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Facts about visas
As a result of the Agreement, Schengen countries have abolished border controls for people travelling between these countries. A visa granted by any one of these countries is also valid for visits to the others. In exceptional cases, the visa may only be valid for entry into the issuing country or only for certain countries if the holder´s passport is not approved by all the Schengen countries.
Different reasons for visiting Sweden
A visa is a permit which is required to enter and remain in Sweden and the other Schengen countries for a short period of time, for example
- to visit relatives or friends
- as a tourist
- on business
- to attend a conference
- or simply to transit the country.
A visa granted by any one of these countries is also valid for visits to the others. In exceptional cases, the visa may only be valid for entry into the issuing country or only for certain countries if the holder´s passport is not approved by all the Schengen countries.
Period of validity
A visa is time-limited and is valid for a maximum of three months in any six-month period. Anyone who has spent three months in the Schengen zone must therefore leave the area for three months before they can be granted a new Schengen visa.
It is possible to apply for a Schengen visa that applies for several entries where a person is for instance visiting their own children or in connection with recurrent business visits. This visa applies to stays of a maximum of 90 days per half year. Such a visa can be obtained for at most five years.
A person who has special reasons can obtain a visa for a longer period — at most one year. The visa applies throughout the Schengen area but is considered according to national rules and is a ‘D-visa´.
Extension
A person who is in Sweden and wishes to extend their visit must in most cases apply for a residence permit for the visit.
A person who knows in advance that he or she wishes to be in Sweden for a period longer than three months should already apply to the Swedish mission abroad for a residence permit for the visit or, if there are special reasons, a visa of longer validity (see above). In this way it is possible to avoid double charges.
In certain cases it is also possible to extend a visa; this can apply in the following cases:
Force majeure — for instance there may be a rebooking of a flight owing to a strike by an airline, extremely bad weather.
Humanitarian grounds — for instance the holder of the visa or a close relative of theirs resident in Sweden may suddenly become seriously ill.
Strong personal reasons — this may, for instance, involve healthcare or business visits.
Embassies and consulates consider applications
Visa applications are considered by a Swedish mission abroad (embassy or consulate). In the event that they are unable to make a decision, the application is passed on to the Swedish Migration Board in Sweden.
Questions about an individual visa case should first be addressed to the embassy or consulate where the application was submitted.
The Swedish Migration Board determines the guidelines for issuing visas (visa practice). Practice is based on the knowledge which the Board has of the conditions in different parts of the world. Experience from individual cases also influences practice, similarly the local Schengen cooperation between the Member States issuing visas at a place.
