How to apply for a Swedish visa

Applying for a Swedish visa can feel complicated, but with the right information, the process becomes much smoother.

Whether you’re planning to visit, study, work, or join family in Sweden, knowing the steps in advance helps you apply with confidence and avoid any unnecessary stress.

The most important tip is to prepare early. Applications often take longer than expected, especially if translations or official stamps are required, so be prepared!

In this guide, you’ll learn:

The main types of Swedish visas and permits

How to apply, step by step

Which documents you need

Typical processing times and common pitfalls

And where to find official, up-to-date information

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to apply for a Swedish visa and how to make the process as straightforward as possible.

Choosing the right visa

Before applying, you’ll need to know which visa actually fits your situation. Sweden offers two main categories.

Short-stay Schengen visas are for visits up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This typically includes tourism, business trips, and other temporary stays.

With this visa, you can also travel freely across the Schengen area (comprising 26 countries), but you can’t work or settle in Sweden on a long-term basis.

If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you’ll need a long-stay national visa (residence permit). This allows you to:

Study at a university or language school.
Work with an approved employer, or as a researcher.
Join family members living in Sweden.

These permits are typically tied to your purpose of stay. For example, a student permit doesn’t automatically let you work full-time.

If you’re unsure which category is right for you, Sweden’s Migration Agency website can help you determine the correct category based on your situation.

Step 1: Completing the application form

The first step in the application process is to locate and submit your visa application form.

You can find this information either online (through the Swedish Migration Agency’s website) or in person at your local embassy or consulate.

Some embassies or consulates still require printed forms, so check with the local Swedish mission first.

You’ll have to provide your:

Personal details: name, date of birth, passport info.
Purpose of travel: tourism, study, work, or family visit.
Accommodation details: hotel bookings, rental contract, or invitation letter.
Financial details: bank statements or sponsor letters to prove you can support yourself.

Remember to avoid leaving sections blank or giving vague answers, and always make sure you’re using an up-to-date form from an official source.

Step 2: Preparing relevant documents

Once the form is filled out, the next step is to gather the supporting documents. A clear, complete file makes your application much stronger.

For both types of visa, you’ll need:

A valid passport, with at least 2 blank pages, for a minimum of 3 months after your intended departure.
Proof of accommodation: hotel booking, lease, or invitation letter.
Your flight reservation: showing entry and exit dates.
Proof of financial security: recent bank statements, pay slips, or a sponsorship letter.
Visa-compliant Swedish health insurance: must cover at least €30,000 across all Schengen countries. The European Commission’s Schengen insurance page lists acceptable policies.

Depending on your situation and the type of visa you’re applying for, you may also need:

A detailed cover letter explaining your travel purpose.
Employer letters (for workers)
Enrollment confirmation (for students).
Proof of family relation (for those joining family members in Sweden).

Step 3: Scheduling an appointment

Once your form and documents are ready, the next step is to secure an appointment at your local Swedish embassy or consulate.

There are a few different ways to book an appointment, depending on where you’re applying from:

Online booking portals: Many embassies use online platforms where you choose a date and submit your details.
Direct consulate requests: In smaller locations, you may need to contact the consulate directly via email or phone.
Outsourced centers: Sweden often collaborates with third-party providers, such as VFS Global or TLS Contact, to handle bookings.

However, please note that you must submit your application from the country in which you are currently residing.

If there is no Swedish embassy in your country of residence, you may need to cross borders for an interview.

The most important thing to remember is to make an appointment as early as possible. The earlier you book, the sooner you’ll have your visa in hand.

Step 4: Attending the interview

The visa interview is your opportunity to demonstrate to the consular officer that your application is well-prepared and thorough. It’s usually short, but essential nonetheless!

During the interview, you’ll be asked brief questions about:

The purpose of your visit: Tourism, study, work, family, etc…
The length of your stay should match your travel itinerary.
Your financial situation: How do you plan to support yourself while in Sweden?
Ties to your home country: Consular staff will want to know about your job, family, or property back home, to assure them that you don’t plan on staying forever!

To ensure the interview runs smoothly, please keep your answers clear, concise, and consistent with the information provided in your submitted documents and application form.

Step 5: Providing biometric information

During your appointment, you’ll also need to provide biometric data. It’s a quick process and is required for almost everyone.

Your fingerprints (all ten fingers) will be scanned, and a digital photo will be taken on the spot.

This biometric data is stored in the Schengen Visa Information System (VIS) for a period of five years. If you apply again within that period, you won’t need to resubmit fingerprints.

It’s worth noting that certain individuals are exempt from providing biometrics, including:

Children under 12
Some diplomats and state officials

Step 6: Paying the application fee

Paying the fee is the last administrative step before your application gets processed.

For short-stay Schengen visas, prices depend mainly on age:

Adults: €80
Children (6–11 years): €40
Children under 6: free

Some students, researchers, and family members of EU/EEA citizens may be exempt from visa application fees. If this sounds like you, we recommend checking with your local Swedish embassy for confirmation.

Prices for long-stay national visas (residence permits) are typically higher and vary based on the type of visa, the purpose of your visit, and the country from which you’re applying.

For more specific details, please visit Sweden’s official embassy website.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when it comes to visa fees:

Fees are typically charged in the local currency so the exact amount may vary slightly due to exchange rates.
Payment methods differ: some embassies accept card payments, whilst others only accept cash. Check with your local or consulate or embassy ahead of time to avoid being caught off guard.
Visa fees are non-refundable, even if your visa is denied.

Step 7: Receiving your visa

After all these steps, the wait begins. Processing times vary, so it helps to set realistic expectations.

For short-stay Schengen visas:

Standard cases are often processed in around 15 calendar days.
Busy periods or complex files, on the other hand, can take up to 45–60 days to process. That’s why applying early is crucial.

Processing times for long-stay national visas are typically longer and highly dependent on the type of visa and where you’re applying from.

If you’re concerned or want to check on the progress of your application, you can always contact your local embassy or consulate.

Once your application has been approved, you’ll collect your passport – with your shiny new visa – either by courier (if offered in your country) or by collection at the embassy.

Once you’ve got your visa in hand, it’s always a good idea to check:

Validity dates: If your stay exceeds the granted duration, you risk overstaying.
Your personal details: These should match your passport exactly.

If everything seems right, you’re all done!

What to do if your visa is refused

Rejections do occur, and can be understandably stressful.

If this happens to you, it’s important to remember that this isn’t the end of the line, and you do have options:

You’ll receive a written explanation for the refusal. Examine these carefully and identify what went wrong.
If you believe the decision was unfair, you can file an appeal through the official process described in the decision letter.
Alternatively, if you’ve identified what went wrong and know how to fix it, you can always reapply with an amended application.

Rejections often occur due to missing documents or incomplete forms, so be sure to avoid these common mistakes the first time around.

Conclusion

Applying for a visa can seem overwhelming and create unwanted stress during an exciting time. But it doesn’t have to be this way!

The Swedish system is fairly straightforward, and if you follow the steps outlined here you’ll be on your way to Stockholm (or wherever else you might be visiting) in no time.

The most important things to remember are to apply early, and organise your documents in advance.

With that done, all that’s left to do is plan your trip!