Sweden to Restart Visa Services from Pakistan Soon

After holding bilateral talks in Stockholm on July 2, 2025, the governments of Pakistan and Sweden have shared some welcome news—Sweden is restarting its Sweden visa services in Islamabad. This means Pakistanis who want to visit Sweden for short trips will no longer need to travel abroad to apply.

Starting from July 7, 2025, Pakistani citizens can once again apply for a Schengen visa directly from Pakistan for visits to Sweden of up to 90 days. Whether you're planning a vacation, a business trip, or visiting family, the process is now much more convenient.

The Government of Pakistan has warmly welcomed this decision, seeing it as a step forward in strengthening relations and cooperation between the two countries.

During the recent discussions in Stockholm, Pakistan’s delegation was led by the Additional Foreign Secretary for Europe, while the Swedish side was headed by the Director General for Global Affairs from Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Why Did Sweden Suspend Services?

In April 2023, Sweden’s embassy in Islamabad indefinitely closed the migration/visa section, citing heightened security threats. A statement had underscored that ensuring the safety of staff and applicants was Sweden’s primary concern, leading to halting of visa applications, processing, and document dispatches.

Simultaneously, the embassy suspended residence and work permit processing, compelling applicants to travel overseas for essential steps like biometric processing, passport checks, and interviews..

How Did Pakistanis Apply During the Closure?

During the closure of the Swedish Embassy in Islamabad from April 2023, Pakistani applicants faced major challenges in applying for a Sweden visa. With local visa services suspended due to security concerns, applicants had to travel abroad—mainly to countries like Thailand, Malaysia, or Ethiopia—to complete biometric registration, interviews, and other formalities. For short-stay Schengen visas, applications were routed through VFS Global centers in Southeast Asia, while residence and work permit applicants were redirected to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This not only increased the cost and time involved but also made the visa process difficult and stressful for many Pakistanis.

The Embassy Opening Will Help Pakistanis Get Sweden Visa With Convenience

The reopening of the Swedish Embassy in Islamabad is a major relief for Pakistani applicants, making the Sweden visa process more accessible, faster, and affordable. With local services resumed, Pakistanis no longer need to travel abroad for visa-related steps like biometrics, interviews, or passport submissions.

This move benefits a wide range of applicants, including:

Short-stay Schengen visas (tourism, business, family visits) – valid up to 90 days

Residence permits (for work, study, or family reunification)

Work permits (employment, seasonal jobs, research)

Student visas (higher education, exchange programs)

Overall, it simplifies the entire visa process and strengthens people-to-people and institutional ties between Pakistan and Sweden.

Application Process & Requirements

Where to Apply: Submit your application at the Embassy of Sweden in Islamabad via VFS Global partner or directly, per the embassy’s updated guidelines 

Eligibility: Applicable for visits up to 90 days, covering tourism, business, family visits, cultural events, or conferences.

Document Guidelines:

Valid passport with ≥2 blank pages, issued within last 10 years.

Travel medical insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage.

Proof of accommodation or an invitation letter.

Financial statements showing at least €80/day (~PKR 26,000/day, ~PKR 2.4 million total); bank statements must cover at least 6 months 

Fee Info: Visa fee remains around €80 (standard Schengen fee); check exact amount via VFS portal.

Biometrics: Applicants will provide fingerprints/photos during the appointment at the embassy.

The resumption of Sweden visa from Pakistan marks a pivotal moment: not only does it restore a convenient route for Pakistani travelers, but it symbolizes a deepening trust and stronger diplomatic ties. With the embassy now handling visas, biometric checks, and permit processes locally, the days of traveling abroad for standard rules-based access are becoming a thing of the past.

For Pakistanis planning to visit Sweden—whether for tourism, family, business, or study—booking your Sweden visa appointment in Islamabad starting July 7, 2025 is now a reality.