The European Union has urged Pakistani applicants to submit complete and comprehensive documentation to improve their chances of securing Schengen visas, amid a rejection rate of around 50 per cent.
During his first visit to Pakistan, EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner said Pakistani and European authorities needed to work together to address the high rejection rate and improve the visa application process.
Brunner acknowledged the difficulties Pakistani nationals face in securing visa appointments, describing access to legal travel as an important issue. He said the European Commission was working to improve coordination and streamline visa procedures to facilitate applications and reduce processing delays.
The EU commissioner stressed that while applicants could improve their chances by providing strong supporting documents, European authorities should also take steps to make legal travel more accessible.
Discussing illegal migration, Brunner said cooperation between Pakistan and the European Union had helped reduce irregular migration by more than 50 per cent. Pakistani authorities, meanwhile, have reported a 64 per cent decline in illegal migration over the past 18 months.
Brunner also urged young Pakistanis to avoid human smugglers and refrain from undertaking dangerous journeys to Europe, particularly routes to Italy and Greece through Gulf countries, Egypt and Libya. He encouraged young people to continue their education, develop marketable skills and pursue safe and legal routes to travel to Europe.