Moving from Syria to Spain

[pcotton]

Hi, I am British and have been living in Spain for over 4 years and I am a full Spanish resident, I also pay Spanish Social Security and taxes.

In August this year I will be marrying my Armenian fiance. She was born in and still lives in Syria and has a Syrian passport. We will marry in Syria of which all the paperwork has been sorted out for this to happen.

Once married we need to arrange for her to emigrate to Spain to live with me. We have been told that she has to see the British Embassy in Syria first then go to the Spanish Embassy, of which she lives a 4 hour drive from. The British Embassy tells her that they do not deal with visas in Syria anymore and she has to go to Amman or Jordan to the embassy there. She has tried calling these Embassies but it is always an answerphone so she cannot arrange an appointment… also it is a big problem for her to get to these countries. Does anyone have a suggestion on how we can sort this frustrating problem out as it is stressing both of us, especially my fiance… and I cant be there all the time to help her.

Also, once we have finally organised her move over to Spain will she be able to move freely through Europe? The reason being is that my family live in the UK and we will be making regular visits there for short holidays. Will she need a visa each time or just a one off permit to allow to travel anywhere in Europe at anytime?

I hope someone can help with these frustrating problems as we are struggling to find someone in an official capacity who can help us.

Many thanks in advance, Paul

[Amir]

Spain, great country. I lived there for 4 months last year and loved every minute of it.

Once she immigrates to Spain, she should be able to move freely (but not work freely) within the EU. Too bad she is not from south America, like Peru, or she would have a Spanish passport in 2 years!!!

[PraetorianXI]

Too bad she is not from south America, like Peru, or she would have a Spanish passport in 2 years!!!

how so?

[pcotton]

Moving from Syria to Spain

I was told that working in Spain would not be a problem as she will apply for a NIE number which allows her to work.

But the question I am asking is... as she has a Syrian passport and will be married to me, a British guy, and would have emigrated to Spain... what doe she have to do to be able to travel to the UK on a regular basis with me to visit my family?

I asked this question to the Syrian embassy in the UK and they told me that she would have to obtain a Schengen visa. But after visiting the website about this I found out that the Schengen visa only covers 15 countries in Europe which does not include the UK.

I have asked the Syrian Embassy, the British Embassy, the Spanish Emabssy, the Foreign Office but they all just pass me on to other embassies or websites... who in turn pass me on to someone else.

I seem to be going round in circles and no one is giving me the correct answer and I am getting stressed and frustrated with the whole situation. I am sure I am not the first person who has asked this question so I am hoping that at least one person has an idea what i need to do.

Also telling me that if she was South American or from Peru it would help... doesnt help me in the slightest!!!!!!

Regards, Paul

[Amir]

Spain has special treaties with it's former colonies, which makes it easy for citizens of these south American counties to immigrate to Spain.

General formula is, if you can't afford a plane ticket, you cross Rio Grande and come to the US; but if you can afford a plane ticket, you head to Spain.

Spain is full of people from south America, Morocco, and since 2007, east Europeans, particularly Romanians and Bulgarians. Spain has the higest economic growth rate of any west European country.