Sweden

Professional Immigration Services for Sweden

If you're planning to explore Sweden's dynamic cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg, pursue world-class education, or advance your career in one of Europe's most innovative economies, understanding Sweden's visa framework is essential for your success.

Navigating Sweden's Immigration Landscape

Sweden maintains a structured yet accessible visa policy that welcomes international visitors, students, and professionals while ensuring compliance with EU regulations. As a Schengen Area member, Sweden offers streamlined access to all 27 European countries within the Schengen zone, though specific requirements vary significantly based on your nationality and purpose of visit. The Entry/Exit System (EES) is being rolled out in phases, with full operation expected from 10 April 2026, which will replace passport stamping with digital biometric tracking. ETIAS is expected to begin operations in the last quarter of 2026 and will apply to travelers from over 59 visa-exempt countries visiting Sweden for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Who Needs Expert Guidance?

Our comprehensive approach serves diverse travelers including:

• Business professionals pursuing opportunities in Sweden's tech and innovation sectors
• Students accessing prestigious Swedish universities
• Tourists exploring Scandinavian culture and natural beauty
• Skilled workers seeking long-term residence
• Visa-exempt travelers from countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand who can enter Sweden for short stays up to 90 days

This authoritative guide transforms complex Swedish immigration procedures into clear, actionable strategies, ensuring your visa application journey proceeds smoothly from initial planning through successful approval.

Whether you need a visa for Sweden depends on your nationality, passport type, and travel purpose. As a Schengen Area member, Sweden follows unified European visa policies for tourist and business visits.

Visa-Free Travel to Sweden

Citizens of the following regions can enter Sweden without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period:

• European Union/EEA countries - unlimited stay rights
• United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
• United Kingdom (post-Brexit rules apply)
• Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia
• Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico
• Israel, UAE

New Travel Authorization: ETIAS

Starting in the last quarter of 2026, visa-exempt travelers will need to obtain ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) approval before entering Sweden. The application fee is €20 (approximately $21 USD) for travelers aged 18 to 70. Authorization is valid for three years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first. A valid ETIAS allows multiple entries for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Entry/Exit System (EES)

The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) is being rolled out in a phased way across external borders, with full operation expected from 10 April 2026. When you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.

Passport Requirements

Your passport must be:

• Valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen area
• Issued within the last 10 years
• Contains blank pages for entry stamps (until EES fully replaces manual stamping)

Airport Transit Rules

Transit passengers staying airside without entering Sweden generally do not need transit visas. However, citizens of certain countries require airport transit visas even for connections. Verify current requirements for your nationality before travel.

Who Needs a Visa

Visa requirements apply to:

• Stays exceeding 90 days
• Work, study, or residence purposes
• Nationals from countries not listed in visa-free agreements
• Travelers with insufficient passport validity

Always verify current requirements through Sweden's official migration authority website or official Schengen visa resources before traveling, as regulations change frequently.

Sweden offers various visa types designed to accommodate different travel purposes and durations. Selecting the appropriate visa category ensures a smooth application process and compliance with Swedish immigration requirements.

Tourist and Visitor Visas

Short-stay tourist visas permit visits up to 90 days within a 180-day period for leisure, tourism, or family visits. Multiple-entry visas can be issued with a validity period up to five years, suitable for frequent travelers with documented travel history. Schengen tourist visas allow free movement across all Schengen member states during the permitted stay.

Business Visa Categories

Business visas serve various commercial purposes for short stays:

• Conference and meeting visas for attending business events
• Trade fair visas for exhibitors and participants
• Contract negotiation visas for business discussions
• Installation and maintenance visas for technical services

Business visas cover work-related activities such as meetings, conferences, or short-term business engagements lasting less than 90 days. Applicants must demonstrate subsistence funds of SEK 450 per day of stay unless covered by the inviting company.

Student and Academic Visas

Student visas cover degree programs, exchange studies, and language courses exceeding 90 days at Swedish educational institutions. Research visas facilitate academic collaboration and scholarly activities for scientists and researchers sponsored by recognized Swedish research institutions. Processing typically requires 10-15 calendar days, though some cases may extend to 30-60 days with comprehensive documentation requirements.

Work and Employment Visas

Non-EU/EEA citizens normally need a work permit to live and work in Sweden. Categories include:

• Standard work permits for employees with a job offer in any sector, prioritizing skilled roles
• Intra-Corporate Transfer permits for transfers within multinational companies
• Work permits require a minimum salary of 90 percent of the Swedish median wage from June 2026
• Seasonal work permits for up to 6 months annually in agriculture, forestry, and tourism
• Self-employment permits for freelancers and digital nomads with demonstrated financial means

Processing times range from 1 to 4 months after all required documents are submitted. Applications require employer sponsorship and labor market testing in most cases.

Job Seeker and Working Holiday Visas

A jobseeker visa offers 3-9 months for highly qualified professionals to seek work or start a business, introduced in 2022. Working holiday visas allow citizens aged 18-30 from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea to work and travel for up to one year.

Transit and Special Categories

Airport transit visas allow passage through the international area of Swedish airports without entering the country for non-EU citizens during layovers or flight changes. Family reunion visas facilitate joining Swedish residents or citizens, with residence permits enabling accompanying family members to live, study, and work in Sweden. Diplomatic and official visas serve government representatives.

Visa validity periods range from single-entry short stays to multiple-entry long-term options. Long-stay Type D visas allow entry and residence for one year and require a residence permit before travel. Extensions are possible for certain categories with proper justification and timely applications submitted before current permits expire.

Processing Times

Standard Schengen visa applications typically require 15 calendar days for processing, though processing time may be extended to up to 45 days if additional documents are required or more detailed examination is needed. Tourist and business visas generally process within 15 to 60 days on average. Work permits may take up to 30 working days to process, with special cases requiring up to 60 working days. Student residence permits typically require 30-60 days during peak enrollment periods.

Application Costs & Fees

• Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C): 90 EUR for adults aged 12 and above, 45 EUR for children aged 6-11, free for children under 6
• Business visa: 90 EUR standard processing
• Work permit: SEK 2,200 (approximately 205 USD)
• Student residence permit: SEK 1,500 (approximately 140 USD)

VFS Global service fee of 21 EUR (approximately 24 USD) applies in addition to visa application fees when applying through VFS centers. Application fees are tied to the euro and revised in the event of major exchange rate shifts, and are paid in different currencies depending on the country of application.

Application Locations

Applications are accepted through VFS Global visa centers in many countries, or at Swedish embassies or consulates-general in others. Online applications for work permits and student residence permits are processed through the Swedish Migration Agency portal. Major VFS Global processing centers operate in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. for U.S. applicants.

Essential Documents

• Valid passport with at least 3 months validity beyond departure from the Schengen area
• Completed application form with biometric data
• Financial proof meeting maintenance requirements for your visa type
• Travel insurance minimum 30,000 EUR coverage for emergency medical care, hospitalization and repatriation

Payment Methods

Fees payable via credit or debit card at VFS centers, with personal checks or cash not accepted. For online applications, fees can be paid with a credit card enabled for internet payment in connection with the application. Applicants at embassies or consulates-general can pay the fee when submitting the visa application, often in local currency or Swedish Kronor.

Step 1: Determine Your Visa Category

Identify the correct visa type based on your travel purpose - tourist, business, study, or family visit. Duration matters: stays under 90 days require Schengen visas, while longer visits need national residence permits.

Step 2: Gather Required Documentation

Collect essential documents including:

• Valid passport with minimum 3 months validity beyond your departure date from Sweden
• Completed application form with recent photographs
• Travel insurance covering €30,000 minimum
• Financial proof and accommodation confirmation
• Purpose-specific documents (invitation letters, enrollment certificates)

Translation requirement: Non-English or Swedish documents must be officially translated and apostilled.

Step 3: Complete Application Forms Online

Fill out forms via the Swedish Migration Agency e-application portal. Since January 2026, login has been simplified - you can now use two-step verification via email instead of requiring a mobile phone number. Accuracy is crucial - inconsistent information leads to automatic rejections.

Step 4: Schedule Your Appointment

Book appointments through VFS Global (the external service provider) or Swedish consulates. Applications can be lodged up to 6 months before your intended visit and no later than 15 calendar days before departure. Peak season tip: Schedule 2-3 weeks in advance during summer months.

Step 5: Submit Application and Pay Fees

Attend your appointment for document submission and biometric data collection. If you provided fingerprints for a Schengen visa within the last 59 months, you may submit documents by post. Visa fees are €80 for applicants aged 12-80, €40 for children aged 6-11, and free for children under 6 (approximately $87 USD, $43 USD, and free respectively), payable via card or cash at most locations.

Step 6: Track Application Status

Monitor progress through the VFS tracking tool or through notifications using your reference number. Standard processing takes 15 calendar days from when the embassy receives your application, though handling time may vary between 15 to 45 days depending on case-related circumstances.

Step 7: Collect Your Decision

Retrieve your passport with visa approval or receive notification of alternative outcomes. If rejected, you have appeal rights - any appeal must be submitted to the embassy that made the decision.