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Europe · National long-stay (type D) visa

Europe Student Visa (Type D) from Pakistan

For a degree in a European country you apply for that country's national long-stay (type D) visa, not a Schengen short-stay visa. Each country runs its own process, but most ask for an admission letter, proof of funds, health insurance and accommodation, and expect you to apply for a residence permit soon after arrival. This guide covers what is common, with examples from Germany and Italy.

Last reviewed 8 October 2026

At a glance

Who issues it
The embassy or consulate of the country where you will study
Apply from
That country's mission in Pakistan, often through an online portal or an appointment provider
Main document
Admission letter from a recognised institution
After arrival
Apply for a residence permit for study in that country
Work while studying
Allowed within limits set by each country
Travel in Schengen
Short trips to other Schengen countries are possible while your type D visa or permit is valid

Who this is for

  • Students admitted to a bachelor's, master's or PhD at a recognised European university
  • Applicants to low-fee or tuition-free public universities who can show their living costs
  • Students on a preparatory or language course leading to a degree, where the country allows it
  • Holders of HEC or European government scholarships

When another route fits better

  • A course that fits within the Schengen short-stay limit can be done on a Schengen short-stay (type C) visa.
  • The UK is outside the EU and Schengen, so follow the UK Student visa guide instead.
  • If your aim is a job rather than study, look at the national (type D) work visa for that country.

Documents to prepare

Everyone

  • Valid passport, signed by you, as embassies may not place a visa in an unsigned Pakistani passport
  • Admission letter, or a pre-enrolment validated by the university where the country requires it
  • Degrees, transcripts and HSSC or A level results, verified by HEC or IBCC and attested by MOFA where asked
  • Translations into the local language or English, where required
  • Language certificate for the language of your programme
  • Health insurance that meets the country's rules for students
  • Proof of accommodation, at least for your first months
  • CV and motivation letter, if the embassy asks for them

Proof of funds (examples)

  • Germany: a blocked account, a formal obligation letter from a sponsor in Germany, or an official scholarship
  • Italy: your own or your parents' bank statements covering the required period, or an Italian government scholarship
  • Receipts for any tuition already paid

Step by step

  1. 1

    Choose the country and secure admission

    Apply to the university first. Italy, for example, requires pre-enrolment on the Universitaly portal, and only applications the university has validated move on to a visa appointment.

  2. 2

    Get your documents verified

    Have degrees verified by HEC, school certificates by IBCC, and MOFA attestation if the embassy asks. Leave time for certified translations.

  3. 3

    Arrange proof of funds

    Each country sets its own amount and accepted forms. For a German blocked account, your signature on the opening documents must be attested at the German Embassy in Islamabad, the Consulate General in Karachi or the Honorary Consul in Lahore.

  4. 4

    Apply through the right channel

    Germany takes student applications through its online Consular Services Portal, with Karachi covering Sindh and Balochistan and Islamabad the rest of Pakistan. Italy's embassy in Islamabad assigns appointments in order of university validation date.

  5. 5

    Submit a complete file

    Bring originals and clear copies in the order the embassy lists. Incomplete files are delayed.

  6. 6

    Travel and get your residence permit

    After arrival, apply for a residence permit for study before your visa runs out. In some countries, such as Italy, this must start within days of arrival.

Costs to plan for

  • The national visa fee, paid in the way the embassy specifies
  • Proof of living costs, such as a German blocked account you draw on after arrival
  • Tuition or semester contributions, which vary widely by country and university
  • Health insurance that meets the host country's rules
  • Attestation, translation and recognition of your qualifications
  • Residence permit fees after arrival

Why applications get refused

  • Doubts that study is the real purpose, such as a course unrelated to your background or a long unexplained gap
  • Proof of funds that does not meet the country's rules or cannot be verified
  • A weak motivation letter or poor answers about the programme at interview
  • A language level below what the programme requires
  • Missing attestation, translations or mandatory documents such as transcripts and fee receipts
  • Forged or altered documents, which can affect future applications to any Schengen country

Tips before you apply

  • Sign your passport before applying; embassies may refuse to place a visa in an unsigned Pakistani passport.
  • Book only through the embassy's official channels. Missions in Pakistan warn that they do not charge for appointments or contact applicants on WhatsApp.
  • Germany no longer offers the informal remonstration procedure after a refusal, so make your first application as complete as you can.

Questions people ask

No. A type D visa is a national visa for a longer stay, issued by one country for a set purpose such as study. While it is valid, it also lets you make short trips to other Schengen countries.

The general process applies across most EU and Schengen countries, but each one sets its own documents, fund levels and portals. Always follow the embassy page of the country you are applying to.

Yes. You still need to show you can pay your living costs. Germany, for example, usually asks for a blocked account, a formal obligation letter or an official scholarship.

No. The German missions in Pakistan accept official scholarships, including those awarded by HEC, but not a scholarship awarded by a Pakistani university.

EU rules on students let you work alongside your studies within limits set by each country. After graduating, most EU countries also let you stay for a period to look for work.

Official sources

Fees, fund requirements and processing times change. Check the current figures on the official site before you apply.

Last reviewed 8 October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. VisaWala is not affiliated with any embassy or government, and only the issuing authority decides a visa application.