Question
“Hello everyone! I am currently in Pakistan and thinking to apply for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa.
I work as a Marketing Director as freelancer for US based company and my client is willing to provide any document that requires for this process. Is there anyone here from Pakistan who have approved DNV from Pakistan and if yes then how many years visa they got it.
Or is it better to come here on Visit visa and then apply for it. But I won’t get more than 2 weeks visa to complete all the necessary work. I don’t want to get illegal to apply this. I am happy to take all the advices whether someone from my country or anyone who is there already and planning to go there on DNV. Thank you so much!”
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Spain Digital Nomad Visa group members:
“If you apply at the Pakistan consulate (which I think is complex) you’ll get a one year visa in your passport. If you apply in Spain you’ll get up to 3 years residency permit. If you end up with a single entry visa you’ll need to wait in Spain to complete the process, uncomfortable as it is.
Work with a good consultant, have everything ready to submit on landing and sit tight. If you can choose area I would suggest somewhere like Barcelona or Malaga. Both areas you can be processed without a padrón, both areas have appointments for TIEs that aren’t too far in advance, and both areas are easy on getting regresos.”
“You need to stay or you’ll struggle to get back in. You are permitted to stay until your application has been resolved one way or another. But you MUST get the application in whilst you are still legal.
For example, a client arrived in Spain with a 10-day single entry visa. We submitted her application immediately. Her visa expired after 10 days. The positive resolution arrived 12 working days later (14 natural days), so she was over her visa by 4 days. We then proceeded with the TIE, a regreso so she could travel, and then TIE pickup.”
“So it is possible to apply and not necessary to leave the country while waiting for the application result, even if you go a few days or weeks over the legal stay?”
“Yes. If you apply in Spain, that’s what you get. A resolution of up to 3 years. Then you need to get the TIE card which is the official residence document.”
“What is the process and what is the success rate for Pakistani passport holders?”
“If you apply in Spain, it’s the same process for everyone. The success will depend on whether you submit the right documents, not which passport you hold.”
“Is 10 days tourist visa enough to apply if I come from France to Spain?”
“You only need to be legal at the time of submission.”
“My advice is doing this process in Spain because based on my experience the Spanish consulate in Islamabad is demanding with this sort of visas. Also, remember the main requirement of 200% of SMI salary to be shown to Spanish authorities.
With regards to private health insurance in Pakistan, they are very picky. Best way is apply from here but traveling with all paperwork done and validated. Good luck.”
Conclusion
Community members strongly recommend applying for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa from within Spain rather than through the Spanish consulate in Pakistan, which is considered more complex and demanding.
If entering Spain on a short tourist visa, it’s crucial to submit the DNV application while still in legal status. Once submitted, applicants are permitted to remain in Spain until a decision is made—even if it surpasses their initial visa’s validity.
Applying from within Spain can result in a residence permit of up to three years, whereas applying from abroad typically provides a one-year visa.
Key advice includes arriving with all necessary documents prepared, understanding the income threshold (200% of SMI), and securing acceptable private health insurance. Location also matters—cities like Barcelona and Malaga are noted for smoother processing and access to appointments.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is based on personal experiences and contributions shared by members of the Spainguru community. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified expert for guidance specific to your situation.
