Sweden Visa for Indians

Indian citizens looking to experience Sweden’s stunning landscapes, progressive culture, and high standard of living must obtain a proper Sweden visa for Indians before their journey.

This comprehensive guide will help Indian travelers understand the visa requirements, application procedures, costs, and practical tips to successfully secure their Swedish visa.

Do Indians Need a Sweden Visa?

Yes, Indian passport holders must obtain a visa before traveling to Sweden. Sweden is part of the Schengen Area, meaning your Swedish visa grants access to 26 European countries.

• Indian citizens require a valid Schengen visa regardless of visit duration or purpose.
• Apply to Swedish authorities if Sweden is your primary destination/
• No visa-on-arrival or e-visa options are available.
• The upcoming ETIAS (2025) will not replace visa requirements for Indians.

Sweden Visa for Indians

Sweden offers several visa categories to accommodate different travel purposes for Indian citizens. Understanding these options helps you select the most appropriate visa type for your specific needs.

Visa Name	Entry Type	Stay Duration	Validity	Processing Time
Schengen Visa (Type C)	Single/Multiple	Up to 90 days per 180-day period	6 months -5 years	15 calendar days

Sweden Visa Eligibility Criteria for Indian Citizens

The Sweden visa eligibility for Indians covers several key requirements you must meet to qualify for entry.

• Your passport must remain valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area. It needs at least two blank pages for visa stamps and must have been issued within the past ten years.
• You must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your Swedish stay. The standard requirement is approximately 450 SEK (₹4,000) per day, though this may vary based on your accommodation arrangements and trip length.
• Comprehensive travel medical insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000 (₹27 lakhs) valid across all Schengen countries is mandatory. Your policy must cover emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, and repatriation costs.
• The Swedish consulate requires proof of your accommodation arrangements for your complete stay. This includes hotel reservations, rental agreements, or invitation letters from hosts.
• Your application needs strong evidence of your intention to return to India after your visit through employment documentation, property ownership, family relationships, or educational commitments.
• Tourist visa applicants should provide a detailed itinerary of planned activities and destinations within Sweden.
• A clean travel history without overstays or visa violations improves your approval chances. Previous successful trips to Schengen countries, the UK, US, or other developed nations strengthen your application.

Suggested Read: How to Check Sweden Visa Status In India?

Sweden Visa Fees for Indians

The Sweden visa fees for Indians follow the standardized Schengen visa fee structure.

Type of Visa	Applicant Category	Govt. Fee (EUR/INR)	VFS Service Charge (EUR/INR)	OneVasco Fee (INR)
Schengen Visa (Type C)	Adults	EUR 90/ INR 8,303.94	EUR 16/ INR 1,478.34	INR 5,000
Schengen Visa (Type C)	Children (6-12 years)	EUR 45/ 4,152.06	EUR 16/ INR 1,478.34	INR 5,000.00
Schengen Visa (Type C)	Children (under 6 years)	0	EUR 16/ INR 1,478.34	INR 5,000.00

This amount stays the same whether you apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. The issuing authority determines the type of visa you will be given.

• Applicants applying at the Swedish Visa Application Centre shall be levied a service charge of 16 euros (Inclusive of Goods and Service Tax –SGST @9% and CGST@9%), payable in cash or by Debit/Credit Card.
• VFS Global accepts payments via demand draft, credit/debit cards, or cash at their application centers.
• Certain applicants may qualify for fee waivers, including family members of EU/EEA citizens, students with accompanying teachers on educational trips, and researchers participating in scientific projects.
• All visa fees are non-refundable, even if your application gets rejected or withdrawn.
• The child between 0 – 12 years on the submission date at VFS are Biometric exempt.

Note: The fee amounts may change without prior notice, so check current rates on official websites before applying.

Sweden Visa Requirements & Documents for Indians

The Sweden visa requirements for Indians include several essential documents you must prepare according to specific standards.

Application Documents

• You need a filled Schengen visa application form with no blank fields, signed personally by the applicant.
• Your application must include a recent passport-sized photograph (35mm x 45mm) with a white background meeting Schengen specifications.
• The visa fee payment receipt must be included as proof that you’ve paid the required application fees.

Personal Documents

• Your passport must remain valid for at least three months beyond your planned exit date from the Schengen Area and contain at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
• The passport should have been issued within the past ten years to meet Schengen requirements.
• To demonstrate your travel history, include photocopies of your passport’s biographical page and any previous Schengen visas.
• Your complete travel history can strengthen your application, so add copies of visas and entry/exit stamps from countries you’ve visited, particularly Schengen states, the US, UK, and Canada.
• For address verification, submit proof of your current residence in India through utility bills, Aadhaar card, or other official documentation with your name and address.

Financial Documents

• Bank statements from the past six months showing regular income and sufficient balance to cover your entire trip serve as primary financial evidence.
• Account statements should indicate transactions, deposits, and withdrawals to demonstrate financial activity and stability.
• Your income tax returns (ITR) for the past two years.
• A no-objection certificate from your employer stating your position, salary, and approved leave period is essential for employed applicants.
• Self-employed individuals must submit business registration documents, proof of income, and tax documentation showing business legitimacy.
• If someone else is financing your trip, sponsorship letters with financial proof, including their bank statements and an explanation of your relationship, are required.

Travel Arrangements

• Round-trip flight reservations (not necessarily paid tickets) showing your entry to and departure from the Schengen Area must be included.
• Your detailed day-by-day itinerary should outline planned activities and movements throughout your stay in Sweden and other Schengen countries.
• Confirmed hotel reservations or other accommodation proof covering your entire stay period are mandatory for visa approval.
• If staying with friends or relatives, you need an invitation letter with the host’s contact details and a copy of their ID or residence permit.
• Travel medical insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage for medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation valid throughout the Schengen Area is required.

Additional Documents

• For minors, birth certificates, school enrollment proof, and parental consent documents are required for visa processing.
• If a child travels with only one parent, notarized authorization from the other parent is necessary to prevent custody issues.
• Family visit applicants need proof of their relationship with the host through marriage certificates, birth certificates, or other relevant documentation confirming family ties.

Suggested read: How to Book a Sweden Visa Appointment?

Sweden Visa Process for Indians

The Sweden visa application process for India involves several key steps you must follow precisely.

1. 1. Visit the VFS Global website to create an account and download the visa application form. Fill the form thoroughly with your personal information, travel details, and purpose of visit.

1. 1. Book an appointment at your nearest VFS Global Sweden Visa Application Centre in India. These centers operate in major cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata. Book well in advance, especially during peak travel periods.

1. 1. Prepare all required documents according to the checklist provided on the VFS website.
   2. Arrange documents in the specified order, with photocopies attached as instructed. Complete documentation significantly increases your approval chances.
   3. Attend your appointment on time with all original documents and the complete application package.

1. During this appointment, you’ll provide your biometric data (fingerprints and digital photograph) unless you’ve given these for a Schengen visa within the past 59 months.
2. Pay the visa fee and service charges at the VFS center.
3. After submission, you’ll get a tracking receipt with a unique reference number. This lets you monitor your application status online through the VFS Global website.
4. The processing time typically takes around 15 calendar days, though this can extend during peak seasons.
5. Once processed, you can collect your passport with the visa decision from the VFS center or receive it via courier if you opted for this service.
6. If your visa is approved, check all details on your visa sticker for accuracy before leaving. If rejected, you’ll receive a document explaining the reasons.

Sweden Visa Processing Time for Indians

The Sweden visa processing time for Indians varies based on application volume, season, and case complexity.

Application Type	Standard Processing	Peak Season	Complex Cases
Schengen Visa (Type C)	15 calendar days	Up to 30 days	Up to 60 days

• In exceptional circumstances, complex applications requiring additional verification may take up to 60 days.
• This typically happens when background checks are necessary, documentation appears inconsistent, or your travel history warrants additional scrutiny.
• Processing takes substantially longer for national visas (Type D)—from 30 to 90 days or more—due to the more complex nature of these applications and the additional verification required for long-term stays.

Sweden Stay Duration, Validity, and Extension for Indians

The Sweden visa validity for Indians follows specific parameters determining how long you can legally remain in the country.

Visa Type	Maximum Stay	Validity Period	Extension Possibility
Schengen Visa (Type C)	90 days per 180-day period	6 months -5 years	Exceptional circumstances only

• Your Schengen visa for Sweden adheres to the “90/180 rule,” which limits your presence in the entire Schengen Area to a maximum of 90 days within any 180 days.
• The validity period shown on your visa (typically from a few months to five years for multiple-entry visas) indicates the timeframe you can use the visa to enter the Schengen Area.
• Multiple-entry visas permit repeated entries during the validity period while maintaining compliance with the 90/180 day limitation. These visas benefit frequent travelers with established travel histories to Schengen countries.

Extensions of Schengen visas while in Sweden are granted only in exceptional circumstances, such as:

• Force majeure events or serious humanitarian reasons preventing departure
• Important personal reasons, like a sudden serious illness
• Documented unavoidable delays to scheduled departures

For extension requests, you must visit the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) before your visa expires. You’ll need to submit an application form, passport, documentation proving the exceptional circumstances, and potentially pay an extension fee.

Overstaying your permitted duration carries serious consequences, including fines, deportation, entry ban to the entire Schengen Area for one to five years, and difficulties obtaining visas in the future.

Top Mistakes While Applying for a Sweden Visa

Your visa application will face immediate rejection if you submit incomplete or inconsistently filled forms. So, check that all fields are completed accurately and match exactly with your supporting documents before submission.

1. Many applicants provide travel insurance with coverage below €30,000, missing geographical protection for all Schengen countries, or with dates that do not match their entire trip.
2. Swedish officials reject visa applications showing suspicious recent deposits, bank accounts lacking transaction history, or balances below the required 450 SEK per day for the trip.
3. Applications with mismatched dates between forms, flight bookings, accommodations, and insurance often face immediate rejection.
4. Applications may be returned if photos don’t meet Schengen standards: 35×45mm size, white background, 70-80% face coverage, and professional quality.
5. Submitting to the wrong embassy occurs when applicants don’t apply through their main destination country or first entry point, if time is split equally.

Sweden Visa Consulates/Embassy in India

For Indian citizens applying for Swedish visas, here’s where and how to contact official representatives.

Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi

• Address: 4-5, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, India
• Phone: +91 11 4419 7100
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.swedenabroad.se/en/embassies/india-new-delhi/
• Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/C9dwYgtaM2tYLo3G7
• Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (visa section: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM)

Consulate General of Sweden in Mumbai

• Address: TCG Financial Centre, 3 Floor, C–53, G–Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051
• Phone: 02261132300
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.swedenabroad.se/en/embassies/india-mumbai/
• Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zMpEvavxwxmQ8b7k8
• Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (visa section: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM)

VFS Global Sweden Visa Application Centres

VFS Global handles visa applications for Sweden in several Indian cities:

New Delhi
Address: PARA 15, 2nd Floor, Satdhara House, New DLF Centre, Sansad Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Mumbai
Address: Trade Centre, First Floor, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai 400051
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

To know more about other VFS centers, please click on link.

Indian citizens don’t interact directly with the embassy or consulate for visa applications but instead apply through the VFS Global centers. These centers handle document collection, biometric data capture, and initial verification before forwarding applications to the Swedish mission for decision.

While walk-ins at VFS centers are technically possible, they’re subject to availability and often result in long wait times—book appointments through the VFS website for all applications.

Suggested Read: Beaches in Sweden: Top Coastal Escapes to Discover

Top Reasons to Visit Sweden

Sweden offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, culture, innovation, and lifestyle experiences, making it a remarkable destination. Here’s why this Nordic nation deserves a spot on your travel list:

Natural Landscapes

Sweden’s geography transforms dramatically with the seasons, offering different experiences throughout the year. Summer brings the magical midnight sun to northern regions, where daylight extends up to 24 hours.

• The Swedish archipelago comprises over 30,000 islands and islets scattered along the coastline.
• Stockholm’s archipelago alone comprises about 24,000 islands ranging from inhabited communities to uninhabited nature reserves.
• Winter visitors can witness the spectacular Northern Lights, while summer brings opportunities for hiking under the midnight sun.
• The famous Kungsleden (King’s Trail) offers one of Europe’s most beautiful long-distance hiking routes.

Cultural Experiences

Stockholm’s Gamla Stan (Old Town) ranks among Europe’s most well-preserved medieval city centers. Narrow cobblestone streets and colorful buildings dating back to the 13th century create a charming historic atmosphere.

The unique concept of “fika” represents more than just a coffee break in Swedish culture – it’s an essential social institution. This daily ritual involves taking time to enjoy coffee and pastries with friends or colleagues.

Sweden’s design heritage has influenced global aesthetics through brands like IKEA and H&M. Museums like Stockholm’s National Museum showcase everything from traditional crafts to cutting-edge innovations that exemplify functional minimalism.

Modern Innovations

Stockholm’s Vasa Museum houses the world’s only almost fully intact 17th-century ship, salvaged after 333 years underwater. The museum presents fascinating insights into maritime archaeology and the conservation techniques that saved this remarkable time capsule.

Sweden’s eco-friendly initiatives make it one of the world’s most sustainable nations. Stockholm’s Hammarby Sjöstad district stands as a model eco-neighborhood where environmental considerations inform everything from building materials to transportation.

The ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi represents a unique accommodation experience rebuilt annually using ice harvested from the Torne River. Artists from around the world create stunning ice sculptures and room designs for this ephemeral masterpiece.

Culinary Delights

Swedish cuisine has evolved far beyond the stereotypical meatballs, embracing both traditional foods and New Nordic innovation. Restaurants showcase local ingredients like Arctic char, lingonberries, and foraged mushrooms prepared with modern techniques.

Stockholm’s food scene has exploded in recent years, with several Michelin-starred restaurants alongside excellent mid-range options. Vibrant food halls like Östermalms Saluhall offer a taste of Swedish culinary culture in a historic setting.

Accessibility and Safety

Sweden consistently ranks among the world’s safest countries for travelers with low crime rates and excellent emergency services. When preparing your Sweden visa for Indians application, highlighting your detailed itinerary can strengthen your case.

English is widely spoken throughout the country, with most Swedes fluent enough for detailed conversations. This eliminates language barriers for international visitors and makes navigating the country remarkably straightforward.

The public transportation system operates with remarkable efficiency and environmental consciousness. Stockholm’s art-filled metro system, often called “the world’s longest gallery,” showcases how even transit spaces can become cultural experiences.

Why Choose OneVasco?

OneVasco makes visa applications effortless. Our expert team manages the entire process, allowing you to focus on your journey.

Enjoy stress-free travel with fast visa approvals.

• Expert and Personalized Support
• Efficient and Hassle-Free Process
• Real-Time Tracking and Updates
• Transparent Communication
• Trusted by Millions

FAQs

Do Indians need a visa for Sweden?

Yes, Indian citizens require a Schengen visa to enter Sweden. There are no visa-free or visa-on-arrival options available for Indian passport holders traveling to any Schengen country, including Sweden.

Is there a Visa on Arrival for Indians in Sweden?

No, Sweden does not offer a visa-on-arrival for Indian citizens. You must apply for and receive your Schengen visa before departing India. Without a valid visa, airlines will not allow you to board flights to Sweden.

Is Sweden visa easy to get for Indians?

The Sweden visa approval process maintains reasonable standards for well-prepared applications. Complete documentation, clear travel purpose, sufficient financial means, and strong ties to India significantly increase approval chances.

What is the eligibility for a Sweden visa for Indians?

You need a passport valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure with two blank pages. You must demonstrate sufficient financial means (approximately 450 SEK per day) and provide comprehensive travel insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage.

What documents are needed for a Sweden visa for Indians?

Essential documents include a passport, a completed application form with a photograph, a travel itinerary, flight reservations, accommodation proof, a travel insurance certificate, bank statements, employment verification, and income tax returns.

Are children eligible to apply for a Sweden visa?

Yes, children of all ages can apply with the same basic documentation as adults, plus birth certificates, school enrollment verification, and parental consent forms if traveling with only one parent or someone other than their parents.

How much bank balance is required for a Sweden tourist visa?

You should demonstrate approximately 450 SEK (₹4,000) per day of your planned stay. For a two-week trip, this means showing around 6,300 SEK (₹56,000) consistently in your bank statements from the past six months.

How long does a Sweden tourist visa take to process?

Standard processing takes approximately 15 calendar days. During peak seasons (May-August and December-January), processing may extend to 30 days, while complex cases can take up to 60 days in exceptional circumstances.

What’s the process for obtaining a Sweden Visa for Indians?

Complete the online application, book an appointment at VFS Global, prepare all required documents, submit your application with biometric data in person, pay the visa fee, and wait approximately 15 calendar days for processing.