Permanent visa for an American moving to Europe

Hello again

A young American (20) wants to stay in Europe near his English G/F.
Does anybody know how he can do that??
He has entered Europe already via Scotland, made the mistake to visit friends in Sweden and was deported back to Sweden while trying to re-enter the UK during his tourist visa : now he is a bit at a loss about his rights but he wants to stay as long as possible, pernanently would be heaven for him. He has worked as barman but has no higher Education in University, speaks only English
Any advise??Or if he can make it to Germany how are the German authorities with American visitors
thanks a lot

See, for example:

Options for staying in Germany without a job here, Residency permit and visa info for U.S. citizens
90-day German visitor visa for Americans, Leave and get another 90 days?
Visa requirements for Americans married to Germans, Will I need a Visa?
Working holiday visas for Germany (from Aus / NZ), Strict on guidelines?

In short, the easiest options are to enrol at a German university or to marry the poor girl. Or he could find a job in advance or become a male au-pair. Have a search (try "visa" and "visas") for more ideas.

I'd recommend he go back home and plan it a bit better and do it properly. He could get a work/holiday type visa which will get him over here and able to live and work. Once he has that foot in the door and he's in the system it's a lot easier to stay. He'll have a hell of a job trying to arrange this from the German side.

I don't think Americans can have a working holiday visa. I think it's mainly all the other English speaking countries other than US.

but, i could be wrong (and if i am somebody let me know so i can be on the next plane over )

It may not be near your GF but loads of Americans come live and work in Spain. Unlike the Germans the Spanish aren't too concerned with things like residency permits tax cards SS numbers etc. If you can take cash in the hand than there is loads of work to be had. Mostly bar tending and Teaching English. Most Americans I've meet come over for a few years and teach English, money isn't bad and hours aren't bad but the bouncing around the city on metro going from one class to another can be a bit of pain at times. If your lucky you'll meet some cute Spanish girl marry and get the right to stay here forever

edit: I should add the best paying work is in Madrid, the further you go south the harder it is to find work, too many Brits and too much competition for the jobs that employ native speakers

Thanks for all your posts

Spain sounds hopeful.
I'm still not clear why he got deported since he'd only been in Europe for one month !!
Just a thought - Does anyone know if American can do TEFL (teaching English as a foreign Language) job in Europe?? Would that qualify as a job offer ??

yes you can teach that. There are many that do, but i think they start freelance and i've heard it's hard to make enough money to live off of.

There is tons of work in Madrid right at the moment, rather surprisingly that in spite of the fact that English is the main second language taught (and has been for the last 10 years) demand has increased rather than decreased. There is currently more work than teachers. As for the specific question of whether getting your TEFL qualifies as a job offer (in relation to getting a work visa) no it doesn't but then it doesn't really matter as half the teachers in Spain are Americans and most are paid in cash. The money is quite good but there are a couple of negatives, one is the cost of housing, if your single living on a teachers salary (usually 16 an hour in the hand 20-24 hours a week 1200 to 1500 take home) it will probalbly means renting a room rather than an apartment and secondly their is limited work during the summer, so you need to plan for that. But inspite of a few minor negatives I think teaching is the greatest job in the world, your paid to talk with people (half the time very cute Spanish girls ) and you usually never work for more than an hour or two at a time, I go home as everyone is else is beginning their work day. It's nice enough that Chris is serriously thinking of joining me. While I dont' think we'll do that in the short term it's something we've seriously talked about.

Is it worth it, well I'd put it this way, if the choice is Hartz IV or returning to America than I'd say go for it

If you have any specific questions feel free to pm me.

Rob

edit: for General ESL stuff go to daves ESL cafe (under jobs and Spain) and for Madrid Specific check out MultiMadrid

TEFL is a qualification, so although it may improve his chances of finding work, it isn't an offer of work in itself. As your friend is only 20, I'm assuming he hasn't completed a university degree, which will make it hard for him to find a teaching post even if he does gain that qualification.

Thanks a lot again for all your comments and Support

I do get your point Small Town Boy about the fact that first he needs to get that qualification then he still need to be looking for the work and that is not necessarly a straight foward business-I can see that

As for Spain, Thanks Tim as you do have the living experience. Thinking back the English people I knew who live there didn't seem to struggle with formality and admin like we do here-
I'll get in touch with my firend staight away and we will contact you shortly
Thanks again