Before the winter break, you should strongly consider if you want to renew in the program or leave Spain at the end of the school year. Renewing in the program is much easier than the initial NALCAP application and visa process. You are already familiar with the process, and you are already settled into where you will be living (unless you want to request a different region).
The application window for renewals is the same application window for initial applicants. Last year’s application window was February 11th till March 26th.
Renewing in the NALCAP program
General Information and Limitations
Renewal is not automatic; you must make a renewal application. There is also a priority system in place:
“In general, and for both the Regional Education Offices cohorts and Ministry of Spain cohort, placements are assigned according to your application number AND the following criteria:“
- First year renewals in the same region
- First year applicants and first year renewals in a different region
- 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year renewals
Renewals can either renew at the same school or make a fresh application somewhere else.* Just like the initial application, you are not guaranteed the city, town, or general location. The renewal process typically begins early February and ends in March.
Auxiliaries are allowed to participate in a maximum of 5 school years through the NALCAP program, but many regions have their own specific limitations.
*Each region has their own specific limitations, so please read the regional conditions and be informed before applying.
Link for specific info on each region’s conditions
Applicants in the past have gotten around these limitations by switching programs, but being an auxiliary is not a long-term career. Eventually, you will have to either go home or find something permanent in Spain.
If you aren’t switching programs, the application for renewal in the NALCAP program will be done through Profex. It will be very similar to your original application.
If you are switching programs or were an auxiliary in the past but not currently, you are considered a new applicant.
And if you would like to switch from NALCAP to a different program, you can do that as well. There are many options to continue as an auxiliary teacher. I personally started off with the CIEE program in Madrid so I could guarantee my placement in that region. Later on, I switched to NALCAP when I moved to Seville. However, I started with CIEE.
Unfortunately, CIEE applicants in the Spain program may NOT have served as a Language and Cultural Assistant in Spain for any part of the preceding academic year, so you would have to either switch to a different program through CIEE (outside of Spain) or find another program that does allow renewals.
If you plan on using CIEE for any of their teach abroad programs, I recommend you take advantage of the linked discount.
CIEE Discount
(Receive a $200 discount on any CIEE Teach Abroad program)
Requirements
Again, just like everything so far, requirements and the renewal process itself are subject to change. I do my best to update the website with the newest information when changes do occur, but I urge you to triple check everything for yourself.
Auxiliares de conversación extranjeros en España (2025-2026)
If you scroll down on this page, you will find a section that gives instructions for renewals.
As of February 10, 2025, NALCAP has finally uploaded all the necessary information for 2025-2026 renewals including the updated informe, Profex renewal manual, specific conditions, and general renewal conditions. You will find all the relevant links below:
If any of the below links change/give you a 404 error such as the renewal manual or renewal conditions, you can always search in the webpage linked above.
Requirements:
2025-2026 Renewal General Information/Conditions in English
- Passport Photocopy
- Favorable Informe from school (Link for 2025-2026 informe). Make sure the informe is for the upcoming school year. The informe link is typically updated at the above auxiliary webpage a few days prior to the application period opening.
- Successfully completed MOOC (1st year Madrid participants only). Or any other required course (depending on your region).
- A STATUTORY DECLARATION OF HEALTH STATUS AND CONDITIONS OF THE LANGUAGE ASSISTANT PROGRAM (This document is new for 2025).
Overall, do a good job at your school, inform the school that you wish to renew, and complete similar requirements to what you needed for your original application in the NALCAP program.
Many alternative programs also allow renewals, so you would follow the steps provided by them if you wish to stay in their program. You can always switch to Profex, though.
Applying for the NALCAP Program (New Applicants)
Even if you are applying as a new applicant through Profex, you need to have completed the MOOC if you are a 1st year Madrid participant. I also recommend getting a favorable informe. You can attach it in your application.
For those applying for the same school, first, inform your bilingual coordinator that you wish to stay for a second year. Your school must be interested in having you stay another year as well. After completing the Profex application, you must send your Profex number to your school so they can start the internal application on their end.
Some comunidades have additional instructions through their aux. portal page. Make sure to complete any additional requirements.
The Renewal Process
Step 1: Inform your bilingual coordinator or head of studies that you would like to renew in the program. Let them know if you would like to stay in the same school or not.
If they are happy with your work so far, they will give you a favorable review when you present them with the informe, and if you wish to stay in the same school, they will request you on their end. Your coordinator may need your Profex application number to finish the application on their end.
Step 2: Prepare your Profex Application. If you aren’t currently an auxiliary through Profex, apply as a new language assistant. Otherwise, follow the manual. Make sure you are using PROFEX 2, the new platform!
If you have renewed your passport since your original application through Profex, you will have a different passport number. You will have to change your ID/Username through Profex with the updated information. To update this information, email miguel.gonzalezs@educacion.gob.es with a photo of your new passport as proof. If that email isn’t responsive, you can also contact support: profex.soporte@educacion.gob.es.
Here is an example of what they will instruct you to do:
When you finish your Profex Application, you will be able to save a PDF of your application with its inscription number (Profex number).
The 2025 application process has a different format for inscrita numbers. It appears to have started off from last year’s final number. That means the numbers start from around 12,500.
Step 3: Save your PDF
“Regularly check your email inbox or junk folder as you will receive messages informing you about the progress of your application or alerts to inform you that a required document is missing. Please follow the instructions provided closely.”
Step 4: If you are renewing through the same school, you may receive a notification through your respective aux. portal when your school requests your renewal. Confirm the request. Profex will review your application and update your status:
Admitida = all good
Registrada = something is missing from your application
If you need to make corrections to your application, please refer to the official guide:
HOW TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION (2024-2025)
Once Profex notifies your placement, you will have 3 days to accept. (This is exactly the same as your original application)
Step 5: Once everything is approved and your placement is guaranteed, your status will change to Plaza aceptada on Profex. Your Carta de Nombramiento will be sent soon.
Have you considered supporting this resource? It only costs a few dollars to help immensely. I hope these free guides have helped you better navigate the NALCAP processes and related bureaucracy. Other programs that guide you through the same processes can cost more than $2,000! By contributing pocket change, you can allow this resource to continue to exist.
In order to remain in the program, it is essential to renew your TIE if it is your first renewal or apply for a new visa back home over the summer. Both options are valid, but I’m sure you remember how difficult the visa process was.
There is a new law that went into affect on May 20, 2025. This law change only permits one renewal of your TIE for auxes. That means, if you wish to stay a 3rd year, you would have to go back home and apply for a new visa.
I am not a lawyer, and I am definitely not an expert in legal matters. Please, do your own due diligence.
What is the official language that constitutes this change?
“En el caso de los supuestos previstos en las letras d) y e) del artículo 52.1, solo se permitirá una prórroga por autorización. En el caso de las letras a) y b) de dicho artículo, se permitirán hasta dos prórrogas por autorización.“
In the case of the circumstances provided for in letters d) and e) of Article 52.1, only one extension (TIE renewal) per authorization (visa) shall be allowed.
Auxiliares would fall in the category “e”.
You can start the process after you receive your Carta de Nombramiento and at a maximum of 60 days before the expiration date of your current TIE.
Your TIE can be renewed up to 90 days after its expiration. If you wait any longer, you will have overstayed your visa. The only alternative to renewing your TIE is applying for a fresh visa back home.
Being able to stay in Spain past the expiration date does not mean you can leave and re-enter Spain. For that you would need an unexpired TIE, an unexpired Visa, or a regreso.
If your TIE expires during the renewal process, do not worry. It is completely normal. You are allowed to stay in Spain up to 90 days after your TIE expires.
During the renewal process, you could apply for a Regreso to have permission to leave and return to Spain within a 90 day period. This would allow you to visit your family during the Summer. If you plan on staying in the U.S. for the entirety of the Summer break, you would exceed the 90 day permission and would need to apply for a new visa from the U.S.
Remember to start your TIE renewal when you receive your new Carta de Nombramiento. You can apply up to a maximum of 60 days before your TIE expiration date.
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