Deciding to immigrate from the US to Spain is a major life step. When your destination is Valencia, the journey becomes both exciting and complex. Beyond visas and paperwork, it’s about creating a new home, finding the right school for your children, bringing your pets safely, and making sure you feel secure from day one.

At Livin’Valencia, we help American families turn a daunting process into a clear, manageable path. We walk with you through every step: visa guidance, housing, schools, tax questions, and the many small details that make settling into Spain smoother.

Here’s a realistic guide to the immigration from the US timeline, the different visa options, and how we support you before, during, and after your arrival in Valencia.

Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV): for families without Spanish employment

The NLV is one of the most common choices for US citizens who want to relocate without working in Spain. You apply for it at the Spanish consulate in your home state, and the process usually takes three to six months from the moment you begin preparing documents to receiving approval.

You’ll need to demonstrate sufficient financial means, secure private health insurance, and provide official documents such as police records, birth certificates, and marriage certificates with apostilles.

The immigration from US timeline for NLV often looks like this:

• Month -9 to -6: Begin gathering documents, translations, and apostilles.
• Month -6 to -3: Submit your application at the consulate. Processing usually takes six to twelve weeks.
• Month -3 to 0: Plan your move, search for housing remotely, and shortlist schools.
• Arrival month: Collect your visa, travel to Spain, and start your TIE process with our guidance.

We coordinate with immigration lawyers to review your documents before you submit, ensuring fewer delays. We also help with the practical timeline: when to start looking for schools, whether to rent first or buy, and how to prepare for the first weeks in Spain.

Digital Nomad Visa: for remote professionals

If one of you works remotely for a US or foreign employer, the Digital Nomad Visa can be a good fit. Unlike the NLV, parts of this process can be managed once you’re in Spain, though many families still prefer to start from the US.

The requirements include proof of remote income, valid work contracts, tax compliance, and private health insurance. Timelines vary, but approvals in Spain can sometimes be faster than NLV applications from the US.

Families often use this visa route when one partner works remotely while the other focuses on relocation and school integration. Our role is to connect you with trusted lawyers who specialize in digital nomad visas, advise you on how this affects tax residency, and build the relocation plan around the approval process.

Family Reunification: when one partner has an EU passport

If one member of the couple is an EU citizen—perhaps with Italian, Portuguese, or Irish nationality—the American spouse and children can apply for family reunification. This process is often smoother than an NLV or work visa.

The EU partner registers residence in Spain, then the rest of the family applies for residency based on the family link. The timeline is shorter, but still requires proper planning: securing housing, proving financial stability, and enrolling children in schools.

We guide families through the steps of combining EU rights with Spanish bureaucracy. We help with school placements, housing strategy, and making sure the administrative timeline matches your arrival goals.

Work Visa: when relocating for a job in Spain

If your family is moving because of a Spanish job offer, the work visa process begins with employer sponsorship. The company in Spain files an application with Spanish authorities, and once approved, the family applies for visas in the US.

This path depends heavily on employer readiness. Delays are common if paperwork is incomplete, so having a clear personal relocation plan is essential. While your employer focuses on the work contract, we make sure your housing, school search, and local integration are not left behind.

Housing: renting or buying when you arrive

Every family asks the same question: should we rent or buy?

• Renting offers flexibility. It allows you to get to know Valencia and its suburbs before making a long-term investment. We guide you through the competitive rental market, review contracts with our legal partners, and help you avoid common pitfalls.
• Buying offers stability. If you already know Valencia is your long-term base, we support you as independent buyer advisors. We handle property search, negotiation, due diligence, and coordinate notary and legal steps.

We often recommend families rent first unless their timeline and budget are very clear. Either way, you’ll have us on your side, ensuring the process is transparent and aligned with your needs.

Schools: planning around visas and children’s needs

For many families, education drives decisions. Some visas, such as the NLV, expect families to have private health insurance and, in certain cases, international school enrollment.

• International schools (American School of Valencia, British schools, Caxton College) offer continuity and can help with visa renewals.
• Bilingual schools are strong for immersion, especially for younger children.
• Local public schools provide integration, but may be better for families who already speak Spanish.

Our School Search service includes research, scheduling visits, and managing applications. We help you decide which option balances continuity for your children with integration into Spanish life.

Pets: bringing them safely to Spain

Moving with pets means extra preparation. US families must meet EU requirements, including microchips, rabies vaccinations, and sometimes blood tests. Pets need an EU health certificate issued by an accredited vet within days of travel. Airlines have their own regulations for cabin or cargo transport.

We advise you on these steps, recommend local vets once you arrive, and help register your pets with your municipality—because pets are part of the family too.

After arrival: settling into Valencia

Once you’ve landed, there’s still plenty to do. This is where we help families feel they’re not alone in front of Spanish bureaucracy.

• Apply for the TIE (residency card)
• Register your address at the padrón
• Open bank accounts
• Set up utilities, internet, and mobile phones
• Secure health insurance or access the Spanish health system
• Enroll children in schools and extracurriculars
• Register pets locally

Our team and trusted partners make sure you don’t lose time in confusing queues or chasing unclear documents.

Free first tax consultation

Every relocation has a tax angle. Will you become tax resident in Spain? How will your US income or investments be treated? What about double taxation?

As part of our relocation service, we include a free first consultation with our tax expert, so you understand the basics before making commitments. Families find this reassuring: it helps you plan finances, avoid surprises, and decide the best timing for your move.

A realistic timeline for immigration from the US

Every family’s path is different, but here’s a narrative example of how an immigration from US timeline unfolds:

1. Nine to six months before departure
You decide on your visa path—NLV, Digital Nomad, Work Visa, or Family Reunification. We help you gather documents, schedule the first consultation with immigration lawyers here in Spain (Work and Digital Nomad Visa + Family reunification), and begin planning schools and housing. You also start preparing pets for travel.

2. Six to three months before departure
You submit visa applications in the US or, in some cases, begin the process in Spain. We coordinate housing research remotely: virtual tours, neighborhood reports, and school shortlist. You also connect with our tax expert to understand residency and financial planning.

3. Three months to arrival
Approval is near. We refine your housing strategy: rent first or buy. We prepare arrival logistics: school visits, bank accounts, and health insurance. You know what to expect the first week you arrive.

4. Arrival month
You land in Valencia. We meet you or connect virtually. Together we visit homes, finalize contracts, and handle TIE appointments, padrón registration, and utilities. Children begin school enrollment. Pets are registered locally.

5. First three months in Spain
Your family settles into a permanent home. Children start school and after-school activities. You connect with the expat and parent community. We remain available for questions, support, and recommendations—from pediatricians to sports clubs.

By the end of the first six months, most families feel Valencia is truly home.

Why work with Livin’Valencia

Immigration is not just documents—it’s life-changing. Having a trusted local partner makes all the difference.

As EU citizens who settled in Spain, we’ve guided countless international families through the same journey. We support your visa path, housing choice, school search, pet relocation, and integration with a balance of professionalism and empathy.

Our fixed-fee model keeps us aligned with your success—not with agencies or sellers. And we include unique extras like the free tax consultation, ongoing legal support, and a human presence by your side.

Book your free consultation today and let’s plan your family’s immigration from the US to Valencia with confidence, care, and clarity.