This Schengen visa, applied through Italy, grants access to all 29 Schengen member states for tourism, family visits, or business trips up to 90 days.1 Italy processed 11,702 visa applications from Pakistani citizens in 2023, with an approval rate of approximately 67%, the highest among all Schengen countries for Pakistani applicants.5

Application Process

Follow these steps to apply for your Italy Schengen visa:

1. Determine your travel dates and create detailed itinerary
   Plan your trip comprehensively, including all cities you’ll visit, accommodation for each night, and planned activities. If visiting multiple Schengen countries, ensure Italy is your main destination (most nights spent) or first point of entry.1

2. Gather all required documents
   Collect passport, CNIC, Family Registration Certificate, photographs, bank statements, NTN certificate, employment proof, travel insurance, flight reservations, and accommodation confirmations. Download the specific checklist from the Intiana website or Italian Embassy.2

3. Get Polio Vaccination
   As a Pakistani national, you must obtain a Polio Vaccination certificate from an authorized government hospital. The vaccination should be administered between 4 weeks and 12 months before your travel date.1 This is a mandatory requirement specific to Pakistan.

4. Complete the Schengen visa application form
   Fill out the application form available on the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Intiana website.3 Ensure all information matches your supporting documents exactly. Print and sign the form with two signatures.

5. Purchase travel insurance
   Buy Schengen travel insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage valid for all member states and your entire travel period.1 The policy must explicitly mention Schengen Area coverage.

6. Book visa centre appointment
   Schedule your appointment at the nearest Intiana Visa Application Centre through their online booking system.2 Centres are available in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Quetta.

7. Attend biometrics appointment
   Arrive 15 minutes early with your original passport, printed application form, appointment confirmation, and all supporting documents.2 Your fingerprints and photograph will be captured (exempt if provided within last 59 months).

8. Pay visa fee and service charge
   Pay €90 visa fee (€45 for children 6-12, free for under 6) plus PKR 10,782 service charge.2 Payment methods vary by centre.

9. Submit application and documents
   The visa centre staff will verify your documents and forward your application to the Italian Consulate. You’ll receive a tracking number to monitor your application status online.2

10. Track application status
    Check your application progress on the Intiana website using your reference number. Processing typically takes 15 working days but can extend to 30 days during peak periods.1

11. Collect passport with visa
    Once processed, collect your passport from the visa centre or opt for courier delivery. Your visa sticker will show validity dates, number of entries allowed, and duration of stay.

Applications can be submitted 6 months before your intended travel date, but no later than 15 days before departure.1

Fees

The visa fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected.1 Exchange rates fluctuate, so check the current EUR-PKR rate before payment.

Fee waivers are available for: children under 6, school pupils and students on educational trips with accompanying teachers, researchers traveling for scientific purposes, and representatives of non-profit organizations under 25 attending cultural or educational events.4

What You Need to Prove

Italian consular officers assess your application based on several key criteria:

Genuine tourism purpose: Your itinerary, hotel bookings, and cover letter must demonstrate a clear tourism intent. Vague plans or missing details raise red flags.1

Sufficient financial means: Bank statements should show stable income and adequate funds to cover your trip without financial strain. A minimum of €50-100 per day is recommended.5 Avoid large unexplained deposits shortly before applying.

Strong ties to Pakistan: Property ownership, ongoing employment, family dependents, business commitments, and educational enrollment all prove your intention to return. Pakistani applicants face particular scrutiny on this criterion given the overall Schengen rejection rate of 48%.5

Previous travel compliance: A history of respecting visa conditions in Schengen or other countries significantly strengthens your application. Include old passports showing previous visas and entry/exit stamps.1

Medical requirements: The mandatory Polio Vaccination certificate demonstrates compliance with Italian health requirements for Pakistani nationals.1

Processing Times

Standard processing for Italy Schengen visas is 15 working days from when your application reaches the Italian Consulate.1 However, the complete timeline includes:

• Visa centre to Consulate transfer: 2-5 working days
• Consulate processing: 15 working days (standard)1
• Passport return to visa centre: 2-3 working days

Total realistic timeline: 3-4 weeks from your visa centre appointment to receiving your passport with visa decision.

During peak travel seasons (summer months and December), processing can extend to 30 days.1 Plan accordingly and apply well in advance.

Application timing rules:

• Earliest: 6 months before travel
• Latest: 15 days before departure
• Recommended: Apply 4-6 weeks before your trip1

After Your Visa is Approved

Your visa sticker will display:

• Validity period: The dates between which you can enter the Schengen Area
• Duration of stay: Maximum days allowed (up to 90 days within 180 days)
• Number of entries: Single, double, or multiple entry
• Territorial validity: Usually “Schengen States” unless restricted

At border control: Immigration officers may ask about your trip purpose, accommodation, return ticket, and financial means. Carry printed copies of your hotel bookings, return flight ticket, travel insurance, and sufficient funds.1

The 90/180 rule: You can stay maximum 90 days in any 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined.4 Use the European Commission’s online calculator to track your days. Overstaying results in fines, deportation, and bans on future Schengen visas.

Extending your stay: Schengen tourist visas cannot be extended except in extraordinary circumstances (serious illness, force majeure). Plan your trip duration carefully before applying.

If Your Visa is Refused

If your application is rejected, you’ll receive a written refusal letter stating the reason based on the Schengen Visa Code grounds.1 Common causes include insufficient documentation, unclear travel purpose, inadequate financial proof, or doubts about your intention to return to Pakistan.

Your options after refusal:

1. Reapply with corrected documentation: There is no waiting period. Address the specific issues mentioned in the refusal letter and submit a new application with complete documentation. The visa fee must be paid again.

2. File an appeal: You have 60 days from receiving the refusal to file a legal challenge at the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) of Lazio in Rome.1 This requires legal representation and can take 1-2 years.

The visa fee is non-refundable regardless of the decision.1

Improving your reapplication:

• Carefully review the refusal reasons
• Strengthen weak areas (financial proof, travel plans, ties to Pakistan)
• Provide additional supporting documents addressing specific concerns
• Consider consulting with a visa consultant if refused multiple times
• Never submit false documents, as this results in automatic rejection and potential bans

With Italy having the highest approval rate for Pakistani applicants at 67%, thorough preparation significantly increases your chances of success.5

Schengen Member States

With your Italian Schengen visa, you can visit all 29 Schengen countries:

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

Remember that your total stay across all Schengen countries cannot exceed 90 days within any 180-day period.