For Pakistani families contemplating a trip or possible relocation abroad in 2025, the visa process can be a major deciding factor. Between Malta and the United Kingdom, the contrast is stark—each destination offering unique pros and pitfalls depending on your needs. While Malta delivers a more straightforward and affordable route for short-term family visits, the UK presents a path to long-term settlement, albeit with a higher degree of complexity, cost, and paperwork.
When applying to Malta under the Schengen short-stay scheme, Pakistani nationals generally experience smoother processing, especially for family reunions or tourism. The application procedure is clearly outlined: submit passports with at least six months’ validity, show confirmed travel arrangements, provide accommodation bookings, purchase travel insurance, and furnish proof of financial readiness. Waiting times typically range from 15 to 30 working days—sometimes extending to 45 during peak seasons or when applications are incomplete. Importantly, visa rejections here are most commonly caused by missing documents or weak financial evidence, not because of ambiguous eligibility standards. With costs fixed at €80 for adults and €40 for children, Malta also poses a lower financial hurdle.
The UK, meanwhile, offers more expansive visa options—such as visit, spouse, and settlement visas—but the process is far more rigorous. Standard processing times for family or spouse visas hover around 12 weeks, although many Pakistani applicants report delays stretching to 24 weeks or longer. And that’s for non-priority cases. While the UK’s Priority and Super Priority services promise decisions within five days or the next working day, the added costs—ranging from £500 to over £1,000 per applicant—make these fast-track services less accessible for many families. Even when these premium options are selected, approval is not guaranteed within the advertised window, often adding to the stress and uncertainty of waiting.
Documentation requirements for UK applications are also more burdensome. In addition to basic identity and financial proofs, applicants must present invitation letters, detailed relationship evidence, employment verification, housing documentation, tuberculosis certificates, and English language test results in some categories. The fees are considerably higher, too—with short-term visit visas priced at around £120, and settlement visas climbing to £1,538 or more.
Online forums and community platforms reveal how emotionally taxing the UK visa process can be. Families often share stories of stalled applications, opaque communication, and repeated escalations—sometimes involving local MPs just to get status updates. By contrast, Pakistani applicants for Malta rarely report such severe delays, provided documentation is accurate and complete.
So which country makes the better choice? For short visits, holidays, or quick reunions, Malta shines as the more efficient and economical option. The visa procedure is easier to navigate, timelines are predictable, and expenses are manageable. However, if your long-term goals include family resettlement, access to education or employment, and a future path to residency, the UK—while more demanding—remains the more expansive option.
Ultimately, the right destination depends on your purpose, timeline, and budget. Malta may be the go-to for quicker family gatherings; the UK, the more layered gateway for long-term life abroad. Either way, understanding the process and preparing a complete, well-documented application is key to ensuring a smooth experience in 2025.
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