EU warns Pakistanis against visa scams

ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) has issued a warning for Pakistanis about visa scams and fake embassy contact listings for consular services.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the EU Delegation to Pakistan revealed that some criminal groups are creating false entries on Google Maps for embassies of EU member states. These entries include deceptive information about visa appointments and fake phone numbers.

“This is a significant scam orchestrated by criminal organisations,” the EU office cautioned, urging citizens to verify all details through official embassy websites.

The office reiterated that only the websites of embassies from EU member states provide accurate details and contact information for visa and consular matters. It advised avoiding reliance on unofficial platforms such as Google Maps or third-party directories to avoid visa scams.

SCHENGEN VISA GUIDELINES FOR PAKISTANIS

According to the official EU website, Pakistani citizens must obtain a Schengen visa to travel within the Schengen area. For EU countries that are not part of this zone, a national visa is required.

 At present, most EU nations belong to the Schengen Area, with the exceptions being Ireland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania. Bulgaria and Romania are in the process of becoming members.

Nations such as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland are already part of the Schengen Area, while Liechtenstein is expected to join soon.

Holders of a Schengen visa can enter one participating country and travel throughout the entire Schengen region without facing additional border checks.

WHAT PAKISTANIS SHOULD KNOW

The EU Delegation has emphasized that it does not issue passports or visas; these are handled by the embassies and consulates of individual member states. Therefore, citizens who intend to visit Europe should reach out to the embassy or consulate of their intended destination for the most accurate information.

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