Sweden Restarts Residence and Work Permit Services in Pakistan Beginning April 9
Key Highlights
- Sweden has reinstated its embassy services for residence and work permits in Islamabad, Pakistan.
- The new policy, effective from April 9, applies to Pakistani nationals and current residence permit holders.
- Previously, applicants from Pakistan had to travel to Ethiopia to complete their Swedish residence permit applications.
Starting April 9, Pakistani nationals will once again be able to apply for Swedish residence and work permits at the Swedish Embassy in Islamabad, following the Swedish Migration Agency’s decision to resume key operations in the country.
According to an official statement, applicants required to provide biometric data, undergo passport verification, or attend post-application interviews can now complete these steps in Pakistan’s capital.
“On April 9, the Swedish Migration Agency will resume its residence and work permit activities in Pakistan. Applicants needing to submit biometric data, have their passport checked, or attend an interview can once again do so at the embassy in Islamabad.”
— Swedish Migration Agency
This update specifically benefits those applying for family reunification, employment, or student permits. Previously, Pakistani applicants were required to travel to the Swedish Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—a trip that could take 5 to 11 hours and cost between €500 and €700.
Schengen Visa Applications Still Require Travel to Other Cities
Despite this improvement, Pakistani nationals must still apply for Schengen visas outside the country. Applications must be submitted to VFS Global in one of the following cities:
- Bangkok
- Yangon
- Hanoi
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Manila
- Cebu
- Jakarta
- Bali
- Phnom Penh
- Kuala Lumpur
- Singapore
- Tokyo
- Seoul
The Swedish Embassy in Bangkok will process these applications and issue decisions.
Pakistani Nationals Submitted Over 86,000 Schengen Visa Applications in 2023
In 2023, Pakistan ranked 27th globally for the number of Schengen visa applications filed, submitting 86,698 in total. Of these, only 40,843 were approved—an approval rate of 47.1%, among the lowest worldwide.
Germany and Italy approved the most visas for Pakistanis, with 11,030 and 7,549 visas issued respectively. However, Germany and Spain remain the most popular destinations among Pakistani applicants.