Hi,

I urgently need some advise and information. I recently moved to Spain from South Africa. I was made a business proposition (I bought a 33% stake in a Bar/Tavern and invested most of my capital)The Bar however is not oprational as yet. One of my partners (a Belgian who's been living in Spain for 10 years) promised that he would help me sort out my residency documents etc. Before me and my family (wife and two daughters) left South Africa I was told that everything has been taken care of and that I can come to Spain on a holiday visa and that everything will be finalized upon my arrival. To my surprise I found out that nothing was finalized and not much were done apart from a few formal enquiries.

Two months later my visa expired.After a whole lot of hassles I managed to submit my documents (OFERTA DE EMPLEO PARA TRABAJOS EXTRANJEROS and SOLICITUD DE AUTORIZACION DE RESIDECIA TEMPORAL Y TRABAJO)in October 2007 at the authorities in Castellon.

I need to know what the implications are if I want to leave Spain and go back to South Africa.Will I get in trouble with the local authorities,with the South African authorities and will I be able to return to Spain?

In the meantime I need to make alternative arrangements for a income but I cannot do that without being legally registered (I need a NIE and Social Security).Is there anyway that I can speed up the process as I was told that it would take 12 to 18 months to be finalized?

If anyone can offer any help or advise it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Sam

hi Sample, welocome to the board.

wow, pretty tough situation, it sounds like your would be business partner has tricked you and now he has your 33% of the capital but you have nothing to show for it

quote:

Is there anyway that I can speed up the process as I was told that it would take 12 to 18 months to be finalized?

if there is you would need to get a lawyer (preferably specializing in work and residency issues) to help you figure this all out.

quote:

I need to know what the implications are if I want to leave Spain and go back to South Africa.Will I get in trouble with the local authorities,with the South African authorities and will I be able to return to Spain?

as far as i know, the local authorities in s.a. will not deny you entry in as it is your country of origin. if your passport was stamped by the Spanish authorities when you entered and your holiday visa has expired and you leave Spain, they can ask you why you have overstayed your welcome and YES, they can deny you entry again at a later point if you do not meet the requirements of amt. of time spent out of the e.u. between visits (i am not sure of what that amt. is for south africans but for americans it is 3 months). in other words, you may have to spend 3 months (or more) back in s.a. before you can return to spain on another holiday visa.

you should get a lawyer or check with the consulate to be sure of what your rights are.

saludos,
jer...