FAQ

1. What are the detailed requirements for the "proof of your financial means" when an applicant applies for a visa due to business reasons?
It is the financially responsible party that should provide the guarantee letter (either in an invitation letter or in an introduction letter from the Chinese company).

2. What are the detailed requirements for the "proof of your financial means" when an applicant applies for a visa due to family reasons?
It is the financially responsible party that should provide the bank deposit certificate or other information about available funds. Any bank may issue such a certificate. The embassy asks that the applicant has at least 370 SEK/day at their disposal during their stay in Sweden.

3. What are the detailed requirements regarding insurance?
Persons who require a visa for entry into the Schengen area shall normally be expected to be in possession of travel and medical insurance. The embassy requires the applicant to show us the letter or insurance sheet covering the following information: Relevant insurance covering the journey in the Schengen area, valid for the entire duration of the stay, covering at least €30,000.00 and covering the cost of any emergency medical treatment and repatriation for medical reasons. Any insurance company may issue such insurance.

4. Must I apply personally?
For a visa application, the holder of a national passport needs to come to the Embassy personally. For a residence permit, the applicant can authorize somebody else to hand in their application.

5. When can I get my visa?
A short term visa normally takes about 10 working days to process.

Visa applicants can call to check the status of their visa after ten working days from the day they presented complete documents to the Embassy. Telephone number: 010-6532 9791, Enquiry time: 15:00--17:00

Please note that presenting all the necessary documents doesn't automatically guarantee a visa.

6. Am I supposed to make an appointment with you before I come to the Embassy to apply?
No appointment is required if you want to make an application. The opening hours for the visa and consular section of the Embassy of Sweden in Beijing are:

Monday-Friday 09.00-12.00 a.m. 
The Embassy is closed on some Swedish and Chinese public holidays.

When applying, please take a queue number in the main hall and then wait for your turn. Anyone who wants to approach the window a second time should take a new queue number.

7. How do I get to the Embassy?
You can take buses 300/830/730 on Beijing's third ring road. Get off at the stop called Landmark Bridge (LiangMaQiao) and then go straight toward NongZhanGuan. The street opposite NongZhanGuan(Agriculture Exhibition Center) is Dongzhimenwai Dajie. The second Embassy on the north side of the street is the Embassy of Sweden.

On the right is a document with the address of the Embassy in Chinese. If you plan to go to the Embassy by taxi you can show this to the taxi driver.

8. What kind of documents do I need to prepare when I come to pick up my passport?
You should show your ID card when you pick up your own passport. If you are unable to come personally you can authorize somebody else to pick it up for you. The trustee should show us his ID card as well as a power of attorney when picking up your passport. The power of attorney can be written in either English or Chinese, and it should be signed by the applicant and have his or her contact information.

9. Where can I get an application form? What kind of documents do I need to prepare when I apply?
You can download the forms from the Migration Boards website: www.migrationsverket.se or you can pick them up at the Embassy.

For information on what documents are needed see the specific information on this website.

10. Can I get my visa fee back if my application is rejected?
If your application is rejected, the fee will not be refunded.