01.pdf (Form EX 01, "Solicitud de autorización de residencia temporal no lucrativa"). Each applicant must complete and sign a copy of Form EX 01, filling in each of its sections. Please submit an original and copy. Instrucciones EX 01 DC 2025.pdf
7. Residence permit application fee form ( Form 790-052): Each applicant must complete and sign this form, selecting point “1. c) Autorización inicial de Residencia Temporal” (Initial temporary residence permit). Instructions Form 790-052
8. Affidavit: The applicant must provide a notarized letter including the following information:
9. Proof of financial means: The minimum annual required amount equals 400% of Spain's Public Income Indicator for Multiple Effects (IPREM). For each dependent accompanying family member (spouses, children or ascending relative), an additional 100% of the IPREM must be added annually.
The IPREM indicator changes every year. In 2026 the IPREM equals 600€ (approx. $700) per month, or 7200 € per year (approx. $8000)
400% = 28.800 € (approx. $32.000); 100% = 7.200€ (approx. $8.000)
In 2026 the required amount is $32.000 per year for one applicant, and $8.000 must be added for each dependent family member.
The applicants must submit the following documents proving that they have sufficient financial means to cover the expenses of residing in Spain for the initial year of the residence permit, or accrediting that they have a regular source of income without the need of doing paid work in Spain, for themselves and, where applicable, for the family members accompanying them:
If applicable: Documents proving any other source of periodic income (on a regular basis).
In the case of retirees, the applicant may be a beneficiary of a life annuity. It can be Social Security Benefits, Private or Public Retirement pensions (Army Veteran, Teacher's Union...), etc. The submitted document(s) must:
10. Working age and/or employed: It is advisable to add a letter of termination from the employer stating that the applicant will no longer work for that company (or a sabbatical year acceptance letter from the employer).
The termination letter must be in Spanish or include the text in Spanish, or be accompanied by an official or sworn translation into Spanish.
11. In order to strengthen the application, it is advisable to add a proof of accommodation, providing one of the following documents (in Spanish):
12. For families with children of compulsory school age in Spain: It is advisable to add a letter of enrolment in a private school in Spain.
The letter of enrolment must be in Spanish or include the text in Spanish or be accompanied by an official or sworn translation into Spanish.
13. Health insurance. Proof of public or private health insurance from an insurance entity recognized and authorized to operate in Spain.
An Insurance card will not be accepted as proof of coverage. No travel insurances (with medical assistance coverage) will be accepted.
14. Medical certificate. Original and a copy of a medical certificate accrediting that the applicant does not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for public health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations.
The medical certificate must be in Spanish, or include the text in Spanish , or be accompanied by an official or sworn translation into Spanish. In the case of using the model from our website, the Spanish translation is not necessary.
15. Criminal background check certificate. Applicants of legal age (18 years old and older) must submit the original and a photocopy (not notarized) of their criminal background check certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 5 years.
The criminal background check must be issued by the U.S. Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). We do not accept State or Local Police Background Check.
If the applicant has spent more than 6 months (more than 180 days) during the last 5 years in another country (outside the USA or Spain), an additional criminal background check from every country of residence must be provided. The criminal background checks must be authenticated with the The Hague Apostille, unless it is issued by an EU member state. The criminal background check issued by an EU authority does not need to be apostilled to be accepted. If the country in which the applicant has lived in the past 5 years does not subscribe to The Hague Convention of 1961, the background check must by authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and then by the Consulate of Spain in this country. The background check must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (if the original is not written in Spanish or does not include the text in Spanish).
Please submit an original and a copy of all documents: Criminal background check, Apostille and official translation.
You may find certified translators through the AMERICAN TRANSLATORS' ASSOCIATION or Buscador de traductores jurados del MAEC.
17. Payment of fees. There are two different fees: A visa fee and a residency permit fee. Payment made to BLS. Non-refundable.
Fees from January 1, 2026:
Visa fee: Different rates apply due to reciprocity.
These fees are revised quarterly according to current exchange rates and can be subject to changes.
Required documents for family members:
For each family member it will be necessary to submit:
Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
Please submit an original and a copy of all the documents proving family relationship.
Additional documents, Interview:
When necessary to assess the application, the Spain Embassy Visa Office may request additional documents or data and may also ask the applicant to come in for a personal interview.
PROCEDURE
All non-working residence visas require the obtainment of an initial residence permit, which is processed at the same time as the visa application with the EX 01 and 790-052 forms. The Consular Office will return a sealed copy of form EX-01 and form 790-52.
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:
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.