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Non-working Residency Visa (Non-lucrative visa)

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:

  • The full name of the bank, as well as its address,
  • Full identification of the accounts,
  • The opening date (and, where applicable, the closing date) of the bank account,
  • The account balances as of December 31 of the year prior to the year in which the application is submitted,
  • The average balance for the previous year (last 12 months).
  • The document must be accompanied by an official or sworn translation into Spanish.

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:

  • Visa fee (Different rates apply based on reciprocity)
  • Residence permit fee
  • BLS service fee
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
  • All Fees are non-refundable
  • The Visa Fee is subject to change without notice

Insurance for Long Term Visa

Travelling to Europe on National Visa? Buy your Health Insurance at competitive pricing from reputed Global Insurers! You may Click Here if you wish to avail this optional service now.

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.

Checklist

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:

  • Spouse, registered partner or duly proven stable partner of the person applying for the residence permit.
  • Minor children, not married or emancipated, of the applicant or his or her spouse, registered partner or stable partner.
  • Adult children of the applicant or his/her spouse, registered partner, or stable partner, who are disabled and require support or who are objectively unable to provide for their own needs due to their health status.

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:

  • A brief explanation by the applicant of his/her professional background, the reasons why he/she has decided to live in Spain, how long they planning to stay, and any other reason to support the visa application.
  • The commitment of not doing any lucrative work, by any means, either on-site nor remotely (online), while residing in Spain.
  • The postal address in Spain where the applicant will live, at least, the first three months.
  • The affidavit must be in Spanish or include a Spanish version, or be accompanied by an official or sworn translation into Spanish.

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:

  • Bank statements from the last 3 months from all bank accounts (checking, savings and/or investment accounts). Translation into Spanish is not necessary.
  • Certificate from the bank(s), related to each submitted bank account, indicating:
  • The full name of the bank, as well as its address,
  • Full identification of t he accounts,
  • The opening date (and, where applicable, the closing date) of the bank account,
  • The account balances as of December 31 of the year prior to the year in which the application is submitted,
  • The average balance for the previous year (last 12 months).
  • The document must be accompanied by an official or sworn translation into Spanish.

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:

  • be recent, indicating the current periodic income, and confirm that the applicant will continue to receive the income periodically at least during the following 12 months (or during the intended period of residence in Spain).
  • The document must be accompanied by an official or sworn translation into Spanish.
  • Copy of latest Tax Return. Translation into Spanish is not necessary.

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):

  • Lease of minimum 3 months signed by both renter and landlord.
  • If the applicant owns a property, they must present Title deed of property or Property Registration certificate from Spain.

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.

  • The insurance policy must cover all the risks insured by Spain's public health system.
  • Unlimited coverage. The health insurance must not have a deficiency, copayment, or coverage limit; that is, it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital, and out-of-hospital expenses. Spanish insurance companies offer unlimited coverage and 100% of the expenses.
  • The insurance policy must indicate the start and end dates of the coverage. It must be valid for 1 year and maintained for the entire duration of the stay.
  • The insurance must be in Spanish or include the text in Spanish or be accompanied by an official or sworn translation into Spanish.

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.

  • This certificate must be issued within 90 days of submitting the visa application.
  • This certificate must include a stamp from the issuing Medical Center, doctor’s signature and doctor’s License Number.
  • The certificate must be written on letterhead paper from hospital/doctor’s office or directly on the provided template. The recommended template can be found here: MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.
  • The certificate must be signed by a Doctor (Physician), not by a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician Assistant.

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.

  • The background check must be issued within the 6 months preceding the submission of the visa application.
  • The background check must be authenticated with The Hague Apostille. We do not accept background checks without the Hague Apostille. The Apostille must certify the signature on the Criminal Background check, not other signatures. We do not accept apostilles that certify the signature of a local notary that stamps a seal on the criminal background check.
  • The criminal background check will not be accepted if it has been altered or damaged in any way, including damage caused by removing staples.
  • The background check must be accompanied by an official or sworn translation into Spanish by a sworn/certified translator (the translation does not need an Apostille and the Apostille does not need a translation).

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.

16. Disclaimer form.

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.

  • Residency permit fee: $13 (applicable to all nationalities)
  • U.S. citizens: $140
  • Citizens of Australia: $313
  • Citizens of Canada: $789
  • Citizens of Ethiopia: $548
  • Citizens of Mauritania: $282
  • Citizens of the UK: $691
  • All other nationalities: $106

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:

  • All the required documents specified in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 15, 16 and, if applicable 8, 9, 10, 14. For minors, the visa application and the residence permit application must be signed by one of their parents.
  • Documents proving family relationship with the applicant accrediting financial means: birth or marriage certificates issued by the civil registry, certificate of registration as an unmarried couple or any other document substantiating an unmarried partnership with the applicant.
  • In the case of adult children (18 years and older), documents proving financial dependence, the adult child's civil status and that they continue to form part of the family unit. It can be certificates of disability, of cohabitation at the same address, etc.
  • In the case of relatives in the ascending line (65 y.o. and older parents), documents proving financial dependence and that they form part of the family unit. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
  • In the case of an unregistered couple with a stable emotional relationship equivalent to a registered couple: Documents proving the unregistered partnership with the applicant for at least 1 year, for evaluation. When there are children in common, it will be sufficient to submit the children’s birth certificate and prove stable cohabitation.

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

photo img

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.

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