If you’re currently part of the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program, better known as NALCAP, and you’re thinking about staying another year in Spain, the good news is that renewing is pretty doable. The key thing to know, though, is that renewal is not automatic. You do have to apply again.
There is also a priority system used when assigning placements. In general, placements are given based on your application number (inscrita mumber) and the following order:
- First-year renewals staying in the same region
- First-year applicants and first-year renewals changing regions
- Second, third, and fourth year renewals
Your inscrita number is essentially the number assigned to your application when it is submitted. In simple terms, it reflects the order in which applications are received. For example, if your number is 743, that means you were roughly the 743rd applicant to submit. If it’s 1206, you were around the 1,206th applicant. Typically, this numbering system starts at zero at the beginning of each application cycle and increases as more people apply.
However, during the 2025 application cycle, many applicants noticed something unusual. Instead of restarting at zero, the numbering appeared to continue from the previous year’s final applicant. Because of this, the first numbers people saw were already around 12,000, which led many to believe there may have been a glitch or carryover in the system.
Regardless of where the number begins, the important thing to understand is that the inscrita number simply represents your place in the application queue. You can find this number in your application under the label “Código solicitud.” This is the official identifier associated with your submission and is what people commonly refer to as their inscrita number when discussing application order.
To find your inscrita number, you simply need to look at the last few digits of your registration number. Typically, you’ll focus on the last 1 to 5 digits, depending on how high or low your number is in the system.
For example, during my first year in the program, my inscrita number was 1,460. The following year, my number appeared much higher at 12,969. At first glance, it looked like my position had increased significantly, but that wasn’t actually the case. That year, the numbering system didn’t reset, and 12,000 (more or less) effectively became the new starting point.
In other words, the earlier you apply, the better your chances are. Renewals also have a bit of flexibility. You can either:
- Renew at the same school
- Or submit a renewal application and try somewhere new
But just like the original application, you’re never guaranteed a specific city, region, or location. That part always has a bit of mystery to it. The renewal window usually opens in early February and runs through March, so it’s important to stay on top of the timeline.
In total, auxiliares are allowed to participate in up to five school years in the program. However, many regions set their own limits, so make sure to read the specific conditions for the region you’re applying to before submitting your application.
And just to clarify something that confuses a lot of people:
- If you are applying to NALCAP for the first time, you’re considered a first-year applicant.
- If you are applying for your second, third, fourth, or fifth consecutive year, you are considered a renewal.
- However, if you completed a couple of years in the program, went home, joined another program, or took time off and then applied again later, you are considered a first-year applicant again.
Spain loves a technicality.
There’s also something important to be aware of regarding visas. With the immigration law that went into effect in May 2025, it is no longer possible to simply modify certain visas from inside Spain. For example, programs like the BEDA program operate under a higher studies visa, while NALCAP uses its own student visa category. Because of that, switching between those two programs may require returning to your home country to apply for the correct visa.
However, switching between some programs that fall under the same student visa category, such as CIEE or RVF International, may still be possible. **That said, immigration rules in Spain can change quickly, so it’s always best to double-check the latest information or speak with a legal professional before making decisions.**
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s walk through the renewal process step by step.
Step 1: Talk to Your Coordinator First
Before you even open an application, start by having a conversation with your coordinator or director at your school. Let them know that you’d like to renew in the program. During that conversation, you should also tell them whether you want to:
- Stay at your current school
- Move to a different school or region
If your school has been happy with your work, they’ll complete an Informe (your evaluation report) and give you a favorable review. If you want to stay at the same school, they can also request you directly on their end, which increases the chances of staying there another year.
Your coordinator may also ask for your Profex 2 application number so they can complete their part of the renewal request. I remember they gave me a form to fill out, where I got to choose my top three preferences. Not sure if it’s going to be all digital for the years to come, but just be prepared to renew on PROFEX 2 and sign a form at your school.
Step 2: Prepare Your PROFEX 2 Application
Next comes the platform portion of the process. You’ll need to complete your application through PROFEX 2, which is the updated system used for applications and renewals. If you want a full breakdown of the process, the Ministry has an official guide that walks through every section of the application step by step. Renewal Manual (2025–2026)
It explains how to navigate the platform and make sure everything is submitted correctly.
Step 3: Update Your Passport Information (If Needed)
Here’s something that catches a lot of people off guard. If you renewed your passport after your original application, the passport number in your Profex account will no longer match your new one. That means you’ll need to update it before completing your renewal.
You can do this by contacting (miguel.gonzalezs@educacion.gob.es) and sending a photo of your new passport as proof. If that email isn’t responsive, try contacting support at (profex.soporte@educacion.gob.es), and lastly, if needed, you can also contact the NALCAP program directly at (auxiliares.extra@educacion.gob.es)
*In Profex 2, it doesn’t appear that you can modify certain personal information, such as your passport number. As of March 2026, I’m only able to change my name, language preference, email, and phone number.
Step 4: Submit Your Application and Watch Your Email
Once you finish your application in PROFEX 2, you’ll be able to download a PDF copy of the submission. This document includes your inscription number (your Profex number), which you may need to give to your coordinator. After submitting, keep an eye on your email. NALCAP will send updates about:
- Application status changes
- Missing documents
- Corrections you may need to make
Check your spam folder too, because sometimes their emails end up there.
Step 5: Confirm Your School’s Renewal Request
If you’re renewing with the same school, you may receive a notification through your auxiliares portal once your school submits their request. When that happens, you simply confirm the request, and your application moves forward in the review process. If anything needs to be corrected, PROFEX 2 will notify you and give you instructions on how to fix it.
Step 6: Accept Your Placement
Once your (regional) placement is assigned, you’ll receive a notification through PROFEX 2. Important detail: you usually have three days to accept your placement. Yes, it’s the same system as when you first applied.
After accepting, your status will change to “Plaza aceptada.” Soon after, you’ll receive your Carta de Nombramiento, which is the official school placement letter you’ll need for immigration and residency paperwork.
Step 7: Don’t Forget Your TIE or Visa
Finally, there’s the immigration side of things. To remain in the program, you’ll need to either:
- Renew your TIE if this is your first renewal inside Spain
- Or apply for a new visa from your home country over the summer
Both options are valid. That said, renewing your TIE inside Spain is usually much easier than starting the visa process all over again. And if you’ve already gone through the visa process once, you probably remember exactly why. And remember, with the new law that went into effect in May 2025, you are only allowed to renew your TIE card once, so after your second year in the program, you will more than likely have to go back home for a whole new visa for your third year.
Once you understand the steps, renewing your spot in NALCAP is actually pretty manageable. Most of it comes down to staying organized, communicating with your school, and keeping an eye on your email for updates. If you start early and keep track of the deadlines, the process can be surprisingly smooth.
And then you get to spend another year living in Spain, which is really the whole reason we’re all doing this in the first place.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
