As far as a job goes. . .

Member since 02 August 2006

Europe BoundMember02 August 2006 23:32:03

I plan on moving from the U.S. to Spain within a few years. .聽 .Of course, travel to other countries as well.聽 However, as everyone knows, obtaining a European Citizenship would be on the top of everyone's list. . .Because from what I've heard, it is easier to find a job VS. NOT "just" being an American.聽

I was going to apply for British Citizenship, and I wrote to the British Embassy. . .Below is my question and below that is there response:

ME : I am an American Citizen. I see that I can apply for British Citizenship IF my parent is a citizen of Britain. My father is an American Citizen. His mother, however, is a British Citizen. Can''t he apply for citizenship in Britain? If he does, and is approved (why wouldn''t he?) I would then be able to apply for British Citizenship, correct? OR, is this going to far down the family line?

THEM: I'm afraid you cannot claim citizenship, even though your father can.聽 You can only get British Citizenship through descent (via a parent) not through a grandparent which would be your case.

So, what should I do. . .I'd have to find work in Europe. . .But how is this possible if I do not have Citizenship. . . I understand that I can apply for a Visa, but they only last for a period of 6 Months to 2 Years.聽

Any advice would be appreciated. . .If you've gone through a similar ordeal. . .Please share!

DainaJ Member

Member since 02 August 2006

DainaJMember03 August 2006 18:00:09

Hi,

I worked in Germany legally as a non-EU citizen from 1997-2001. Basically what my employers and I had to do was to prove that no EU citizen could do my job. I am a translator and my employers were from the UK (with a company registered in Germany), so they made the case that for business reasons they needed a US-English speaker. I had a signed contract in hand, so took that to the office that registers foreigners and was able to convert my tourist visa to a one-year residence visa immediately, but the stumbling block was the federal employment agency - they "investigated" for a month before approving my work permit. Basically what that entailed was sending resumes of wildly unqualified EU citizens to my bosses, who sent them back each time with an explanation of why they were rejecting them. Finally they approved me for a one-year work permit, which I had to renew each year. If I had stayed one year longer, I could've gotten one for 2 yrs., but it still would have only been for this particular company. Once you get to the point that they renew for 5 yrs., you can work for anyone without restrictions. Don't know if this is how it's done in Spain, too.

So what it basically boils down to is having skills - a combination of skills that is in demand and that would not be easily filled by an EU citizen - usually this revolves around being a speaker of US English.

Best of luck, and let me know if you have any more questions!

Europe Bound Member

Member since 02 August 2006

Europe BoundMember06 August 2006 07:26:35

Hopefully I'll be able to come across an employer who would be willing to sponsor me, I'm not sure how though.聽 I was also thinking perhaps I would be able to attend one of the international schools over there and be able to get a visa (from what I understand you "automatically" are allowed to work a certain amount of hours a week without having to locate a "sponsor", maybe I'm wrong.

Thanks so much. . .

DainaJ Member

Member since 02 August 2006

DainaJMember06 August 2006 13:28:03

I think you're right about the international schools. I actually asked a friend who has worked all over about this - she said that another option, if you have a small nest egg and are willing to work in Eastern Europe (new EU member states), is to get in as an "investor," start a company, hire yourself, and in the process get a work permit for yourself. I can imagine, though, that the amount required to do this in Spain might be much higher than the ballpark she was talking about (around $10k).

I don't know anything about your age or qualifications, but I have also heard that there are TESL programs in Spain that help with job placement afterward - I just don't know if that's limited to UK citizens.