Sweden Travel Visa: All You Need to Know Before Applying

Considering a trip to Sweden from India? Understanding the visa process is key for a smooth and enjoyable journey. This detailed guide covers all you need to know for Indian nationals planning to get a tourist visa for Sweden.

From the application steps to Sweden travel visa requirements, visa types, and their fees, we aim to equip you with all the necessary information for your upcoming Swedish adventure.

Need help or have questions? Our team is here to assist. Call us at 073148 52914 or drop a message on WhatsApp.

Get ready for a hassle-free journey to Sweden!

Applying for a Schengen Visa via a Swedish Diplomatic Mission:

Visiting a Single Schengen State:

Apply at the Swedish consulate if Sweden is your sole destination or the first point of entry into the Schengen zone.

Visit Across Multiple Schengen States:

Visit Purpose:

The main purpose of your visit determines where to apply. If uncertain or if your journey involves multiple countries, aim for the embassy or consulate of the first Schengen country you enter.

For example, if attending a conference in Sweden is the main reason for your trip, apply at the Swedish consulate, even if you plan to visit other countries.

Schengen Visa (Short Stay):

National Visa (D Visa): For individuals intending to stay in Sweden for more than 90 days within a 180-day period. D-visas are rarely granted and are primarily considered based on the urgency of the travel.

Business Visa: Tailored for Indians with business intentions, this visa grants a 90-day stay in Sweden for activities like attending conferences, meetings, or trade events.

Study/Sports/Cultural Visa: Apply for this visa if you're travelling for study, sports, or cultural purposes.

Airport Transit Visa: An airport transit visa permits its holder to transit through the international transit areas of the issuing State and, if specified on the visa sticker, potentially through transit areas in other States.

Step 1: Start Your Application:

Go to Teleport's Sweden visa application page and click "Apply for Visa."

Step 2: Enter Your Details and Pay:

Fill in your passport details, select your payment option (full or partial), and follow Teleport's guidance to complete your personal information.

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents:

A Teleport relationship manager will assist in gathering all necessary documents for your Sweden visa application.

Step 4: Book Your Appointment:

Your Teleport relationship manager will secure an appointment for you at your preferred visa application centre based on available slots.

Step 5: Attend the Visa Application Centre:

Visit the VFS Visa application centre at your appointed date and time to submit your biometrics and documents required for Sweden visa.

✅ Teleport reviews your application and documents before submission.

✅ Receive updates via WhatsApp and email.

Teleport will notify you about the embassy's decision as soon as it's made. Stay updated through the platform, and upon visa approval, download it directly from your Teleport Dashboard.

Step 1: Identify Your Visa Type

Begin by determining the appropriate visa type for your trip and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. Familiarise yourself with the required documents, estimated processing time, and applicable fees. If your documents are not in English, consider having them translated before applying.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Ensure you have all the necessary documents for a Sweden visa. Continue reading further for a detailed document checklist.

Step 3: Start Your Application

After identifying your visa types and gathering all the required documents, select your visa type and fill the Visa application form

 Step 4: Book Your Appointment

After submitting your visa application, it's time to schedule an appointment at the VFS Visa Application Centre for biometric data collection, including fingerprints and a photo.

Upon booking, you will receive a confirmation email along with your appointment letter.

If you're applying as a family or group, remember that each member must schedule their individual appointments.

Step 5: Pay Your Fees

After submitting your application, you will need to pay the visa fee. If you download the form to print and bring it to the Visa Application Centre, you can make the payment during your appointment.

Step 6: Visit the Visa Application Centre

After completing your online application please make sure to print the visa application form. These documents will be essential when you submit your application at one of these Visa Application Centre.

You must personally submit your fully completed visa application form and documents at one of the designated Visa Application Centers unless instructed otherwise.

Learn about What Happens in the Visa Application Centre

Step 7: Track Your Application

If you submitted your application at a VFS visa application centre, you can use the VFS online application tracking tool to check your application's status. Simply provide the following details:

Step 8: Collect Your Visa

After a decision has been reached on your visa application, you can retrieve your documents from the Visa Application Centre in person or opt for a courier service, subject to an additional fee.

Please note that the Embassy of Sweden has introduced a new policy regarding passport collection at the VFS Visa Application Centre. Third-party collection is not permitted. 

If a group or family member is picking up the passport on behalf of the applicant, a power of attorney signed by the applicant, along with a valid government-issued photo ID for the representative, will be required.

Photo requirements for a Sweden visa for Indian citizens include:

Recent Photograph: The photograph used for the visa must not be older than 6 months.

Size and Specifications: Your photograph should meet these specific dimensions:

Position of Head: Your head must be visible in its entirety and positioned centrally in the frame.

Glasses and Headwear: Glasses can be worn as long as they do not cause a reflection obscuring the eyes. While religious head coverings are permitted, they must not hide any part of the face, from the chin to the forehead and across all facial features.

Photo Quality: The photograph must be in colour, high-resolution, and without any shadows, red-eye effect, or reflections to ensure clarity.

The processing duration for a Sweden visa for Indian applicants can vary, but it typically ranges from 15 to 21 working days from the date the embassy processes the application.

Indian nationals are permitted to remain in Sweden for up to 90 days on a Schengen visa within any 180-day period. This means you can spend a cumulative total of 90 days in Sweden or any other Schengen area countries within 180 days.

If your intention is to stay in Sweden for more than 90 days or extend an existing visit beyond 90 days, you must apply for a visitor's permit. 

However, if you already have an ongoing application for a residence permit at the Swedish Migration Agency, you cannot be granted two permits simultaneously. 

In such cases, you will only receive a decision on the application that offers you the most advantages, typically a residence and work permit. If you apply for a visitor's permit while in Sweden, it might jeopardise your residence and work permit application.

If you're outside of Sweden, it's recommended to wait for a decision on the most advantageous application. This could mean that the dates you intended to apply for a visitor's permit may have passed by the time the decision is made. Therefore, it's advisable not to apply for a visitor's permit in such cases.

Requirements for a visitor's permit:

Apply for a visitor's permit

To apply for a visitor's permit, you can use the e-service if you are in Sweden and wish to extend your visit to a total of more than 90 days.

To utilise the e-service, you should be able to make the application fee payment with a credit card or charge card. Upon completing your application in the e-service, you will need to schedule an appointment at an embassy or consulate-general to present your passport. 

This appointment can be arranged in your home country or country of residence if you're applying from outside Sweden, or in Sweden if you're applying from within the country. During this appointment, you will also undergo fingerprinting and photography. 

It's important to note that this process applies even if you've had a residence permit card previously, as your photo and fingerprints are not retained.  If you are applying from abroad, you will also have an interview at the embassy or consulate-general.

To keep track of your Sweden visa application progress, you may use services like Teleport or consult with VFS Global if your application was submitted through them.

If you used Teleport for your visa application, expect to receive prompt updates through WhatsApp, email, or directly on the Teleport Dashboard.

To check your application status:

For those who applied at a VFS Global visa application centre, you can track the status of your application on their official website:

Indian nationals seeking a Sweden visa must have valid travel medical insurance. Being part of the Schengen Zone, Sweden necessitates that its visitors are adequately insured for their trip.

Key Considerations for Selecting Travel Insurance for a Schengen Visa:

Inaccurate or Altered Documents: Submission of falsified or incorrect documents can cause your application to be declined. All documents must be genuine and adhere to Sweden travel visa requirements for Indians.

Inconsistent Travel Plans: Any inconsistency between your stated travel itinerary and actual plans, such as discrepancies in hotel bookings or flight tickets, can lead to doubts and possibly, application denial.

Insufficient Financial Means: It is essential to show you have enough funds for your stay, typically about SEK 450(INR 3,300/-) per day per person. A recommended bank balance is at least INR 3,00,000 prior to application.

Unclear Purpose of Visit: Uncertainty regarding the legitimacy of the trip's purpose or the risk of overstaying may lead to visa refusal.

Limited Travel Record: Applicants with minimal international travel history, particularly for specific visa categories or frequent travellers, may face challenges in their application process.

Damaged Passport: Application rejection may occur if your passport is damaged, such as having tears, missing pages, or not having enough validity. Make sure your passport is in good condition and valid.

If your visa application was denied and you're not satisfied with the decision, you have the right to appeal. The denial letter will explain why your application was rejected. To challenge this decision, you must submit a written appeal within three weeks from the date you received the denial.

Submitting your appeal after three weeks will result in automatic rejection by the Embassy.

Your appeal should include:

Compose your appeal in English or Swedish and send it via email to: visa.new-delhi@gov.se 

Alternatively, you can mail your physical appeal directly to the Embassy. 

Avoid sending multiple appeals or using different methods to submit the same appeal.

If your appeal is signed by someone else on your behalf, ensure they have the legal authority to represent you, demonstrated by a power of attorney.

If the Embassy decides to amend its decision:

If the Embassy considers revising the decision in your favour, based on new information or an error in the initial decision, they will get in touch with you.

If the Embassy upholds its decision:

If your appeal is timely but the Embassy sees no grounds to alter the decision, your case, along with all related documents, will be sent to the Administrative Court in Stockholm for review. Once your case is transferred, any inquiries should be directed to the court. You can find their contact details through the link provided on the Förvaltnings Domstolen website.

Timeline for the Appeal Process:

If the Embassy opts to reconsider its decision upon receiving your appeal, they will contact you within a few days. However, if the Embassy forwards your appeal to the Stockholm court, be prepared for a longer waiting period. For details on the processing times, visit the Så avgörs mål om visum section on the Förvaltningsrätten i Stockholm website (domstol.se). 

Determining the need for an airport transit visa (ATV) for Sweden depends on two distinct situations:

Possessing an Airport Transit Visa enables you to stay within the international transit zone at a Swedish airport while you wait for your connecting flight to a country outside the Schengen area. Note, this visa does not grant permission to enter the Schengen zone for activities like overnight hotel stays or catching another flight within the Schengen countries.

By following these guidelines and staying informed about Sweden’s entry and customs rules, your entry at the Sweden airport can be seamless and stress-free.

To summarise, obtaining a tourist visa for Sweden for Indian nationals requires meticulous preparation and awareness of several key procedures and requirements. It is crucial to understand the visa application process, assemble all necessary documents, and ensure you have valid travel insurance.

Sweden does not offer visa on arrival, thus applications must be submitted through recognized channels such as Teleport or VFS Global. Ensuring compliance with Sweden's entry regulations is essential for a smooth transition upon arrival.

With careful planning and adherence to guidelines, Indian travellers can anticipate an enriching experience in Sweden, with its vibrant cultural scene, stunning natural beauty, and dynamic cities.

For further questions or assistance, our team is here to help. Reach out to us at 0 73148 52914 or via WhatsApp.

Safe travels and enjoy your Swedish adventure!