General information on Schengen visas

This information has been prepared by all Schengen European countries present in Pakistan and gives a general overview regarding applications for Schengen visas. For more specific information concerning tourist visa, private/family visit visa and business visa, kindly consult the relevant pages of this website.

General Schengen visa requirements

1) Who needs a visa and to which country can one travel?

Pakistani National and certain foreigners resident in Pakistan require a visa to enter the Schengen territory, i.e. Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

In general, this visa grants free mobility within the Schengen Territory for visitors/business/tourist stays of maximum 90 days per 180 days of the year.

2) Where do you apply?

You cannot choose at which Schengen country mission to apply.

You must apply at the mission of the country where your main destination (the main destination is the destination where the applicant intends to spend the longest time or where the main purpose of the intended journey is carried out) will be or, if this is difficult to determine (e.g. cruises, bus tours), you must apply at the mission of your first point of entry into the Schengen area.

Sufficient proof has to be submitted about the stay in the Schengen Territory.

3) Categories of visas (depending on length and purpose of stay)

• Airport transit visas: required for nationals of certain countries.
• Short stay visa (“Schengen”) visa: 1-90 days, one or multiple entry.
• Long stay visa: Visas for visits exceeding 90 days are national visas, and are issued by member states in accordance with national legislation (1).

4) Certified parental consent from both parents for children under 18 travelling alone

If the child travels with only one parent, the other parent must produce the notarized/certified consent. If only one parent has guardianship of the minor, a court judgment (NADRA) confirming this must be presented. Certain consular authorities require that both parents sign in the presence of a consular official. The Schengen State’s Consular offices reserve the right to request further documentation if deemed necessary.

5) Procedural Advices and Legal Notice

• There is no guarantee that a visa will be issued and no rights can be derived from the information obtained in the general Schengen visa information.
• Visa applications will be rejected if application forms are not fully completed and signed and are not accompanied by the above required documents.
• Procedure: It is the responsibility of the applicant to take note of the visa application requirements and to apply in time well before making travel arrangements.
• Entry into the Schengen territory: The possession of a visa is only one of the conditions for entry into the territory of the Schengen state. Should the Schengen State’s border authority refuse entry, no claim for reimbursement of the visa fee or airline ticket can be submitted. The border police at your Schengen destination may request the presentation of sufficient funds, a letter of invitation, hotel reservation and proof of medical insurance. Failure to present said funds/documents may result in entry being refused.
• For organized groups arrangements should be made well in advance with the relevant issuing authority.

** Fees and requirements are subject to change without prior notice.

All types of Schengen visas (from 12 years old): 90 Euro.
Children between 6 and 12 years old: 45 Euro.
National Long Stay visas: 180 Euro.

6) Fees are exempted for

• Children under the age of 6.
• Spouses of EU/EEA citizens (EEA: Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein) and their children, under the age of 21. Copies of spouses’ EU/EEA and Switzerland passport, marriage/birth certificates etc. must be submitted with the application as proof of relationship with EU/EEA spouse/parent.
• Diplomatic passports.
• Service/official passports (except when used for private reasons).

Visa processing fees are not reimbursable if a visa is rejected.