Visa for visiting Sweden

• as a tourist
• on business
• to take part in a conference or
• to visit relatives and friends, or
• simply when passing through in transit
  

Citizens from the following countries/territories require a visa when entering Sweden, check the list.

General information on how to apply for a visa is found below. For further information on each type of visa, please refer to the links to the right (left-click on links to open).


How long is a visa valid?

Visas are granted for a maximum of 90 days at a time. Only in exceptional cases are applicants granted a visa for a visit of more than 90 days’ duration, but never for longer than 365 days.

A visa is time-limited and is valid for a maximum of three months in any six-month period. This means that if you have spent three months in the Schengen area you must leave the area for three months in order to be granted a new Schengen visa.

Where is a visa valid?

An entry visa is normally valid in all the Schengen countries. In positive cases a visa may be granted solely for entry into the country that issued it. For more information on the Schengen Agreement please refer to the link to the right.

A visa granted for longer than 90 days is only valid for entering and staying in Sweden.

Where do I apply?

You application should be submitted to the  Embassy of Sweden or to the Consulate-General of Sweden.

In countries where there is no Swedish diplomatic mission, Sweden is represented by another Schengen state. These countries are listed here.

Who decides my case?

In most cases, the Embassy or Consulate-General decides whether to grant a visa. If the Embassy or Consulate-General is not sure what position to take on an application, it passes the case on to the Migration Board in Sweden for a decision.

How long does it take?

The time it takes to process an application at the Embassy/Consulate-Generals varies but decisions are generally reached within a month.

What if my application is turned down?

You cannot appeal against a decision to turn down an application for a visa. However, it is possible to re-apply or to request that the original decision can be reconsidered and in  such case a written statement where a review of the decision should be addressed to the body that took the original decision.

Remember!
Make sure you are properly insured so that you are covered for any costs associated with an illness, accident, etc.