DE
Germany
German Embassy Islamabad (for Punjab, KP, Islamabad and AJK) or Consulate General Karachi (for Sindh and Balochistan). Register online on the waiting list; there is no VFS for German visit visas. The fee is paid in cash.
Visit visa
Schengen visit visa from Pakistan, step by step
One visa lets you visit 29 European countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for tourism, family visits or business. Here is the whole process, with the documents embassies expect from Pakistani applicants.
€90Visa fee (children 6–12: €45; under 6: free)
€30–40Visa centre service fee, where one is used
15 daysUsual decision time; it can take up to 45 days
6 monthsThe earliest you can apply; apply at least 15 days before travel
€30,000Minimum medical cover for travel insurance
90 / 180Maximum days in Schengen in any 180-day period
How to apply
- 1Choose the right country
Apply to the country where you will spend the most nights. If your nights are equal, apply to the country you will enter first.
- 2Book your appointment early
Register on that country's official appointment system (see the list below). Slots in Pakistan fill fast, so book as soon as your dates are fixed. Never pay anyone for an appointment slot.
- 3Fill in the application form
Complete the Schengen application form (online for most countries), then print and sign it.
- 4Collect your documents
Use the checklist below for your situation. Bring the originals and one set of photocopies.
- 5Get insurance and bookings
Buy travel insurance with at least €30,000 of cover. Reserve your flight and hotels, but buy the ticket only after the visa is issued.
- 6Attend your appointment
Go in person, pay the fee and give your fingerprints and photo. Fingerprints stay on file for 59 months. Some embassies also interview you.
- 7Wait for the decision
It usually takes about 15 days and can take up to 45. Track your file on the visa centre's website.
- 8Get ready to fly
Check the dates and number of entries on your visa, get your NADRA polio certificate and carry copies of your insurance, hotels, return ticket and bank statement.
At the border, there are no more passport stamps. Since 10 April 2026, the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) records your fingerprints and photo the first time you enter, then counts your days in Schengen digitally. Stay within the dates on your visa.
Documents everyone needs
- Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months after you leave Europe, with at least 2 blank pages, plus your old passports. Sign your passport: embassies cannot put a visa in an unsigned Pakistani passport.
- Two recent colour photos, 35 × 45 mm on a white background, taken within the last 6 months.
- Application form, filled in and signed.
- CNIC and NADRA Family Registration Certificate (FRC). Some embassies ask for the FRC to be attested by MOFA.
- Cover letter explaining who you are, why you are travelling, your dates, who is paying and why you will return to Pakistan.
- Day-by-day itinerary, a return flight reservation and hotel bookings for every night. You do not need to buy the ticket before the visa.
- Travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 for medical care and repatriation, valid in all Schengen countries for your whole trip.
- Personal bank statement for the last 6 months, stamped and signed by the bank, plus a bank account maintenance certificate.
- Income tax returns for the last 2 years and your NTN. Being on the FBR Active Taxpayers List helps.
- Proof of ties to Pakistan, such as property documents, your job or business, and your family here.
Extra documents for your situation
Employed
- Employment letter on company letterhead showing your job title, salary, joining date and approved leave dates (NOC).
- Salary slips for the last 3–6 months, with the salary visible in your bank statement.
Business owner
- Business registration: SECP certificate, chamber of commerce membership or partnership deed.
- Business bank statement for the last 6 months and the company's tax returns.
Student
- Enrolment letter and NOC from your school, college or university.
- Sponsorship letter from a parent, with their bank statements, proof of income and your FRC to show the relationship.
Visiting family or friends
- Invitation letter from your host, with a copy of their passport or residence card and their address in Europe.
- Some countries need an official form from the host's local authority, such as Germany's formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung).
- If your host pays for the trip, their bank statements and proof of income.
Business visit
- Invitation letter from the European company, with the dates and purpose of the visit.
- Letter from your own employer and proof of the business relationship, such as contracts or invoices.
Retired
- Pension book or pension statements, plus your bank statements.
Children under 18
- NADRA Child Registration Certificate (B-Form) and FRC.
- Attested consent from both parents if the child is not travelling with both of them, and copies of the parents' passports.
How much money should you show?
There is no single minimum for Pakistani applicants. Embassies check that your balance fits your income and the trip. A common rule of thumb is about €100 for every day of the trip, in an account with a steady 6-month history. Avoid large deposits just before you apply; if you must make one, include a document that explains it.
Where to apply in Pakistan
FR
France
AEG offices across Pakistan take the appointment request; the interview and fingerprints are at the French Embassy in Islamabad.
IT
Italy
BLS (Intiana) visa centres in Islamabad, Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad. Book at intianaitalyvisa.com.
NL
Netherlands
VFS Global centres in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.
BE
Belgium
Fill in the form on Visa On Web, then submit at VFS Global in Islamabad.
ES
Spain
BLS International visa centres. Confirm the current centres on the Spanish Embassy website.
PT
Portugal
VFS Global in Islamabad (service fee €38).
SE
Sweden
VFS Global in Islamabad.
GR
Greece
Greek consular office in Islamabad, through its own online appointment system.
For other countries, check the embassy website of the country you are visiting; many use VFS Global.
Common reasons for refusal
- Your bank balance does not match your income, or a large amount was deposited just before you applied.
- Weak ties to Pakistan: no job letter, business documents or property proof.
- Insurance below €30,000, or not valid for every day of the trip.
- The purpose of the trip is unclear, the plan does not add up, or you applied to a country that is not your main destination.
- Fake or edited documents. This leads to refusal and can lead to a ban, so never use them.
If you are refused, the letter states the reason and explains how to appeal and by when. You can also reapply with stronger documents.
Before you fly
- Polio certificate: since September 2026, airlines check a NADRA-linked polio vaccination certificate at check-in. Get the dose 4 weeks to 12 months before travel and download the certificate from nims.nadra.gov.pk.
- Cash: if you carry €10,000 or more in cash, you must declare it when you enter or leave the EU.
- Keep it legal: a visit visa does not allow you to work or study for a degree. Overstaying can lead to a ban.
- Not covered: the UK, Ireland and Cyprus are not in Schengen and need their own visas.
Want your file checked before you submit?
Book a 1-to-1 consultation →
Book a Visit visa file check and get a clear list of what to fix.
Sources: German Embassy Islamabad · Netherlands Worldwide · Greek Embassy · France-Visas · Italian Embassy · European Commission (EES). Rules change often; always confirm with the embassy before you apply.