Visa for business or conference

From 20th of June it is only possible to apply electronically for a Schengen visa and for Residence permits. At the same time it is required to book an appointment for the visit to the Consulate General of Sweden. This is one step in the E-application.

Competent Embassy or Consulate General

The Embassy or Consulate General of the country of your main destination is the competent authority to deal with the application. If the main destination cannot be determined, the application should be made to the embassy or consulate general of the country in which the longest visit shall be. If the visits in different Schengen countries are of equal length, the first destination shall be the determining factor.

Visa application

Applicants with official passports (diplomatic passports, service passports, passports "for public affairs") apply for their visas via the competent Chinese Ministry or Commission. Holders of ordinary passports are in principle required to apply in person.

The following required documents need to be submitted in original (An authorised translation must be attached to any documents in Chinese):

• Printed e-application
  
  
• One passport size photo. The photo must be: full face (facing the camera directly with your eyes looking straight at the camera); in colour with a light background; no more than six months old and resemble you; you must be bareheaded, unless you have special religious reasons.
  
  
• A passport or other travel document, including a copy, valid for at least 90 days after expiration of visa. We only accept passports which have been signed by the holders of the passports and that have at least two blank pages. For non-Chinese applicants a valid Chinese residence permit must be provided as well,
  
  
• Medical insurance valid for all Schengen states and covering any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgency medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death during the stay. The minimum coverage must be 30 000 EUR. It must cover the entire duration of stay in the Schengen area (until 24:00 local European time on departure date), both original document and a copy of the insurance certificate (only printed insurance certificates will be accepted, not hand-written). Please note! You might need to present the original insurance for the boarder guards when entering the Schengen area! You can otherwise risk being denied entrance.
  
  
• Invitation letter from your Swedish business partner, signed and with company letter head including the following information:
  1. full address, telephone and fax number to the company
  2. the name and position of the signing officer
  3. the  intended duration of stay and the reason for the visit including a time schedule and itinerary
  4. if the inviting company is covering the expenses or/and give financial guarantee for the return this should be clearly mentioned in the invitation letter
  
  
• Dispatch letter from employer, signed, stamped and with company letter head including the following information:
  1. full address, telephone and fax number to the company
  2. the name and position of the signing officer
  3. the name of the applicant, position, salary and years of service
  4. approval of leave or absence
  5. the intended duration of stay and the purpose of the visit
  6. confirmation of position after return
  7. if the dispatching company is covering the expenses, this should be clearly mentioned in the dispatch letter and we require a bank statement from the last 3-6 months from the company
  
  
• Copy of business license (both Chinese and Swedish side), not older than one year and stamped
  
  
• As proof of solvency the required amount is EUR 40/day in Sweden.
  if the applicant is covering his/her own expenses we require a bank statement from the last 3-6 months which shows that the applicant has enough money
  if the dispatching company is covering the expenses, this should be clearly mentioned in the dispatch letter and we require a bank statement from the last 3-6 months from the company
  if the inviting company is covering the expenses this should be clearly mentioned in the invitation letter
  
  
• Flight reservation for showing your travel route and return to China. Please note that the ticket should be bought first after your visa has been issued (no need for original).
  
  
• Proof of accommodation for the whole duration of stay (no need for original).
  
  
• If you are not a Chinese citizen, you also have to provide a copy of your Chinese residence permit.
  
  
• Work permit may be needed in the following cases:
  1. business training “on the job”
  2. working in your own company in the Member state of Schengen Area as destination.

Note!:

Please note that the Consulate may, in justified cases, request additional documents or an interview with the applicant.
 
Presentation of the above-mentioned documents does not guarantee issuance of the visa,

You have to appear in person at the Consulate General when applying.

For information about application fees, please browse the list of > expedition fees

In case of withdrawals and refusals the visa fee will not be refunded,

The handling time according to the Schengen rules are up to 15 calendar days.

A visa does not provide automatic permission to enter into the Schengen Area. It is up to the border control authorities to decide on the entry. It is therefore important that you, at the border, can present documents showing, for example, return ticket, insurance, means of support and invitation.