North American Language and Cultural Assistant Program (NALCAP)

IMPORTANT NOTICE:​

The Spanish Government has signed a contract with an external Company (BLS International) for processing visas for Spanish Consular Offices in the United States.

All the applications for study visas (language assistants, au pairs, volunteers, etc.) are to be submitted in person by appointment only at BLS:

BLS International Office

5455 Wilshire Boulevard, suite 1011

Los Angeles, CA 90036

​The visa pick up will ALWAYS be in person by the applicant at BLS office in Los Angeles, no exceptions.

GENERAL INFORMATION: 

Study stays of less than 90 days do not require a study visa. Depending on the applicant's nationality, a short-stay visa may be required (see “Schengen Visas​ ").

Visa for stays exceeding 90 days to participate in the North American Language and Cultural Assistant program  (NALCAP)  sponsored by the Ministry of Education of Spain.

The visa must be requested 2 months in advance of the start of the program, since the procedure involves consultations with other Authorities.

The Consulate of Spain in Los Angeles will consider aplications for residents in this jurisdiction: Southern California, (Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Bárbara and Ventura Counties), Arizona, Colorado y Utah.

​REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: 

1. National visa application.pdf. The applicant must complete and sign an official application form, filling out every section. If the applicant is a minor, one of the parents must sign the application. 

2. Photo. Glued to the application form. An updated photo-paper picture, passport size, facing forward, taken against a white background, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the applicant's face.

3. Valid, unexpired Passport. Original and copy of the biometric data page(s). The passport must be valid for 1 year and contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.    

4. Proof of residence in the consular jurisdiction: Copy of the State ID, Driver's license or Student ID.

5. Proof of legal residence in the United States (Non-Americans): ​Must present one of the following documents: 

• ​Original and copy of Permanent Resident Crad (Green card).
• Valid US long-term Visa.​
• Holder of B1/B2 visas cannot apply in the United States; they must apply in their country of permanent residence.​​

6. Acceptance Letter in Spanish issued by the Regional Education Authorities "Nombramiento". It must contain the following information:  

• S​tudent's full name.
• Passport number. 
• Initial and ending dates of the program. 
• Name of the school the applicant has been appointed to, with address, phone number and contact email.
  
• Financial and health insurance support by the Spanish Authorities. 

This Consulate will ONLY accept originals or electronically signed letters.

7. Payment of the visa fee. ​​For nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Ethipioa, Canada and the United Kingdom, different rates are applied based on reciprocity. Please check he the complete most recent​Visa fees.pdf. 

Fees must be paid by money order on the day of the appointment.

The processing fee will not be refunded even if the visa is not granted or cancelled.

BLS International will charge their additional services. 

                 APPLICANT                                      FROM JANUARY 1ST 2026

                 US citizens                                             $ 160.00

                 Other nationalities                               $ 106.00

​For stays of more than 180 days, you will need also: 

8. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants over 18 must submit both the original and a copy of the criminal record check certificate(s) issued by FBI. The certificate cannot be older than 6 months from the date that it was issued and it has to be legalized with the Federal Apostille of the Hague Convention requested to the Department of State in Washington D.C. A local Apostille is not valid. 

The certificate must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator.

The applicant must present criminal record certificates from the countries of residence of the last 5 years. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, when applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.

9. Medical certificate. Original and a copy of a Medical Certificate.pdf stating that the applicant does not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for oublic health pursuant to the 2005 International Health Regulations. Must be submitted with an official translation into Spanish.

​​Procedure

This Consular Office is competent to accept visa appplications from individals 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.

• Who can apply for a visa: This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing within our jurisdiction. 
• Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person by appointment only at BLS International Office, 5455 Wilshire Boulevard, suite 1011. Los Angeles, CA 90036.
• Proof of receipt: BLS will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the applcation. 
• Visa application period. Visa applications must be submitted at least 60 days before the beginning of the pertinent study program, as the procedure entails consultations with the 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 applicaton. The applcant may also be called in fo 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 received at the Consulate General), ​but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.
• Collecting the visa: BLS International will inform the applicant when the visa is ready for pick up. It has to be picked up by the applicant in person.
• Refusal of the visa or study stay permit: Refusals of the visa or study stay permit will always be notified in writing, 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 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.
• Validity period of the visa: If the study stay does not exceed 6 months, the visa will be valid for the entire stay and it will not be necessary to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card.