NALCAP visa Spain application

By Lucia Lagunas Reyes | Published on 14 February 2024

Do you want to go to Spain to teach English? There Are several Spanish Government-sponsored programs you can consider applying. One of the common programs is NALCAP, the “North American Language and Culture Assistants program .”This initiative, also known as Auxiliaries de Conversation, places English Teachers in public schools in different parts of Spain. Teachers under this program earn a salary range of $800 – $1,150 per month, depending on their region. But is it possible to apply for a North American Language and Culture Assistant Program Visa if you are abroad? The consulates General of Spain does issue Student visas to all applicants successful in the program.

In this guide, we will enlighten you on the steps to follow from when you start the program and apply for the NALCAP Spain visa to when you are placed for the language and culture assistant job in Spain.

NALCAP Program Requirements

To apply for the North American Language assistants’ program NALCAP, there are some requirements you must meet, which include

• Be a national in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland.
• Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field.
• The applicant may sign up as a second-year, junior, or senior in a bachelor’s program. Also, contenders who have an associate degree or are in their last semester in community college are eligible for the program.
• Have mental and physical health.
• Have a basic level of Spanish
• Aged between 18-60
• Have a native-like level of English

How to get started with your Nalcap Visa?

Once you confirm you are eligible, you can apply for the applications open on an online portal known as PROFEX. However, you should note that you can only apply when the application period opens. If you have previously participated in the program, you may reuse the same credentials to access your PROFEX account.
You will be required to submit all the necessary documents, which include:

• A copy of the main page of your passport
• A copy of your academic certification
• A signed and dated statement of purpose written in English addressed to the Ministry of Education in Spain explaining why you would like to participate in the NALCAP program. Also, mention you have a native level of English speaker.
• A recommendation letter from a college professor or employer, or instructor

Note that all the above documents are compulsory, and applications will not meet the requirements if any of them will be missing. In addition, you will have a choice to choose the regions you will be interested in working in; however, there is no guarantee of placement in the areas of your choice. Also, during the application process, you will be asked to select a consulate General of Spain office in your area. That will aid in the quick issuance of a visa.

After you upload all the required documents, it will be time to apply. Ensure you get INSCRITA status to confirm that you have submitted the NALCAP application.
Then you will have to be a little patient as your application is reviewed. This may take several weeks, but keep checking on the application status on PROFEX. When the status changes from INSCRITA to ADMITIDA, your application has been reviewed and approved and qualifies for regional placement in Spain. Due to the high number of applications sent on this program, the NALCAP acceptance rate may seem low.

Next, you will receive a message through your email address confirming the region you have been assigned to teach. Remember that you must accept or decline the position within 72 hours on the portal.
Once you accept the offer, the application status on your PROFEX account will change to PLAZA ACEPTADA. Now you can request for background check and get other necessary documents, including official translation and NALCAP apostille certifications. However, you should note that the consulates in Spain do not accept background checks with over 90 days of validity when submitting the NALCAPA visa application. So, consider the possible issuing dates of all documents mandatory in the visa application before you request background checks.

Within one month after accepting the regional placement, you will receive a letter of acceptance from the Spanish regional education offices. The letter is vital in applying for the NALCAP visa Spain and processing your TIE(residency card) once you arrive in Spain. It also contains other crucial information, including the program start and end dates, school information, stipend amount, location information, and health insurance information.

As soon as you receive the acceptance letter, it will be time to book an appointment to submit your Application for NALCAP Visa Spain.

NALCAP Visa Spain Application

Applying for your NALCAP visa Spain will not be a challenge when you follow the step by step guide below.

Documents Required when applying For a NALCAP visa

Here are some of the documents that are required when you are applying for a NALCAP Visa Spain.

• National visa application form- The first step for NALCAP visa application is filling out a visa application form. Before submitting this application, ensure all parts of the form are well answered.
• Recent passport-sized photograph-You will also need two recent coloured passport-sized photographs taken against a white background. In the photo, look forward, and don’t wear dark or reflective glasses or clothes concealing the oval of the face. Ensure the passport photograph conform to ICAO standard. Nonetheless, it should be stamped with the date and the location where it was taken.
• Have a valid passport- Have an original passport and a photocopy of the first page where your biometrics are. Ensure your passport is not more than ten years, and its validity should be within the duration of your stay during the program.
• Criminal check certificate- If you are planning to stay in Spain for more than 180 days and are of legal age. It is mandatory to submit your criminal record check certificate issued by your country of residence for the past five years. For instance, if the applicant is from Canada, this certificate should have a negative criminal record and contain fingerprints and a photo of the applicant.
• Acceptance letter- The acceptance letter should be clear on your monthly allowance. Also, it should entail details regarding your medical insurance (whether or not Comunidad Autonoma insures you). If you are not insured, be ready to purchase medical insurance covering the whole period you will be in Spain.
• Medical certificate-If you are planning to stay for more than 180 days. Be ready to submit a medical checkup certificate showing you are not suffering from ailments threatening public health. The certificate should adhere to 2015 international health regulations.
• You should have proof of residence in your consular district- you must provide your home country identity card, voter registration card, or driving licence.
• Proof of the representative Identity – In case your Visa application was set forth by an immigration agent. They should ensure a copy of their identity document, and any documents that are accrediting representation should accompany their application. However, they should provide all the original documents submitted during the process. Also, ensure you legalize Your foreign document and then offer an official translation where applicable.
• Proof of accommodation- Before you depart from your home country, you must show a prior agreement on where to stay in Spain. However, sometimes you might be lucky, and the institution you will work for on the NCAP program might offer you accommodation. In case you will be accommodated in a private house, you must produce an invitation letter issued by a police station in Spain.
• Visa fee

Applying For Your NALCAP Visa Spain

Once every document required in the application for the visa is ready, you will need to book an appointment with the office of the embassy in your country on their website. You will be scheduled for the time and date of the visa interview.
During the interview day with the consulate officer, arrive early and carry originals and copies of your documents. Also, remember to bring the visa fee in cash.
After paying for your visa, it will be out after several weeks.

Applying For Your Visa

Once every document required in the application for the visa is ready, you will need to book an appointment with the office of the embassy in your country on their website. You will be scheduled for the time and date of the visa interview.
During the interview day with the consulate officer, arrive early and carry originals and copies of your documents. Also, remember to bring the visa fee in cash.
After paying for your visa, it will be out after several weeks.

Final words about NALCAP visa Spain

If you have qualified for American language and culture program and received the acceptance letter for placement, it will be time to process the visa. The process may be tedious and requires a lot of patience. But if you follow the above guide, the process will be simpler. What is important is to gather all the necessary documents before the application date, and the whole process will be hassle-free.

FAQs Nalcap visa Spain

What is Spanish visa type D?

This Spanish visa, also known as a visa for studies, is a visa for non-EU students in Spain studying for more than six months. This visa is only valid for the first three months after you enter Spain, after which you will need to obtain the TIE (the student Residence card for foreigners) to stay legally in Spain.

What is NALCAP Program Application Timeline?

NALCAP program period opens in late January and ends in early to mid-April. However, make sure you do prior preparation by making sure all the vital documents are required in the application process. Remember positions are given on first come first serve basis, So, the earlier you send your application the better.

Does NALCAP provide housing?

When NALCAP accepts your application, you will be paid a salary between $800 and $1150 monthly. However, the pay is determined more so by your placement region. The remuneration will cover basic living expenses like housing, food, and other essential costs.
Nonetheless, the participant must procure and pay for their housing out of their pocket. However, the salary usually meets and exceeds the minimum wage in most cases.

How long is the NALCAP program?

The NALCAP program lasts for 8 to 9, depending on the region you placed. For instance, for candidates selected in Madrid, their program runs from October 1st to June 30th. It is advisable to check the letter of acceptance as it has all the details of your placement.

Is there a required fee for an applicant?

No. There is no fee you are supposed to pay for your NALCAP visa to be processed. All you need are your transcripts, a recommendation letter, and a detailed statement of intent. There are no tests to ease your communication during the stay. However, you need to know some basic level of the Spanish language but don’t get worried.

When should you make your Visa application?

It is good to note that any visa application to Spain is made sufficiently. The process should start in advance at least 90 days before the beginning of the placement. It is good to note that only a complete application goes through the admission stage.

Can I travel with a minor in the NALCAP program?

Yes, you can travel with your minor to Spain including Ceuta. However, it is a requirement that you submit the following documents.

• Have an enrolment letter from your minor’s educational institution.
• Have a medical cover that will cover your child for the period of your stay.
• Proof of financial- be ready to cover all the expenses your minor will incur during the trip. Your funds should not be less than €289.5.

For Canadian citizens, it is mandatory for a parent travelling with their kid to Spain to sign a letter of consent in front of a Notary. Then, this letter is authenticated by global affairs Canada, after which your consulate legalizes it.

If the minor is under joint custody, both parents must submit a legal document in which the parent who is not travelling states their awareness of the travel.

What are the required documents for NALCAP Visa Spain?

Here are the mandatory documents you will need when applying for the student visa for the culture assistants program NALCAP.
• A valid passport
• Your state-issued ID or driver’s license, or student ID
• Two recent passport photos on a white background.
• An original medical certificate
• A background check.
• Original acceptance letter from the Regional Education Authorities in Spain
• Proof of accommodation
• A police criminal record certificate from your home country and a
• Correctly filled out National Visa application form (2 copies)
• Visa fee