How to obtain a Schengen visa to Sweden

Visiting Sweden requires citizens of many countries to obtain a Swedish Schengen visa. With it, foreigners can enter other Schengen states. In this article, we uncover all the requirements, costs, and a process of getting a Schengen visa to Sweden.

What is a Schengen visa

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa required for entering a Schengen Area, Sweden included. It can be one, two- or multiple entries, which indicates how many times one can enter and re-enter the country. 

The visa can be granted for the period of the trip, 6 months, a year or more. However, a foreigner can’t stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days out of 180.

Schengen visa is usually given for touristic purposes. People can also obtain it for visiting family or participating in various events or conferences. If a foreigner needs to stay in Sweden to study or work, they apply for a long-stay residence permit.

It is allowed to enter other Schengen countries with a Swedish Schengen visa. Usually, the visa is not checked when you go from Sweden to another Schengen country, but sometimes there might be border control.

Who needs a Sweden Schengen visa

Whether you need a Schengen visa to Sweden or not depends on your citizenship. People from some countries are exempt from obtaining this type of visa. That applies to citizens of:

• all Schengen countries;
• EU and EEA countries;
• countries that have signed visa-free agreements with Sweden, such as the USA, the UK or Japan.

Citizens of other countries are required to obtain a visa to enter Sweden. 

Countries whose nationals need a visa to Sweden

Basic documents required for a Sweden Schengen visa application

The documents must be translated either in English or Swedish. When applying for a Schengen visa for tourist purposes, you are generally required to present the following:

• an application form — it can be found and filled out online;
• two passport-size photos;
• a valid passport for international travel;
• a cover letter explaining your plans and reasons to visit Sweden;
• a bank statement proving sufficient financial means of around €50 per each day of the trip or other assets;
• international travel insurance with a coverage of at least €30,000;
• proof of accommodation;
• a round-trip ticket reservation showing the date you’re entering Sweden and the date you’re leaving;
• description of itinerary — if visiting other Schengen countries;
• proof of visa fee payment;
• a marriage certificate, if applicable.

The passport must meet several criteria: have at least two blank pages, be not older than 10 years, and be valid for at least 3 months after returning from the trip.

Additional documents required for a Sweden Schengen visa depending on the employment status

Depending on the employment status, a foreigner needs to attach additional papers.

If a person is employed in some company, they provide:

• an employment contract;
• a current bank statement for the last 6 months;
• a leave permission from the employer;
• an Income Tax Return (ITR) form.

Self-employed people must submit a copy of their business licence, a company bank statement of the last 6 months and an Income Tax Return (ITR).

Students provide proof of enrollment and a no-objection certificate from the school or university.

Retirees must demonstrate their pension statement for the last 6 months.

Documents required for minors

Applying for a visa for a minor requires an additional package of documents:

• a birth certificate;
• a visa application;
• a family court order — if one parent has full custody over the child;
• Minor Consent Form signed by both parents.

A minor can’t apply for a visa on their own, so a parent or a legal guardian must accompany them.

Sweden visa for spouses of Swedish nationals 

Spouses of Swedish citizens must obtain a Schengen visa if they don’t have a residence permit in the country and their nationality is not visa-exempt.

For a short stay, applicants provide:

• a proof of Swedish citizenship of their Swedish spouse;
• Swedish marriage certificate;
• Swedish family record book.

Requirements based on the purpose of entering Sweden

Besides travelling, foreigners can obtain a Schengen visa for other purposes. In addition to basic documents, one must provide specific papers.

For business meetings or other events, it is required to submit an invitation from a Swedish company as well as details about its activities.

If you participate in any conferences or training courses, the invitation must contain the information about you and the event:

• your personal data;
• dates for the conference or training;
• the purpose of your visit;
• who will support your stay in Sweden.

It is also required to provide a conference programme or the equivalent as well as a copy of the list of participants.

For medical treatment, you should provide the following documents:

• a certificate from a doctor and medical institution from the country of a foreigner’s residence — it must contain the medical history and what kind of medical treatment is needed;
• documents from the receiving medical institution in Sweden — they must confirm that medical treatment can be performed and that the patient will be accepted;
• proof of financial arrangements for medical costs.

An applicant must provide information on the receiving institution, such as full address and contact number.

For an official visit, a visa is issued if a foreigner travels as a part of the government or other institutions’ delegation. In this case, the required documents include:

• a copy of the official invitation;
• a proof of the purpose of the journey;
• Original Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For visiting family or friends. A foreigner can apply for a Schengen visa on the basis of having family or friends residing in Sweden. This type of visa is suitable for spouses of Swedish nationals. The host must provide an invitee with the following documents:

• a signed invitation;
• Personbevis — it is obtained from a taxation office in Sweden and should not be older than 3 months.

For airport transit, you might need to have a visa if you’re travelling to a non-Schengen country but have a layout in Sweden. To get one, applicants provide:

• a valid visa for the final country you are travelling to, if applicable;
• a flight ticket for the final destination country.

Where to apply for a Swedish Schengen visa

Embassy or consulate. You can apply in the Swedish embassy or consulate in your country of origin or the country of your legal residence.

Embassy or consulate of another Schengen country. If there are no Swedish representatives in your country, you can apply in an embassy or consulate of another Schengen country.

Visa centres are third-party centres that Swedish authorities gave the right to accept applications. The process of obtaining a visa through them can be faster than in the consulate or embassy. It also can be more costly as visa centres might charge additional fees.

Sweden Schengen visa processing time

The Swedish Schengen visa is usually issued within 15 days after the application, but in some cases, the processing time can increase up to 30 or even 60 days. For example, if the documents are lost, or an applicant is demanding a visa during the high tourist season.

It is advised to apply for a visa 3—6 weeks before the planned trip.

Costs for obtaining a Swedish Schengen visa

The fee for obtaining a Swedish Schengen visa is fixed and depends on the age of the applicant. Every person of 12 years and older pays €80. For children between 6 and 11, parents pay €40. There is no fee for children under 6.

Some categories of people are exempt from paying visa fees. They are:

• students, together with the teachers accompanying them, who travel to Sweden for educational purposes;
• researchers travelling to Sweden for academic research;
• representatives of non-profit organisations;
• representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations.

Citizens of some countries pay a lower fee of €35. These countries are Armenia and Azerbaijan. Holders of non biometric passports from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine pay the same visa fee.

Up-to-date information can be asked for in the embassy or consulate-general where you are applying.

How to extend a Sweden Schengen visa

Extension of a Schengen visa is only possible in exceptional cases. They are:

• force majeure — unforeseen events that prevent you from leaving Sweden or the Schengen countries;
• humanitarian reasons — for example, if you or a close relative who lives in Sweden is seriously ill, for example.

The event must happen after you have entered Sweden. You also must apply for an extension before your first visa expires.

In other cases, if you’ve already stayed in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days in 180 days, you can’t extend your visa.

Key points about a Swedish Schengen visa

1. A Swedish Schengen visa is a document issued for entering Sweden and other Schengen states for no longer than 90 days in 180 days.
2. Reasons for obtaining a Schengen visa are travel, business and official visits, medical treatment, and visiting family or friends.
3. One can apply for a Schengen visa in an embassy or consulate or a visa centre. The cost of application is €80 for everyone over 12.
4. Visa application processing time is at least 15 days, but it can be extended to 30—60 days.
5. It is possible to extend a Schengen visa only in exceptional cases, such as unforeseen events or humanitarian reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions