i’m so confused with all the different visa options. i did read through the visa information and am not sure which one would be ideal for someone in my situation so perhaps this forum could help shed some light (as even the spanish consulate aren’t that helpful). i hold a passport with an immediate schengen visa for 90 days. i plan to live in spain to see whether it is ideal for me or not as i had previously lived there three years ago and still pop in for business and visiting friends.
i plan to live in spain for the duration of my visitor visa but will not be seeking employment as i already have a job that allows me to reside anywhere i want. if i decide to lengthen my stay, should i then apply for which one of the two:
1. Investment or Self-employment Visa
2. Non-lucrative Visa
when should i apply for it? can the application be done in spain? or must i submit my application from my home country? and how long will it take?
thanks for your prompt reply. im actually not an EU citizen. but my country has prior arrangement with the EU agreement of allowing it’s citizens to have the same privilege of an immediate 3 month schengen visitor visa upon presentation of our passport. so the pdf document will not be very useful to me. but would any one of the two visas mentioned above apply to me if i consider an extension? and will i have to apply for it in spain or outside of spain?
The nonlucrative visa is, supposedly, quite difficult to get. The guidelines suggest something like 75000? per year or something, but I’ve heard that they’re looking for even more.
Your best bet is to go for the self employed visa. You’ll need to start your own company or set yourself up as autonomo.
i’m so confused with all the different visa options. i did read through the visa information and am not sure which one would be ideal for someone in my situation so perhaps this forum could help shed some light (as even the spanish consulate aren’t that helpful). i hold a passport with an immediate schengen visa for 90 days. i plan to live in spain to see whether it is ideal for me or not as i had previously lived there three years ago and still pop in for business and visiting friends.
i plan to live in spain for the duration of my visitor visa but will not be seeking employment as i already have a job that allows me to reside anywhere i want. if i decide to lengthen my stay, should i then apply for which one of the two:
1. Investment or Self-employment Visa
2. Non-lucrative Visa
when should i apply for it? can the application be done in spain? or must i submit my application from my home country? and how long will it take?
thanks all in advance 😊
I had exactly the same situation as the one you do describe. If you can certify an income, which has to be of a minimum required amount (it was very a very low amount when I did did this), then, once in Spain, you just go to emigration and ask for an NIE number and a residence permit. You should not have any problems. Depending on which country you are from (bilateral agreements), it could be even easier for you. This is what I did, and since then the regulations are even less tight for people of certain countries and with a secure income, so you should be OK. With whatever visa you enter Spain is, from my own experience (not from consular personal info, which often do not know, and just answer about anything in order to not look as idiots and get rid of you as soon as possible…..) not relevant.
Hope it helps
Eva33
thanks eva, your advice does give me some hope. but what is the minimal income at the time you applied? and how long ago was it when you applied? and what kind of documentation do i need to certify my income? would be interesting to hear your answers..you’re right about the consulates..theyre not very helpful!
thanks eva, your advice does give me some hope. but what is the minimal income at the time you applied? and how long ago was it when you applied? and what kind of documentation do i need to certify my income? would be interesting to hear your answers..you’re right about the consulates..theyre not very helpful!
The minimum was ridiculously low, but I do not remember the exact amount, since it was in 1998, when Spain was still a cheap country…. For proof of income you need a statement of your employer, mentioning the amount of your salary. Income out of stocks or interests, or proof of personal fortune where not accepted at the time when I did apply. If you have an E-business this will probably also not work. I had a friend multimillionaire in Swiss Francs, but no income, he could not get residencia in Spain…... But you did mention that you are coming from a country which has connections to the EU. Which one? Maybe you do not need all this. As a Swiss (Switzerland is not in the E.U.) I do not need anything - Now, 10 year ago I did need.
Hope this helps
Eva33
hmmm yeah, i really find some european laws are so prehistoric and out dated. I can’t believe your friend was rejected! Yes, I am a Hong Kong citizen so this is one of the many countries that have immediate access to a Schengen Visa. From the research I found that laws have been laxed for Swiss citizens. But I wouldn’t know the case for Asian citizens. However, I’m planning to find out as much as I can to prepare myself. But from what i’ve heard, cases of people from UK, etc. (which is not part of the Schengen countries) find getting all these much easier than perhaps people from Australia, etc. unless, someone in this forum knows better???
thanks eva, your advice does give me some hope. but what is the minimal income at the time you applied? and how long ago was it when you applied? and what kind of documentation do i need to certify my income? would be interesting to hear your answers..you’re right about the consulates..theyre not very helpful!
The minimum was ridiculously low, but I do not remember the exact amount, since it was in 1998, when Spain was still a cheap country…. For proof of income you need a statement of your employer, mentioning the amount of your salary. Income out of stocks or interests, or proof of personal fortune where not accepted at the time when I did apply. If you have an E-business this will probably also not work. I had a friend multimillionaire in Swiss Francs, but no income, he could not get residencia in Spain…... But you did mention that you are coming from a country which has connections to the EU. Which one? Maybe you do not need all this. As a Swiss (Switzerland is not in the E.U.) I do not need anything - Now, 10 year ago I did need.
Hope this helps
Eva33
hi, Eva,.....u make me feel optimistic(a mistake in the past) In short, I am retired,American,53,married, and want to live in Spain for at least a year. I have app. 250,000 usd in bank,provable,earning the same 2.5% as everyone else. Based on YOUR experience, OR ppl that U know,in my situation,...do u think that is enough(for a year,at least) to be approved for the non lucrative visa? ANYONE,pls feel free to answer. Thanks <rick and Mildred
hi, Eva,.....u make me feel optimistic(a mistake in the past) In short, I am retired,American,53,married, and want to live in Spain for at least a year. I have app. 250,000 usd in bank,provable,earning the same 2.5% as everyone else. Based on YOUR experience, OR ppl that U know,in my situation,...do u think that is enough(for a year,at least) to be approved for the non lucrative visa? ANYONE,pls feel free to answer. Thanks <rick and Mildred
Rick/Mildred - I’d be concerned that $250k of savings at 2.5% interest isn’t enough. That shows actual income of $6.5k per year which isn’t enough to live on these days. It’s enough to start a business however - so you might want to look at that more carefully in order to get your self-employed visa.
