Do Russians need a visa to Sweden? Yes, how to get a visa to Sweden?

Sweden is located in the heart of the Scandinavian Peninsula and is considered one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. The kingdom boasts unique attractions, incredible scenery and entertainment for every taste.

In recent years, Sweden has also gained popularity as a destination for health and green tourism, shopping tours and gastronomic trips. In order not to encounter problems when entering the country, you need to take care in advance about how to obtain a visa.

Types of visas

Entry permits can be divided into 2 categories: C and D. They differ from each other in the duration of stay in the country, as well as the validity of the visa. Further classification is carried out depending on the type of trip and the purpose of the trip.

Tourist

The most common type of visa to Sweden. It belongs to the short-term category and opens for a period of up to 90 days. A tourist visa to Sweden allows you to stay in the kingdom to attend cultural events, get acquainted with the history and traditions of the country, as well as for sightseeing.

Only those citizens who do not have any visa problems with other Schengen countries and who can confirm a sufficient level of their income will be able to obtain visas. In addition, you will need to make a reservation at the hotel or inn in advance. This will serve as confirmation that the tourist will have a permanent place of residence while in Sweden.

Guestbook

Issued solely on the basis of an existing invitation from a resident of Sweden or another country of the European Union. The purpose of a visitor visa will be to undergo training, travel for business or meet with relatives.

The receiving party will be required to prepare an invitation letter that complies with all requirements of Swedish law. It will be necessary to prove the applicant's financial viability or provide a letter of sponsorship confirming the fact that the costs will be borne by the host party.

If a visitor visa to Sweden is issued during the period associated with the start of the holiday season, you will need to submit documents in advance. The review period will increase to 60 days, during which embassy staff will conduct additional checks and tests.

Urgent visa to Sweden

It is a standard Schengen visa, which is issued in a short time. However, the cost of obtaining such permission will be increased. In addition, you need to provide embassy officials with a compelling reason for issuing an urgent visa. It could be:

Conducting business negotiations with Swedish respondents;
The need for urgent medical intervention (it is necessary to indicate the specific disease and the degree of importance of treatment for the foreigner);
Participation in the funeral of a relative;
Participation in a wedding;
Taking part in international competitions, volunteer movements and charity missions, traveling as part of an official delegation.

If one of the above circumstances exists, the period for obtaining a permit will be 1-3 days, subject to payment of an increased consular fee (70 euros). The center staff will tell you how to check the readiness of your visa.

City of Lund, Sweden. Lund is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Sweden, founded in the 10th century. There is a magnificent cathedral here, which is a masterpiece of the Romanesque style. It is believed that the first settlement arose during the late Viking Age more than a thousand years ago.

How to get a work visa to Sweden

To obtain such a permit, you need to contact the Swedish consulate or embassy. This category of visas is long-term, which is why many specialized visa centers do not deal with issues related to it.

The visa makes it possible to participate in business negotiations in Sweden, as well as to obtain employment. The basis for issuance will be a request from the Swedish employer. A trip with an official invitation will significantly simplify obtaining permission.

Upon arrival in Sweden, the Russian will have to obtain a work permit. To do this, you need to submit an application and pay a fee of 2 thousand crowns. The visa is valid only for the work that the foreigner has designated. If he plans to change his place of employment, he will have to obtain permission again.

Transit visa

The Kingdom of Sweden does not provide for visa-free transit. This means that there is no transit area at airports, and citizens arriving in Sweden for a connection are required to obtain a residence permit.

The document is issued for 5 days, and to obtain it you will need a standard package of papers, complete with copies of air tickets and hotel reservations (if your stay in the Kingdom is more than 24 hours).

Sarek National Park. The national park is shaped like a circle with a diameter of 50 km. The national park contains eight mountain peaks over 2000 m high, including the second highest mountain in Sweden - Sarekchokko. Climbing it takes a lot of time, which is why it remains inaccessible.

student visa

Applies to long-term visas category D. The registration process is not complicated. The applicant will receive permission immediately after being enrolled in a Swedish university. The only difficulty is the need to promptly and completely hand over documents for a student visa to Sweden to the consulate staff and pay the fee.

Please note that for foreigners living outside the Schengen zone, training is always paid. Therefore, after enrollment, the student is required to pay for his studies, and only after that he will be able to apply for a student visa.

Required documents

The list of papers for visa candidates can be divided into two key groups: basic and additional. The first group represents standard documents that everyone, without exception, will need. As for the second group, the list of additions will depend on many factors, including the purpose of the trip and the type of permission requested.

The basic set of documents for obtaining a visa includes:

An application form completed and signed by the candidate in Swedish or English.
Standard photographs that comply with the recommendations of the Schengen visa authorities.
Identity document (passport). There is a requirement that in order to obtain a visa, the passport must have at least 2 blank pages, and its validity must be at least 3 months.
Copies of passport pages, including previously issued Schengen visas, as well as personal data of the applicant.
A document confirming financial solvency. The visa authority will grant permission if the applicant proves his ability to pay the costs. According to general rules, to enter Sweden you must have at least 450 kroons for each day of stay. Confirmation can be a certificate from the place of work, a bank card extract, information about the real estate owned by the applicant, as well as a sponsorship letter, according to which the costs are borne by the receiving party.
Medical insurance. Its validity period is equal to the duration of the trip, and the amount of coverage is 30 thousand euros.
Birth certificate (for minors).
Permission from both parents for the child to travel outside the territory under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation.

Speaking about additional papers that visa services and the consulate may require, you need to point out that the specific list depends on the type of visa. For example, to obtain a tourist permit you may need:

written travel itinerary;
invitation from a Swedish citizen;
hotel reservation;
a copy of the return ticket;
sponsorship letter if the tourist is traveling by invitation.

Citizens of the Russian Federation who apply for a visitor visa are sometimes asked to provide:

invitation from a resident of Sweden;
confirmation of the legal residence of the receiving party;
confirmation of family ties;
a sponsorship letter with an obligation to pay the foreigner’s expenses;
data on the income level of the host party (credit card statement, certificate from the employer).

A work visa to Sweden for Russians can be issued upon provision of:

invitations from a Swedish resident partner;
guarantees of job availability;
information regarding payment of expenses (at the expense of the tourist or the host).

To obtain a study permit you may be asked to:

payment receipt for educational courses;
an extract confirming the applicant’s enrollment in the university.

In any case, a foreign citizen must prepare a basic package of papers. If he needs to provide additional certificates, the consulate will notify him of this.

List of required documents

To apply for a Schengen visa yourself, you need to submit a rather impressive package of documents to the embassy or a special visa center. It varies somewhat for different visa categories, but there is a list of papers that are required for any application:

Application form (questionnaire) for a visa. The form must be completed in either Swedish or English. It is signed both personally and by the legal representative of the applicant.
A foreign passport or other travel document that will be valid for more than three months from the date of intended departure from the Schengen area. The document provided must have two blank pages, and its issuance period must not exceed ten years.
2 photos (requirements are in a separate section below).
Documents confirming payment of visa (consular) and service fees.
Medical insurance with a minimum amount of €30,000, which is valid for the entire trip and can also be applied in any Schengen country and under any circumstances.
A copy of certain pages of a Russian passport: you need to make copies of pages with a photograph, information about registration, marital status, as well as information about the foreign passport you received.

This list of documents must be collected by everyone who plans to apply for a Schengen visa. Other papers specific to each type of visa are added to this list.

Visa application: how to fill out the form?

The basis for consideration of the applicant's application is the questionnaire. There are different forms for different categories of visas (C – short-term and D – long-term), which can be obtained at the visa center.

There are strict requirements for filling out:

You can enter data in English or Swedish;
the document must not contain errors, including grammatical ones;
any corrections or adjustments are prohibited;
the filling out process is carried out personally by the applicant; an authorized person does not have the right to do this;
All data must be current at the time of filling.

If you ignore the actual rules, your visa will be refused. To avoid unpleasant situations, it is recommended to take a sample of filling out a visa application form for Sweden from the visa center staff or use the support of travel agency employees.

Application form for a visa to Sweden. The application form, completed in English or Swedish, must be personally signed by the applicant; The child will also need a form signed by the parent.

Visa application form

On the website of the Swedish Immigration Department (//www.migrationsverket.se/Privatpersoner.html) you will be offered two types of application forms: the first is required for visas of category C and transit visa, the second is required for visa D. The application form for any visa of category C is accepted as for Swedish and English.

Application forms can also be downloaded from our website:

The category C application form in Swedish can be found at this link.
The category C application form in English can be viewed here.

To apply for a D-category visa, you will need to fill out a different type of application. Don't get confused! The English-language category D application form can be found here.

Photo requirements

When preparing documents, it is mandatory to provide photographs of the established sample. For all Schengen countries, standard photo requirements apply:

it must be clear and colorful;
It is forbidden to take pictures with excess makeup (for girls), as well as wearing glasses that can distort the light and create glare;
the size must correspond to the format 3.5x4.5 cm;
the photo must be current and taken no later than 180 days before submitting the documents;
the face is depicted on a white background and occupies most of it (32-36 mm in length and 35 mm in width).

It is strictly forbidden to take photos wearing headdresses and national paraphernalia (with the exception of certain religious groups).

How much does a visa to Sweden cost?

Applying for a visa to Sweden is a paid procedure, so the applicant will have to pay a number of standard amounts. The total cost of the visa consists of consular and service fees. The latter is always 21 euros, it is paid for the acceptance and verification of documentation.

As for the consular fee, the price may vary:

a Schengen visa will cost 35 euros;
for urgent Schengen you will have to pay 70 euros;
a national visa to Sweden for Russians in category D in 2021 costs 60 euros;
obtaining a residence permit will cost SEK 1,000 for adults and SEK 500 for children;
a work permit in Sweden will cost 2 thousand crowns.

All fees are paid by the applicant in domestic currency (rubles) at the exchange rate on the day the visa application is submitted. If a permit is refused, fees will not be refunded. Therefore, when preparing documents you need to be careful and responsible.

Certain categories of applicants are exempt from paying the visa fee. We are talking about children under 6 years of age, disabled people and citizens whose relatives permanently reside in one of the EU countries.

To enter Sweden, citizens of the Russian Federation need to apply for a Schengen visa. Documents for obtaining it can be submitted to the migration department of the Swedish Embassy in Moscow or visa centers of the country. The requirements for the package of documents, the rules for crossing the border and staying are similar to those of Schengen. Visa permits can be single or multiple entry.

Where to submit your visa application

You can submit an application to one of the following authorities:

One of 20 VFS Global visa centers. The company has offices in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other Russian cities. Applications are accepted by consular district. The addresses and operating hours of the organization's branches can be found here. No prior arrangement is required when applying for a visa. Sign on the door of the Swedish Consulate
Embassy of Sweden in Moscow. Address: Moscow, Mosfilmovskaya street, 60. The visa department is open to visitors on weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. You should go there by appointment. However, you must make an appointment at VFS. This must be done by one of the phone numbers:

Consulate General of Finland in Petrozavodsk. Those who permanently reside in the territory of the Republic of Karelia can apply for a Swedish visa here.

Please note that VFS only issues C visas. All types of Swedish entry documents (visas C and D, as well as residence permit) are issued only by the Swedish Embassy in Moscow. The Swedish Consulate General in St. Petersburg (address: Malaya Konyushennaya street, 1/3) does not deal with visas.

On a note! Fingerprint scans for Swedish Schengen can be taken both at the embassy and at the VFS offices.

Visa processing time

Depending on the type of visa chosen, processing times may vary significantly. The standard period for consideration of an application is 3 months, although in some situations it is possible to increase the time period to 60 days. When applying for Schengen, the final decision will be known 10 days after submitting the application (Visa Application).

Migration authorities pay attention to various factors when studying an application:

the time required for the applicant to visit the kingdom;
validity period of the invitation;
age characteristics of the applicant;
the need for urgent execution of a permit;
availability of a complete package of accompanying documentation;
correctness of the data provided;
no visa refusals in other Schengen states.

Sweden provides the possibility of urgently obtaining a permit - an “express visa”. For an additional fee, it will be produced in an expedited format (1-3 days). However, you can use this service only if there is a fairly serious justification (funeral or wedding of a relative, need for treatment in Swedish clinics, etc.).

Biometrics procedure

Since 2015, there has been a general requirement to undergo biometrics when applying for a visa. This rule is valid for all citizens over 12 years of age.

The biometrics procedure includes two stages:

Submission of dactyloscopy (fingerprints). Persons who have serious injuries on their hands that would make it impossible to submit fingerprints are exempt from it. If there are wounds or minor injuries on your fingers, you can undergo the procedure after they have healed.
Digital photo of the established format.

The fingerprinting procedure is completely free and is done once every 5 years at the Consulate General or Embassy. On subsequent trips to the Schengen zone, biometrics are not required, which greatly simplifies the procedure for entering a foreign country.

Architecture of the Old Town (Gamla Stan) in Stockholm. The historical center of Stockholm is located on the island of Stadsholmen. The Old Town is home to about 3,000 inhabitants. The foundation of the city dates back to the 13th century, so Gamla Stan has many narrow cobbled streets and alleys, and you can also see old architecture.

Applying for a visa with an extended validity period

For citizens who have relatives in Sweden, or who frequently visit the country for business or educational purposes, it is possible to obtain a visa with an extended validity period (multiple visa). Foreigners who have a stamp in their passports confirming the issuance of an annual permit to enter the country are entitled to it.

A multiple visa to Sweden is issued for 2 years and gives the right to unhindered travel to the country for a specified period. The application procedure is standard, except that the applicant will need to provide copies of previously issued permits.

Additional documents for obtaining a Swedish visa

Depending on the purpose of the upcoming trip, you provide additional documents to obtain a visa.

Purpose of trip: visiting relatives/friends

An original and a copy of an invitation from a Swedish relative or friend on a special form (Invitations numbered 240011 (in Swedish) and 241011 (in English). The invitation does not need to be certified by a notary.
In case of a trip to close relatives - documentary evidence of relationship. For example, birth or marriage certificates.
An extract from the Swedish population register (Personbevis) no older than 3 months from the inviting person, which can be obtained from the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). A copy of the inviting person's passport. If the inviter is not a Swedish citizen, then you must provide a copy of your residence permit.

Purpose of trip: tourism

Hotel reservations for the entire period of stay in the country.
Copies of all pages of the Russian passport.
Printout of a detailed trip route.

Purpose of trip: business

Original and copy of a written invitation from a Swedish company. Preferably on company letterhead. It should contain information: who is inviting whom, the purpose of the trip to Sweden, the time of the visit, who is paying the expenses, where the invitee will live.

Documents for children

The procedure for obtaining a visa for a child will not differ in any way from the standard process. The only thing is that additional documents will be required. It’s worth saying right away that unaccompanied citizens under 18 are strictly prohibited from entering Sweden.

The child’s parents will be able to obtain a visa permit by personally visiting a Swedish visa center or embassy. To do this, you will need to provide the following list of documents:

International passport. If the child is over 14 years old, he must have his own document. If he is far from the specified age, it is necessary that information about the child and his photo be in the parental passport.
Current photographs in the amount of 2 pieces. The photo must fully comply with the requirements of the Schengen visa policy, and be taken no later than 180 days before the date of submission of the documentation.
Notarized copy and original birth certificate. In some situations, a notarized translation of a document into Swedish may be required.
Data from an educational institution. You will need to obtain a certificate from the educational institution, which will contain information about the name of the school (kindergarten), the legal address of the institution, the initials of the child, the class or group in which he is studying. Visa center employees also require you to provide contact information to contact representatives of the educational institution. The certificate must be certified by the director or head of the institution.
Sponsorship letter. The child does not have his own sources of income and is dependent on his parents. They need to draw up a sponsorship letter, which will indicate that all expenses for travel and accommodation in Sweden are fully borne by them. You will also need to provide documentary evidence of your parents' income level and a certificate from your place of employment.
Permission for a child to travel outside of Russia. It will be required in 2 copies, written by each parent. The permit must be notarized, and the document indicates the specific period of the child’s stay outside the Russian Federation. Copies of parents’ national passports are also provided as confirmation.

Separate requirements apply to accompanying a child. A single mother will need to provide a certificate confirming her status. If a minor is traveling accompanied by a father who is under 28 years of age, he will be required to have a military ID or a certificate from the military registration and enlistment office. Submitting documents through a proxy is not allowed; the applicant must be present in person.

If a child is being raised in a single-parent family and does not have a father or mother, in order to obtain a visa, you must provide the visa center employees with a certificate from the registry office confirming the absence of the father (for single mothers), a death certificate, a court order on the deprivation of parental rights or on the absence of information about the whereabouts of the other parent.

View of the valley. Northern Sweden. Sweden can be divided into two regions: northern and southern. The eastern slopes of the Scandinavian Highlands are crossed by deep valleys, some of them have elongated narrow lakes, and between them are areas of fertile soil used for pastures.

Visitor visa

If one of your relatives lives in Sweden, you can apply for a visitor visa. In addition to standard documents, this will require:

A written request drawn up by the person inviting the applicant and confirmed by the competent authority.
Evidence of employment and intention to return to Russia.
Confirmation of family ties with the inviting party.
Proof of the host person's Swedish citizenship or legal presence in Sweden.

Refusal of a visa

Statistics show that every year a large number of foreigners are denied permission to visit Sweden. Common failure cases include:

lack of legal marriage among girls and women under 40 years of age;
visa violations that occurred during previous visits to the Schengen area;
refusal of other EU countries to issue a visa;
lack of necessary funds for travel, insufficient income (no certificate confirming the availability of financial resources);
lack of valuable property;
incomplete documentation package;
provision of knowingly false and irrelevant data;
the presence of an outstanding criminal record, especially for articles related to terrorism;
having access to classified information;
absence of children who remain on the territory of the Russian Federation.

If a refusal is received, a foreign citizen may file a petition indicating compelling reasons for reviewing the negative decision.

Public park near Drotttingholm Palace in Stockholm. Drottningholm is a palace and park ensemble in Sweden. Located on the island of Louvön in the middle of Lake Mälaren, in the vicinity of Stockholm. Since 1981 it has been the residence of Swedish kings.

Tourist visa

Tourist visas are the most popular visa categories at the embassy. The issuance of such visas is on a regular basis, and it is extremely difficult to get a refusal. The main thing is to fill out all the paperwork correctly.

In addition to the documents listed above, you will need to provide:

Confirmation of accommodation: this can be a letter from the inviting person, a certificate from the hotel or a paid hotel reservation
Confirmation of the route may consist of a travel plan, reservations of various hotels, tickets for flights between Schengen countries. A return ticket from Sweden to any non-Schengen country is often sufficient.
Confirmation that the applicant has a job (copy of the work record book); if the applicant does not work, you can provide a bank account statement or a statement from a sponsor; confirmation of intention to return (the same copy of the employment document or certificate of ownership of the apartment).

Features of customs control

The customs authority has the right to initiate a total check of a traveler arriving in the country if his behavior raises any questions.

Customs control points have separate areas for thorough screening of travelers. When entering the kingdom, the tourist will have to show all the necessary documentation, as well as clearly explain the purpose of his trip.

Main provisions

The basis of the Schengen Agreement are general security rules and recommendations regarding customs policy. These rules apply exclusively to citizens of countries outside the agreement area.

Restrictions have been established on duty-free transportation of products. Thus, a tourist can take with him no more than 2 liters of wine, 1 liter of liquor and 16 liters of beer, 50 ml of perfume and 250 ml of shaving lotion. However, if he does not confirm that he is over 20 years old, the specified alcoholic products will be confiscated.

Tourists are allowed to take with them no more than 200 cigarettes (provided that the traveler is over 16 years of age), 500 grams of coffee and 100 grams of tea. In addition, the total cost of products transported by a citizen for personal use cannot exceed 1,700 crowns. Otherwise, he will have to pay a duty fee.

It is strictly prohibited to transport narcotic substances, as well as gas cartridges, pistols, shotguns, crossbows and other items that fall into the category of weapons. The exception is when a traveler can provide permission to carry such items.

View of Helsingborg Town Hall. One of the main attractions of Helsingborg is the Town Hall building, which was designed in 1887. In 1965, a chapel was added to the town hall building, in which marriages were registered.

Transportation of food and medicines

Regarding food products, Sweden has an interesting regulation according to which you can only take with you those products that meet EU quality standards. Animal products can be legally imported into the country with permission from the agricultural authority.

Some products are strictly prohibited from being imported into Sweden. Thus, residents of non-EU countries will not be able to bring potatoes and most vegetables and fruits with them.

As for medications, they are allowed with a doctor’s certificate. The traveler must prove that the medicines he brought are necessary for personal use, and provide the corresponding medical document in Russian and a copy with a notarized translation. If the medicine contains narcotic components, the traveler may face difficulties, especially if he does not provide medical evidence.