The specifics of obtaining a visa to Sweden

If you plan to stay in Sweden for more than 90 days, you should apply for either a residence permit or, under special circumstances, a Swedish national type D visa.

Foreign individuals who intend a stay exceeding 90 days must first obtain a residence permit. Applications for residence permits are considered by the Swedish Migration Agency and generally take longer to process than type D or C visas. A successful application results in a temporary residence permit, valid for 3 to 12 months.

In unique situations, you may apply for a national visa (D-visa) permitting a stay beyond 90 days, up to a maximum of 1 year. This is usually granted to individuals with close family ties in Sweden or those conducting business in the country. A type D visa also allows for unrestricted movement within the Schengen area.

The intention for applying for a temporary residence permit or a national Swedish visa should be visiting Sweden, not permanent residency. You should have enough funds for your stay and either a return ticket or money for returning to your country of residence.

Required documents include:

• An application form for a residence permit for visiting purposes, available in Swedish or English.
• An appendix to the Family Information Questionnaire, available in Swedish or English.
• A valid passport or other travel document.
• A copy of the personal data page from your passport, including any renewal or change information.
• Copies of all pages with marks in your internal passport.
• Documentation confirming sufficient financial resources for your stay in Sweden.
• A copy of your return ticket.
• An invitation in Swedish or English.
• For minors or those traveling with minors, a residence permit application form for a visit for minors, available in Swedish or English. Pay attention that additional documents are needed for those who are under 18 years old.
• The consular fee receipt of payment for a residence permit for visiting.
• A comprehensive health insurance policy.

Applications for residence permits are submitted online. Be prepared with clear, scanned copies of:

• Your passport, showing personal details, signature, validity period, and any residence permits in countries other than your country of residence.
• An acceptance decision from a Swedish higher educational institution, indicating your admission to full-time studies requiring your presence in Sweden.
• A document confirming that you have, or have applied for, comprehensive health insurance valid in Sweden (if you have been admitted for less than one year of studies). You can provide a health insurance policy provided by your school.
• An account statement showing that you have enough funds to cover living expenses for the entire period of your intended studying.
• A credit or debit card to pay the possible application fee.

Once the residence permit is approved, the embassy will contact the applicant to personally give out their residence permit card.

Processing times:

• Visa decisions can take up to 15 calendar days (in certain cases, this can be extended up to 45 calendar days) from the date your application has been accepted for consideration.
• Residence permit processing takes from 4 weeks and more.

A visa to Sweden, typically granted as a Schengen visa of category C, permits entry and a short-term stay in the country. Usually, this visa is valid across all Schengen area countries, but the application should be submitted to the embassy of the main country you plan to visit. If you aim to visit multiple countries or make several trips within two months, apply at the embassy of the country that will be your primary destination in terms of the number of days or the purpose of the trip.

Visa applications can be made as early as six months and no later than 15 calendar days prior to the planned trip. It's advisable to apply for your visa well in advance, especially during peak periods.

A visa may be granted for a period ranging from 1 to 90 days, with the total time spent in the Schengen area not exceeding 90 days during any 180-day period.

Take into account that possessing a visa doesn't guarantee entry into the Schengen area. Final checks are conducted at border control points, where entry may be denied. It's recommended to carry the documents used to secure your visa when traveling.

The required documents include:

• An approved visa application form in Swedish or English, filled out and signed by the applicant.
• A photo meeting International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements.
• Consular fee receipt of payment.
• A passport or other valid document that must be valid for a minimum of three months beyond the anticipated departure date from the Schengen area, have at least two blank pages, and have been issued within the last ten years.
• Travel health insurance that covers any potential costs related to medical repatriation and emergency medical expenses.
• Confirmation of sufficient funds, typically recommended at 450 SEK for a person per night. This can be substantiated by a work certificate specifying salary, bank statements from the last three months, proof of ownership, or a sponsorship letter. If an inviter is covering your expenses, provide evidence of his financial capability.
• A copy of the domestic passport (issued from the age of 14) featuring the applicant's personal information, registration, marital status, and foreign passports issued.
• Documents related to the purpose of your trip.
• Consular fee receipt of payment for a visa.

The consular fees are roughly 35 euros for a C-visa, or approximately 70 euros for an urgent visa submitted three or fewer days before the trip. Certain categories, including children under 6 years old, students, close relatives of EU citizens, and scholarship recipients from certain organizations, are exempt from paying consular fees.

For stays longer than 90 days, a D-visa costs about 60 euros. Adults seeking a residence permit for the purpose of a visit pay 1,500 SEK, while children under 18 years old pay 750 SEK.