If you want to visit Sweden and you are not a citizen of the EU/EEA, you may need a visa. A visa gives you permission to enter and stay in Sweden for a short period. It is valid throughout the Schengen area, but you apply to the country that is the main destination for the journey.
Visas can be granted for such purposes as:
You can submit your application at the earliest three months before your planned visit. Apply as far in advance as possible, especially during the peak season.
Normal processing time for visa applications from Ukrainian citizens is 10 working days. If the application is not complete or if there are special reasons, the processing time can be extended to up to 30 working days. For applicants who are not Ukrainian citizens the processing time is up to 30 working days. For an additional fee there is a possibility for Ukrainian citizens to get their applications processed faster, the processing time is then 3 working days. For funerals and very serious illnesses there is no extra fee for priority processing.
A visa can be granted for between 1 and 90 days. You have to make use of these days within a given time frame of six months at the most (period of validity).
How many days you are allowed to stay in the Schengen area, and for how long altogether, is stated on the permit sticker attached to your travel document.
If you need to travel to Sweden often, you can ask to be given several entries. Such visas are valid for five years at the most. If the visa is for more than six months, you can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days per 180 days period. More information and a link to a calculator which can be used for calculating the period of allowed stay in the Schengen area can be found here.
A visa does not automatically mean you can enter the Schengen area. Entry checks are always made at external border points. So it is a good idea to bring along copies of the documents you submitted when applying for a visa. Border controls may result in you being denied entry.
It is the Embassy or Consulate that decides whether you are to be granted a visa. In certain cases, the matter is referred to the Swedish Migration Agency for a decision.
Read more about visa applications in the menu below and on the Swedish Migration Agency website.
Swedish Migration Agency website
If you know when applying that you will need to stay in Sweden for longer than three months, you should apply not for a Schengen visa but for a residence permit for a visit. Such permits are decided in accordance with national Swedish rules.
An application for a residence permit for a visit is always sent to the Migration Agency in Sweden, where the decision is taken. Consequently, the application period is longer than for visa. If the application is granted, residence permits are usually issued for between three and twelve months.
If you are to be granted a residence permit for a visit, the purpose of the trip must be to visit Sweden, not to settle there. You must have the means to support yourself throughout your stay, and you must possess either a return ticket or enough money for your return journey. Medical travel insurance is not compulsory, but it is advisable, since medical costs can be high.