Non-Lucrative Visa · from Canada
The Non-Lucrative Visa, from Canada
The visa for living in Spain without working there — on savings, pensions, rental income or investments. A year to start, renewable in two-year steps, and the road to long-term residence.
Our service fee covers case management, document review, and included sworn translations only — apostille, government and consular fees are separate and paid directly by the client to the relevant authority or provider.
The NLV, In Numbers
Government thresholds, updated yearly — your case manager confirms the current figures before anything is filed.
You can support yourself from savings, pensions or passive income — around €2,400 a month (roughly C$3,700, depending on the rate) or €28,800 in savings, plus €600 a month per family member. The common route for retirees and anyone stepping back from work.
Is this your route?
- You're retiring, or stepping back from work, with pension, savings or investment income that clears the bar
- You have rental or dividend income that arrives whether or not you work
- You want a year in Spain first and a working permit later — the NLV can be modified from inside Spain
- You're moving as a family — one main applicant carries the application, each member adds €600 a month
What goes in the file
- Proof of income or savings, presented so the consulate sees the threshold met at a glance
- A criminal record certificate — the country-specific part below
- A medical certificate in the consulate's required wording
- Full private health insurance from a Spanish insurer, no co-payments
- Birth and marriage certificates for family applications, freshly issued and apostilled
The Canada Part of the File
Whichever visa you pick, these are the documents and rules that are specific to applying from Canada — and where files usually go wrong.
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Your criminal record is the RCMP check — fingerprints included
Spain wants the certified RCMP criminal record check, which is fingerprint-based and taken through an accredited fingerprinting company. A local police letter is not a substitute.
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Canada issues apostilles now — but only since 2024
Canada joined the Apostille Convention in January 2024, ending the old embassy legalisation chain. Federal documents like the RCMP check are apostilled by Global Affairs Canada; documents from Ontario, Quebec, BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan are apostilled by the province that issued them. Sending a document to the wrong office is the new common delay.
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The sworn translation must include the apostille
Every word of the certificate and of the apostille. English or French originals still need sworn Spanish translations, and they are included in our service fee.
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Birth and marriage certificates come from the province
Ordered fresh from the provincial vital statistics office — consulates generally want them recently issued — then apostilled where they were issued.
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Your consulate is decided by where you live
Two Spanish consulates split Canada between them, each with its own appointment system and habits. The table below shows the map.
Where You File
The two Spanish consulates in Canada and who files where. Your case manager confirms the current requirements for yours before anything is filed.
| Consulate | Covers | Appointment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Ontario, the western provinces and the territories | Via consulate | The larger jurisdiction — appointment lead times need planning |
| Montreal | Quebec and Atlantic Canada | Via consulate | French documents still need sworn Spanish translations |
Consulates change their requirements without notice. Treat this as orientation, not a checklist: the checklist your case manager builds is for your consulate, your visa and your household.
Manage Your Entire Visa Journey in One Place
Manage documents, track progress, communicate with your case manager, and stay organised throughout your application process.
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Application Progress Tracking
See exactly where you are in the process, what's been completed, and what actions may be required next.
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Secure Document Uploads
Upload and store your application documents securely in one central location.
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Personalised Task List
Receive a checklist tailored to your visa type and application stage.
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Direct Communication
Stay connected with your case manager and receive important updates through your dashboard.
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Everything in One Place
Keep your documents, messages, tasks, and application progress organised in a single platform.
What our clients say
Real people, real results
Over 10,000 clients have used our platform to move to Spain. Read their stories — from first eligibility check to visa approval — all managed through the dashboard.
Ready to Start Your Journey to Spain?
Create your free account to check your eligibility, upload documents at your own pace, and track every step of your application — with a dedicated case manager beside you the whole way.
Success rate based on eligible applications.
Carlos is an AI assistant. For critical decisions, always verify with an official source or speak to an advisor.
