Job Discussion Forums

[outtathisworld]

I have some questions about moving to Spain, and I know some of them are repeat questions however I never seem to find an answer specific to me.

A friend of mine is moving to Alicante, Spain at the end of next August, and I am planning to move with her to find a job. I will be able to spend the first month living with her to look for work, so that will cut some of my initial expense. These are some of the questions I have:

*What are the job opportunities like in Alicante, Spain? (I will have a University BA in English with a minor in Religion) (I do not speak Spanish but I am currently taking an Introduction course)

*Can I get a one way ticket, or will I have problems with this. If I get a return flight is it refundable or valid for at least a year?

*If I do find a job when I get there will they hook me up with a working visa, or do I have to apply for that on my own?

*Will it be a problem that I am not fluent in Spanish?

*Also, how do I go about getting an international student card? I forget exactly what it is but I have heard about it, and I know you can get very good discounts in Europe if you have this.

*When is the best time to book a flight to Spain, and the cheapest place to look?

If anyone has any answers to my questions it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Meg4]

I don't much about Alicante, but I can answer a few of your questions.

*Can I get a one way ticket, or will I have problems with this. If I get a return flight is it refundable or valid for at least a year?

I've entered Spain a couple times with a one way ticket (I'm from the US), and I've never had a problem. In fact, the customs agents have never even asked me anything.

*If I do find a job when I get there will they hook me up with a working visa, or do I have to apply for that on my own?

Assuming you aren't also a citizen of the EU, you probably won't be able to get a work visa. But, if you want to try the idea is that you need the visa before coming to Spain. The first thing you need is a company that is willing to give you a contract and file the contract with the Labor Department in Spain. You then need to go to the Spanish embassy/consulate in your home country (you can't do this in Spain) and apply for a visa. This process can take 6 months or more. The problem is that a non-EU citizen will only be given a work permit if there are no Spaniards /EU members who are willing or able to do your job. So chances are (even if you find a company willing to help you--which in the case of English teaching is almost impossible) that the Labor Department will turn down your request for a visa because there are more than enough British and Irish people who can teach English in Spain and don't need the permit.
So, more than likely if you find a job you will be working without a permit. This is illegal, but there are a lot of people who do it.

*Will it be a problem that I am not fluent in Spanish?

You can teach English here without being fluent in Spanish, but the more Spanish you know the easier your life will be in Spain.

[outtathisworld]

Thanks so much for the reply!
I figured this much but I just wanted to hear more specifically from other people.
I am going to get in contact with the Spanish Embassy as well as the Netherlands Embassy in Toronto. That way I can talk about a work visa with Spain, and an EU passport with the Netherlands. (As my grandparents were all born there and I have many close relatives still living there)
It's not easy, but it's worth it!
Thanks for the help!

Jeanette

[Meg4]

If you can get a passport from an EU country it will be much easier for you in Spain. This way you won't need any visa or work permit since you'll have the same rights as a Spaniard. I hope it works out for you.