We look forward to welcoming you to Sweden!
If you wish to visit Sweden and are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA, you will in most cases need a visa.
A visa is a permit which is required in order for you to enter and remain in Sweden for a short period of time.
Please note that a visa does not give you an automatic right to enter the Schengen area, you may be denied entry at the border. Therefore you should always carry documents showing what to do during the visit. You should also be able to show that you have a valid medical insurance and enough money for the time you will be visiting the Schengen area.
Different reasons for visiting Sweden
A visa is a permit which is required to enter and remain in Sweden and the other Schengen countries for a short period of time, for example
• To visit relatives or friends• As a tourist• On business• To attend a conference• Or simply to transit the country.
A visa granted by any one of these countries is also valid for visits to the others. In exceptional cases, the visa may only be valid for entry into the issuing country or only for certain countries if the holder´s passport is not approved by all the Schengen countries.
How to apply
Common Schengen application forms are to be used. These can be downloaded from the Embassy website. Note that the application form must be completed and signed.
An application can be submitted no more than three months before the intended visit.
The passport has to be valid at least three months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Schengen states. Further, the passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years and contain at least two blank pages.
The processing time is normally 15 calender days, plus additional 2 days for courier from/to Cape Town if necessary. For non-South African passport holders, the processing time can be up to 25 days.
Where do I apply?
Your application should be submitted to the Swedish Visa Application Centre in Pretoria or to the Swedish consulate in Cape Town. You must apply in person. Applications by mail are not accepted.
Visa applicants in Botswana should apply for visa through the Embassy of Germany in Gaborone.> Visit the website of the German embassy in Gaborone
Visa applicants in Namibia should apply for visa at the Embassy of Finland in Windhoek.> Visit the website of the Finnish embassy in Windhoek
SWEDISH VISA APPLICATION CENTRE2nd Floor - Lobby 14,Bank Forum, Veale Street, Opposite Brooklyn Mall,Brooklyn, Pretoria.Tel nr: +27 83 913 3220
info.swza@vfshelpline.com
Please note you need to schedule an appointment with the Swedish Visa Application Centre in order to lodge an application.
> For more information about the Swedish Visa Application Centre and on how to schedule an appointment, please visit the Visa Application Centre website.
Please be advised that South African temporary passports are no longer accepted as travel document when applying for a visa to go to Sweden.
How do I apply?
In addition to a completed application form for Schengen visa, you need to submit a number of documents with your application.> Download the application form for Schengen visa> See the visa checklist to find out what other documentation you need
How long does it take?
The processing time is normally 15 calender days plus an additional 2 days for courier from/to Cape Town if necessary. For non-South African passport holders the processing time can be up to 25 days.
How much does it cost?
As the fees vary for different groups, kindly consult the VFS' website to find out how much to pay and how to pay.
Bank name: NedbankAccount name: VFS Visa Processing (SA) (Pty) LtdAccount no: 100 79 2020 3Reference: Passport number> Read more on VFS' website
When is the Embassy of Sweden open? The Embassy's SwitchboardMonday - Thursday 08.00 - 17.00Closed 12.00 - 13.30Friday 08.00 - 13.00
Telephone hours for visa- passport- and consular mattersMonday, Tuesday, Thursday 14.00 - 16.00
Visiting hours Visa section (by appointment only)Monday 09.00 - 11.00Residence and/or Work permit applications can either be submitted to the Embassy of Sweden, by appointment only or by e-application directly to the Migration board.
How long is a visa valid?
Visas are granted for a maximum of 90 days at a time. In exceptional cases applicants may be granted a visa for a visit of more than 90 days, but never for longer than a year.
Where is a visa valid?
An entry visa is normally valid in all Schengen countries. In exceptional cases a visa may be granted solely for entry into the country that issued it. For more information on the Schengen Agreement please click on the link to the right.
A visa granted for longer than 90 days is only valid for entering and staying in Sweden.
What if my application is turned down?
Since April 5, 2011, it's possible to appeal a decision on an entry visa. At the same time, the decision to reject an application for an entry visa will require justification. This means that you will get information in the decision as to why your application was rejected.