Schengen visa for relatives from Pakistan: inviting family to Europe

All Schengen countries follow the same basic visit visa rules: up to 90 days in any 180-day period, travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, and an application to the country where the visitor will spend the longest time. You can usually apply up to six months before travel and no later than 15 days before. A decision normally takes about 15 calendar days, but it can take longer in individual cases, so plan family events with a margin. Read which Schengen embassy to apply to if the trip covers several countries.

Host documents differ by country

Many Schengen states have their own official document for a host who invites a visitor and offers accommodation or financial support. Examples you may come across:

• France: the attestation d'accueil, which the host requests from the town hall (mairie) when the visitor will stay in their home.
• Belgium: the undertaking of financial support, known as Annex 3bis, signed by the host at their municipality.
• The Netherlands: a proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation form, completed by the host and usually legalised at the municipality.
• Spain: the carta de invitación, requested by the host through the police.
• Germany: the Verpflichtungserklärung, explained on our Germany family visit page.
• Italy, Greece, Portugal and others: usually an invitation letter with a copy of the host's ID and residence permit, and proof of accommodation. Check the current list of the embassy or visa centre.

Names, fees and whether the document is mandatory can change, and not every applicant needs one. Always check the embassy's own checklist and your local authority before you book an appointment.

What you prepare as the host

• An invitation letter and, where it applies, the official host document for your country.
• A copy of your passport and residence permit, or your EU citizenship document.
• Proof of accommodation: rental contract, property deed or utility bill.
• If you are paying: recent payslips, an employment contract and bank statements.
• Proof of relationship, such as a NADRA Family Registration Certificate.

What your relatives prepare in Pakistan

• Passport, previous passports and the Schengen application form.
• Travel medical insurance and a flight reservation that match the plan.
• Their own bank statement and income documents, and proof of ties: family, job or business, property.
• A cover letter and day-by-day itinerary. Use our Schengen visa checklist.

Common refusal grounds in family cases

• Purpose and conditions of the stay not justified, often because the host's letter and the applicant's plan say different things.
• Insufficient means, or funds that appeared suddenly.
• Reasonable doubts about the intention to leave before the visa expires.
• Applying to the wrong country for the route.

How it works when you are abroad and they are in Pakistan

1. You or your relative write to us at [email protected] or through the form below. Tell us who is travelling, where you live, your status there and roughly when they want to come.
2. Free case review. We look at both sides of the case, yours and theirs, and tell you honestly what is strong, what is weak and whether the timing makes sense.
3. You see the work first. We prepare a sample or a checked part of the file so you can judge the quality. You pay our fee only once you are satisfied.
4. We complete the file. Checklist, application form, cover letter, travel plan and a final cross-check of every document from both countries.
5. Your relative attends only the official appointment for biometrics or interview. You stay in control of the application and its account throughout.

Fees

These are our service fees only. Embassy, visa-centre, insurance and medical fees are separate and are paid to those organisations directly. See the full fee table.

Information checked 1 November 2026. Rules and official fees change, so always confirm on the official website before you apply. We are a private consultancy, not a government body; only the embassy or immigration authority decides a visa, and no visa is guaranteed.