Good news for Pakistanis: Sweden resumes visa services in Islamabad

Pakistanis can now apply for Schengen visas for short-term visits to Sweden

Last updated: July 08, 2025 | 12:02

Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor

1 MIN READ

Ambassador Muhammad Ayub, Additional Secretary (Europe), leads the Pakistani delegation while Swedish Ambassador Mikael Lindvall heads the Swedish side at the Bilateral Political Consultation in Stockholm.

Dubai: Pakistanis now have more options to apply for Schengen visa as Sweden has officially resumed visa services at its embassy in Islamabad.

The move will ease travel for Pakistani citizens intending to visit Sweden or any other Schengen country for short stays, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.

The decision comes in the wake of the 19th round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) between Pakistan and Sweden, held in Stockholm on July 2. The talks aimed to strengthen diplomatic ties and expand cooperation between the two nations.

Effective July 7, Pakistani nationals can once again apply for Schengen visas from within Pakistan for visits to Sweden for up to 90 days.

Also Read: UAE, Pakistan sign agreement on entry visa requirement exemption

Positive development

“Pakistan welcomes this positive development, which reflects the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries,” said a spokesperson for the Foreign Office (FO).

The Pakistani delegation at the consultations was led by Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe), Ambassador Muhammad Ayub. The Swedish side was headed by the Director General for Global Affairs from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Key areas

During the talks, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in key areas such as green transition, digitisation, sustainable technologies, and information and communication technology (ICT). They also discussed a wide range of bilateral issues and exchanged views on regional and global developments.

Ashfaq AhmedSenior Assistant Editor

Ashfaq has been storming the UAE media scene for over 27 years. As Senior Assistant Editor, his insights, analysis and deep understanding of regional dynamics have helped make sense of the unfolding news.   He’s the go-to guy for deep dives into the South Asian diaspora, blending heart, and hardcore reporting into his pieces. Whether he's unpacking Pakistani community affairs, chasing down leads on international political whirlwinds, or investigative reports on the scourge of terrorism and regional drama — Ashfaq doesn’t miss a beat.   He's earned kudos for his relentless hustle and sharp storytelling. Dependable, dynamic, and unstoppable, Ashfaq does not just report the news, he shapes it.