Country Guides
Non-Lucrative Visa by Country — Applying from the USA, UK, Canada & More
The non-lucrative visa from your country works the same way in principle — but how you apply depends on where you live. Different consulates, different criminal record certificates, different appointment systems. Choose your country below for a complete, tailored guide.
Why Country Matters
Your Country of Residence Shapes the Entire Application
Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs sets the NLV requirements — income threshold, health insurance, document list — and these are the same everywhere. But how you satisfy those requirements depends entirely on where you live.
Your country determines: which Spanish consulate you apply at; how to book your appointment (and how long the wait is); which criminal record certificate is required and how to apostille it; which government body issues your medical certificate; and the practical timeline from decision to departure.
Countries Covered in This Hub
🇺🇸
United States
Spanish consulates in NY, LA, Miami, Houston and more. FBI background check required.
🇬🇧
United Kingdom
Apply via BLS International in London, Manchester or Edinburgh. ACRO Police Certificate.
🇨🇦
Canada
Spanish consulates in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. RCMP check required.
🇦🇺
Australia
Spanish consulates in Sydney and Melbourne. AFP National Police Check required.
🇿🇦
South Africa
Spanish Consulate in Pretoria. SAPS Police Clearance Certificate required.
🇮🇪
Ireland
For non-EU nationals resident in Ireland. Spanish Embassy in Dublin. Garda clearance.
🇳🇿
New Zealand
Spanish Embassy in Wellington. NZ Police Vetting Service certificate required.
Country Guides
Choose Your Country for a Tailored Guide
Each guide covers the exact consulate(s) for your region, the police certificate and apostille process, appointment booking, typical wait times and any country-specific income evidence tips.
🇺🇸 United States
NLV from the USA
Apply at your nearest Spanish consulate — New York, Los Angeles, Miami or Houston. FBI criminal background check (apostilled by US Department of State) required. Some consulates have 8–16 week appointment waits.
→ USA Guide🇬🇧 United Kingdom
NLV from the UK
UK applicants apply through BLS International on behalf of the Spanish Consulate, with offices in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. The ACRO Police Certificate is the required criminal record document.
→ UK Guide🇨🇦 Canada
NLV from Canada
Spanish consulates in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver serve different provinces. An RCMP criminal record check (apostilled by Global Affairs Canada) is the required police certificate for Canadian applicants.
→ Canada Guide🇦🇺 Australia
NLV from Australia
Apply at the Spanish Consulate in Sydney or Melbourne depending on your state. An AFP National Police Certificate (apostilled by DFAT) is required. Superannuation drawdowns can count towards the income threshold.
→ Australia Guide🇿🇦 South Africa
NLV from South Africa
South African applicants apply at the Spanish Consulate General in Pretoria. A SAPS Police Clearance Certificate (apostilled by the Department of International Relations) is required.
→ South Africa Guide🇮🇪 Ireland
NLV from Ireland
The NLV is only required for non-EU nationals resident in Ireland — Irish and EU citizens do not need an NLV to live in Spain. Non-EU residents apply at the Spanish Embassy in Dublin with a Garda clearance certificate.
→ Ireland Guide🇳🇿 New Zealand
NLV from New Zealand
New Zealand applicants apply at the Spanish Embassy in Wellington. The NZ Police Vetting Service certificate (apostilled by MFAT) is required. Fewer appointment slots than larger countries — book well in advance.
→ New Zealand GuideNot Listed?
Living Elsewhere?
Apply through the Spanish consulate or embassy serving your country of residence. Contact us with your location and we'll advise on the process for your specific country.
→ Contact UsUniversal Requirements
What's the Same Regardless of Your Country
While the process varies by country, the core NLV requirements are identical for every applicant. Here is what stays constant no matter where you are applying from.
Income Threshold
Approximately €2,400/month (400% of Spain's IPREM) for a single applicant, regardless of your nationality or the currency you earn in.
Health Insurance
Full health cover with a Spanish-approved policy — sin copago (no co-payments) and no exclusions. Must cover your entire intended stay.
D-Type Long-Stay Visa
The NLV is a national (D-type) long-stay visa, valid for 1 year initially and renewable for 2+2 years. The visa type is the same everywhere.
Free Choice of Location
You choose where in Spain to live. Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Marbella — the consulate doesn't assign you a region.
Our Application Process
All applicants use the same online dashboard — upload your documents, our specialists review and prepare them, then submit to your consulate.
Total Cost: €1,499
Our fee is €1,499 all-in (€400 + €400 + €699) regardless of which country you apply from. No country surcharges.
Timeline Planning
Consulate Appointment Wait Times by Location
One of the most important things to plan for is the appointment wait time at your nearest Spanish consulate. These vary enormously by location and season. Remember: processing time in Madrid (1–3 months) is on top of the appointment wait.
| Location | Consulate / Service | Covers | Approx. Wait | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom — via BLS International | ||||
| London | BLS International | England & Wales | 4–8 weeks | Full guide → |
| Manchester | BLS International | North of England | 3–6 weeks | Full guide → |
| Edinburgh | BLS International | Scotland & N. Ireland | 3–5 weeks | Full guide → |
| 🇺🇸 United States — Spanish Consulates General | ||||
| New York | Consulate General | CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WA DC, WV | 8–16 weeks | Full guide → |
| Los Angeles | Consulate General | AZ, Southern California | 4–8 weeks | Full guide → |
| San Francisco | Consulate General | AK, HI, ID, MT, NV, N. California, OR, UT, WA, WY | 4–8 weeks | Full guide → |
| Miami | Consulate General | AL, AR, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN | 4–6 weeks | Full guide → |
| Houston | Consulate General | LA, NM, OK, TX | 4–8 weeks | Full guide → |
| Chicago | Consulate General | IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI | 4–8 weeks | Full guide → |
| 🇨🇦 Canada — Spanish Consulates General | ||||
| Toronto | Consulate General | Ontario, NB, NL, NS, PEI | 6–10 weeks | Full guide → |
| Montreal | Consulate General | Quebec | 3–6 weeks | Full guide → |
| Vancouver | Consulate General | BC, AB, SK, MB & territories | 4–8 weeks | Full guide → |
| 🇦🇺 Australia — Spanish Consulates | ||||
| Sydney | Consulate General | NSW, QLD, ACT, NT | 4–10 weeks | Australia guide → |
| Melbourne | Consulate General | VIC, SA, WA, TAS | 4–8 weeks | Australia guide → |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | ||||
| Wellington | Spanish Embassy | All of New Zealand | 4–10 weeks | NZ guide → |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa — Spanish Embassy | ||||
| Pretoria | Spanish Embassy | All of South Africa | 4–10 weeks | SA guide → |
| 🇦🇪 UAE — Spanish Consulate | ||||
| Dubai | Consulate General | UAE & Gulf region | 4–10 weeks | Full guide → |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore — Spanish Embassy | ||||
| Singapore | Spanish Embassy | Singapore (may cover Malaysia — verify) | 4–8 weeks | Full guide → |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong — Spanish Consulate General | ||||
| Hong Kong | Consulate General | Hong Kong & Macau | 4–10 weeks | Full guide → |
* Wait times are approximate and vary by season and demand. Always verify current availability directly with your consulate or BLS office. Processing time in Madrid (1–3 months) is additional to the appointment wait.
Total timeline tip: Add your appointment wait time to the 1–3 month post-appointment processing time in Madrid, plus at least 4–6 weeks for document preparation and police certificate apostille. For most applicants, start to visa-in-hand is 4–6 months from first enquiry. Start early.
Common Questions
NLV by Country — FAQ
Do I apply in my country of citizenship or my country of residence?
You apply at the Spanish consulate covering your current country of legal residence — not your nationality. If you are a US citizen living in Canada, you apply through a Canadian Spanish consulate. Always confirm jurisdiction with the specific consulate before booking.
What if I live in a country not listed on this page?
Almost every country has a Spanish Embassy or Consulate. You apply through whichever diplomatic mission covers your country of residence. Contact us with your location and we will confirm the exact consulate, appointment process and police certificate requirements.
Can I apply for Spain's NLV from inside Spain?
No. The Non-Lucrative Visa must be applied for at a Spanish consulate in your country of residence before you enter Spain to live. If you are currently in Spain as a tourist, you must return home to apply. You cannot switch from a tourist visa or visa-free entry to an NLV from within Spain.
Do I need to attend the consulate appointment in person?
Yes. Every NLV applicant must attend the consulate in person for biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and identity verification. There is no fully remote or by-post alternative for the main biometric appointment. Our specialists prepare your full document pack so the appointment itself is swift and straightforward.
Can my lawyer or representative attend the consulate for me?
A lawyer can help you prepare documents and may handle certain administrative steps, but the applicant must be physically present at the biometric appointment. Our team at Platinum Legal Spain prepares your entire document pack and provides detailed pre-appointment briefings so nothing is left to chance.
What if I am a dual citizen — which passport should I use?
Use the passport from your country of residence and apply at the consulate for that country. If one of your citizenships is from an EU/EEA country, you do not need an NLV at all — EU/EEA nationals have the right to reside in Spain without a visa. If you hold two non-EU passports, either may be used; choose the one that creates the simplest apostille process for your criminal record certificate.
What if there is no Spanish consulate near where I live?
Spain has consulates, embassies and honorary consulates across most countries. If the nearest requires significant travel, plan ahead — you typically only need to attend once. Prepare your documents thoroughly in advance so the single visit is productive. Our specialists confirm your consulate jurisdiction and ensure your full document pack is ready before you travel to the appointment.
Does my nationality affect my NLV approval chances?
Spain's NLV is open to non-EU/EEA nationals of all nationalities. Your nationality does not disadvantage your application — what matters is whether you meet the financial threshold, hold compliant health insurance and can provide the required documents. Approval rates differ between consulates based on administrative capacity rather than applicant nationality.
Related Guides
Continue Your Research
Requirements
NLV Requirements
Full breakdown of the income, health insurance, criminal record and document requirements for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa.
→Process
Application Process
Step-by-step walkthrough from document gathering to consulate appointment to receiving your visa sticker.
→Consulate
Consulate Appointment Guide
What to expect on the day of your consulate appointment — what to bring, how long it takes and what happens next.
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