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) 2024-2025 sponsored by the Ministry of Education of Spain.
IMPORTANT:
- The visa must be requested sufficiently in advance of the start of the program, since the procedure involves consultations with other authorities.
- ONCE YOUR VISA IS PROCESSED, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PHYSICALLY COME TO THE CONSULATE TO PICK UP YOUR PASSPORT/VISA.
- The following family members may obtain a visa to accompany the student:
- Spouse or civil partner, children who are minors or have a disability
- Visas for students' family members do not constitute a work permit
- Visas for those teaching assistants who are residents of Southern California (Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties), Arizona, Colorado and Utah will be processed at the Consulate of Spain in Los Angeles.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM 2024-2025
Fill out numbers 21 (date of entry) and 28 (complete information related to educational institution in Spain) on application form. It is highly recommended not to purchase the travel tickets until the visa has been approved.
2. Photograph. A recent, passport-size, color photograph, taken against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the applicant's face.
3. Valid, unexpired Passport. Original and photocopy of the biometric data page(s). The passport must be valid for at least the duration of the planned stay and contain two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago will not be accepted.
4. Copy of the Acceptance Letter by the Regional Education Authorities of Spain.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. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants of legal age who apply for a visa for a stay of more than 180 days must submit the original and a copy of their criminal background check(s) issued by their country or countries of residence in the past five years. The criminal background check must be issued by the U.S. Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). State background checks issued by the Department of Law Enforcement and those issued at a local level will not be accepted.
The background check must be issued within the five months preceding the submission of the visa application. It must be authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish. The applicant must submit a notarized copy of both the original document in English and the Spanish translation.
Under no circumstances will a criminal background check be accepted if it has been altered or damaged in any way, including damages caused by removing staples.
If the applicant has lived outside the United States during the past five years, he/she must provide an additional criminal background check from every country where he/she has lived, authenticated with the Apostille of The Hague and translated into Spanish, with a notarized copy of both documents. If the country in which the applicant has lived in the past five years does not subscribe to The Hague Convention of 1961, the background check must by authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and then by the Consulate of Spain in said country.
6. Medical certificate: Those applying for a visa for a stay of more than 180 days must submit the original and copy of a medical certificate demonstrating that the applicant does not suffer from any diseases that could have serious repercussions for public health, in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.
This certificate must be issued a maximum of 90 days prior to submitting the visa application and must be signed by and include the stamp or letterhead of a doctor. If issued in English, a Spanish translation is required. The recommended model can be found here. If this model is used, an additional translation is not required. Certificado Medico
8. Proof of residence in the consular district. I.D. Card that proves your place of residence is within the jurisdiction of the Spanish Consulate of Los Angeles (original and photocopy). Jurisdiction extends through Southern California (Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties), Arizona, Colorado and Utah. You can provide one of the following documents: U.S. Driver license, State I.D. card, Voter's Registration Card, current Student I.D. The applicant must provide proof of their legal residence in the consular district or that they are attending classes, in person, in the consular district.
9. Payment of the visa fee. Payments are made at the time of your appointment, only money order is accepted (no credit cards, no debit cards, no personal checks). Money orders are to be addressed to the "Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles" (American citizen fee is $160, for the rest please check our website).
Required documents for family members
For each family member accompanying the teaching assistant, the following must be submitted:
The documents listed above as 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 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.
- Original Birth Certificate of children legalized with the Apostille certification and translated in Spanish. Attach a copy of identifications of both parents. If the parents are divorced, submit the final divorce and custody sentence of the child legalized with the Apostille certification. 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. (Notarized copy).
- Original Marriage Certificate 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. (Notarized copy).
- Original Domestic Partnership Certificate 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. (Notarized copy).
- Proof of public or private health insurance (travel insurance will not be accepted) from an insurer recognized and authorized to operate in Spain. The insurance must cover all risks normally covered for nationals and must be maintained for the entire duration of the authorization. No deductible or copayments.
It must cover at least all the preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation assistance activities that are carried out in health centers or socio-health centers, as well as urgent health transport. (Copy).
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
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.
Place of submission: Applications must be submitted in person at BLS Visa service for Spain:
6380 Wilshire Boulevard, suite 1100 Los Ángeles, CA
To make an appointment: https://usa.blsspainvisa.com/losangeles/
Email: info.laxes@blsinternational.net
Phone: 516-888-1169
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: The legal period for reaching a decision is of 1 month from the day after the application submission date, but this period may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.
Collecting the visa: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative (if the applicant is a minor) within a maximum period of 2 months, counted as of the day after the date on which the favorable decision is notified. The Consular Office will inform the applicant regarding the procedure for the return of the passport and any other original documentation.
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 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.
If the study stay is for longer than 6 months, the visa will be valid for a 90-day stay. The student must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card within a period of 1 month from their entry into Spain, at the Foreign Nationals' Office or the Police Station of the province in which the permit was processed.