Many thanks (even though it was frightening) to responding to my first post. Now, I have been accepted to a work with the ministry of ed. in Madrid. They will be giving me a STUDENT visa from the US of A.

I want to do my homework before I call a consulate, so my question is:

When I get my visa, can I travel to Spain before the visa takes effect? My job will start around the 1st of October. However, I am enrolled in a TEFL class in Madrid in September (1 month long) and would like to arrive a little before that in August as I will be apartment hunting with a Spanish buddy of mine.

1. Is it possible to simply have my regular passport roll over into my visa?
2. What is the best way to explain this to the consulate?

Thanks!