Schengen Visa Requirements for Pakistani Applicants

Core documents for every applicant

• Application form for the country you apply to, completed and signed (some countries require their online form, e.g. France-Visas or Germany’s VIDEX).
• Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen area, with at least two blank pages — signed.
• All your previous passports, especially those with visas.
• Recent passport-size photographs meeting the embassy’s specification.
• CNIC copy. Many embassies also ask for a NADRA Family Registration Certificate (FRC) in English.
• Travel medical insurance of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states for the whole trip.
• Return flight reservation and accommodation for every night (hotel bookings or an invitation from your host).
• A day-by-day itinerary and a short cover letter explaining the purpose of the trip.
• Bank statements and proof of income (see your profile below).

Additional documents by applicant profile

Salaried employees

• Employment letter (NOC) on letterhead: position, salary, joining date and approved leave dates, stating you will return to work.
• Recent salary slips (Germany asks for the last 3 months).
• Personal bank statements showing salary credits (Germany asks for 6 months).
• Tax records where available, for example your income tax return.

Business owners and self-employed

• Proof the business exists and is active, such as registration with the SECP or a chamber of commerce, or a partnership deed.
• Business and personal tax returns.
• Company and personal bank statements.
• For business trips: an invitation from the company or event in the Schengen country.

Students

• Enrolment letter and NOC from your school, college or university confirming you will resume studies.
• Sponsor’s letter, CNIC, bank statements and income proof.
• Proof of relationship to the sponsor (for example the FRC).

Sponsored travellers and family visits

• Invitation letter from your host, with a copy of their passport or residence permit in the Schengen country.
• If the host covers costs: the official sponsorship or guarantee form the country uses, and the host’s proof of means.
• Proof of relationship — FRC, birth certificate or nikah nama, as relevant.

Minors

• Birth certificate and FRC.
• Consent from both parents (or the parent not travelling), with copies of their CNICs and passports.
• School NOC for school-age children.

Points that matter specifically for Pakistani applicants

• NADRA documents. The FRC is commonly requested to prove family relationships, and the German missions list it for tourist visas.
• Old passports. Embassies in Pakistan often ask for every previous passport, so your travel history can be seen in full.
• Signed passport. The German missions state that an unsigned passport is not valid. Sign yours before your appointment.
• Translations. Documents in Urdu generally need an English translation; check whether your embassy requires a certified one.
• Where you live decides where you apply. Germany and Italy split Pakistan between Islamabad and Karachi by province — see the Germany and Italy guides.

Showing your finances honestly

Officers look for a consistent financial picture: regular income, spending that matches your lifestyle, and enough for this trip without strain. A large deposit shortly before applying, with no explanation, raises questions. If money came from a property sale, a gift or a business, document where it came from.

Some countries publish a daily amount they expect travellers to have. Where your embassy does, we use its figure — we do not quote unofficial ones.

Common mistakes that lead to refusals

• Applying to the wrong country — not your main destination.
• Dates, hotels and the itinerary not matching each other or the form.
• Insurance below €30,000 or not covering the whole stay.
• Unexplained deposits, or statements that do not show the salary on your letter.
• Not declaring earlier refusals.
• Bookings or documents that are not genuine — this can lead to refusal and a ban.

Frequently asked questions