ISLAMABAD – Starting April 9 (Wednesday), the Swedish Migration Agency will reopen its residence and work permit services in Pakistan, easing the process for local applicants.
An official statement confirmed, “Applicants can now complete biometric submissions, passport verifications, and interviews at the Swedish Embassy in Islamabad after applying.”
However, this update does not include Schengen visa applications for short-term visits to Sweden.
From April 9 onward, individuals seeking residence permits for family reunification, employment, or studies in Sweden can finalize their applications at the Swedish Embassy in Islamabad. The previous rule requiring travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has been revoked.
This change applies to Pakistani nationals and legal residents in Pakistan who have been directed by the Swedish Migration Agency to visit a Swedish embassy for interviews, passport checks, or biometric registration.
For Schengen visa applications (short stays up to 90 days), Pakistani citizens must still apply through VFS Global offices in Bangkok, Yangon, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Cebu, Jakarta, Bali, Phnom Penh, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Tokyo, or Seoul. Submitted applications will then be processed by the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok.
The Swedish Migration Agency is assessing options for handling Schengen visa applications within Pakistan and will share updates when a decision is made.
