u/Green_Rooster_209

Has anyone recently applied for the Spain DNV from the UAE/Spanish Embassy Abu Dhabi?

A few specific questions:

1. Is the application submitted directly to the Embassy or through BLS?

2. How easy was it to obtain the NIE and DNV appointment?

3. Does the 1-year DNV count toward the 5 years for permanent residency?

4. Can you obtain a TIE during that first year?

5. Any major disadvantage of the consular route compared with applying for the 3-year residency from inside Spain?

I’m considering this because Spanish tourist visa appointments in the UAE are extremely difficult to get, and I’m hesitant to use another Schengen state’s visa just to enter Spain and apply from there because of on going news about rejections because of using other member states visa for DNV application

Has anyone recently applied for the Spain DNV from the UAE/Spanish Embassy Abu Dhabi?

A few specific questions:

1. Is the application submitted directly to the Embassy or through BLS?

2. How easy was it to obtain the NIE and DNV appointment?

3. Does the 1-year DNV count toward the 5 years for permanent residency?

4. Can you obtain a TIE during that first year?

5. Any major disadvantage of the consular route compared with applying for the 3-year residency from inside Spain?

I’m considering this because Spanish tourist visa appointments in the UAE are extremely difficult to get, and I’m hesitant to use another Schengen state’s visa just to enter Spain and apply from there because of on going news about rejections because of using other member states visa for DNV application

Has anyone recently applied for the Spain DNV from the UAE/Spanish Embassy Abu Dhabi?

A few specific questions:

1. Is the application submitted directly to the Embassy or through BLS?

2. How easy was it to obtain the NIE and DNV appointment?

3. Does the 1-year DNV count toward the 5 years for permanent residency?

4. Can you obtain a TIE during that first year?

5. Any major disadvantage of the consular route compared with applying for the 3-year residency from inside Spain?

I’m considering this because Spanish tourist visa appointments in the UAE are extremely difficult to get, and I’m hesitant to use another Schengen state’s visa just to enter Spain and apply from there because of on going news about rejections because of using other member states visa for DNV application

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice from anyone who has recently obtained a Schengen visa as a Pakistani passport holder while residing in the UAE.

I have a travel history of 7–8 visas over the past 5 years, mainly from Southeast Asian countries. This will be my first Schengen visa application. I already have one rejection in 2024 for schengen business visa. My wife and daughter, however, do not have any previous travel history except UAE residence.

Could anyone suggest which Schengen country is currently more suitable or has a smoother process for applicants in our situation?

Also, I would really appreciate any guidance on how to secure an appointment, as I’m finding it quite difficult to get one at the moment.

If you’ve had a recent successful experience or have any helpful suggestions, I’d be very grateful for your input.

Thank you!

We're Pakistani nationals residing in the UAE, planning to apply for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa as a family (spouse as main applicant, myself as dependent, 1 child). Trying to decide between applying through the Spanish consulate here vs. entering Spain on a tourist visa and applying in-country — would appreciate real experiences from people who've done either route in 2026.

**Quick profile for context:**

- Main applicant: independent contractor (not W-2), QA Engineer, working ~2.5 years through a US-based tech staffing platform, $5,600/month confirmed via company letter, holds a Computer Science degree

- Income clears the family threshold (~€4,270/month) with a ~15% buffer, plus savings well above the 12-month reserve requirement as backup

**Main question:**

Should we apply through the Spanish consulate in Dubai/Abu Dhabi, or travel to Spain on a tourist visa and apply in-country instead? Trying to weigh:

- Processing time — consulate seems to take 4+ months, in-country apparently faster (and gives 3-year permit vs. 1-year from consulate)

- Risk of rejection while already in Spain vs. applying from home

- Whether being physically present in Spain during processing causes any complications with the child's school year timing

**Secondary questions:**

3. Can anyone recommend a good immigration lawyer/consultant** for this — ideally someone with real experience with contractor/platform-based applicants and the Dubai/Abu Dhabi consulate specifically?

Appreciate any real, recent experiences — trying to make the right call before committing to either route.