Visa for visiting Sweden

Visiting hours

 > The embassy’s normal visiting hours for reception of visa applications. 

The embassy’s information line on Visa issues (+98 (0)21 2371 2200) is open Sunday – Wednesday 14.00 – 16.00.


Visa fee

The non-refundable visa fee in IRR is to be paid to Pasargad Bank, account number 224-8100-20202020-1. Original receipt is to be handed in to the embassy with the visa application. Prices can be found at Visit Sweden/Application fees, or by following this link.

The embassy does not accept payments to the Iranian bank via internet.


Appointments

Appointments are generally not used during autumn and winter. Visa applications can be handed in to the embassy during its visiting hours.

During the high season it is necessary to make an appointment before lodging an application. The appointment system is taken into use when the number of applications per day is larger than what the embassy can handle on a daily basis. It will be announced on this webpage when the appointment system is to start.

No appointment is needed for the lodging of a business visa application.

General information on visas

Since April 5th 2010 all Schengen member states are committed to the common regulations of a Visa Codex.
A uniform visa is a permit that citizens of some countries outside the EU need to be able to travel into and stay in Sweden for a short period of time (-list of nationals that need visa ).

It should be emphasized that a visa is one condition for entry but does not automatically give the right to enter the Schengen area. The conditions, which are stipulated in article 5.1 of regulation 562/2006, are verified again at the time of entering the territory.

The aim of the visa politics of Sweden and the EU is that, within the limits of a regulated immigration, the exchange of visitors be as free as possible.
The Swedish Migration Board lays down the guiding principles for the issuing of visas. This established practice is set out from the knowledge that the Migration Board has regarding the conditions in various parts of the world. Experiences drawn from individual cases may also affect the established practice, as well as the local Schengen cooperation between member states issuing visas. The established practice provides the guiding principles for the assessment of all applications but does not settle the outcome of an individual application.


The application procedure

As a principal rule each applicant shall come to the embassy in person to lodge the application. This accounts for adults as well as accompanying minors. At the time of submitting the application some supplementary questions are posed and the applicant is requested to hand in the passport to the embassy. Normally, the applicant is then informed about the date when the passport and a note about the decision can be picked up at the embassy.

Applicants who have visited Sweden during the last five years, after being granted a visa by Sweden, are exempted from the rule of personally lodging the application. In order to prove previous stays in Sweden a photocopy of the previous visa with its entry and departure stamps must be attached to the application. In case the application is correctly filled out and includes all requested documentation and if the all other conditions are fulfilled, the embassy may come to a decision based upon this documentation. However, in some cases an interview might still be necessary.

All documentation that is to be attached to the application shall be submitted in originals as well as photocopies. The original documents are returned to the applicant unless they were issued solemnly for the embassy (e.g. certificate of employment, invitation letter, statement of bank account, the reference’s personbevis). Therefore, an application or its attachments cannot be sent to the embassy by post, fax or e-mail.

When to lodge the application

A visa application can be lodged at the earliest three months before the planned visit to Sweden and at the latest 15 days before the planned visit. Example: A intends to travel to Sweden on July 15th. His application can be lodged at the earliest on April 15th and at the latest on June 30th.

The embassy recommends that the application is submitted in ample time before the planned visit to Sweden.

How long time does the process take and who decides about the application?

The normal processing period is 15 days. At the time of lodging the application, the applicant is informed about the date of picking up the passport and a note about the decision.

The embassy assesses processes and decides on the visa application. In exceptional cases the embassy may decide to transfer the processing of an application to the Swedish Migration Board. An individual applicant cannot require that the embassy transfers the case to the Migration Board.

The embassy’s decision on the visa application is based upon the documentation submitted, the possible interview conducted and other information that may have come out in connection with previous applications for visa or residence permit. Based upon this documentation and information the embassy assesses whether the purpose of the planned trip is to be considered as proven and whether the applicant has made it probable that he or she will return to Iran after the short visit to Sweden. Even if all basic and necessary documentation has been submitted, the embassy’s decision may thus be negative for the applicant. The documentation merely constitutes a basis for the assessment and a complete application does not automatically bring about a positive decision.

What is the amount of reference?

The amount of reference is the economic means that are required to enter the Schengen territory. The amount is sanctioned by the national authorities in each member state.

The amount of reference to enter Sweden is the equivalent of 370 SEK per day and per person.

The validity of the visa

(period of) Validity: Referring to the period during which the holder can use the visa.

Length of authorised stay: The actual number of days which the holder is allowed to stay in the member states’ territory during the validity of the visa. The length is between 1 and 90 days.

Number of entries: Referring to the number of visits to the Schengen area that the holder is allowed to make during the validity of the visa, without exceeding the allowed length of stay. An applicant who wishes to obtain a multi-entry visa should motivate this in the application form or at the time of submitting the application.

Where is the visa valid?

The holder of a uniform one-entry visa is allowed to cross the internal borders of the Schengen territory (click here for a list of the countries included in the Schengen territory). However, the main purpose of the trip should be to visit Sweden.

Visa with limited territorial validity
Visa with limited territorial validity means a visa valid for the territory of the issuing member states. A national visa may be issued exceptionally when it is considered necessary on humanitarian reasons, for reasons of national interest or because of international obligations.

Appealing against the refusal of an application

Since the 5th of April 2011 it is possible for the applicant to appeal a negative decision on a visa application.

The applicant can appeal against negative decisions to the Administrative Court in Gothenburg. The appeal must be in writing and must be submitted to the Swedish embassy within three week after the applicant received the decision. The appeal should also be signed by the applicant. If an attorney writes and signs the appeal he/she must have a power of attorney signed by the applicant.

The applicant must state which decision he/she appeals against and what change he/she wants. The appeal must also contain the applicants name, date of birth, adress and phone number.

The appeal should be submitted either directly to the Swedish embassy in person or by ordinary mail to the following address: Embassy of Sweden in Tehran, Section for Migration and Visa Affairs, P.O box 19575-458, Tehran, Iran.

Is it possible to apply again following a refusal?

Yes, it is possible to apply again following a refusal. There is no qualifying period before a new visa may be claimed. Upon applying again all documentation must be submitted again.

Visa agents

Please note that the embassy is aware of the presence of several private agents in the area charging an additional fee for their services to visa applicants (e.g. typing, interpreting). The embassy has no link to these agents and the applicants are free to chose if they want to use the services of these agents or deal directly with the embassy. The applications must however always be submitted personally by the applicant. Applications are treated without any priority given to applicants using a visa agent.