IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Spanish Government has signed a contract with an external company (BLS International) for processing visas for Spanish Consular Offices in the United States.
IT IS MANDATORY TO REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT
For Non Lucrative Residence visas, request an appointment through this website, : https://usa.blsspainglobal.com/Global/account/login
General Information
Visa to reside in Spain without carrying out any gainful activity, providing professional services nor working online. This visa does not constitute a work permit
- The Consulate of Spain in Chicago will consider applications for residents in this jurisdiction: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Required documents
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction: State ID, Driver´s License or Student ID.
5. Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non Americans). Must present original and copy of Permanent Resident Card (Green card).
6. 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 2025
Present the payment the day of your appointment. The processing fee will not be returned even if the visa is not granted or canceled. BLS International will charge their adtional services.
APPLICANT FROM JAN. 1ST 2025
Americans $ 140
Other Nationalities $ 94
7. Form EX_01 "Solicitud de autorización de residencia temporal no lucrativa". Each applicant must complete and sign a copy of the form.
8. Form 790 code 052 , Each applicant must complete and sign a copy of this form, ticking the box: "Autorización inicial de residencia temporal", the fee for 2025 is US$ 11.
9. Health insurance/Proof of public or private health insurance: Certificate in Spanish issued by an Insurance Company operating in Spain specifying:
- Name of applicant.
- Start date of the coverage.
- The insurance must cover all risks normally covered for nationals and must be maintained for the entire duration of the authorization.
- The health insurance must not have a deductible, copayment, or coverage limit; it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital, and out-of-hospital expenses.
- An Insurance card will NOT be accepted as proof of coverage.
- Travel insurance is not accepted.
- It is not necessary to cover repatriations and/or evacuations.
10. Proof of financial means. The applicant must submit the originals and a copy of the 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, for themselves and, where applicable, for the family members accompanying them. The minimum required amount is equivalent to 400% of Spain's Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator IPREM and adding 100% of the IPREM for each family member.These documents are the following:
- Social Security Benefits or/and Private of Public retirement benefit (Army Veteran, Teacher`s union, etc.). For retired.
- Bank statements of the last 3 months from all bank accounts and any other source of income totaling the minimum required.
- Last 3 years of TAX IRS returns. Only for non retired people.
- 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.
11. 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.
12. 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/
- Local State back ground check and apostille are not valid
13. 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.
- 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.