Sweden

• Indian ordinary passport holders require a Schengen visa to travel to Sweden for tourism.

• For a holiday or tourism visit of up to 90 days, the correct category is the Schengen Short-Stay Visa – Type C.

• Sweden must be the correct Schengen country to process the application.

Generally, apply through Sweden when:

Sweden is the main destination of the trip based on purpose

OR

The traveller will spend the longest period of the trip in Sweden.

If equal time is spent in several Schengen countries and there is no other main destination, the application is normally made through the country of first entry.

• The Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi processes Swedish Schengen visa applications from India.

• Applications can be submitted through VFS Global.

VFS currently accepts Sweden visa applications in India through centres including:

New Delhi 

Mumbai 

Pune 

Kolkata 

Chennai 

Bangalore 

Hyderabad 

Lucknow 

Ahmedabad

• Passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years.

• Passport must remain valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen Area.

• Passport must contain at least 2 blank visa pages.

• Indian handwritten passports are not accepted.

• Indian passports containing certain manual amendments to biographical information may also not be accepted under Schengen rules.

• Original current passport is required.

• Previous passports should be submitted where available, irrespective of their condition.

If a previous passport has been lost, an explanatory note should be provided.

• Completed and signed Schengen Visa Application Form is required.

• One recent colour photograph is required.

Photo specifications:

35 mm × 45 mm

White background

Taken within the previous 6 months

Full face visible

• Applicant must explain the purpose and plan of the visit.

A detailed travel itinerary should be provided.

• Proof of accommodation is mandatory.

Acceptable accommodation documents include:

Hotel reservation

Holiday-home rental confirmation

Apartment booking

Campus-residence reservation where applicable

Other confirmed accommodation covering the complete planned stay

• If travelling through several Schengen countries, accommodation should cover the whole itinerary.

• Proof of travel between different Schengen destinations should also be provided where applicable.

Examples:

Train reservations

Intra-Schengen flight reservations

Car-rental booking

Bus or other transport reservations

• Return flight reservation is required.

Sweden's official India Tourist Visa checklist specifically requires reservation of the return ticket.

• Travellers should preferably avoid purchasing expensive non-refundable tickets before the visa is approved.

• Travel medical insurance is mandatory.

The policy must:

Be valid throughout all Schengen countries

Cover the complete intended travel period

Provide at least EUR 30,000 in medical coverage

Cover accident

Cover illness

Cover emergency medical treatment

Cover emergency hospital treatment

Cover medical evacuation

Cover repatriation

• Applicants applying from India should use an insurance provider accepted for Schengen visa purposes.

• Applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial means.

Sweden currently requires:

SEK 700 per person for each day of the visit.

The required amount can be lower in certain circumstances, for example where:

Accommodation has already been fully paid

Meals have already been paid

The traveller is staying with relatives/friends

The traveller's expenses are being legitimately covered by another person.

• Bank statements are required as financial evidence under the Sweden India Tourist Visa checklist.

Applicants should provide:

Personal bank statements covering the last 3 months.

• Income Tax Returns are specifically included in Sweden's India Tourist Visa checklist.

Applicants should provide:

Income Tax Returns / Income Tax declarations for the last 2 assessment years.

• For employed applicants:

Provide:

Last 3 months salary slips

Employment contract

Employer's letter confirming approved leave / holiday

Employment evidence

The employer's letter should support the applicant's continuing employment and authorised absence.

• For self-employed applicants:

Provide:

PAN registration

AND/OR

Company registration proof

Business ownership documentation as appropriate

Personal/business financial evidence

Bank statements covering the last 3 months

Income Tax Returns for the last 2 assessment years

• For students:

Provide:

School / College / University enrolment letter

Student identification where available

Financial sponsorship evidence where parents or another person pay for the journey

• For pensioners / retired applicants:

Provide:

Pension statements for the last 3 months

OR

Evidence of regular income from property, business or other sources.

• For unemployed applicants:

Being unemployed does not automatically prevent an applicant from applying.

The applicant should provide credible evidence explaining:

Who is paying for the trip

Financial ability of the sponsor

Relationship with the sponsor

Reasons to return to India

Other personal/economic circumstances.

• Where another person sponsors the journey:

Provide:

Sponsorship letter

Sponsor's bank statements

Sponsor's income/employment evidence

Relationship proof

Other appropriate financial evidence.

• Sweden requires evidence that the traveller intends to leave Sweden and the Schengen Area before the visa expires.

Evidence may include:

Return reservation

Employment

Business

Education

Family circumstances

Property

Financial circumstances

Other strong ties to India.

• Copies of the applicant's marriage certificate and children's birth certificates are included in Sweden's India tourism checklist where applicable.

• An invitation letter is NOT required for a standard independent tourist staying in hotels.

If the traveller's actual purpose is visiting relatives or friends in Sweden, the Visiting Family/Friends checklist should be used instead.

• Biometrics are required for most applicants.

Applicants aged 12 and above normally provide:

Fingerprints

Digital photograph.

• If usable Schengen biometric data have already been collected within the previous 59 months, fingerprints normally do not have to be collected again.

• The Embassy may nevertheless request fresh biometric data if the previous data are unavailable or unusable.

• Children below 12 are exempt from fingerprint collection.

• First-time biometric applicants must generally appear in person.

• For minor applicants travelling alone or with only one parent, additional parental consent requirements apply.

If travelling alone:

Consent of parents / legal guardians is required.

If travelling with only one parent:

Consent from the non-travelling parent/legal guardian is required unless sole custody can be legally established.

• Documents must be submitted in English or Swedish.

Documents issued in another language must be accompanied by a translation into English or Swedish from an authorised translator.

• The Embassy of Sweden in India states that documents are accepted in A4 format.

• Aadhaar card is not listed as a standard mandatory Sweden Tourist Visa document.

It may become relevant if a representative submits/collects documents, because Sweden accepts an Indian government ID such as Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, passport or driving licence for representative identification.

• Police Clearance Certificate is not a standard requirement for an ordinary short tourist visa.

• No standard vaccination certificate is required for a Sweden Tourist Visa application.

• The Tourist Visa does not normally permit employment.

• Visa approval does not guarantee entry.

At the Schengen external border, authorities may request evidence of:

Purpose of travel

Accommodation

Return/onward travel

Financial mean

Travel insurance

Other supporting documentation.

Travellers are therefore advised to carry copies of important documents used for the visa application.