Pakistan and Latvia have discussed visa facilitation and professional mobility as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, the Foreign Office said.
The development was discussed during the seventh round of bilateral political consultations between the two countries, held virtually, according to the Foreign Office spokesperson.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening friendly and constructive relations and explored ways to expand bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation.
The discussions included the possibility of establishing a formal dialogue mechanism to promote trade, strengthening business-to-business contacts and increasing participation in trade exhibitions.
Pakistan and Latvia also agreed to explore greater cooperation in the information technology sector, education and digital services.
The two countries discussed promoting links between universities, facilitating student and faculty exchanges and encouraging joint research initiatives.
Visa facilitation and professional mobility were also among the key issues discussed during the consultations. However, the Foreign Office did not announce any specific changes to Schengen visa requirements or confirm a new visa exemption for Pakistani citizens.
Both sides also exchanged views on international peace, security and multilateral cooperation, agreeing to maintain close contact on matters of mutual interest.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said the next round of bilateral political consultations would be held on dates mutually agreed upon by both countries.
On the other hand, Belgium outpaced other Schengen countries in visa approvals for Pakistani applicants in 2025, according to the latest European Union (EU) visa report, which highlighted a stark contrast between Belgium and Austria’s visa issuance trends.
The report showed that Austria received 2,543 applications for uniform Schengen visas from Pakistani citizens last year. However, only 636 visas were approved, including 82 multiple-entry visas, while four visas with Limited Territorial Validity (LTV) were issued. Austria rejected 1,758 applications, resulting in a high refusal rate of 73.3 per cent.
LTV visas permit travel only within Austria or a limited number of specifically designated Schengen countries.
In comparison, Belgium processed 4,987 visa applications from Pakistani nationals and approved 2,032 of them. The approved visas included 517 multiple-entry permits, while 48 LTV visas were also issued. Belgian authorities rejected 2,807 applications, giving the country a lower refusal rate of 57.4 per cent.
The figures indicate that Belgium granted significantly more visas to Pakistani applicants both in terms of total approvals and approval rates, making it one of the most favourable Schengen destinations for Pakistani travellers in 2025. Austria, despite handling fewer applications, maintained a considerably stricter visa policy.
Meanwhile, EU and Schengen-associated consulates worldwide received nearly 12 million short-stay visa applications in 2025, representing a 1.8 per cent increase compared to 2024 and a 15.5 per cent rise from 2023, according to data released by the European Commission.
