Dear Patricia, Marta and all the nice people here,

I would appreciate your suggestions and help with my situation.

I have Canadian and Romanian nationality and my wife has Filipino nationality. We are currently in Korea – I'm working and my wife is my dependent here. We intend to come to Spain so that I may study Spanish intensively and my wife as a dependent. If we are happy in Spain I plan to undertake PhD studies there after two years. At this point though, I would like to get a one year study visa and a dependent's visa for my wife.

My questions are:

1) Would my wife's time in Spain on a dependent visa count towards the 2-year residency requirements after which Filipinos can apply for Spanish citizenship?
2) As a Romanian I understand that I do not need a study visa for Spain, but as a Canadian I do. Still, will I be required (as a Romanian) to show that arrangements (school fees, accommodation etc) have been made before my wife is granted a dependent's visa?
3) I've read somewhere that students on long-term study visas are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week? Is this accurate? And if is, does it a apply to Romanian citizens (from whom special work permits are required)?
4) Given that Spain has been lately overwhelmed with high numbers of Romanian going to Spain to seek work, would it be easier to get the necessary visas (study&dependent) on a Canadian passport?

Thank you very much,
Mike