Sweden resumes visa services in Islamabad for Pakistani applicants

The Foreign Office (FO) announced on Monday that Sweden has resumed its visa services in Islamabad, allowing Pakistani nationals to once again apply for Schengen visas starting July 7, 2025.

The Swedish embassy in Islamabad had suspended operations in April 2023 due to security concerns.

At the time, the embassy halted all visa-related services, including the processing of applications and the dispatch of documents.

A notice posted on the embassy’s website stated: “We understand that this will cause inconvenience; however, the safety of our applicants and staff members are of highest priority.”

The embassy reopened in April this year, and the decision to resume visa operations was formally communicated during bilateral consultations held between the foreign ministries of Pakistan and Sweden in Stockholm on July 2.

“Effective July 7, 2025, Pakistani nationals can apply for a Schengen visa from within Pakistan for visits to Sweden of up to 90 days,” the FO stated.

Welcoming the move, the FO said it reflects a “strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries.”

The Pakistani delegation to the bilateral talks was led by the additional foreign secretary (Europe), while the Swedish side was headed by the director general for global affairs at Sweden’s foreign ministry.