I am from america and happen to be working in germany as a pilot. It took 6 months to get my work and living visa plus I had to have a very unique skills in order to get the visas. I have friends who get temporary visas for crews in the USA but usually nothing longer than 3 months unless its on a plane that hardly any pilots are rated for and even then its is still temporary. Sometimes its hard being the american in these foreign lands since I sometimes looked upon as the symbol of the 'barriers", but for the most part I have enjoyed my time here and wish I was not leaving. I have a passport with several visas now as crew but again only good with the one company. I do know a few european airlines that were at one time hiring pilots and getting them visas, but think most were located in england area, which is quite expensive cost of living.
I would say never give up trying there might be that one job that comes through, I got mine, and now returning home with more experience that I would never have gotten in the USA. USA flying is almost too easy in comparision.