Finally, a breakthrough for many Pakistani families and professionals looking to build their future in Sweden. After months of obstacles and travel hurdles, Sweden is officially resuming its residence and work permit services in Islamabad, starting from April 9, 2025.
For thousands of hopeful migrants, this is not just a bureaucratic update — it’s a lifeline. Let’s go step by step through why this matters so much.
From Ethiopia to Islamabad: Ending the Travel Ordeal
Until now, applicants from Pakistan faced a daunting, expensive detour:
✈️ Travel all the way to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to complete their visa procedures.
This meant extra costs for:
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Flights
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Accommodation
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Time off work
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Stressful delays
For families, students, and skilled workers, these requirements felt like an unfair additional burden, and frankly, from my perspective, it was a logistical nightmare that shouldn’t have existed in the first place.
Now, with services restored in Islamabad, applicants can:
✅ Submit biometric data
✅ Complete passport verification
✅ Attend required interviews
— all without leaving Pakistan.
This change not only eases the process but restores a sense of dignity to the immigration journey.
Good News with a Small Catch: Short-Term Visas Still Pending
It’s not all smooth sailing yet.
If you’re applying for a short-term Schengen visa to visit Sweden, Islamabad isn’t your stop just yet. These applications are still being handled through VFS Global centres in cities like:
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Bangkok
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Hanoi
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Manila
In my view, this is a clear area for improvement. If Sweden wants to truly strengthen its ties with Pakistan, extending full visa services back to Islamabad should be the logical next step.
Why This Move Matters — And What Comes Next
Beyond the technicalities, this decision has powerful ripple effects:
🌍 Stronger People-to-People Ties — Reuniting families, enabling work opportunities, and opening doors for education.
💼 Boost for Skilled Migration — Pakistan’s professionals, healthcare workers, and students can now more easily access Swedish opportunities.
💬 Symbolic Diplomacy — In a world increasingly fragmented by visa restrictions, Sweden signals its openness and respect for partnership.
For Pakistani applicants, this restoration of services represents not just convenience, but renewed hope.
From my point of view, this is a smart, humane, and economically sensible move by Sweden — one that deserves recognition.
Conclusion: Sweden Opens the Door Wider — But There’s Room for More
Sweden’s decision to resume residence and work permit services in Pakistan is a crucial, positive development. It acknowledges the deep ties between the two countries and the legitimate needs of migrants who contribute so much to Swedish society.
Yet, it’s only part of the journey. I’m convinced that the full reopening of all visa services, especially short-term Schengen visas, will be essential to truly unlock the potential of this relationship.
For now, though, let’s celebrate progress — and keep pushing for the next chapter.
#Sweden #Pakistan #ImmigrationNews #WorkPermits #VisaServices #MigrationUpdates
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