Sweden is a country that welcomes millions of people from around the world each year. However, not everyone can enter Sweden freely. Foreign nationals from countries with a visa requirement need to apply for a Sweden visa first.
The application process may be difficult for some individuals therefore, we have created a guideline to make this process easier for you.
The requirements depend on the type of visa you are applying for. Below you will find important information about the Sweden visa requirements to help you with your visa application.
Sweden Visa Document Checklist
Here is a list of documents you need to submit to obtain a Sweden visa:
- Sweden visa application form.
- Passport.
- Photograph.
- Cover letter.
- Schengen Travel Insurance.
- Travel Itinerary.
- Proof of Accommodation.
- Financial Means.
- Civil Status Documents.
- Employment Status Documents.
Sweden visa application form
The first thing you need to do before starting the application process is fill in the visa application form. It is mandatory to answer every question sincerely and provide the information that is required. The application form must be filled out individually by adults, whereas for children under the age of 18 (minors), the application must be completed by their parents or legal guardian.
The Sweden visa application form requires information such as your name, age, nationality, civil status, etc.
Here are some tips on how to fill in your Sweden visa application:
- Fill out the latest version of the visa application form.
- Answer every question sincerely.
- If there are questions that do not relate to your visa type, write NA (No Answer).
- Sign the application at the end.
Passport
Your passport must not be older than ten years and must be valid for at least three months after your visa expires. The passport must also have two blank pages for stamping. A visa sticker that shows the number of days you are allowed to stay in the Schengen Area will be glued to your passport.
You should also provide copies of your passport pages that are not blank and copies of the biometrics data page.
One passport-size photograph
Submit one personal photograph and attach it to your visa application. The photo must meet the following Schengen visa photo requirements:
- The photo must not be older than six months.
- The photo should be in a passport-size format, 35 x 40 mm.
- The photograph must have a plain white background.
- Your face should cover half of the photo and must be fully visible.
- Avoid colored lenses and accessories that cover your face.
- Look straight to the camera and keep your eyes open.
Cover letter
A cover letter is a good way to communicate with the visa board and convince them to approve your application. Therefore, the cover letter should be short, easy to understand, and not longer than two pages.
Your cover letter should include the following information:
- Why are you visiting Sweden?
- The entry/depart dates.
- Your place of accommodation in Sweden.
- Your travel plan.
- Employment status, etc.
The cover letter might need additional information according to the type of visa you have applied for.
Travel Health Insurance
Another mandatory requirement visa applicants need to meet is having travel insurance. The Swedish embassy can reject your visa application if you do not have an insurance policy.
The requirements for travel health insurance are:
- It must cover at least €30,000 for your medical and emergency expenses or transportation to your home country for medical reasons.
- It must be valid in all 29 states of the Schengen Area.
- It must be valid for your whole trip.
Travel Itinerary
The embassy can require you to provide a detailed travel itinerary for your flight. This is required to prove that you will not continue your stay in Sweden past your visa validity.
Your travel itinerary should include the following information:
- Your flight date.
- Your flight code.
- The arrival/departure dates.
Proof of Accommodation
Proof of accommodation is required to show that you have found a place to stay in Sweden. You can use as proof of accommodation one of the following documents:
- A hotel reservation.
- An invitation letter from your friend or family member.
- A rental contract.
Financial Means
Before entering Sweden, the Swedish embassy will require you to provide a document of your financial means to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay and for the return trip home.
Foreign nationals need to be able to spend 50€ (450 SEK) per day during their stay in the territory of Sweden. This amount can be paid by the person who invited you to Sweden if you cannot pay it yourself.
You can prove your financial status through a bank statement of your financial movements.
Civil Status Documents
When applying for a Sweden visa, you will be required to provide documents proving your civil status, such as:
- Your birth certificate.
- Marriage license.
- Divorce certificate. (if applicable)
- Death certificate. (if applicable)
- Household certificate, etc.
Employment Status Documents
Depending on the status of your employment, you have to submit the following documents when applying for a Sweden visa:
If you are employed:
- Work contract
- A bank statement for the latest six months
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary
If you are self-employed:
- Copy of your business license
- Bank statement of your company for the last six months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
If you are a student:
- Letter of acceptance
- Leave approval letter from school or university
If you are retired:
- Pension statement for the latest six months
Note: If you do not fulfill the requirements, the application will not be accepted and processed. The documents will be returned to you, and the application fee will be refunded.
Your employer must submit:
- A letter stating that the applicant will return to his job after the trip.
- A letter stating that the leave is approved and the duration of the leave. (Written and signed on a company letter or a letter from a private employer together with a copy of his/her ID card).
- An employment certificate specifying the date of recruitment, the position in the company, and salary.
Additional Documents For Minors
Minors (children under 18) applying for a Sweden visa must submit the documents listed below.
- Consent of the legal guardian. (if the minor is traveling alone)
- Birth certificate of the child.
- Copies of the legal guardian’s passports and ID cards.
Visa applications for minors need to be signed by their custodians or legal guardians.
*Please contact the Swedish embassy to ask if you need to provide other additional documents before submitting your visa application.
Where Should I Submit the Sweden Visa Documents?
You can submit your Sweden visa application together with the collected documents at the designated Swedish embassy.
If you submit your application to another Schengen country authority abroad, you must contact them in advance.
There are certain countries where Sweden has no representation (embassy or consulate) and is not represented by another country. In that case, you need to check what applies to your area when it comes to visa applications.
If you apply online, your application will be submitted automatically.
Do I Need To Translate My Documents For a Sweden Visa?
Yes, since January 2019, all the documents you submit together with the Sweden visa application need to be in the English or Swedish language, or they should be translated by an authorized translator.
The documents must also meet the visa document guidelines.
Do You Need to Legalize the Documents For a Sweden Visa?
Documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, university diplomas, etc., can be legalized through an apostille stamp or the Swedish embassy. Citizens from countries that are part of the Apostille Treaty only need an apostille stamp for their documents to be recognized internationally.
If your country does not belong to the Apostille Treaty, you must legalize your documents.
The Hauge Conference on Private International Law manages the eligible authorities that can issue an apostille stamp.
*Keep in mind that each country that is part of the Apostille Treaty has its own specifics for Apostille Stamps.