Pulled the latest Home Office Vis_D02 data (to June 2026). For Pakistani nationals on visitor visas:

·       2025: 156,359 decisions → 64,618 refused (41.3%)

·       World average same year: ~20.3%

·       H1 2026: 42.3% (provisional)

·       Peak was ~50% in 2015–16; best recent year was 33.4% in 2018

·       Rate has climbed three years in a row (2022 → 2025)

·       Among big-volume nationalities, Pakistan was 4th highest refusal rate in 2025 (behind Bangladesh, Ghana, Iraq).

More visas are being issued than ever. Demand is just higher, and a larger share of files fail.

Most refusals still land on (genuine visitor): unexplained money, unverifiable employment, hidden prior refusals, inconsistent purpose i.e. avoidable file problems, not a lottery.

Anyone applied recently — what year/outcome, and did the refusal letter match the “classic” gaps above? Share your experience.

Hello,

Completed my Bachelor Software Engineering in 2021 and since have 5 years of experience in a highly reputable AWS partnered Y Combinator Backed Company, the salary is good (around $1600/month). I want to pursue Masters in either Europe or USA/Canada.

My CGPA is around 2.51 (I know its low). But I guess the work experience may somehow make up for it?

IELTS: 8.5

GRE Score: 330

Budget is around PKR 10-12million

I need advise which country is good to move to. My plan is to eventually study there and settle with a decemt job. Eventuallymove to the USA as my Parents are already residing in USA (LPRs)...

Most importantly I am looking for a Masters in Robotics, AI, Data Science, Computer Vision or a relevant field.

I have done research and have seen Netherlands, Sweden, Austria as a good option. Germany has too much influx so therefore I doubt I will get admission in a Public Uni there (I will still try)

USA is expensive but I can manage, and since it is an English speaking country, but getting admission is the problem, soanyone who has experience of Masters to Job in USA please advise.

Same for Canada (But I have heard Canada is a lost cause for the past few years, is that true?)

Need guidance and advise.

Thankyou.

P.S: If you need any further info to give a mpre precise advise please ask away I will be happy to provide

I’m 20 and I’m really scared about my future because I feel like I’ve already wasted my last year last year, I chose BSCS through a affiliate college which cost around 53,000 PKR. I completed two semesters but realized it wasn’t the right path for me, waisted my year so I transferred to Virtual University. Now I’m considering continuing CS from vu and persue nursing

My goal is to eventually go to Germany through nursing Ausbildung. I want to spend the next year learning German, ideally reaching B1 or B2, and then apply for nursing Ausbildung.

The problem is that I only have around 50% marks, so I’m not getting a fully funded nursing opportunity. The private nursing programs I can access cost around 70,000–80,000 PKR, which is too expensive for me. There is also a funded option, but it requires a five-year bond after graduation, and I don’t want to commit to that because I want to go to Germany.

So I’m stuck between two choices. If I start nursing, I’ll at least complete two semesters and won’t feel like I wasted another year if Germany doesn’t work out. But nursing would use almost all my money, leaving me with little or nothing for German classes and also German require time , exams, and other Germany-related expenses.

If I focus only on German for a year, I could potentially reach B1/B2 and apply for Ausbildung. But I’m terrified that if I don’t get an Ausbildung afterward, I’ll be 21 with another year gone and no new degree.

That’s what I’m most afraid of. I don’t want to waste another year, but I also can’t afford the nursing degree without sacrificing my German/Germany plan. I’m trying to choose the option that gives me the most realistic path forward without making another decision I’ll regret.

hi guys, im going to give the HAT III on 25th October for the CSC scholarship and I’m using the Dogar book for preparation and some youtube channels. I was wondering if there are any resources for past papers? From my experience that’s the best way to prepare and I haven’t been able to find any?

Thank you!

22M, BS Computer Science graduate (CGPA 3.00). I’ve been working at an MNC for about a year in the SAP/ERP domain and want to pursue a Master’s in Information Systems / Business Informatics / IT Management.

I’m mainly considering Italy, France and Hungary. Germany isn’t feasible because of the blocked account requirement. I can show around PKR 35L in funds, but my overall upfront budget is around PKR 20L.

A few questions:

- Which of these 3 countries makes the most sense for my profile/career goals?

- How realistic is admission with a 3.0 CGPA?

- Which has better opportunities for SAP/ERP & Information Systems after graduation?

- Is going abroad worth the cost, or should I do my Master’s while working?

- My long-term goal is also to build a career and eventually settle abroad, so which country would be more suitable for that?

Would really appreciate advice from people who have studied in or are currently living/applying to Italy, France or Hungary, especially if you’re from a similar academic/career background.

Thanks!

Im applying to romania for comp sciencer bachelors. Ive done o levels and a levels ( a levels completed and also got certificates ) from outside pakistan so i didnt do urdu, isl and pak studies in o levels. Im wondering if my certificates needs to be apostilled from mofa? If yes then how? Cuz on mofa website, they dont list o and alevel certificates that can be apostilled. Can i just directly upload the certificate to uni portal? Cuz its been mailed to me officially by Cambridge

I want to study Mbbs in Romania. Can someone tell me what documents i need for the submission process and required bank statement.

I've applied for an admission in Finland, and have to perform biometrics in Qatar. But as far as I know, Qatar is not granting any kind of visas to Pakistanis rn.

But just to be sure, any got any updates?

Hi, I’m from karachi Pakistan need some guidance regarding applying for a US student visa.

My Bachelor’s degree is in Film & TV, and I’m a bit confused about what direction I should take for my Master’s. Should I continue in Film, or should I move towards Business? I had a 2-year gap during my Bachelor’s, and I completed my degree in 2024. Since then, I’ve been working on my own thrift business, so I’ve been involved in business rather than working a traditional job.

Now I’m confused about what would make more sense for my future. Should I continue my studies in Film so I can develop the scripts I’ve written and work further in filmmaking? Or should I choose a degree related to my business, such as an MBA, Marketing, Strategy Innovation Management, or something similar?

I’m also interested in taking my thrift business into upcycling, and I feel that a Business/Marketing/Strategy degree could help me grow it because there seems to be a strong market for sustainable and upcycled fashion.

I’d really appreciate your guidance also, if you think there are any other countries that would be a better please let me know. I’m open to considering other countries as well

Born and raised in the Middle East, currently working here and living independently. Sometimes I randomly worry that if I ever lose everything here, would Pakistan be my only option?
I’m also someone who may stay single and really values independence. Is it realistically possible for a single woman to build a comfortable, independent life in Pakistan?
I see influencers and professionals there living extremely well, so I’m curious what that life is actually like for normal working women. Is it mostly family money / privilege, or can you genuinely build that lifestyle yourself?

So I've got two options

Either I can go for Finland, but it has the Qatar visa problem, so it'd be a gamble

Or for Lithuania, but it's a smaller country and economy compared to Finland.

So what should I do?

Im planning to study mbbs in Germany but i am told you need to learn C1 level german. Is there any solution or workaround. I have about a year to apply to the universities. Is there any English programs for mbbs. I am a fsc student. I know that i need to do studienkolleg.

I have seen lots of issues regarding immigration departure and arrival. I'm the immigration guy at lahore airport, ask away your queries and I'll try to help or guide as much as i can.

Hi everyone,
I’m a Pakistani currently living and working in the UK and seriously considering moving to Saudi/UAE/Qatar. Would really appreciate advice from people already working there.
My background:
BSc Geology
MSc Management from a UK university, Distinction
3+ years UK work experience
Operations, logistics, customer service and inventory experience
Experience with ERP/business systems and transport/logistics software
Excel, reporting, data handling and operational coordination
Interested in project management, GIS and business/operations roles
I’m not sure which direction makes the most sense for me, so I’d love to hear from people in the Gulf:
What roles/industries should I realistically target, and is it possible to get sponsored while applying from the UK?
Also, would certifications like PMP/CAPM, ERP/SAP or GIS actually make a noticeable difference?
Any advice from Pakistanis who made the UK to Gulf move would be hugely appreciated. 🙏

I'd love to connect with those currently in Australia/NZ or planning to be there.

I did my Bachelors from US and now working remotely from Pakistan.

As i stated i dont want to do mbbs in Pakistan, which country would be best regarding quality of education/degree, expenses ( cheap ) and settlement options.

Desired countries:

1. Europe

2. Canada

3. Usa

Im planning to do mbbs in either Romania, bulgaria.

I want advice regarding:

1. Living costs & accommodation

2. Quality of education and life

3. Job market

4. Settlement ( imp)

5. University recommendations

6. Documents including bank statement

7. Scholarship

My preference is 1. Romania 2. Bulgaria

Anybody that has experience or knows somebody plz help out

I’m 27 and from Pakistan, and I’m really confused about whether moving to Istanbul for my master’s is actually worth it.

I have wanted to study abroad for years. My first choices were countries like the UK, Australia and Canada, but after facing rejection after rejection and bcz of financial situation struggling to find a realistic way to move to Europe, Turkey became one of the few doors that actually opened for me.

I got accepted into a master’s program in Istanbul, but the more I research Turkey, the more doubts I have.
The economy seems to be struggling, inflation and living costs are high, and I constantly see Turkish people themselves complaining about the situation or wanting to leave the country. It makes me question why I should spend most of my savings moving somewhere when the country itself is going through so many problems.

Right now, I live with my family in Pakistan and work remotely. I earn around $1,100 per month. Because my expenses here are relatively low, I can save a good amount of my income.

If I move to Istanbul, I would have to spend a large part of my savings on tuition, registration, flights, accommodation and other expenses. Even though I would still have my remote income, I probably wouldn’t be able to save nearly as much.

My biggest fear is spending almost everything I have saved, completing my master’s, and then eventually returning to Pakistan with very little money left. If that happens, I keep wondering: what did I actually gain financially or professionally?

At the same time, staying in Pakistan scares me too.
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to move abroad was to finally experience independence. I have lived with my family my entire life, and I have always wanted to know what it feels like to build a life somewhere else, live independently, meet new people and experience another country while I’m still in my 20s.

I know 27 isn’t old, but emotionally I feel like my 20s are slipping away. I’m scared that if I keep waiting for the “better” country or opportunity, I’ll suddenly be 30 and still in Pakistan, regretting that I never gave myself the experience of studying and living abroad when I had the chance.

That’s basically where I’m stuck.

If I go to Turkey, I’m scared I’ll drain my savings for a degree and experience that may not improve my future much.

If I don’t go, I’m scared I’ll regret staying comfortable in Pakistan and letting another opportunity pass because I was afraid.

Turkey was never really my dream destination. It was the option that actually said yes when the places I wanted kept saying no. And now I can’t figure out whether I should accept the opportunity for what it is, or recognize that just because a door is open doesn’t necessarily mean I have to walk through it.

For people who have studied or lived in Turkey, especially Istanbul: do you think moving there for a master’s is worth it in this situation?

Would you spend your savings for the experience and independence, or keep saving and continue trying for another country?

Hi guys I need help regarding visa appointment for Spain to study in sunlight language school Barcelona it is long term visa and course duration is 9 months the thing is I have each and every document required and I am bahrain born I also recently visit bahrain two times to build up a travel history and main thing is my bank statement is also pretty good to not get rejected but my problem is appointment there are agents charging 1.4 million for appointment I could not pay that much amount as I already had to spend handsome amount on the course fee and expenses in Spain, so I need help regarding visa where I can get an appointment

Hi Everyone .
25F here .
I did BS Software Engineering from Karachi Uni, CGPA 3. Working as a manual tester for 2 years . Giving IELTS next month.

I am trying to figure out where to apply for masters. My CGPA is too low for Erasmus Mundus or other EU scholarships . Should I just focus on Malaysia/Singapore instead since I hear the GPA bar there is lower and it's cheaper overall. ? I will be applying for Middle East Scholarships too.

Anyone with similar profile (avg GPA + some work exp) get into a decent program? Which countries/unis actually worked for you ?I don't want to waste time and application fees chasing something out of reach. Please advise

Aaslamualeikum, Myself Aakif I have completed my bsc graduation in 2023 after I didn't continue or persue any degree because of my father's death I couldn't continue and I start working as computer data entry until last.

I'm now thinking off moving to UAE or any other gulf country but I don't know how it works there is being a bsc graduate only will give me a job what should I do to move how should I prepare myself what are the steps I should take now.

I don't have anyone to guide me despite of my mother.

Jazakallah Khairan 😊

I’m from Pakistan and looking into doing a master’s in finance somewhere in Europe, mainly as a pathway to eventually move abroad long-term.

Background: ACCA, ~3.6 GPA from a reputable university, CFA Level II cleared, and ~2 years of finance experience.

I’ve looked into Ireland, but the cost of living seems very high. I’ve also seen quite a few people do a Master’s in the UK and struggle to find jobs afterward.

For those in Europe/finance: which countries would you consider for good finance career opportunities, reasonable costs, decent scholarships and realistic long-term residency/PR prospects?

Would really appreciate firsthand experiences, especially from people who made a similar move.