Understanding Spanish Visas Part 2: How to Prepare and Submit Your Visa Application

Elizabeth Pinkerton
Apr 3
5 min read

In Part 1 of this series, we covered the main long-term visa options for U.S. citizens moving to Spain, and how to determine which one fits your situation.

Now it’s time to talk about what comes next: actually applying.

This is where things start to feel more real, complex, and sometimes overwhelming.

Not because the process is impossible (thousands of Americans do it every year), but because the requirements are specific, the logistics are easy to underestimate, and small mistakes can cause real delays.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the two main steps: gathering your documents and submitting your application — so you can approach the process with a clearer sense of what’s involved and fewer surprises along the way.

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Every visa type has its own document checklist, and your consulate is the authoritative source for exactly what’s required. That said, most long-term visa applications share a common core of documents.

Common documents you’ll likely need:

Completed visa application forms
Valid U.S. passport
Recent passport-size photos
Proof of income or financial means (bank statements, pension letters, pay stubs, contracts — varies by visa)
Proof of private health insurance with no copay from a Spanish provider (or EU provider authorized to operate in Spain)
Proof of accommodation in Spain (requirements vary by consulate and may include a rental agreement, property deed, or other evidence of intended housing)
Medical certificate confirming you do not have any conditions that could pose a risk to public health under international health regulations
Criminal background check
Notarized affidavit (a signed letter outlining your background and intentions in Spain)

Many of these documents will need to be apostilled and/or translated into Spanish. Let’s take a closer look at what that entails:

Apostilles: Authenticating Your Documents for Spain

An apostille certifies the authenticity of a U.S. government-issued document for legal use in another country. Spain and the United States are both part of the Hague Convention, which standardizes this process.

Which apostille you need depends on where the document originated:

Apostille Type	Issued By	Common Documents
Federal	U.S. Department of State	FBI criminal background check
State	Your state’s Secretary of State	Birth/marriage certificates, academic records, notarized documents

You can submit documents directly to the relevant authority, but many applicants choose to use a third-party apostille service to manage the logistics and expedite the process.

Translations: Use a Qualified Professional

Many of your documents will need to be translated into Spanish, and Google Translate won’t cut it.

Most consulates require a sworn translator, someone officially authorized by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs who stamps and signs the translation to certify its accuracy.

Some consulates will accept a certified translator for certain documents, but “sworn” is the safest default. Always check your specific consulate’s requirements.

You can search for sworn translators through Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs directory.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

How you submit your application depends on which visa you’re applying for. Be sure you’re following the correct process for your specific visa type.

Entrepreneur Visas and Work Visas, for example, are typically employer- or project-driven and involve multiple steps, approvals, and coordination within Spain.

Since the Non-Lucrative Visa, Student Visa, and Digital Nomad Visa are the most common pathways for Americans, those are the ones we’ll focus on here.

Non-Lucrative & Student Visas: Apply Through BLS International

If you’re applying for a Non-Lucrative Visa or a Student Visa, your application is submitted through BLS International, the third-party provider that handles visa submissions on behalf of Spanish consulates in the United States.

In-person appointments are required. Postal submissions are generally not accepted.

You’ll need to book an appointment at your designated BLS center (based on your state of residence) and appear in person with your complete application package. BLS staff will check your application for completeness and forward it to the consulate, which makes the final decision.

Practical tip: Appointment slots can fill up quickly—especially in cities like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. It’s best to book your appointment as soon as your documents are nearly ready, rather than waiting until everything is finalized.

Digital Nomad Visa: Two Paths to Choose From

The Digital Nomad Visa offers two application routes, and the one you choose affects both timing and initial authorization.

Option 1: Apply from the U.S. (Consulate Route)

You submit your application directly to the Spanish consulate that serves your jurisdiction. Processing typically takes 1–3 months. If approved, you’ll receive a one-year visa that can later be renewed.

Option 2: Apply from within Spain

U.S. citizens can enter Spain visa-free for up to 90 days. If you apply from within Spain, your application is handled by the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas), a national immigration body with centralized processing.

The UGE intends to issue a decision within 20 business days, though timelines can vary in practice. If approved, you’ll receive a 3-year residence permit directly.

Which route is better?

The consulate route is a valid option for those who prefer to have approval in place before relocating.

On the other hand, applying from within Spain is often faster and more consistent, as the UGE follows standardized national criteria. It also allows you to receive a 3-year residence permit from the outset, rather than going through a two-step process.

That said, the second approach requires careful timing, preparation, and a clear understanding of the requirements to ensure everything is submitted correctly within the allowed timeframe. Many applicants choose to work with an immigration attorney to help avoid delays or complications.

What Happens After You Apply?

Processing times vary by consulate and time of year — typically anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Some consulates publish estimated timelines on their websites.

If your visa is approved, you’ll receive a visa sticker in your passport with a specific validity period. This is your entry window, meaning you must enter Spain within those dates.

Historically, this window has often been around 90 days. However, following recent immigration updates, some visas may now be issued with longer validity periods. That said, this is not applied consistently across all visa types or consulates, so it’s important to check the exact dates on your visa and plan your travel accordingly.

After you arrive in Spain, you’ll complete a few additional administrative steps, such as registering your address and applying for your residency card (TIE).

You will typically already have been assigned a foreign identification number (NIE) as part of your visa approval, which you’ll use throughout these steps.

A Few Final Thoughts

Start earlier than you think you need to. Gathering documents, obtaining apostilles, finding sworn translators, and securing appointments can take time, often more than expected.

Consider working with a Spanish immigration attorney, especially if your case is complex or you want additional assurance that your application is prepared correctly. Requirements can shift, and a single missing or incorrectly prepared document can cause delays.

Most importantly, know that the process is manageable. It requires patience and attention to detail, but thousands of Americans navigate it successfully every year. With the right preparation and clear plan, you can too.

Thinking through your move to Spain?

If you’d like to step back and talk through your overall plan — your timeline, visa options, and how this move fits into your life, I’d be happy to connect.

You can book a free 30-minute intro call, and we’ll talk through your plans, your questions, and how I might support you through the process.

I also partner with trusted Spanish immigration and tax professionals and can connect you when you’re ready for that step.

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Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Visa requirements change frequently. Always consult the relevant Spanish consulate website and consider working with a licensed Spanish immigration attorney before submitting your application.