This Consulate General of Spain has outsourced the Non-working Residence visa applications to: BLS International Houston
You can apply for the visa in person by making an appointment on the website: https://usa.blsspainvisa.com/houston/
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.
Required documents
Present original and photocopy of the following documents:
National visa application form: Each applicant must complete and sign a national visa application form, filling in each of its sections. If the applicant is a minor, one of their parents must sign the application.
- Photograph: It has to be glued to the application form. A recent, passport-size, 2x2 inches, with white background. The face should be clear and visible.
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 ccontain at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction: Notarized photocopy of: State ID or Driver´s Licence from one of the following States: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non-US passport holders): Must present one of the following documents:
o Notarized copy of Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)
o Notarized copy of Valid US visa plus a copy of the I-20 document duly signed in the endorsement
o Holders of B-1/B-2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence.
- Form EX 01 : “Solicitud de autorización de residencia temporal no lucrativa". Each applicant must complete and sign a copy of the form with the address in Spain.
- Form 790 code 52 : Each applicant must complete and sign a copy of this form with the address in Spain, and ticking the box “Autorización inicial de residencia temporal". The fee for 2026 is USD 13.00
Affidavit:. Applicants must provide a sworn statement before a notary, including the following information:
a. A brief explanation of their professional background, the reasons why they have decided to live in Spain, how long are planning to stay and any other reason to support the visa application .
b. The postal address in Spain, where the applicant will live, at least, the first three months.
c. The commitment of not doing any gainful work, by any means, either on-site nor remotely (online), while residing in Spain.
d. If the applicant is of working age, must provide a letter of termination from the employer stating that he/she will no longer work for that company or, a sabbatical year acceptance letter from the employer.
Proof of financial means. Applicants must prove that they have sufficient financial means to support themselves during their residence in Spain. The minimum required annually amount is equivalent to 400% of the IPREM (by 2026 approx, USD 33,400) and adding 100% of the IPREM additional for each family member (approx USD 8,330).
Submit bank statements, with all pages, for the last 12 months of checking/savings accounts with a stable balance that reaches at least the minimum required, and also include a certificate with the balance as of December 31st of the previous year along with the avera ge balance for that year.
In the case of retirees, proof of sufficient regular income: Social Security Benefits and/or Private of Public retirement benefits (Army Veterans, Teacher´s union, etc).
Proof of Health insurance: Certificate in Spanish issued by an Insurance Company authorized to operate in Spain.
o It must include all risks covered by the National Health System in Spain and for the entire intended period of stay in Spain
o It must not have any deductible, copayment or coverage limit
o it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital and out-of-hospital expenses.
o Insurance cards will not be accepted as proof of coverage.
o Travel insurance will not be accepted.
Criminal record check certificate (valid for 6 months): stating that the applicant has no criminal records in the place/s where he has resided the last five years.
a. 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.
b. The certificates must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator: American Translators Association https://www.atanet.org/
c. Local State background checks and Apostilles are not valid
d. The applicant must present criminal record certificates from the countries of residence of the last 5 years
- Bilingual Medical certificate: accrediting applicant´s good health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations. It must be signed by a doctor, 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 medical certificate template
- Consular visa fees: Money order made out to the Consulate General of Spain in Houston.
a. US Passport holders fee $140 (plus $13 residence permit) TOTAL $153.00
b. Other nationalities fee $106 (plus $13 residence permit) TOTAL $119.00
For Nationals of Australia, Ethiopia, Canada, United Kingdom and others, different rates are applied based on reciprocity. Please check the visa fee:
Required documents for family members.
The following family members may also obtain the visa:
For each family member it will be necessary to submit:
All the required documents specified in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,10, 11, 12 y 13.
Documents constituting proof of family relationship with the applicant:
Children: Birth Certificate apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
For minors who travel with only one of the parents with joint custody, the non traveling parent must provide a copy of his/her ID along with a notarized authorization, which will be legalized with the Apostille of the Hague.
Procedure
Who can apply for a visa: This Consulate is competent to accept only visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.