Job Discussion Forums

[NikkiJ]

I am planning on taking the Canterbury TEFL course this September and I was wondering if I need to apply for a Visa first? Basically, I was just planning to buy a ticket and go. Is this something that most of you have done? I understand that I will most likely not be working legally, but should I try and get a student Visa??
Also, about opening a bank account>>>>>>>>Is it as impossible as I have been reading or does anyone know of other ways to open a bank account in Madrid?
Thank you !!

[Meg4]

I'm not sure where you're from, but you won't be able to get a student Visa just for a TEFL course. If you look on one of the Spanish Consulates' websites (at least in the US) you will see that for the student Visa you need to be enrolled as a full time student. So, a 4 week TEFL course won't qualify you for a student Visa. You'll probably have to do just what you said--buy a ticket and go.

As far as bank accounts; it is difficult to open one if you're living in Spain illegally. Some academies have special arrangements with a bank where they can help you open one. This is probably the easiest and maybe the only way to do it. You need a residency card to open most bank accounts, but no Visa = no residency, so that type of account is out. There is a non-resident account, but in order to open one you need to get a certificate from the police stating that you're not a resident in Spain. I'm not sure how difficult it is to get this document because I imagine you'd need to show them something that proves that you're not living in Spain. You can always try at different banks around Madrid because you may find one that's more permissive and doesn't ask you for the certificate. The best thing to do is talk to you TEFL school or the academy you end up working with to see if they can help you out.

[jimi2times]

Hi

As you're taking the TEFL course in Canterbury then I guess you're from England. You don't need a student or any kind of visa. As England is part of the EU, you can work for three months without any kind of visa. However, for stays longer than this you could need a residency card. Just get the NIE number from whatever consulate gives it out in Madrid. You'll need 2 passport photos, and your passport. They'll give you a form to fill out, then the number will arrive to your address in Spain after a few weeks. You'll need this number to get a residency card. You might also need a contract from your place of work in Spain. I say 'might' as to be honest if you've got an EU passport it all really doesn't that much. I got a bank account with just my passport. A lot of people don't bother with all the bureauracy. Just get the NIE number. Good luck finding work. Be flexible and take any hours they give you and you'll be sorted.

[ihaveitchyfeet]

So Jimi you're saying that if we go over to take a TEFL course, get certified and start working that after the 90 day visitor's visa runs out (for Americans) that we do what? Do the schools that you get certified through (for example Canterbury) help you get work visas to stay for a year and teach?

Or should one go to the government (?) in Spain and apply for a year work visa before the 90 days is up?

[jimi2times]

Not having an EU pasport is going to mean that finding work in Spain is a lot harder i�m afraid. You have two choices - either come over and find whatever work you can - probably work illegally but the chances of you being deported are beyond remote. Or you can try and get a contract sorted out with an institute/company/school etc.. before you come to Spain in which case this contract will mean you'll be able to get a visa and residency card. If you know anyone else over here who is from North America that would help a lot. There are lots of teachers working here that aren't from the EU though - maybe one of these could help you better ... Good luck anyway.

[Moore]

Most of the people I know use the bank of under-the-bed, despite being eligible for a bank account: sadly, you really won�t earn that much to really need one anyway...

[Spainish]

Hello all,

I think there might be some confusion between the different parties posting here so I'm going to chime in

The course Nikki is referring to (I believe) is not actually located in Canterbury, England. It is from a TEFL/English academy in Madrid called Canterbury English (how do I know? Well because I went there!! )

Anyway, let me be blunt, forget about getting a work visa if you are not a resident of the EU. Regardless of whether you are hired by an academy or not, there is literally no way to get a working visa (well there are, but it's far from easy, and don't expect to get one through an English academy).

I myself have been in Spain for nearly 3 1/2 years without so much as a question when entering or leaving the country/EU. So yes, that makes me an illegal, but so is every other Yank, Aussie, Canuck, etc. that stays and works here for more than 3 months. On top of that I've never heard of an English teacher being deported for over staying their tourist visa either (and don't bother trying to leave the EU every 3 months to renew it! Firstly because who has the money to do that!?! and second, because you are technically only supposed to be in the country for a maximum 6 months per year if you do not hold some form of work or student visa).

My suggestion, keep your nose clean while in the country and don't freak out when walking through customs upon entering or leaving. Typically they don't check for return flight tickets, sufficient funds to support yourself, proof of onward travel etc., and just stamp your passport (if that) and send you on your way. Immigration is far more worried about North Africans and South Americans (sad but true) and usually won't give anyone with a western passport a second look.

Finally, Moore is right, you won't be doing much saving, at least not enough to warrant the opening of an account here.

[jimi2times]

Hi

About the bank account - I�d have preferred not to open one, but the company i work for doesn�t pay cash, they just whack it in my account. Plus i�ve got a cool little card.

[CharlesTESOL]

Caixa Catalunya allows foreigners to open a non-residents account with a passport. You'll get a debit card, too. Branches throughout Spain, including Madrid. Here is the English language version of the bank's web site:

http://www.caixacatalunya.es/caixacat/eng/ccpublic/particulars/default.htm

Click on Branches and ATMS to find the location nearest you.

[carrisita]

I'm a US resident, and opened a bank account through Citibank, which has branches all over Spain, but my question is this: I know I can't conduct any account business in Spain regarding this account (basically, it only enables me to use the ATM), but employers can still deposit money into this account directly, no? Also, how do people pay their bills, like utilities, etc? If checks cannot be written, how is this traditionally done?
Thanks,
Carrie

[Meg4]