Visa for visiting friends or relatives

From 20th of June it is only possible to apply electronically for a Schengen visa. 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.

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
  
  
• Original hukou with photo copies of all pages
  
  
• As proof of relationship with referent for family visits, we require a Notary Certificate legalised by MFA
  
  
• As proof of relationship for visiting a friend, the friendship should be substantiated with original documents, original pictures, letter of invitation etc.
  
  
• As proof of solvency of the applicant we require bank statements from the last 3-6 months, no deposits, in addition to this we also require:
  
  For employees: a letter from the employer (in English or Chinese with English translation) on official company paper with date signature and stamp clearly mentioning:
  1. address, telephone and fax numbers of  the employing company,
  2. the name and position in the employing company of the signing officer,
  3. name, position, salary and years of service of the applicant,
  4. approval for leave or absence
  5. stamped business licence
  
  For retired persons: Proof of pension and regular income
  
  For unemployed adults: If married: Letter of employment and income of the spouse. Notary Certificate of marriage, legalised by MFA
  If single/divorced/widow/widower: Any other proof of regular income.
  
  If the applicant is covering his/her own expenses the balance of the bank statement should cover at least EUR 40 per day in Sweden.
  
  
• If the referent is economic guarantor and lives in Sweden we require a proof of regular income over the last 3months. The required amount is 40 Euro/day in Sweden.
  
  
• If the referent is economic guarantor and lives in China but invites the applicant to travel together to Sweden we require:
  1. A copy of the referent’s residence permit in China
  2. Proof of regular income over the last three months.
  3. Signed guarantee letter, i.e. if you pay for the applicants travel costs and stay in the Schengen area
  4. Proof of a residence in the country of destination (address of where the applicant will stay), or invitation to stay with close family
  
  
• A completed Invitation form (No 240011) to be filled in by the person inviting you
  
• Civic registration (personbevis) from the person inviting you
  
  
• For minors (under 18 years) we require:
  1. student card, with a copy thereof,
  2. letter from the school with full address, telephone number of the school, permission for absence for the applicant and name and function of the person giving the permission.
  
  
• If the minor is travelling alone or with only one parent we require:
  1. Notary Certificate of permission to travel from both parents, or legal guardians (when minor is travelling alone) or the parent or legal guardian not travelling (if minor is travelling with one parent), legalised by MFA and when not in China, attested by the relevant authorities in the country of residence
  
  
• Notary Certificate of family relation or proof of guardianship legalised by MFA.
  
  
• 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).

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.

If you have special grounds, you may be granted a national visa for a longer period - up to a maximum of one year - a so called D-visa. You can find more information about this under long stay visa.