Do I Need A Visa For Sweden From Uk
Do I need a visa for Sweden from UK and Ireland to enter Sweden? What does the requirement of visa mean? Do I need a visa for visiting Sweden from UK or Ireland? Do I need a visa for vacationing in Sweden from UK or Ireland? Where do I apply for a business visa to visit Sweden from the UK or Ireland?
Are you crossing borders in the Nordic region? Do you have a Schengen visa and are you unsure if it’s valid in Sweden? This article is for you. We talk about Schengen visas and how they affect travel to Sweden. There may be a few surprises. U.S. citizens traveling to Sweden from the UK can get a visitor’s visa from the Swedish embassy in London.
Do I Need A Visa For Sweden From Uk
Visa to Sweden
The rules for travelling to, moving to, working or studying in Sweden changed for British citizens on 1 January 2021.
For general travel requirements to Sweden, see this page.
Travel to Sweden from 1 January 2021
From 1 January 2021, British citizens are able to travel to Sweden and other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism. More information on The Swedish Migration Board’s website here.
Schengen visas for UK citizens to go to Sweden
If you hold a UK Travel Document, you will need a Schengen visa to travel to Sweden. The Embassy in London does not process applications for Schengen visas. All applications should instead be submitted at VFS Global.
List of countries whose citizens need a visa for entry into Sweden here
Visit VFS Global for information about different types of visa and the documents you will need to submit together with your application.
All applications for a Schengen visa (less than 90 days) to Sweden are processed and decided by the Swedish Migration Agency in Sweden. Applications are decided on within 15 calendar days, which is in accordance with Article 23.1 of the visa code.
We strongly recommends applicants to lodge applications six months before the start of the intended visit.
- Please note that The Swedish Migration Agency does not recognise ordinary passports issued by Somalia and Somaliland. However, diplomatic passports issued by Somalia are recognised.
- Please note that visa applications for Sweden from Ireland are currently handled by the Danish Embassy in Dublin.
Residence permits for visiting Sweden
You can apply for a residence permit for visiting Sweden at the Swedish Embassy in London.
Before you apply, you must:
- Prepare the required documents, more information here.
- Book an appointment by sending an email to the Visa Section at the Embassy. Find the visa section’s opening hours and email address here.
- Note that the fees for residence permits submitted at the embassy must be paid at the time of application. Please note that all fees at the Embassy are paid in British pounds, preferably by card payment (American Express is not accepted).
Biometric appointments
If you need to submit biometrics for your residence and work permit you can visit the Embassy during the visa section’s opening hours. You do not need to book an appointment. Please bring your valid passport with you (as proof of ID).
All travellers
As of 1 April 2022, people travelling to Sweden from the UK or other countries outside the EU/EEA will no longer be required to present a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination.
Check your passport and travel documents before you travel
Passport validity
If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.
Your passport must be:
- issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
Visas
You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
If you are travelling to Sweden and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, you will need to meet the Swedish government’s entry requirements. Check with the Swedish Embassy what type of visa and/or work permit, if any, you may need.
If you are travelling to Sweden for work, read the guidance on visas and permits.
If you stay in Sweden with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.
Passport stamping
Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Sweden as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.
You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area, and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets.
You may also need to:
- show a return or onward ticket
- show you have enough money for your stay
If you are resident in Sweden, read our Living in Sweden guide for passport stamping information.
Travelling with children
If you’re travelling with children other than your own, you should carry a letter of consent from the child’s parent or guardian.
Pets
Check guidance before travelling with pets.
UK Emergency Travel Documents
UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Sweden.