NALCAP. American Language​ and Culture Assistant Program

4. Copy of the Acceptance Letter by the Regional Education Authorities (“Nombramiento"). This letter must provide information on the school the applicant has been appointed to (address, phone number, contact email). It must also contain information about the grant, the duration of the program and the insurance policy. The Consulate of Spain will ONLY accept original signatures or electronically signed letters. No FAX or copies will be accepted for any reason.

5. For the visa validity. Fill out numbers 21 (date of entry) and 28 (complete information related to university in Spain) on application form. It is highly recommended not to purchase the travel tickets until the visa has been approved. 

6. Background check (status over 180 days). Certificate of criminal record dated no more than five months before the application date, stating that applicant does not have criminal record where they have resided for the past five years. Not applicable for students under 18 years old. 

The certificate from the US must be issued from FBI and Legalized with the Apostille of the Hague Convention by the Department of State in Washington DC.

Local Police and State background checks will not be accepted.

If the applicant has spent six months or more during the last five years in another country, he/she must submit the police records from that country, legalized with the Apostille Certification and translated into Spanish. If the country is not part of the Hague Convention the document must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then by the Spanish Consulate in that country.

7. Medical certificate: A recent doctor’s statement, dated no more than three months before the application date, with the doctor or medical center’s letterhead, duly signed, stamped and translated into Spanish by a sworn/certified translator stating (Please see Appendix I):

8. Proof of residence in the consular district. Provide a copy (not the original) of US Driver's license or US State ID or Voter´s Registration card.

9. Payment of the visa fee. At the Consular Office. Only money orders are accepted (not refundable). No personal checks, no credit cards, no cash. Please visit our website to check the most recent visa  (American citizen fee is $160, for the rest please check our website).

10. One Express Mail envelope self-addressed and with prepaid stamps from the US Postal Service per applicant.

11. Disclaimer form must be presented with application. Please download it  from our web page.

12. Evidence of Immigration Status in the US, for non US passport holders only. Please provide a copy of Permanent Resident Card or US Immigrant visa.       

13. Type and print on a piece of paper the following applicant´s information. Name, last name, email and cell phone number to contact the applicant during business hours if necessary.

Translations into Spanish: AMERICAN TRANSLATORS ASSOCIATION  ​​​​​https//www.atanet.org

The Consulate does not track mail or answer emails asking for visa status.

​​When necessary to assess the application, the Consular Office may request additional documents or data and may also ask the applicant to come in for a personal interview. ​

Required documents for family members​​

For each family member accompanying the student, the following must be submitted:

The documents listed above as 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 and

Proof economic means to cover the expenses of stay and return to his/her country. For the support of family members during their stay in Spain: the last three personal bank account statements showing at least a minimum amount of $525 for the first family member per month of stay and $350 per month for each of the remaining family members who will integrate the family unit in Spain.​

When necessary to assess the application, the Consular Office may request additional documents or data and may also ask the applicant to come in for a personal interview.​

 Procedure

This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the consular district.

Applying for a NALCAP visa also entails applying for a study stay permit if studies are longer than 180 days.

Visa application period. Visa applications must be submitted sufficiently in advance of the beginning of the pertinent study programs, as the procedure entails consultations with other authorities.  Incomplete applications will be returned, only complete applications will be admitted.

Rectifying the application: The Consular Office may ask the applicant to submit any missing documents, or to provide additional documents or data that are necessary for a decision regarding the application. The applicant may also be called in for a personal interview.

Decision period: Once the application is accepted as complete, the legal period for reaching a decision is of 1 month from the day after the application has been registered on the visa system (not from the date of the application is received in this Consulate General), but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.

Collecting the visa:  You must check the status of your visa using the receipt sent by this Consulate in the envelope provided by you. Use the following link http://sutramiteconsular.maec.es , when your visa status shows "RESUELTO", means that is your visa is ready to pick up.

You can pick your passport up in person at this consulate from Monday thru Friday from 11:30 a. m. to 12:30 p. m. 

​Refusal of the visa or study stay permit. Refusals of the visa or study stay permit will always be notified by mail, setting forth the grounds on which the decision adopted was based.

Appeals. If a study stay permit or visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal in Spanish language (by mail with tracking number) for reconsideration to this Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date on which notification of the refusal is received. An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within the 2-month period beginning the day after the date on which the applicant receives notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal.