Swedish Embassy Resumes Residence and Work Permit Services in Islamabad for Pakistani Nationals
Key Takeaways
Swedish embassy services for residence and work permits have officially returned to Islamabad, Pakistan's capital. Starting from April 9, Pakistani nationals and those holding residence permits will be able to apply for Swedish residence and work permits at the Swedish embassy. Prior to this change, Pakistani applicants were required to travel to Ethiopia to complete their residence permit applications.
From April 9, the Swedish Migration Agency will restart its residence and work permit services in Pakistan. Pakistani nationals seeking to submit biometric data, have their passports verified, or attend post-application interviews can now do so at the Swedish embassy in Islamabad. This move marks a significant step in facilitating the application process for Pakistani citizens, who previously had to travel to the Swedish embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Details on the New Process
This new rule is specifically for individuals applying for family reunification, employment, or study permits to Sweden. By resuming services in Pakistan, the Swedish Migration Agency aims to streamline the application process for Pakistani citizens, reducing the need for travel to Ethiopia, which could take between five to 11 hours, with flight costs ranging from €500 to €700.
Schengen Visa Application Process Remains Unchanged
Although Swedish residence and work permits can now be processed in Islamabad, Pakistani nationals are still required to apply for Schengen visas through VFS Global at designated locations outside Pakistan. Applicants must submit their Schengen visa applications in one of the following cities:
- Bangkok
- Yangon
- Hanoi
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Manila
- Cebu
- Jakarta
- Bali
- Phnom Penh
- Kuala Lumpur
- Singapore
- Tokyo
- Seoul
Applications for Schengen visas will be handled by the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok, which will also be responsible for processing and issuing the visa decisions.
Visa Application Statistics for Pakistan
In 2023, Pakistanis were the 27th-largest nationality group submitting Schengen visa applications, with a total of 86,698 applications. Out of these, 40,843 were approved, resulting in an approval rate of 47.1%, one of the lowest approval rates globally. Germany and Italy were the top countries granting Schengen visas to Pakistanis, issuing 11,030 and 7,549 visas, respectively. Germany and Spain remain the primary destinations for Schengen visa applications filed by Pakistani citizens.
For more information, visit Schengen.News.
