I think I may have gotten myself into trouble…

Here are the straight facts….

-american, recent grad, (so student visas are a possibility)

-i am almost fluent in Spanish

-i am not wealthy and will need to work once in Spain (willing to nanny, intern, clean houses, wait tables, etc)

-I have NOT applied for any sort of visa

-(Here’s the clincher) I have purchased a ONE-WAY flight in September, which gives me 3 months until departure….

My questions are….

1. Will i be let into the country without a RETURN ticket? If not, any advice on how to handle this situation?

2. Since I am only living there for 1-3 yrs, is applying for a visa really worth the $$$, time, & energy?
-2a. If i do apply for a visa, which is easiest/most practical to attain in the time left? (visiting student/work/tourist/none?)

-ANY TIPS OR ADVICE stemming from your wisdom will be highly appreciated seeing as I am an unwise-romantic who buys one-way tickets before doing my homework. Thanks!

They won’t ask you, an American, for any proof of return ticket… they only do this in my experience for people from poor countries (from which you need a visa even to visit).  You don’t need a visa to go and stay up to 3 months.  However, it is impossible, and I do mean impossible, to get any kind of official status once you are here unless you got a visa beforehand.  My advice?  Try to get a visa beforehand, and if it doesn’t arrive on time, fly and forget it and work under the table.

Good luck!

I didn’t know that not having a return flight would be an issue. When flying with Delta they made me buy a return flight because legally an airline company shouldn’t let anyone out of the country without proof that they will return. They could be fined a lot of $$$

This post was put up two years ago… but it’s obviously changed (possibly with just certain stickler airlines) but just heads up!!

mad4madrid