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.

empathy!!!!!
 

There there fellow pilots!

give the kid/pilot a break! I can say from personal exp. that even vying for an interview with a "european" airline or one run by such an environment (e.g. cathay) that there are traces of a good ol' boy network lingering in these airlines so even if he was legal. His dream would not manifest past the interview process!!

fly straight frank!!

Thank You very much for your very nformative feedback guys:)