What Florida applicants need to know
Florida has one of the highest concentrations of Digital Nomad Visa applicants of any U.S. state — particularly Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, where remote work culture is strong and there is an established Spanish-speaking community. The Miami consulate processes a significant volume of DNV applications and is well-staffed for the demand.
Florida's zero state income tax is worth noting: residents moving to Spain will exchange no state income tax for Spanish IRPF (or the 24% Beckham Law flat rate). Use the Beckham calculator and salary calculator to run the numbers before deciding.
Puerto Rico residents: you are served by the Miami consulate. Your documentation requirements are identical to U.S. mainland applicants. If you are a Puerto Rico bona fide resident with Act 60 benefits, consult a tax advisor about how Spain's Beckham Law interacts with your current status before applying.
Required documents
- National visa application form — completed in Spanish (EX-01 or current equivalent, downloaded from the consulate website)
- Valid passport + 2 photos — passport valid at least 1 year beyond your intended stay
- FBI background check with apostille — issued within the last 3 months at time of application. FBI + apostille guide →
- Medical certificate — from a licensed physician, certifying no disqualifying conditions; apostille or notarization required
- Spanish private health insurance — full coverage from a Spain-authorized insurer; no copays, deductibles, or waiting periods. Cigna Global, Sanitas, and AXA Spain are common choices
- Proof of remote work — employment contract (employees) or client agreements + invoices (freelancers). Work must be for entities outside Spain
- Income proof — 3 months of pay stubs or prior year tax return. Minimum solo threshold: ~€2,849/month
- Sworn Spanish translations — all English documents require certified translation
- Visa fee — approximately €80
Freelancers and autónomos: what to prepare
If you work as a freelancer or independent contractor, the Miami consulate — like all Spanish consulates — requires you to demonstrate that your income is stable, sourced outside Spain, and sufficient. Typical supporting documents:
- Active client contracts (signed, showing scope of work and compensation)
- Invoices from the last 3–6 months showing consistent income
- Last year's U.S. tax return (Schedule C if filed as a sole proprietor)
- Bank statements showing income deposits
If your income is variable month-to-month, a 12-month average that consistently exceeds the threshold is generally acceptable. Document the calculation clearly.
Booking your appointment
The Miami consulate requires appointments for all visa services. Book through the official appointment system linked from the consulate's website. Miami appointment availability is typically better than Los Angeles or New York — expect 4–6 weeks lead time in most seasons.
- Check the booking system Monday morning — weekend cancellations often appear
- Bring originals and complete copies of every document — do not leave anything at home because you expect them not to ask
- The Coral Gables address is accessible by Metrorail (Douglas Road station) and has paid parking nearby
Processing time after submission
The Miami consulate has been processing DNV applications in approximately 3–6 weeks. The legal deadline is 30 days. If you have not received a response in 30 days, you may follow up by email citing your application date and reference number.
The in-Spain alternative
Florida's geographic position means flights to Spain are direct and affordable from Miami. Many Florida applicants choose to fly to Spain as tourists and file the 3-year TIE residence permit in-country — avoiding the 1-year visa + renewal sequence and getting the full residence permit from day one. See how the in-Spain filing works → And if you’re moving from Florida, the Florida-specific guide covers your state tax math and what changes when you leave.