How do I apply for the Spain digital nomad visa at the Spanish consulate in Los Angeles?
Updated · Consulates guide · Not legal advice
If you legally live in its jurisdiction (Arizona; Colorado; Utah; Southern California: Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties), you apply for Spain's digital nomad visa at the Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles using its official website for appointments and its current checklist. Appointment rules and fees change, so check the consulate's page before you book.
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Arizona; Colorado; Utah; Southern California: Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties |
| Official website | Consulate of Spain in Los Angeles |
| Appointments | Booked through the consulate's own system. Check the consulate's page. |
| Fees | Visa fees depend on your nationality (reciprocity). Check the consulate's page. |
| Visa validity | Up to 1 year, then renew in Spain for 2 years at a time |
| Alternative | If you are legally in Spain, apply to the UGE online instead (permit up to 3 years) |
Who can apply here
You apply at the consulate that covers the place where you legally reside, not where you were born or where your employer is. You will usually need to show residence in the consulate's jurisdiction (for example a US driver's licence or state ID). California is split between Los Angeles and San Francisco by county. See which Spanish consulate covers California.
What to bring
The core file is the same at every consulate: passport, national visa application form, proof of remote work and income (at least €2,849 a month for one person), degree or 3 years' experience, Spain-valid health insurance, FBI check with apostille and sworn translation, and social security proof. Each consulate publishes its own checklist and format rules; check the consulate's page and see our documents checklist.
Consulate or UGE?
If you can travel to Spain first and file while legally there, the UGE route avoids the consulate appointment and gives a longer permit. Compare both in inside Spain vs consulate.
Quick answers
- Which Spanish consulate do I apply to?
- The one covering the state where you legally live. The Los Angeles consulate covers: Arizona; Colorado; Utah; Southern California: Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
- How do I book an appointment?
- Through the consulate's official website. Availability and booking rules change, so check the consulate's page.
- How much is the visa fee?
- It depends on your nationality (fees follow reciprocity, so they differ by passport). Check the consulate's page for the current amount.
- Can I apply for the Spain digital nomad visa online instead?
- Only through the UGE, and only while you are legally in Spain. From the US, you apply in person at your consulate.
What to do next
Get a checklist built for your consulate route before you book the appointment.
Generate my document checklistSources
- Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles
- Embassy of Spain in Washington: consulates and jurisdictions
- UGE: digital nomad FAQ (Spanish, PDF)
- BOE: Law 14/2013 (consolidated text, arts. 74 bis and 74 ter)
Checked: . Rules change; confirm current values on the official pages above before you file.