Schengen Visa from Pakistan: Requirements, Fee, Bank Statement and Step-by-Step Process
Written by Muhammad Hammad, Founder & Lead Study Abroad Counsellor
Published · 10 min read
A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that lets a Pakistani passport holder visit the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The adult fee is €90, about PKR 31,000. This guide covers which embassy to choose, documents, bank statement and the full application process.
- Visa fee (adult)
- €90 · ≈ PKR 31,000
- Maximum stay
- 90 days in 180
- Apply
- 6 months to 15 days before
What is a Schengen visa and who needs one?
Schengen visa: a short-stay type C visa that allows travel across the Schengen area for up to 90 days within 180 days. Pakistani passport holders need one for tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences or short courses in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and other member countries.
The Schengen area joins most European Union countries with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein under one border system. One visa covers every member country, so a traveller does not apply separately for each country on the trip.
Ireland and the United Kingdom are outside the Schengen area. Each runs its own visitor visa, and the UK student visa page explains the UK system for students.
Is a Schengen visa the same as a student visa?
No. A Schengen visa covers stays of up to 90 days and cannot be used for a full degree. A Pakistani student admitted to a Bachelor's or Master's programme needs a national D visa issued by the country of study, which has different documents, longer processing and a residence permit after arrival.
| Point | Schengen visa (C) | Student visa (D) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Visit, business, short course | Full degree study |
| Length of stay | Up to 90 days in 180 | Months to years |
| Fee | €90 adult | Set by each country (≈ €75) |
| Key financial proof | Bank statement for the trip | Blocked account or yearly funds |
| After arrival | No registration needed | Residence permit required |
Students heading to Germany should read the Germany student visa from Pakistan page. Other countries are compared in the study in Europe from Pakistan page.
Which embassy should a Pakistani apply to?
A Pakistani traveller applies to the embassy of the Schengen country that is the main destination of the trip, meaning the country with the longest stay. If every country gets equal days, the application goes to the country of first entry. Choosing an embassy only because it seems easier is a common refusal reason.
| Country | Where to apply in Pakistan | Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | German Mission online appointment system | Islamabad, Karachi |
| Netherlands | VFS Global | Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi |
| Switzerland | VFS Global (Gerry's) | Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi |
| Spain | BLS International | Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi |
| Italy, France, others | Each embassy's appointed visa centre | Check the embassy site |
Visa centre networks change, so confirm the current provider on the embassy's own website before paying any service fee.
Which Schengen visa is easiest to get from Pakistan?
No Schengen visa is easy for Pakistani passport holders, and every member country applies the same EU visa rules. The application with the strongest chance is the one sent to the correct main-destination embassy with a clear purpose, matching bookings, steady bank history and proof of a job, business or studies in Pakistan.
- A genuine purpose that matches the itinerary, such as a conference invitation or family visit letter.
- A correct choice of embassy based on the longest stay.
- Bank history over several months, not a large deposit just before applying.
- Strong ties to Pakistan: employment letter, business registration, property or enrolment.
- Past travel history, such as used UK, Turkish, Gulf or earlier Schengen visas.
Agents who sell an 'easy Schengen country' are often selling a refusal. A refusal stays in the shared Visa Information System and every Schengen embassy can see it later.
What documents does the Schengen visa require?
The core Schengen documents for Pakistani applicants are a passport valid three months beyond the return date with two blank pages, the signed application form, two photos, travel medical insurance of at least €30,000, return flight reservations, hotel bookings or an invitation, a bank statement and proof of employment or business.
- Passport issued within the last ten years, valid at least three months after return.
- Completed and signed application form with two recent photos.
- Travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 in every Schengen state.
- Flight reservation and hotel bookings or an invitation letter.
- Personal bank statement with tax returns where available.
- Employment letter with leave approval, or business registration documents.
- Family registration certificate (FRC) from NADRA for minors and family trips.
Each embassy publishes its own checklist, and documents in Urdu usually need an English translation. Students later applying for a degree also need attested papers, covered in the HEC degree attestation page.
How much bank balance is required for a Schengen visa?
No single bank balance is fixed for every Schengen country. Each member state sets its own daily reference amount, and embassies check that the balance covers the trip comfortably. Many Pakistani applicants show three to six months of statements with a steady balance of roughly PKR 8 to 15 lakh for a two-week trip.
Consulates look at the pattern as much as the total. A salary credited every month with normal spending reads better than a large deposit made a week before the appointment.
Sponsored trips use the sponsor's statement with a sponsorship letter and proof of relationship. The PKR range above is a practical guide from applicant experience, not an official minimum, so check the reference amount on the destination embassy's site.
How do you apply for a Schengen visa from Pakistan?
To apply for a Schengen visa from Pakistan, pick the main-destination embassy, gather the checklist documents, fill in the online form, book an appointment at the visa centre, pay the €90 fee, give fingerprints and a photo, then track the application and collect the passport. Apply 15 days to six months before travel.
- 1Confirm the main destination. Count the nights per country and choose the embassy with the longest stay.
- 2Gather the documents. Download the embassy checklist and arrange bookings, insurance and bank statements.
- 3Fill in the form online. Complete the application during booking on the embassy or visa centre portal, then print and sign it.
- 4Book the appointment. Book between six months and 15 days before travel; Switzerland advises at least 20 days.
- 5Pay the fees. Pay the €90 visa fee, about PKR 31,000, plus the visa centre service charge.
- 6Attend for biometrics. Give fingerprints and a photo at the centre in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi.
- 7Track and collect. Follow the reference number online and collect the passport or have it couriered.
What does a Schengen visa cost and how long does processing take?
A Schengen visa costs €90 for adults, about PKR 31,000, and €45 for children aged six to twelve, while children under six pay nothing. Visa centres add a service charge, such as PKR 5,664 for Switzerland. A decision normally arrives in about 15 days and can take up to 45 days.
| Applicant | Visa fee | In PKR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €90 | 31,000 |
| Child 6–12 | €45 | 15,500 |
| Child under 6 | Free | 0 |
| Visa centre service charge | Varies by centre | ≈ 5,000–6,000 |
Fees are paid in PKR at the centre's exchange rate and are not refunded after a refusal.
Why are Schengen visas refused for Pakistani applicants?
The most common Schengen refusal reasons for Pakistani applicants are an unclear travel purpose, doubts about returning to Pakistan, weak or unexplained bank funds, applying at the wrong embassy and inconsistent bookings. The refusal letter ticks the exact reason, so the next application should answer that reason with stronger documents.
- Purpose of travel not justified by the documents.
- Doubt that the applicant will leave before the visa expires.
- Sudden large deposits in the bank statement.
- Main destination does not match the embassy chosen.
- Cancelled or fake hotel and flight reservations.
An appeal or a fresh application are both possible after a refusal. A strong second file usually fixes the ticked reason instead of only adding more paper.
When do Pakistani students use a Schengen visa?
Pakistani students use a Schengen visa for short summer schools, conferences, university interviews, exchange visits under 90 days and campus tours before choosing a degree. Admission to a full Bachelor's or Master's programme always needs the national student visa of the country where the university is based.
Students choosing a university first can compare names in the best universities in Europe page. Germany's financial rule for degree students is explained in the Germany blocked account page.
Each degree country runs its own student visa route. The study in Netherlands from Pakistan page, the study in Italy from Pakistan page and the study in France from Pakistan page explain those national visas.
Students who need help with a study visa file can ask for a free study visa file check before applying.
Schengen visa from Pakistan, frequently asked questions
Can I study in Europe on a Schengen visa?
No, not for a full degree. A Schengen visa allows stays of up to 90 days for tourism, family visits, business or short courses. Pakistani students enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree need a national D visa from the country of study, applied for separately at that embassy.
How long does a Schengen visa take from Pakistan?
A Schengen visa decision normally takes about 15 calendar days after the appointment at the visa centre. Busy summer months or extra document checks can stretch the wait to 30 or even 45 days. Pakistani applicants should book the appointment four to eight weeks before the planned travel date.
Can I visit other Schengen countries with one visa?
Yes. A uniform Schengen visa with the letters C and 'Schengen States' allows travel across all Schengen member countries during its validity. The first entry should normally be through the country that issued the visa, especially on a first trip, to avoid questions at the border.
Can I enter Turkey or the UK with a Schengen visa?
No. Turkey and the United Kingdom are outside the Schengen area and run their own visa systems. Pakistani passport holders need a separate Turkish e-visa or sticker visa and a separate UK visitor visa. Some non-Schengen countries such as Serbia allow short entry with a valid used Schengen visa.
Can I fill in the Schengen visa application by hand?
Most embassies serving Pakistan ask applicants to fill in the Schengen application form online during appointment booking, then print and sign it. Germany uses its own online portal, and the Netherlands, Switzerland and Spain use their visa centre portals. Handwritten forms are rarely accepted now.
Does a previous visa refusal affect a new Schengen application?
A previous refusal does not stop a new Schengen application. The refusal is stored in the shared Visa Information System, so every Schengen embassy can see it. A fresh application should fix the exact refusal reason, such as weak funds, unclear travel purpose or missing ties to Pakistan.