Sweden Visitor Visa - Definitive Guide

More commonly known as the Sweden Schengen Visitor visa, this permit is issued for people entering Sweden for the purpose of visiting their family members or friends living in the country. Being a Schengen, this permit is issued for a maximum stay duration of 90 days in a 180-day period. The exact stay duration and validity depends on the decision of the officer processing your application. The endorsement can be issued as single-entry, double-entry, or even multiple-entries.  

The application for the visitor visa must be made to the Sweden VACs (Visa Application Center) situated across India. As a result, you must make your application through them Before starting the application, ensure that you are eligible for the visitor category. After this, you may proceed with the application as follows - 

1. Procure all the documents as per the document checklist for the visitor visa. 
2. Visit the website of the VAC or the Embassy of Sweden and download the Schengen application form. 
3. Fill in the application form correctly with all the details and then print it. Be sure to mention your purpose of travel as ‘visiting friends/family’.
4. Proceed to book your visa appointment at the VAC or Embassy. However, note that the embassy has only limited available slots. As a result, it is highly advised to apply through one of the VACs. 
5. Visit the respective VAC or Embassy with the exact documents, completed application form, and the fees. You must submit your biometrics here. 

Keep in mind that if you have submitted your biometrics for a Schengen permit in the past 5 years, you do not have to submit them again. In this case, you may send your application through a third person, provided that they carry a letter of authorization signed by you. 

Also, note that you must only submit genuine documents and correct information. Providing fake documents or false information can lead to visa rejection. 

To be able to apply for the visitor permit, you must meet the following criteria - 

• You should be residing in the country you are lodging the application. If you are residing in a residence permit in any foreign nation, you may apply it to the respective visa authority in that country.
• You must possess a valid Indian passport that meets all the regulations.
• The main purpose of your visit must be to meet your family/friends living in Sweden. 
• You must possess enough funds to cover all your expenses for the entire stay period in Sweden.
• You should be formally invited by your relatives or friends. 
• You must apply for the permit only if Sweden is-

• 1. Your only destination, or
  2. One of your multiple Schengen destinations, in which case you will be spending the majority of the time here, or, 
  3. Your port of entry into the Schengen region.

As per the requirements, the following are the list of documents you must submit for the visitor visa - 

1. A valid passport- 
   1. It must contain at least 2 blank pages.
   2. It should not be older than 10 years.
   3. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
   4. Old passports, if any, are to be attached.
2. Invitation letter from your family/friends living in Sweden stating the entire details of the travel
3. Residence proof of your family/friend - Residence permit, copy of visa, etc
4. Proof of sponsorship (if any)
5. A covering letter - 
   1. This should include the visitor’s basic details and source of funds. 
   2. It should clearly state the purpose and duration of the visit. 
   3. It should be addressed to the Embassy of Sweden.

• Proof of accommodation -  hotel bookings/invitation to stay/residence bookings, etc 
• Round flight trip bookings
• Medical travel insurance coverage up to at least 30000 Euros
• Proof of occupation - 

Proof of occupation such as employment letter, Copy of business license, etc.

• Financial documents -

Financial documents such as bank statements of the past 3 months, Passbook copy, ITR, etc.

• Dimensions: 35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription glasses
• Headgears - only for religious reasons
• Facial hair - permitted

The processing time for the Swedish visitor permit is dependent on the exact validity, the number of entries, the volume of applications at the embassy, as well as your previous travel history. Normally, it can take about 15 working days. However, it may take up 30 days to 60 days in extreme cases. As a result, it is recommended that you apply well in advance. 

The application fees for the Sweden Spanish visitor visa is dependent upon the foreign exchange rates and the embassy’s decision. The embassy has the authority to change the fees without any prior notice. Apart from the visa application fee, there will be biometric charges, any delivery charges, as well as any service charges levied by the VAC. As a result, you must confirm the exact amount before starting the application. 

Once you have submitted the visitor visa application for Sweden at one of the VACs, it is then forwarded to the Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi for processing. Note that even if you have made the application at one of the VACs, the processing is done by the Embassy alone. The VAC has no influence on the processing. Also, you cannot make the applications at any of the consulates of Sweden as they do not handle visa applications. 

If your visa has been approved, you can collect the passport directly from the VAC in person, or have it delivered to you for an additional charge

You can check the status of your visitor visa application by clicking here and entering your reference number and date of birth. You may also check your application status by contacting your travel agency and have them track it for you. 

While you are on this permit, you must ensure that you follow the points below to ensure that you have a pleasant journey - 

• Check the exact expiry date, the duration of stay, as well as the number of entries mentioned on the Schengen visa sticker. Your travel must be according to this.
• Ensure that you carry all your travel documents while travelling. You are required to show them at the port of entry. You will be denied entry into Sweden without this. 
• Ensure that you travel to Sweden within 6 months of the visa issue date, or as mentioned in the Schengen sticker. After this date, your permit will become invalid and you will not be able to enter the country without a new one. 
• While you are travelling in Sweden, ensure that you always carry a copy of your travel documents with you. 
• While you are under the visitor category, you cannot take part in any paid work. You may, however, be allowed to do unpaid charity or voluntary work.  
• You will not be able to extend the visitor visa under any normal conditions.
• You can move freely within the Schengen zone with the visitor permit.