What D.C. area applicants need to know

The Washington Embassy visa section processes Digital Nomad Visa applications with the same requirements as all Spanish consulates.  The Startup Law is federal Spanish law and applies uniformly.  Applications are lodged at the BLS International center in Washington by appointment.

D.C., Maryland, and Virginia have a high concentration of federal contractors, consultants, and tech workers with employer arrangements that may require additional documentation.  If your employer is a U.S. government contractor, make sure your employment letter confirms you are not assigned to U.S. government work that could create a classification issue.  A Spanish attorney can review this before you submit.

Virginia residents: the NoVA tech corridor (Arlington, Tysons, Reston) has a large remote worker base.  Many applicants from this area have tried the in-Spain TIE route given direct flights from Dulles to Madrid, which is often faster than two embassy trips.

Required documents

  • National visa application form: the consulate’s own form, completed and signed
  • Valid passport + 2 passport photos
  • FBI criminal background check with apostille: issued within 3 months of application date. FBI + apostille guide →
  • Medical certificate: signed by a licensed physician within the last 90 days, stating you have no disease that could pose a public-health risk under the 2005 International Health Regulations; whether it needs an apostille varies, so follow the consulate’s current list
  • Spanish private health insurance: full coverage, authorized in Spain, no copays or deductibles
  • Remote work proof: employment contract (W‑2) or client contracts and invoices (freelancers/contractors)
  • Income proof: pay stubs or tax return; solo minimum ~€2,849/month.  Some consulates work from a lower figure, but prepare for €2,849: it is the one the UGE applies, and a file built to it meets both figures.
  • Certified Spanish translations of all English-language documents
  • Visa fee: about $190 for U.S. citizens, a reciprocity rate that changes; confirm it before your appointment

Federal workers and contractors

U.S. federal employees are generally ineligible for the Spain DNV because the visa requires that your employer not be based in Spain and that your work not be performed for Spanish clients, and federal employment typically ties you to U.S. government operations.  However, if you are transitioning out of federal employment or your contract is with a private firm that happens to serve the government, review your specific situation with an attorney before assuming you are excluded.

Booking and processing

Appointments are available through the Embassy’s official booking portal.  D.C. area appointment availability is moderate, typically 4–⁠7 weeks.  After submission, processing runs approximately 4–⁠6 weeks.  The Embassy is formal in its procedures; come organized, with originals and complete copies of every document.

Moving costs and state-tax math depend on where you’re leaving from: the state-by-state guides cover the biggest departure states.

D.C. area applicant ready to get started?

Get a free written assessment →