Visa for stays exceeding 90 days to participate in the North American Language and Cultural Assistant program (NALCAP) sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Education or a Regional Education Authority.
This visa fall within the activities eligible for a Student Visa, but with some specific requirements.
Family members who wish to accompany a NALCAP applicant may NOT obtain a visa associated to that of the NALCAP apllicant.
Required documents
1. National visa application form
. Each applicant must complete and sign a visa application, filling in each of its sections.
2. Photograph. One (1) recent full-face color photograph passport-size, taken in person against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face taken by a commercial photographer or studio NO MORE THAN SIX (6) MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION. It should also meet the requirements pictured on this link.
3. Valid passport: Original and a copy of the page(s) with biometric data. The passport must be valid for at least one year and contain at least two blank pages. Passports issued over 10 years ago will not be accepted.
4. Acceptance letter by the Spanish Ministry of Education or Regional Education Authorities. This letter must provide information on the school an applicant has been appointed to (address, phone number, contact email), information about the monthly allowance or grant, duration of the program and the insurance policy assigned by the Spanish Ministry of Education or Regional Education Authorities. If you are not insured for the entire lenthg of the activity, you will need to get private medical insurance.
5. Proof of financial means. Original and a copy of the documents proving that an applicant (or their legal representative or the family member supporting them) has sufficient financial means to cover an applicant's expenses to stay and return, as well as the stay and return of the family members accompanying him/her.
The minimum required monthly amount for 2025 is € 600 (CAN $897).
If accommodation is prepaid, this amount is reduced. Also, the grant from the Regional Education Authority will contribute to meet the required monthly amount.
If a family member is going to cover the applicant's expenses, documentation proving that person's financial means must be provided, along with the following:
A document issued before a notary public (a sworn statement or affidavit) in which the grantor commits to financially supporting the applicant. The relationship or kinship with the applicant must be indicated. The statement must meet the following requirements regarding legalization or Apostille:
- If the statement is issued before a Spanish notary, it does not require an Apostille.
- If the statement is issued in a country that is a signatory of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, it must include the corresponding Apostille.
- If the statement is issued in a country that is not a signatory of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, it must be legalized by the Spanish Consular Office with jurisdiction in the country where the document was issued.
6. Health insurance. In the case you do not have a medical insurance from your Regional Education Authority for the entire lenthg of the activity, you must provide a copy of a public or private health insurance certificate with a provider authorized to operate in Spain. It must offer services equivalent to Spain’s National Health System and be valid for the entire intended stay. Travel insurance is not acceptable. The policy must provide full coverage with no copay, deductible, or coverage limit. Spanish providers such as Sanitas, Adeslas, Axa offer appropriate plans. Exceptionally, a foreign policy may be accepted if it meets the other requirements and has coverage up to at least USD $500,000. In any case, the insurance company must be authorized to operate in Spain. There is a list of them at https://rrpp.dgsfp.mineco.es/.
7. Criminal record check certificate. Applicants of legal age (18 years old and older) must submit the original and a photocopy (not notarized) of their criminal background check(s) issued by the country or countries of residence in the past 5 years.
In the case of Canada, only the negative criminal record certificate issued by the RCMP containing the visa applicant's fingerprints will be accepted. You will find more information about how to obtain it here.
Criminal records certificates from local police stations will not be accepted.
The Canadian Criminal Record Certificate must be authenticated with the Hague Apostille Certification, and must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish by a sworn/certified translator.
The visa will not be issued without the Criminal Record Certificate apostilled by Global Affairs Canada, so it is recommended that you carry out this procedure with the Canadian authorities well in advance.
The official translation can include the translation of the Apostille as well, but it is not necessary (the translation does not need an Apostille and the Apostille does not need a translation). You can find a certified translator through The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario.
The background check must be issued within 6 months preceding the submission of the visa application.
The apostille must certify the signature on the Criminal Background check, not other signatures (e.g. we don’t accept apostilles that certify the signature of a notary public that stamps a seal on the criminal background check).
If the applicant has spent more than 6 months (more than 180 days) during the last 5 years in another country (outside Canada) an additional criminal background check from every country of residence must be provided.
Criminal record certificates must be authenticated with a Hague Apostille. However, if the certificate is issued to a European Union citizen by the authorities of the Member State of their nationality, authentication is not required. You can refer to the list of countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention here.
If the country in which the applicant has lived in the past 5 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 Spanish Consulate in that country. The background check must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (if the original is not written in Spanish).
8. Medical certificate. Original and a copy of a medical certificate issued by your family doctor worded as follows:
“This medical certificate states that Mr./Mrs. ….. does not suffer from any diseases that may have serious consequences on public health in accordance with the provisions contained in the 2005 International Health Regulations."
It must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish by a sworn/certified translator.
9. Proof of residence in the consular district. An applicant must provide proof of their legal residence in the National Capital Region (Ottawa and Gatineau) or that they are attending classes, in person, in the National Capital Region.
If you live in a city other than Ottawa and Gatineau, you should apply for your visa at the Spanish Consulate General in Toronto or Montreal according to their consular jurisdictions.
10. Payment of the visa fee. Please refer to the consular fee chart for a student visa.
The visa fee must be paid when submitting the application. Fees are non-refundable, even in case of refusal.
11. EXPLANATORY NOTES REGARDING NALCAP VISAS: It must be noted that applying for a visa also entails applying for authorization for a long-term stay. Therefore, the visa application must be accompanied not only by the documentation that proves compliance with the visa requirements, but also by the documentation that proves compliance with the requirements for obtaining long-term stay authorization.
The long-term stay authorization will begin one month before the start date of the activity and will extend fifteen days beyond its conclusion. As such, the start date of the activity is considered to be one month prior to the date indicated on the admission document, and the end date fifteen days after. For example, if the admission or equivalent document states that the activity will take place from 01/10/2025 to 01/07/2026, the authorized period will run from 01/09/2025 to 15/07/2026.
Accordingly:
- Health Insurance:
- If the planned activity is shorter than 6 months (additional month before the start and 15 days after the end both included), the health insurance must be valid from one month before the studies begin until 15 days after they end. However, if the applicant knows their exact date of entry into Spain, the health insurance should begin from that date.
- If the planned activity exceeds 6 months (additional month before the start and 15 days after the end both included), the student visa will be issued with a validity of one year, and the health insurance must also be valid for one year, starting from the date of entry into Spain.
- Criminal Record Certificate:
- If the planned activity exceeds 6 months, and after adding the one month before and 15 days after the studies, a criminal record certificate must be submitted as described in Section 7.
Procedure
This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from individuals residing in the National Capital Region or who are regularly in the National Capital Region for work or study purposes, even if they are not residents.
Applying for a NALCAP visa also entails applying for a stay permit.
- Who can apply for a visa: Visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant. They may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative.
Visa Application Deadline: The visa must be applied for two months prior to the start of the studies or training, unless justified reasons are provided that prevent submission within that timeframe.
Place of submission: Applicants must obtain an IN PERSON appointment to submit his/her application. To book an appointment, click HERE. On-line applications are NOT accepted.
The embassy’s address is the following:
Embassy of Spain in Ottawa
Consular Section
74 Stanley Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1M 1P4
Collecting the visa: The visa must be collected in person by the applicant within one month, from the day on which the favourable decision is notified.
If the status of your visa application is listed as "RESUELTO", a decision has been made and your visa has either been granted or denied.
In any case, you may pick up your passport on any working Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., without an appointment.
Other status are:
“EN TRAMITACIÓN, Pendiente de trámite": Pending a decision from Spain to some consultation.
"EN TRAMITACIÓN, Pendiente de resolución": Pending a decision from the Consul.
"EN TRAMITACIÓN, Pendiente de expedición": Pending issuance of visa sticker.
Appeals: If a NALCAP 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 served. An application for judicial review may also be filed with the High Court of Justice of Madrid within the two 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 authorized stay does NOT exceed 180 days, the visa will be valid for the entire duration of the stay and it will not be necessary to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE). If the authorized stay exceeds 180 days, the visa will be valid for a 365-day stay. The applicant must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card within one month of entering Spain, at the Police Station in the province where the authorization was processed.
This information is not binding and does not alter or replace the relevant regulations, which shall always prevail.