A familiar place offered me stability and predictability, but nothing felt more exciting than the prospect of exploring new countries and cities.
With Immigrant Invest’s support, I did not have to navigate the path to a new life in Spain alone. They took on the hard work and made the process of securing residency clear and easy for both me and my son.
Camila, 44
Entrepreneur from the US
Clients’ names and photos have been changed
Camila found herself lingering at the window of Austin’s international terminal, watching planes lift into the sky. Her son, Daniel, pressed his forehead against the glass beside her.
“Mamá, where do you think they’re going?” he asked. She hesitated before answering. Somewhere we could be, she thought, and the idea refused to leave her.
Born in the United States to a South American family, Camila had grown up bilingual, moving between continents and carrying both cultures within her. But after becoming a mother, she rooted herself in the US, determined to build stability for her son.
For nearly a decade Camila focused on Daniel and the online business she built from scratch. Now, at 10, her son was old enough to adapt and young enough to embrace a new world. The business ran smoothly with minimal involvement. For the first time in years, Camila could look beyond routine and ask what kind of life she wanted next.
The idea came quietly. She could move again, offering Daniel a childhood shaped by a different rhythm. She could return to South America — yet something in Camila resisted going back. She wanted to move forward.
This is when Europe began to form in Camila’s mind: safer streets, public parks, timeless architecture, a higher quality of life. Of all places, Spain shone brightest: the language was hers, the culture familiar, the climate gentle. It felt less like choosing a destination and more like recognising a home Camila had not yet lived in.
A new beginning was waiting — she only had to choose it.
Camila,
Obtained a Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain
I’d lived abroad before, in a life that once felt wide and unpredictable, but I set that chapter aside for 10 years to give my son stability.
Watching the planes rise into the sky, I felt that old part of myself stir, the part that remembered how good it felt to begin somewhere new. I realised that moving forward wouldn’t erase what I had built; it would simply expand it, giving us both more room and possibility.
From disappointment to clarity: finding the visa that matches Camila’s lifestyle
Camila initially assumed the Digital Nomad Visa was her natural pathway to settling in Spain. She owned an online business, after all, wasn’t that exactly what digital nomads did?
With this visa in mind — and determined to understand every detail before beginning — Camila booked a consultation with Immigrant Invest. She prepared carefully, gathering notes and outlining her questions in advance.
But during the call, Camila learned something she hadn’t expected: the Digital Nomad Visa required active foreign employment or freelance work. Her income, based entirely on dividends, did not meet those criteria.
The realisation landed heavily, a brief sting of misunderstanding. Still, the disappointment was short-lived. The investment migration expert explained that she did qualify for residency in Spain, just not through the route she had imagined.
The Non-Lucrative Visa, designed for financially self-sufficient applicants, fit Camila’s situation perfectly. As she absorbed this new information, the shift was almost physical. One door had closed, but another, steadier and far more suited to her life, opened immediately in its place.
Residency path shaped for independence
The more Camila learned, the more the Non-Lucrative Visa felt designed for her life. It required no employment contracts and no corporate commitments. Just financial independence, stability, and the intention to live peacefully in Spain.
Eligibility requirements
Camila met the core criteria easily, as she:
- was over 18;
- came from a non-EU country;
- had a clean criminal record;
- had a passive income exceeding the required amount.
Her son could be included as a dependent, since the Non-Lucrative Visa allows financially dependent children to join the main applicant.
Camila was also ready to secure housing in Spain. She could choose to buy or rent a property at any price, as there were no minimum cost or size requirements.
Spain, Algorfa
€485,000 — €519,000
Modern villa near Golf club
119 m²
3 
2 
Spain
€340,000 — €650,000
Apartments and villas with sea and mountain view
73 m² — 230 m²2—3 2—3 
Spain, Benidorm
€455,000 — €1,690,000
Apartments on the sea coast
60 m² — 175 m²1—4 1—4 Income requirements
Spain requires proof that applicants can sustain themselves entirely on passive income. For Camila, this meant demonstrating annual resources of €28,880 for herself, plus an additional €7,200 for her son.
Thanks to her business dividends and savings, accumulated over years of disciplined planning, Camila exceeded the requirement comfortably. Knowing this gave her confidence; the financial side of the application, often the most stressful for families, was one area where she already felt secure.
Eymi Castro,
Investment Migration Expert
The central requirement of the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa is that applicants cannot engage in active work, either in Spain or abroad, as the visa is designed specifically for those who live on passive income. Dividends qualify as passive income and may be combined with other passive sources, but not with any form of active salary.
Financial documents requirements
To demonstrate that she could support herself and her son without working in Spain, Camila needed to prepare a clear set of financial documents:
- Dividend statements from her company — these papers established the source and consistency of her income.
- Proof of ownership in the company — this confirmed Camila owned 100% of the business and was entitled to all dividend distributions.
- Bank statements for 12 months — these statements reflected Camila’s accumulated savings, further demonstrating her financial independence.
To strengthen her application, Camila added her latest tax return and the company’s annual financial summary, which confirmed sufficient profit to justify the distributions. She also submitted a signed dividend resolution outlining the annual payout and how it was calculated, providing additional clarity for immigration authorities.
Securing housing in Spain
Camila did not have enough money to buy a property, so she decided to rent one instead. When considering where to live, she had three priorities:
- big city offering plenty of activities and opportunities for leisure;
- apartment with at least 2 bedrooms costing no more than €1,500 per month;
- safe, walkable neighbourhood, ideally close to parks and schools.
After researching several regions, Camila gravitated toward Valencia, a calm coastal city with family-friendly districts and a balanced Mediterranean lifestyle.
Navigating the rental market from the United States felt overwhelming, especially with unfamiliar regulations and the need for a contract that met immigration standards. That’s when Immigrant Invest stepped in to help.
The real estate team curated verified listings in Valencia’s best districts, explained the strengths of each area to Camila, handled communication with landlords, and ensured every contract detail met Spanish legal requirements. What could have been a confusing task became simple and transparent.
With Immigrant Invest’s support, Camila secured a bright 2-bedroom apartment in Valencia near the Turia Gardens for €1,200 per month.
Lawyers finalised the lease remotely, allowing to complete the entire process before arriving in Spain. By the time Camila’s visa was approved, she already had a home waiting, a place where her son could walk to school and where their new life could begin.
Valencia enjoys over 300 sunny days per year, mild winters, and warm but manageable summers. The Mediterranean climate makes outdoor activities a major part of daily living
Milestones on Camila’s path to Spain
Camila secured the Non-Lucrative Visa in 5 months, with lawyers accompanying her during every step of the process. The total expenses amounted to €4,850, excluding required income.
See how Camila’s journey unfolded.
April 1st, 2025
Preliminary Due Diligence
Before beginning the procedure, the Compliance Anti-Money Laundering Officer conducted a Due Diligence check. This confidential review verified Camila’s background against international databases to ensure there were no risks that could affect the application.
The check was successful, and Camila signed a contract with Immigrant Invest.
Before beginning the procedure, the Compliance Anti-Money Laundering Officer conducted a Due Diligence check. This confidential review verified Camila’s background against international databases to ensure there were no risks that could affect the application.
The check was successful, and Camila signed a contract with Immigrant Invest.
+ 4 weeks, €2,300
Documents preparation
Putting together the documents became the next practical step. With Immigrant Invest guiding her, Camila prepared:
- national D visa form;
- valid passport;
- criminal background certificate;
- proof of passive income;
- private health insurance;
- photos;
- documents confirming her relationship to her son.
Each item served one purpose: to show Spain that she and her child could settle into the country without needing employment, public resources, or social benefits.
At this stage, Camila also paid for translation and certificate of documents, health insurance, and administrative fees.
Putting together the documents became the next practical step. With Immigrant Invest guiding her, Camila prepared:
- national D visa form;
- valid passport;
- criminal background certificate;
- proof of passive income;
- private health insurance;
- photos;
- documents confirming her relationship to her son.
Each item served one purpose: to show Spain that she and her child could settle into the country without needing employment, public resources, or social benefits.
At this stage, Camila also paid for translation and certificate of documents, health insurance, and administrative fees.
+ 2 months
Obtaining a D visa
Once Camila’s file was complete, it was time to submit her application for the D visa at the Spanish Consulate in the US. Immigrant Invest handled the submission on her behalf.
Although the consulate can take up to 3 months to review an application, Camila’s approval arrived in just 2, thanks to her well-prepared documentation.
After approval, she received a national D visa valid for 90 days, giving her the necessary window to enter Spain and complete the next steps of her relocation.
Once Camila’s file was complete, it was time to submit her application for the D visa at the Spanish Consulate in the US. Immigrant Invest handled the submission on her behalf.
Although the consulate can take up to 3 months to review an application, Camila’s approval arrived in just 2, thanks to her well-prepared documentation.
After approval, she received a national D visa valid for 90 days, giving her the necessary window to enter Spain and complete the next steps of her relocation.
+ 1 month, €2,400
Securing housing in Spain
Before applying for her residence permit, Camila secured a rental home in Spain. Immigrant Invest provided a list of suitable options, helped her choose one online, and finalised the lease on her behalf.
Camila paid €1,200 for the first month and €1,200 as a deposit.
Before applying for her residence permit, Camila secured a rental home in Spain. Immigrant Invest provided a list of suitable options, helped her choose one online, and finalised the lease on her behalf.
Camila paid €1,200 for the first month and €1,200 as a deposit.
+ 1 day
Submission of biometrics
Once Camila and her son arrived in Spain, they moved on to the final step: submitting biometrics and applying for their residence permits.
Immigrant Invest scheduled the appointment, so all Camila and her son needed to do was appear in person to provide their biometric data.
Once Camila and her son arrived in Spain, they moved on to the final step: submitting biometrics and applying for their residence permits.
Immigrant Invest scheduled the appointment, so all Camila and her son needed to do was appear in person to provide their biometric data.
September 5th, 2025, €150
Obtaining residence cards
Once approved, Camila collected the residence permit cards for herself and her son. She also paid the €75 issuance fee per person.
Once approved, Camila collected the residence permit cards for herself and her son. She also paid the €75 issuance fee per person.
New life taking shape in Spain
When the path to the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa was complete and Camila finally held her Spanish residence card, she was struck by how something so light could carry such meaning. After months of preparation, it represented not just permission to stay, but the beginning of a welcome new chapter.
In Valencia, Camila’s son settled quickly, making new friends and gaining confidence as his Spanish improved. Camila found her rhythm, too: morning markets, afternoon bells, sunlight spilling across their balcony. She began capturing these moments in a small blog that reflected the joy of starting over.
One evening by the Mediterranean, watching her son chase waves, Camila realised how naturally this new life had become theirs. Spain hadn’t replaced what she loved about the United States; it had expanded her world, offering calm and new possibilities. For the first time in years, she felt both grateful and excited, grounded in her past, hopeful for what lay ahead.
Camila isn’t sure about citizenship yet, but she knows she will renew her residence permit and stay at least 2 more years, and Immigrant Invest is ready to support her once again.
You, too, can reshape your life in Spain. With Immigrant Invest, securing the Non-Lucrative Visa becomes a clear and confident path to a fresh start.
