Why your Non lucrative Visa for Spain got Denied?

Hundreds of foreigners apply for the non-lucrative visa in Spain each year. And many of them make the same mistakes. Mistakes that can get your application rejected, costing you a lot of time and money.

In this guide, we help you avoid that. We explore all the reasons that can get your non-lucrative visa denied and what to do about it, and we will do it by providing useful legal tips that have helped many of our clients successfully navigate this tedious application process.

 

Reasons why your Spanish Non-lucrative visa got denied

 

There are several reasons that can get your NLV application rejected. In this section we have gathered them all, and provided the right solution for each one of them.

Make sure to read until the end, as many of these denial reasons are common mistakes many foreigners make.

 

Hiring the wrong health insurance

 

Hiring private health insurance is one of the most important requirements for this procedure.

As you will not be working in Spain, you need to demonstrate that you are covered in case you need any type of medical treatment.

That is why you need to have health insurance.

But not all health insurances work.

If the one you hire has copayments, if it is hired with a company not authorized to operate in Spain, or if it does not cover you during your whole stay in the country, your non-lucrative visa application will get rejected.

So make sure to compare all options, and don’t settle for the cheapest one, as many times it would not comply with the requirements needed.

Here, you can access a complete guide with more info on how to choose the right insurance company.

 

Having criminal records

 

For your application, you must include a criminal records certificate from the countries you have lived in during the past 5 years.

If, during that period, you have any type of criminal record (especially severe offenses), your non-lucrative visa application will also be rejected.

Spain is quite severe with this policy, and the immigration office has a low tolerance for criminal records.

 

Not showing sufficient means

 

Perhaps the most important requirement for the NLV in Spain is demonstrating the possession of sufficient economic means.

Many foreigners get a denial because they were not able to demonstrate the right amount.

How much money are we talking about?

Sufficient money to cover your living expenses without working, which, legally speaking, is 400% of the IPREM, currently set at 7.200€ per year (hence, you must demonstrate a minimum of 28.800€ per year).

Useful tip: Even though that is the exact and required amount, legally speaking, our recommendation is to demonstrate a bit more. This will help the immigration office understand that you really have sufficient funds to live in Spain.

 

Generating doubts with your intentions in the country

 

The non-lucrative visa is a residency designed for those who wish NOT to work in Spain.

That is why many also call it a retirement visa, as it is the perfect match for retirees.

Nevertheless, it is open to foreigners of all ages, as long as they do not work in Spain.

And that is something the immigration office will check and verify. 

If there is any hint that you will keep working while in Spain with the non-lucrative visa, your application could get denied.

The applicant should submit a motivation letter stating why he or she is planning to move to Spain, and his or her plans in the country (which do not include working). But this letter won’t do the job if the Spanish authorities find out things like you obtain all your current sources of income from your working relations. 

 

Lack of accommodation in Spain

 

The truth is that each Spanish consulate may differ here. Some will be more strict than others, but in the end, it is important that you submit proof confirming you have accommodation in Spain.

This can be done through a rental contract (its minimum required duration will differ according to each consulate, so the longer, the better), or the property purchase deed if you have acquired a house.

Bear in mind that for long-term rentals, like one booked through Airbnb, you must have a formal lease to back it up, as just providing a booking confirmation will NOT be enough.

But, again, make sure to have your accommodation confirmed in Spain, otherwise, you risk a rejection.

 

Overstays or past visa violations

 

In case you overstayed in Spain in the past, spending more than the 90 days allowed as a tourist, your non-lucrative visa application can get rejected.

This rejection may also happen in case you have registered prior visa denials or rejections not only in Spain but also in any other Schengen area country.

Other visa violations may include working when you did not have a valid working authorization. 

 

Invalid passport

 

Submitting your passport is essential, as it will be the way authorities identify you.

Nevertheless, there are 2 common mistakes with your passport that can invalidate your application:

1. Not providing a FULL copy of your passport and missing several pages
2. Providing a passport with an expiration date that is too close. Bear in mind that it must be valid for at least 1 extra year

 

What to do if your non-lucrative Spanish visa got denied? Step-by-step

 

Getting a visa rejection can be discouraging, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your plans.

Whether it’s a missing document, financial concerns, or another issue, there are ways to appeal, correct errors, and reapply successfully. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process and increase your chances of approval.

What should you do if you get a rejection?

 

1. Contact the consulate or embassy for clarification

 

This is invaluable. You can always get in touch with the Spanish consulate and ask for the reasons your application got rejected (in case the denial letter lacks an explanation), so that you can correct the mistake made.

2. Review the official rejection letter carefully

 

If you get a rejection letter with the reasons behind the decision, make sure to analyze it fully. What reasons did the Spanish authorities give? This could range from incomplete documentation to financial insufficiency. Use the exact issue or reasons to guide your next steps.

3. Assess whether you can appeal the decision

 

If you think you actually met all requirements and the rejection was a mistake from the Spanish authorities, you may be eligible to appeal the rejection.

If allowed, you can submit an appeal letter along with additional supporting documents that address the concerns mentioned in your rejection notice.

4. Fix requirement issues and reapply

 

Many visa denials occur due to missing, incomplete, or improperly formatted documents.

If this applies to your case, gather all the required paperwork, double-check that everything meets the consulate’s requirements, and submit a new application.

In this case, and if you haven’t done so before, consider hiring an expert immigration lawyer to help you out.

Ensuring that all documents are correctly presented can significantly improve your chances of approval.

Usually, this comes down to two solutions:

• Strengthening your financial proof. One of the most common reasons for visa denial is insufficient financial resources. If this was the issue, provide stronger proof of your financial stability. This can include updated bank statements, proof of income, property ownership, investments, or any other documentation demonstrating that you can support yourself financially in Spain.
• Ensure your health insurance meets the requirements. Spanish immigration authorities require a specific type of health insurance for visa applicants. If your application was rejected due to inadequate coverage, obtain a policy that meets the necessary conditions, including full medical coverage with no co-payments or exclusions.

 

5. Seek professional legal assistance from a lawyer

 

If you believe your visa was unfairly denied or if you’re unsure about your next steps, consulting an immigration lawyer can be a game-changer.

A professional can guide you through the appeal process, ensure all requirements are met, and increase your chances of obtaining approval. Or even propose alternative paths according to your personal situation that were not considered before.

 

How to avoid non-lucative Visa Denial?

 

In order to avoid a non-lucrative visa denial, there are 3 things you must do:

1. First of all, fully understand not only the exact requirements for the residency you are applying for (the non-lucrative visa), but also understand how the Spanish immigration system works in general, as it will give you invaluable information helpful to navigate your immigration procedure
2. Understand that each consulate is different, and the general requirements you can find online may differ according to each particular case. That is why you must first get in touch with the Consulate and ask for the specific list of requirements
3. Get help from an expert immigration lawyer. This will help you ensure you are preparing a perfect file, and also leverage the experience of a team that has helped hundreds of foreigners in your same situation, correcting and preventing the same mistakes

If you need help with your immigration application, get in touch with us today. At Balcells Group, we have helped thousands of foreigners effortlessly move to Spain, and we are more than ready to help you.

 

 

Book a consultation with one of our lawyers, and we’ll answer all your questions: