Can you work and study Spanish in Spain?

Can I apply for a Student Visa while in Spain on a Travel Visa?

• I was wondering if it is possible to get a Travel Visa and then apply for a Student Visa while I am in Spain. I could have my parent send or forward the paper work from the US while I am in Spain if that is a requirement. The reason for wishing to do this, is that I am going to take a CELTA (Cambridge English Teaching to Adults) course and I do not know if it qualifies me for a Student Visa, therefore I must take the course on a Travel Visa and hope to extend my stay with a Student Visa (while I study Spanish at a University) and while doing that, hopefully getting work with the University to tutor English as I will then hold my CELTA certificate.....(I read a post that said you can work with the university while on a Student Visa) I also hope to seek employment in a private EFL or ESL school in Spain while I am on Student Visa. I have heard it is difficult for an American to get a work permit but that it is very possible....If you look hard enough (As some schools are willing to send the proper forms stating that no EU national could fill the position they have) This is some trouble but they say that some schools prefer a native American to teach English if the schools students are planning to work or travel to America. So basically, I hope to travel to Spain on a Travel Visa and take CELTA, then apply for a Student Visa to attend a university (to learn Spanish and hopefully make some money tutoring), during which process I shall be seeking more long term employment and then apply for a Work Visa. Any help with all of this would be far more than greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for taking any time to help me. EU is a tough nut to crack for Americans (or any non EU's) Good luck to all in the same boat!

• Answer:

  No, you have to apply for a student visa before you go there. Forwarding the papers will not work, they do have a record of you entering the zone you know. The US and Europe exchange information all flights and passengers. If you have a student visa you are not allowed to work, that's the whole point of the visa! You can apply for a work permit if you find a job, but you cannot work before that.