This comprehensive guide explains everything Pakistani passport holders need to know about Schengen visas, including eligibility, required documents, financial proof, travel insurance, application steps, common rejection reasons, and expert tips to increase approval chances.

If you’re planning a trip to Europe, this guide will help you apply with confidence.

What Is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have removed internal border controls. Once you enter one Schengen country, you can travel freely to all other member states without additional visas or passport checks.

Why the Schengen System Exists

• To simplify travel across Europe
• To promote tourism and business mobility
• To allow travelers to visit multiple countries with one visa

Schengen Countries You Can Visit

The Schengen Area currently includes 29 European countries, including:

France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

Important:
The UK, Ireland, and non-Schengen European countries require separate visas.

Do Pakistani Citizens Need a Schengen Visa?

Yes. Pakistani passport holders must obtain a Schengen visa before traveling to any Schengen country.

Key Rules for Pakistanis

• Visa Type: Short-Stay (Type C)
• Maximum Stay: 90 days within any 180-day period
• Purpose: Tourism, business, family visit, or transit

Overstaying or violating visa conditions can negatively affect future visa applications.

Understanding the 90/180 Rule (Simple Explanation)

This rule is often misunderstood.

• You can stay up to 90 days total
• Within any rolling 180-day period
• Across all Schengen countries combined

It is not 90 days per country.

Types of Schengen Visas for Pakistanis

Tourist Visa

For holidays, sightseeing, and leisure travel.

Business Visa

For meetings, conferences, trade fairs, or short professional visits.
An invitation letter from a European company is usually required.

Family or Friends Visit Visa

For visiting relatives or friends legally residing in Europe.
Requires an invitation letter and host documents.

Transit Visa

Required if transiting through certain Schengen airports, depending on route and airline.

Single, Double, and Multiple Entry Visas

• Single-entry: One entry only
• Double-entry: Two entries
• Multiple-entry: Unlimited entries during validity

First-time Pakistani applicants usually receive single-entry visas. Multiple-entry visas are more common with good travel history.

Which Embassy Should You Apply Through?

You must apply through the embassy or visa center of:

1. The country where you will spend the most nights, or
2. If stays are equal, the first country you enter

Most Schengen countries accept applications in Pakistan through VFS Global.

Applying to the wrong embassy can lead to rejection even if your documents are strong.

Complete Schengen Visa Requirements from Pakistan

Passport Requirements

• Issued within the last 10 years
• Valid for at least 6 months after return
• Minimum 2 blank pages

Visa Application Form

• Fully completed and signed
• Information must match supporting documents

Photographs (Schengen Specifications)

• White background
• Size: 35mm x 45mm
• Neutral facial expression

Travel Itinerary

• Flight reservation showing entry and exit dates
• Fully paid tickets are not mandatory

Accommodation Proof

• Hotel booking, OR
• Invitation letter from host

Submitting fake bookings is a major cause of rejection.

Cover Letter (Extremely Important)

Your cover letter should clearly explain:

• Purpose of travel
• Countries and cities you plan to visit
• Duration of stay
• Who will cover expenses
• Strong reasons to return to Pakistan

A weak or generic cover letter significantly lowers approval chances.

Financial Requirements for Pakistani Applicants

There is no officially fixed bank balance requirement. Embassies assess:

• Last 6 months bank statements
• Regular income flow
• Salary consistency
• No sudden large deposits

Best Practices

• Maintain balance well before applying
• Avoid cash injections close to submission
• Salary should match your job profile

Employment-Specific Documents

Salaried Applicants

• Employment letter
• Leave approval letter
• Salary slips (3–6 months)

Business Owners

• Business registration documents
• Business bank statements
• Tax records (if available)

Freelancers

• Client contracts
• Invoices and payment proof
• Evidence of ongoing work

Students

• University enrollment letter
• Sponsorship affidavit
• Sponsor’s financial documents

Schengen Travel Insurance (Mandatory)

Travel insurance is not optional for a Schengen visa.

Your insurance must:

• Cover at least EUR 30,000
• Include medical emergencies and hospitalization
• Cover emergency evacuation and repatriation
• Be valid in all Schengen countries
• Cover your entire travel period

Many Pakistani applications are rejected due to non-compliant insurance policies.

Step-by-Step Schengen Visa Application Process from Pakistan

1. Decide your visa type
2. Choose the correct country and embassy
3. Book your appointment online
4. Prepare documents carefully
5. Submit application and biometrics
6. Pay visa and service fees
7. Track your application status

Biometric data remains valid for 59 months.

Schengen Visa Fees from Pakistan

• Adults: EUR 90
• Children (6–12): EUR 45
• Children under 6: Free
• VFS service charges: Additional

All fees are paid in PKR and are non-refundable.

Schengen Visa Processing Time

• Standard processing: 15 working days
• Peak seasons: Up to 30–45 days
• Additional verification may cause delays

Recommended: Apply at least 6 weeks before travel.

Common Schengen Visa Rejection Reasons for Pakistanis

• Weak travel history
• Insufficient or inconsistent financial proof
• Unclear purpose of travel
• Poorly written cover letter
• Invalid or insufficient travel insurance
• Weak ties to Pakistan

How to Increase Your Schengen Visa Approval Chances

• Apply with a clear and realistic travel plan
• Ensure document consistency
• Show strong employment or business ties
• Use embassy-compliant travel insurance
• Avoid agents promising “guaranteed visas”

What to Do If Your Schengen Visa Is Rejected

• Read the refusal letter carefully
• Identify weak areas
• Improve documentation before reapplying

Reapplication is often more effective than appeals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit multiple Schengen countries on one visa?
Yes, as long as the visa is valid.

Is an interview required?
Usually no, but embassies may contact you if clarification is needed.

Can I apply without confirmed air tickets?
Yes. Flight reservations are sufficient.

Does travel history matter?
Yes, but first-time travelers can still be approved with strong documentation.

Final Advice for Pakistani Travelers

A Schengen visa is achievable for Pakistani applicants who:

• Plan properly
• Submit honest and complete documents
• Meet financial and insurance requirements

Treat your visa application like a professional case, not a formality.

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Smartchoice is a leading insurance comparison platform in Pakistan that makes it easy to compare and purchase travel, car, bike, and health insurance from the country’s top insurers. We offer a wide selection of both conventional and takaful plans, so you can choose coverage that truly fits your needs and preferences.

We’re committed to delivering the best value in the market. By pre-negotiating highly competitive rates with our insurance partners, we help you secure better prices and meaningful savings that are hard to find elsewhere.

The post The Complete Schengen Visa Guide for Pakistanis (2026 Edition) appeared first on Smartchoice.pk.

However, being a government entity there are processes that makes it different from private companies, major one being getting your postpaid internet connection closed. For whatever reason you want your internet connection to be disconnected permanently, you will have to write an application and submit it to the exchange or to One Stop Shop (OSS). The following items are needed for both broadband internet and postpaid wireless internet connection closure.

1) A written application (a sample provided below, you can download PTCL application as well)

2) PTCL Broadband/Evo device

3) CNIC copy of the person on whose name the device was issued

4) Copy of last month’s paid PTCL DSL bill

Once submitted, the application will be processed in 24 to 48 hours and in the next month’s bill you will get your final internet charges for the current month.

If you want to close the PTCL internet connection urgently, take all the required items listed above to your relevant PTCL OSS shop and request for urgent closure of your PTCL internet packages. A bill will be generated, based on how many days have passed in the current month, and you can pay the arrears right away to close the connection. This, however, may not be possible each time because the officer may refuse urgent closure for a variety of reasons including technical issues.

You can use the following written application as sample after making relevant changes based on your internet service:

To: Business Manager, PTCL

Dear Sir,

I submit this application for disconnection of my PTCL internet service. My name is (customer name) and I had purchased broadband/Evo(choose one) connection on CNIC number (customer CNIC number). I no longer require internet service and would humbly request to process my application at the earliest. With this application I also return the the device and my copies of CNIC and previous month’s bill are also attached.

Regards,

(customer name)

Have you or someone you know recently experienced closure of PTCL internet connection? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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Smartchoice is a leading insurance comparison platform in Pakistan that makes it easy to compare and purchase travel, car, bike, and health insurance from the country’s top insurers. We offer a wide selection of both conventional and takaful plans, so you can choose coverage that truly fits your needs and preferences.

We’re committed to delivering the best value in the market. By pre-negotiating highly competitive rates with our insurance partners, we help you secure better prices and meaningful savings that are hard to find elsewhere.

The post How To Discontinue PTCL Internet Without Hassle appeared first on Smartchoice.pk.

Domain Name System allows you to visit websites via memorable addresses instead of remembering the IP addresses of different websites that you intend to visit. DNS is an important factor to offer you a fast browsing experience. No matter your default DNS address assigned by you Internet Service Provider works well, but you can improve the browsing speed by analyzing the best DNS servers for you via utilities like DNS Benchmark and Namebench. Before analyzing the best DNS servers for your internet, we need to find out the reasons that how other DNS servers may speed up the internet browsing. The reasons to change DNS servers include

• DNS server may be experiencing heavy traffic
• Have a limited cache
• Have invalid cache entries
• Greater response time

There are several utilities that can help you to find the right DNS server for your internet via conducting different tests. These tests also take the geographical location in consideration and provide you the best DNS servers and also notifies you about the performance improvement.

Recommended Read : How to change your DNS with ease

DNS Benchmark

DNS Benchmark is a free software by Gibson Research Corporation. It is just 163KB in size and is available for Windows. It can be used on Linux and Mac OS via Wine utility. Once you download and start the software, you get a welcome screen with content that explains what is DNS and why it is used. It also explains how DNS can be used to speed up the internet. You can select the Nameservers tab from the top and click Run Benchmark to start the test. Once the test is finished you will be able to see the results that can be sorted in the fastest first order. The conclusion tab displays the errors and recommendations based on the test results. It is recommended not to use any internet service while the test is in progress because doing so may produce results that vary greatly. Click here to get DNS Benchmark

Namebench

Namebench is also a free software that to test the best DNS servers. Namebench runs fair and thorough benchmark and is available for Windows, Linux and Max OS. Namebench offers a graphical user interface as well as command line version. Once you download and extract the the software, you get a simple screen to configure the required options and start the test. You can set the location, configure data query source and set number of queries. Once the test is completed it displays the best DNS settings and the improvement percentage that the recommended DNS server will offer while browsing internet. However Namebench test is relatively slow if compared with the DNS Benchmark. Click here to download Namebench

This was all about speeding up your internet by getting a better DNS server. We hope that by using above free software products you will be able to find a better DNS server that will enhance and speed up your browsing experience.

If you planning to change your internet connection, click here to compare internet prices and packages in Pakistan. To check your internet speed, click here to take this free test

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Smartchoice is a leading insurance comparison platform in Pakistan that makes it easy to compare and purchase travel, car, bike, and health insurance from the country’s top insurers. We offer a wide selection of both conventional and takaful plans, so you can choose coverage that truly fits your needs and preferences.

We’re committed to delivering the best value in the market. By pre-negotiating highly competitive rates with our insurance partners, we help you secure better prices and meaningful savings that are hard to find elsewhere.

The post Speed Up Your Internet – Get A New DNS appeared first on Smartchoice.pk.

Find Out Your DNS Server Address

You may wish to find the DNS server address of your computer. Doing so is much easier. Just open the command prompt via

Start->All Programs->Accessories->Command Prompt

Once you open the command prompt, execute the following command and you will get the IP related info.

ipconfig/all

A bonus tip related to DNS is clearing DN

S cache. You may need to clear the DNS cache because the site you are visiting has recently moved or your DNS server has invalid cache entries. Whatever the reason is, you can clear the DNS cache executing the command below on the command prompt.

ipconfig /flushdns

Switching DNS Servers

Alternative options allow you to change the DNS server from that of default provided by your Internet Service Provider. Key reasons to change the DNS server may be to speedup the browsing and security. Google DNS and OpenDNS are two very popular DNS servers. However, besides these there are many free as well as paid DNS servers available for use. Changing the DNS server is also easy enough and just takes minutes. To do so, just open

Control Panel->Network & Connections

Adapter Settings->Adapter Properties

IP Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)->Properties

Once you are in the configuration properties of Internet Protocol Version 4, check the use following DNS server addresses and enter the preferred and alternate DNS server addresses. Like if you want to use the Google DNS servers instead of default DNS servers, your configuration will look like the screenshot below.

Alternative DNS Servers

A quick search on Google will find you loads of websites that offer free DNS servers. You can use their DNS servers for different reasons like faster browsing, security and parental controls. In addition to Google DNS, we have listed below several other websites that provide reputable DNS servers that you can use free of cost.

Google
Preferred : 8.8.8.8
Alternate : 8.8.4.4

OpenDNS

Preferred : 208.67.222.222
Alternate : 208.67.220.220

Norton ConncetSafe

Preferred : 199.85.126.10
Alternate : 199.85.127.10

DNS.Watch

Preferred : 84.200.69.80
Alternate : 84.200.70.40

Dyn

Preferred : 216.146.35.35
Alternate : 216.146.36.36

This was a little introduction about DNS, how it works and what are the alternatives to default DNS server addresses. In a nutshell you can use DNS to block unsafe sites, speedup internet browsing and much more.

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Smartchoice is a leading insurance comparison platform in Pakistan that makes it easy to compare and purchase travel, car, bike, and health insurance from the country’s top insurers. We offer a wide selection of both conventional and takaful plans, so you can choose coverage that truly fits your needs and preferences.

We’re committed to delivering the best value in the market. By pre-negotiating highly competitive rates with our insurance partners, we help you secure better prices and meaningful savings that are hard to find elsewhere.

The post How to change your DNS with ease appeared first on Smartchoice.pk.

The ultimate goal of Internet of Things is to connect everything with the internet that is identifiable through a unique Internet Protocol address.

Smart Applications

Today we have Smartphones, smart cars and other smart apps all around us. The term smart refers to an object that can describe its possible interactions without any human interaction. Smart applications cover a vast area of development. Such smart applications may learn user preferences and make recommendations next time based on those preferences and personal choices. Smart applications also have the ability to take decisions based on different scenarios. This concept is generally known as Artificial Intelligence. Smart applications tend to automate the tasks and facilitate user actions. These days we can see several applications around us that allow us to do more with less hassle. You can search different things through voice. Apps can recommend you comments based on the statuses of your Facebook friends. You can also control physical devices via applications in your Smartphones. We also have remote control gadgets around us that can be used to turn on and off a device and set the preferences. However, this situation leads us to a problem known as Basket of Remotes problems because we will have a separate app to operate any individual device. The proposed solution to Basket of Remotes problem is to have a shared protocol for apps to interact with each other.

Future of Smart Applications

Most of us already have been using applications that are highly productive and automated. At the moment they may not be thought of as real smart applications but still they offer a notable set of features that reflect an early image of future of smart applications. Below you will find a little description of some applications that portrays the learning, automation, productivity and easiness.

EasilyDo is an iOS app that suggests you something via notification and does it for you once you ask it to do. It adds and manages your contacts automatically avoiding duplicate contacts. It can auto send the birthday wishes via email or Facebook. It gets you directions when it’s time for your meeting.

FieldTrip is an application by Google Inc. available for Android as well as iOS. It is a location aware app that buzz your phone to inform about interesting things nearby. It finds out your location and display interesting information about the location retrieved via different online resources.

Consider a case related to a Sleep Apnea disorder. This disorder is explained as person stops breathing while sleeping. Phillips proposed an idea of CRAP therapy that will monitor the breathing of patient and transmit the information to a web based Patient management system.

Considering such examples we can really peek into the future of smart applications where apps will make real time decisions based on Artificial Intelligence. Such apps will learn from the human choices and will transmit the data to required destination productively. No doubt Internet of Things will bring us a completely smart life soon where doors will auto open as soon we return the home, coffee will be ready as we get into the kitchen and room temperature will be regulated via your mind.         

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Smartchoice is a leading insurance comparison platform in Pakistan that makes it easy to compare and purchase travel, car, bike, and health insurance from the country’s top insurers. We offer a wide selection of both conventional and takaful plans, so you can choose coverage that truly fits your needs and preferences.

We’re committed to delivering the best value in the market. By pre-negotiating highly competitive rates with our insurance partners, we help you secure better prices and meaningful savings that are hard to find elsewhere.

The post Internet of Things (IoT): The future of Mobile Apps appeared first on Smartchoice.pk.

Telecom indicators, as published by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), have shown remarkable increase in the number of broadband subscribers – month by month – over the past two years across all sorts of broadband technologies – wired or wireless.

In 2011, for example, total number of broadband subscribers in Pakistan stood at 0.9 Million and jumped close to 2.0 Million by the end of 2012. These trends were exciting – we know how the Internet has help develop countries and societies across the globe – and we know internet awareness will play a powerful role in the development and progress in Pakistan too.

We ran a quick analysis, threw in some number crunching, and have expect broadband growth to stand at 64 percent by the end of 2014 – with broadband subscribers to cross 4.2 Million by the end of this year. This is rapid growth and the momentum just seems to be increasing with every month. Our extrapolation is based on the existing trend.

The graph above shows a year on year (Y-o-Y) comparison of how broadband penetration has grown in Pakistan. We have already written about how the internet is instrumental in the social uplift of societies and countries and we expect good things to come our way in the days to come.

Feel free to share your comments and feedback with us below!

SC Editorial

Smartchoice is a leading insurance comparison platform in Pakistan that makes it easy to compare and purchase travel, car, bike, and health insurance from the country’s top insurers. We offer a wide selection of both conventional and takaful plans, so you can choose coverage that truly fits your needs and preferences.

We’re committed to delivering the best value in the market. By pre-negotiating highly competitive rates with our insurance partners, we help you secure better prices and meaningful savings that are hard to find elsewhere.

The post Pakistan broadband growth at 64% – expected to cross 4 Million in 2014 appeared first on Smartchoice.pk.

Will 3G end the market for Conventional Broadband Service Providers in Pakistan?

In a word, NO!

Based on current infrastructure, Pakistan is some ways off in even launching proper 3G service, let alone 4G.  The market for trial 3G services is not even a month old and only offered in limited geographical zones within the popular urban centers of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

The average smart phone user is still figuring out, on how to use, the limited 3G trial services currently available.  It was less than 2 weeks ago that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authorities formally awarded 3G licenses to the successful bidders of last month’s 3G and 4G auction.

The nature of 3G technology is such that it will be quite some time before it makes older technologies like DSL, Wimax and Cable irrelevant. In his 2012 article for PCMag, Sasha Sagan presents the technological elements of  the Wimax vs 3G and LTE debate.  While the article focuses primarily on mobile phone networks, the implication is clear.  Customers will always opt for higher bandwidth that is consistent. Towards that end, they will ultimately opt for 3G and 4G.

However, based on infrastructural, product and pricing constraints, Pakistan is still a long way off from this switchover.  In a recent report for Express Tribune, Farooq Baloch presents some of the infrastructural challenges that have to be met before 3G and 4G service is even widely and properly available. Some of the comments for this article are equally instructive including this exercpt from the optimistic commentator Garam Aaanday:

“………In a Nutshell 3G+4G Deployment requires less than 1 year to be implemented throughout Pakistan.”

Until then, it will be difficult to see the real effects of the switch over from DSL and Wimax to 3G and LTE.  Nonetheless, even after successful implementation of 3G and LTE networks, the Pakistani internet user is not likely to completely discard older technologies.

This study by Delta Partners highlights that the latest technology might not always be the most optimal for every user. The usage patterns, as highlighted in this study, are actually quite paradoxical and show that it is rural users who will benefit more from 3G and LTE networks as opposed to existing urban users in higher population densities.  Urban users who still be better served by continuing with their DSL and Wimax service providers.

In a country like Pakistan, it is difficult to see Wimax, DSL and cable becoming obsolete in the near future. Aside from infrastructural concerns, it makes more sense to view the newer 3G and LTE services as complimentary products to the existing Wimax, DSL and Cable services currently being offered.

One must not forget that these existing services represent those companies that have survived intense competition.  These companies also include the semi-private PTCL – a national behemoth that provides multiple products and whose existing infrastructure is unbeatable in the short run.

Similarly, even if it is premature to talk of pricing, one can safely argue that the successful bidders for 3G and LTE services need to recoup their auction bid.

(At this point, and for the purposes of this article, it is pointless to highlight the alleged problematic nature of the auction where the successful bidders will simply be adjusting their existing receivables with the PTA).

With Data usage packages being quoted at Rs.20/Mb (Zong) and comprehensive bandwidth packages likely to cost multiple times the existing bandwidth packages, the 3G and LTE customer is already looking at a hefty increase in their internet costs.  Furthermore, the market for such services is also restricted by the smart phone owner market in a developing country like Pakistan. Segment the 3G and LTE market further and this niche market shrinks even further as the price range for smart phones supporting LTE makes such a service affordable to only a select few. This is likely to make pricing even more uncompetitive compared to existing technologies.

There is no doubt that video steaming and video calling appear very enticing but how large is this market segment in Pakistan?

With increasing censorship and the prevailing ban on YouTube, the compelling attraction to switch to 3G and LTE reduces further. In the long run, DSL, Wimax and cable may well go the way of the dial up internet connection. However, studies show that that is a slow and gradual switch over even in developed economies.  In a country like Pakistan, the introduction of 3G and LTE will simply serve as an incentive to the World calls and Qubees to further improve both their service and their pricing.  The Pakistani customer can finally be introduced to a technology that has been enjoyed by its Indian and Afghan neighbors for nearly a decade.  For an upbeat conclusion, that is not a bad place to be as a consumer.

Image courtesy www.jehzlau-concepts.com

SC Editorial

Smartchoice is a leading insurance comparison platform in Pakistan that makes it easy to compare and purchase travel, car, bike, and health insurance from the country’s top insurers. We offer a wide selection of both conventional and takaful plans, so you can choose coverage that truly fits your needs and preferences.

We’re committed to delivering the best value in the market. By pre-negotiating highly competitive rates with our insurance partners, we help you secure better prices and meaningful savings that are hard to find elsewhere.

The post Will 3G end the market for Conventional Broadband Service Providers in Pakistan? appeared first on Smartchoice.pk.