Timeline

Initial Applicants
Renewals in the Program

Initial Applicants

Before Starting:

Getting a Passport (U.S.)
Getting a Passport (Canada)

Renewing Your Passport (U.S.)
Renewing Your Passport (Canada)

Renewing your passport is required if your passport does not have at least 2 blank pages or will expire before November the following year.

Preparing for Auxiliar de Conversación
Applying and Checking Application:

Applying for Auxiliar de Conversación

November–January – Prepare profile.

Late January/Early February – Application window opens / apply and get inscrita status.

Application Web Page
Checking your Application Status

≈Immediately after applying – (Check your consulate, and get informed about the visa process.)

≈1 month after applying – Receive admitida status.

≈2-3 months after applying – Receive and accept regional placement (adjudicada).

≈2-3 months after applying – Receive Aceptada status.

≈2-3 months after applying – Receive your Carta de Nombramiento.

Carta de Nombramiento example
Getting Your First Visa:

≈Immediately after applying for the NALCAP program – Find your regional consulate, and get informed about the prcoess.

Starting the Visa Process Explanation

If you are an EU Dual Citizen, you won’t need a visa, but there will be other simpler requirements:

Requirements for EU Dual Citizens.

Find your consular district and follow its respective guide:
Canada:
- Montreal Consulate Guide
- Ottawa Consulate Guide
- Toronto Consulate Guide
Check out the NALCAP Webinar for relevant information and updates.

NALCAP Pre-Departure Webinar 2025
Receive Your First Visa and Plan Your Trip to Spain:

Complete your last preparations:

Before Your Flight – full guide for the last steps before your flight.

Google Voice – save your American phone number without an American phone plan.

Getting a VPN – save money on flights, access worldwide streaming content and geo-blocked content, and have the opportunity to work remotely while abroad.

≈September 1 Contact your assigned school in Spain via email.

≈1 month before the program’s start date Receive your visa in the mail or pick it up in person. Immediately afterwards, get your flight, and make your final personal preparations to go to Spain (including temporary accommodation).

Congratulations! You made it to Spain.
After Arriving in Spain:

≈Mid to late September Get a Spanish phone number through a prepaid SIM card.

Getting a Spanish Phone Number

≈Mid to late September Set up a Spanish bank account and make a transfer to it.

Getting a Spanish Bank Account

Wise
(Save money and support the webpage)

Wise Guide

≈Mid to late September Sign a lease for an apartment and get a permanent address.

Apartments, Temporary Accommodation, and WIFI

After Getting an Apartment register your residence with a district office.

How to Empadronarse

Before the School Year Starts Get a Spanish background check (It’s easy, don’t worry). Additionally, it’s not always required, especially for first time NALCAP participants.

Certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual

Priority:

Booking a TIE appointment within 30 days of arriving to Spain (or as soon as you can)

Your First TIE

Renewals

After getting a TIE – apply for a digital certificate. This will help greatly in the TIE renewal process in the future.

Certificado Digital
Late January/Early February – apply for renewal in the NALCAP program.

NALCAP Renewal
(April – July) – receive your new Carta de Nombramiento

Renewals: After receiving your new Carta and at a maximum of 60 days before your TIE expiration, apply for Prorroga. This refers to applying for a renewal of your TIE.

(ONLY FOR FIRST TIME TIE RENEWALS)

If you are unable to go through the TIE renewal process, or if you wish to spend 90+ days outside of Spain while it is being processed, you must apply for a new visa back home.

There are 3 steps in your TIE renewal:
1. Apply for Prorroga.
2. After receiving a favorable result, apply for a Toma de Huellas appointment.
3. About 40 days after that appointment, pick up your new TIE card.
TIE Renewal

If you plan on visiting home during the summer, make sure to apply for a regreso after your old TIE is expired and after initiating the renewal process (prorroga). This can only be started after first receiving your Carta, so don’t buy your flights too soon.

The regreso gives you permission to return to Spain while your TIE is being processed. It is only valid for 90 days, so be aware of this limitation.

Autorización de Regreso

While you are away, your application will be processed, so when you return, you should be able to immediately start looking for a Toma de Huellas appointment.

Check your status here: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/infoext2/index.html

The official language from the link below states that your Toma de Huellas appointment must be done within a month of receiving a favorable result.

Personally, I have not seen strict enforcement of this rule (just like with the initial TIE application), but don’t dilly dally!

https://www.inclusion.gob.es/eu/web/migraciones/w/estancia-por-estudios

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NALCAP and Beyond

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