Job Discussion Forums

[JoshuaJ]

The Spanish Consulate told me that I would have to FLY BACK to the U.S. if I go to Spain, find a job there while on my Tourist Visa, and then want to apply for a Work Visa.

There has GOT to be a way to be able to get a Work Visa issued to me, a U.S. citizen, while being and staying in Spain. (I am not an EU citizen)

[Hector_Lector]

There isn�t.

[Moore]

Coming to work illegally in Spain and then being forced to fly home to get a visa: it's an outrage. Surely being a US citizen the rules should be altered for you.

[grahamb]

Joshua, don't listen to that Hector dude. I suggest you write a letter of complaint to your Congressman explaining your predicament.

[JoshuaJ]

I'm not saying that the rules should be changed for me since I am a U.S. citizen. I may have misworded my inital post. I meant that since I am NOT an EU citizen, but will have possibly found a job while in Spain after having flown to Spain, is there a more practical way for non-Spanish citizens to get a valid Work Visa?

I in no way believe that U.S. citizenship is superior to any other nation's citizenship. I apologize if my posting sounded that way.

I should have said, "There has GOT to be a way to be able to get a Work Visa issued to me while being and staying in Spain, even though I am a U.S. citizen (thus a foreigner) and not a Spanish citizen. (I am not an EU citizen, either)"

[Hector_Lector]

There isn�t.

[grahamb]

Don't sugar-coat it, Hector.
Okay, I'll try to be serious for once.
Joshua, do you have to fly back to the US or simply leave Spain for a certain period? If it's the latter, you could try getting into another European country (don't ask me how) for the requisite period and then return to Spain. Have you approached the US embassy for advice?

[JoshuaJ]

I would have to return to the Spanish Consulate specifically in my home town (Los Angeles). I have not contacted the U.S. Embassy, thanks for the suggestion.

[Moore]

Flights aren't all that expensive, and it means you'll be able to bring the basics this time and pick up things you may have found you need when you go back. You could even make a bit of cash bringing cheap laptops/ipods back with you as they are much cheaper in the U.S. and offset the cost a bit.

[Hector_Lector]

Working illegally AND smuggling. Tut tut.

[wildchild]

Josh,

I havn't done much research on the topic but the little that I have done suggests that you would have to return to the US and apply for the working visa. See Job Discussion Forums Forum Index --> France, Sticky: Advice for Americans in Paris:

[JoshuaJ]

so what have you all done? Worked illegally without a Work Visa, or flown back to the U.S. (I am directing this question to specifically USA citizens)

That is ridiculous!

[lozwich]

Its pretty common to have to leave a country and then re-enter on your new work visa. However, you would just probably have to leave an EU country, not necessarily fly all the way back to the US. Why not take a lovely holiday in Morocco?

[JoshuaJ]

The point is not to leave Spain just for the sake of leaving, the Consulate told me I would have to come back to my home's local Spanish Consulate. They said, and I quote, "You can go to Spain as a tourist up to 90 days and with a round trip ticket. If you find a job in that time you must came back to the States and apply here for your work visa. But, previously, the business that wants to hire you, must request a Residence and Work permit in your behalf before the Spanish authorities. Once, you have that document you have 30 days to apply here for your work visa."

The word "here" means Los Angeles. My question to you all is what have you done in your experience?

[wildchild]

Josh,

While you wait for replys (that may never come) from US citizens who have experienced your situation, it may be interesting to spend some time reading old posts/topics in this and other forums, if you have not done so already, for you are likely to run across the information that you seek.

-Eric