Visa for visiting Sweden

Who needs a visa?
>Check here the list of foreign citizens who require a visa for entry into Sweden

According to the EU Directive 38/2004 family members of EEA nationals who are in possession of a British "Residence Card of a family member of an EEA national" or "Permanent Residence Card" do not need a visa for visits up to 90 days to Sweden and many other EU member states. Your UK permit need to look exactly like the example picture for you to be able to travel without a Schengen visa.
> Read more

The issuing of Schengen visas is discretionary and depends on consideration of each individual case, including purpose of visit and intention to return. A Schengen visa is not appropriate if you wish to remain in a Schengen country for longer than three months, to take up employment, to establish a business or to enter a trade or profession.

Please note that holders of Schengen visas are still subject to immigration control and are not guaranteed entry into any of the Schengen countries, even though they may hold a valid visa for these countries.

Where to apply for a Schengen visa
If you want to visit one Schengen country, apply for a visa at the Embassy of that country.
If you want to visit several Schengen countries, apply at the Embassy of the country of your main destination.
If you intend to visit several Schengen countries but do not have a main destination, apply at the Embassy of the Schengen country of your first port of entry.
If you are not a resident of the UK you should apply at the Swedish Embassy in your country of residence. In countries, where there is not Swedish mission, Sweden is represented by another Schengen state.

How to apply
Apply for the correct type of visa for your travel purposes, as this will increase your chances of obtaining a visa:
>Tourist Visa
>Business Visa/Conference Visa
>EU Family Visa
>Airport Transit Visa
>Visa to visit Friends or Relatives

Your UK permit must be endorsed in your passport or by a residence permit identity card. It should be valid for at least three months after your departure from the Schengen area.The passport must have a blank visa page.

The visa fee is £ 54.

There are two ways to apply:
Fast track through the visa service provider VFS Global Services Ltd, which assists with the procedure and forwards the application to the Embassy for an additional fee, or directly to the Embassy.

How to apply at VFS Global Services Ltd.
Applicants are advised to book an appointment to submit an application. “Drop-in” applications could be accepted at the discretion of VFS. Appointments can be booked by phone on 0871 376 0023 between 08.30 am and 5.30 pm or on the
VFS website
Email: info.seuk@vfshelpline.com 

The centre is located at
1-8 Bateman’s Building
South Soho Square
London W1D 3EN

This is a fast track process, as the facilities of VFS allow for high numbers of applicants. VFS offers support to applicants throughout the procedure.
Applicants are informed on the VFS website or by SMS, when the passport is ready for collection at the VFS application centre.
Applicants are free to contact the Embassy for any queries by email, ambassaden.london-visum@foreign.ministry.se, or phone (020 7917 6413/6418 Tuesdays and Thursdays 2 -3 pm).

The fast track procedure not only avoids queuing and waiting lists but also focuses on delivering the visas within a very short time. The service incurs a non refundable fee of  £ 24, in addition to the visa fee.

How to apply at the Embassy
Applicants must book an appointment to submit the application. I has to be made in writing to:
Embassy of Sweden
Visa section 11 Montagu Place
London W1H 2AL
Enclose a copy of your passport and UK permit and a self-addressed stamped envelope for confirmation of your appointment.

In emergencies, such as a relative’s death or critical illness, the Embassy can give an earlier appointment or advance the date of a given appointment. A letter of support from an undertaker or a hospital is required. For emergency appointments please contact the Embassy by phone (020 7917 6400 or email ambassaden.london-visum@foreign.ministry.se

Holders of diplomatic or service passports may submit applications without prior appointment.

The visa section at the Embassy is open
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday  9 – 11 am.
Wednesdays and certain public holidays  closed.
>Closing days and holidays

Waiting time for appointment at the Embassy varies between 10 and 30 days. The processing time after appointment is approx. 10 working days.