Where to apply
Apply to the consulate of the Schengen country that is your main destination (where you’ll spend the most nights). If the stays are equal, apply to the country you enter first. In Pakistan most Schengen countries take applications through VFS Global centres in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.
Book your appointment yourself on the official visa-center system. The Netherlands warns that any other way of getting an appointment “concerns a scam”. The EU’s advice is clear: intermediaries do not improve your chances.
Fees (European Commission, checked 22 October 2026)
| Applicant | Visa fee |
|---|---|
| Adults | €90 |
| Children 6–12 | €45 |
| Children under 6 | free |
The visa center also charges a service fee. Fees are not refunded if the visa is refused. Pay in local currency at the rate the center publishes.
When to apply
- No earlier than 6 months and at least 15 days before travel.
- Standard processing is 15 calendar days; it can be extended up to 45 days. Germany’s mission in Pakistan says about 14 calendar days, longer in peak season — book as soon as you have dates.
Documents
- Application form — completed online where the country offers it (Germany uses VIDEX) and signed.
- Passport issued in the last 10 years, valid 3+ months after you leave the Schengen area, with 2 blank pages; plus old passports with previous visas.
- Photo to ICAO standard.
- Travel medical insurance covering emergency care, hospitalisation and repatriation (minimum €30,000 cover is the usual requirement).
- Proof of funds — recent bank statements; many checklists ask for 3–6 months.
- Proof of ties — employment letter with leave approval, business registration, or university enrolment.
- Bookings — hotel reservations and a flight reservation (you don’t have to buy the ticket before approval).
- Fingerprints are taken at the appointment unless you gave them within the last 59 months.
Each country publishes its own checklist on the visa-center site — follow that one exactly and in its order.
Why applications get refused — and how to avoid it
- Unclear purpose or itinerary. Give a day-by-day plan that matches your bookings.
- Weak financial evidence. Sudden large deposits raise questions; show stable history.
- Insufficient ties to Pakistan. Employment, family, property or studies all help.
- Inconsistent documents. Names, dates and amounts must match everywhere.
- Wrong consulate. Apply to the main-destination country.
After the visa
A Schengen visa lets you move freely between member states for its validity, but it is not a guarantee of entry — carry your insurance, bookings and funds evidence when you fly.