Russians need a visa to Sweden: necessary documents, application form, photo

Stretched along the Scandinavian Peninsula, Sweden offers tourists a wide range of attractions and entertainment. This is the charm of the Swedish north with ice hotels, sleigh rides, and castles in the southern region of Skåne. And in Sweden, ethnic festivals are held on a grand scale, allowing visitors to appreciate the identity of the people. No less interesting are the beauties of Stockholm, which Newsweek called the Internet capital of Europe.

Fans of learning about other countries through their cuisine will not remain indifferent to freshly marinated salmon, various meatballs and other culinary delights. In addition, only here you can try a real buffet.

Sweden is a member of the European Union

Russians go to Sweden not only to have fun, but also to work or study. They are attracted here by a high standard of living and salaries, as well as high-quality education. In addition, some universities provide scholarships to talented foreign students.

1. Do Russians need a visa to Sweden in 2019

For whatever purpose, Russians are not going to Sweden, they need to get a visa or residence permit. The Swedes have worked out this procedure quite well, so there are no problems with proper paperwork.

2. Main types of visas

A short-term visit to Sweden is possible with a Schengen visa. It can have a permitted period from 1 to 90 days within half a year (180 days), allow one or an unlimited number of entries. Schengen visa to Sweden is issued for a maximum of 5 years.

The Swedes provide a Schengen visa for:

• business trips;
• visiting friends, relatives;
• tourism.

You can stay in Sweden for more than 90 days if you have a temporary residence permit or a national Swedish visa D.

A temporary residence permit is issued for a period of 3 months to a year. Applications for it are sent for verification to the Swedish Migration Service.

A national Swedish visa is also issued for up to 12 months in special cases. For example, if there is a need to frequently travel to Sweden on business or to visit relatives. Unlike a residence permit, the D visa only allows you to visit Sweden and not live here.

3. How much does a visa to Sweden cost in 2019

The cost of a Swedish visa consists primarily of the consular fee. It depends on the type of visa requested.

The consular fee of the Swedish embassy for Russians is as of 01/01/2018:

• 35 € (2400 rubles) for a Schengen visa;
• 70 € (4800 rubles) for urgent Schengen;
• 60 € (4100 rubles) for a national visa D;
• 1000 SEK (7100 RUB) for adults and 500 SEK (3500 RUB) for children for a residence permit;
• 2000 SEK (14300 RUB) for a work permit.

In addition to the consular fee, visitors to visa centers pay a service fee of 21 € (1440 rubles).

All fees are paid in rubles and are non-refundable. The ruble equivalent is recalculated by the Swedes when the euro exchange rate fluctuates.

Stockholm, Sweden

4. How to apply for a visa to Sweden on your own

4.1 Via Visa Application Center

In order to simplify the process of applying for a Swedish visa and make it more accessible, the Embassy of Sweden has chosen VfsGlobal as an intermediary. Its visa centers are in large cities of Russia. Admission to them is conducted without prior appointment.

The procedure for applying for a visa at the EC includes:

• provision of documents;
• submission of biometric data;
• payment of consular, service fees.

Additionally, the EC offers to fill out a questionnaire for 300 rubles, take a photo for 200 rubles. and other services.

EC staff do not make decisions on issuing visas. They only collect data, transfer it to the Swedish embassy and issue a passport returned from Moscow.

4.2 Through the embassy

You can submit documents directly to the Swedish embassy by pre-booking the time of the visit through the call center of the Swedish VfsGlobal EC. The time for accepting visa documents is limited, so the Swedes recommend applicants for Schengen visas to contact the EC.

Only the embassy can apply for a visa:

1. urgent Schengen visa in 1 day (only if there are serious reasons and supporting documents);
2. long-term (national D, residence permit).

The Consulate General of Sweden in St. Petersburg does not accept documents for visas. Residents of Karelia have the opportunity to apply for a Swedish visa at the Consulate General of Finland in Petrozavodsk.

At the appointed time, you must come to the embassy in person with a completed application form, a full package of accompanying documents, and the amount of the consular fee in rubles. Directly at the diplomatic institution, you need to undergo biometrics for the VIS system, if the data has not been submitted earlier for the Schengen visa of another country. After all the procedures, it remains to wait for the decision of the Swedish visa officer.

4.3 Online

Young people who wish to study in Sweden are encouraged to apply for a temporary residence permit online. The consular fee is paid by credit card. It is also suggested that Russians apply for a work permit in Sweden via the Internet. Online applications immediately go to the Migration Service, and such visa processing becomes a priority.

While waiting for a response or not waiting for it, you will need to come to the Swedish Embassy with a passport, which is indicated in the online application. This is necessary for the submission of biometric data (they will be displayed on the residence permit card).

Malmö, Sweden

5. Questionnaire for a visa to Sweden

The Swedish Schengen visa application can be completed in English or Swedish. You need to come to the embassy with an already completed application form, and you can order it to be filled in at the EC.

An application form for a temporary residence permit is also available in Swedish and English. But for a national visa category D, the embassy offers a questionnaire only in English.

The situation is more complicated with questionnaires for work permits. The Swedes have developed several forms for different professions and different categories of applicants.

6. Documents for a visa to Sweden: list from 2019

The website of the Swedish embassy contains a list of required documents and depends on the purpose of the trip. At the same time, it is additionally stipulated that their translation into Swedish or English will speed up the time for consideration of the application by the visa officer.

Mandatory documents for obtaining a visa to Sweden in 2019:

1. questionnaire;
2. a photo;
3. consular fee in cash ( strictly equal amount, no change);
4. medical insurance (minimum 30 thousand euros);
5. confirmation of the availability of funds (on average 450 kroons per person per day) with help, sponsorship letter, etc.;
6. internal passport (original, copy).

Applicants for long-term visas must add:

1. “Information about the family” (a special application form for the questionnaire in Swedish or English);
2. a copy of the passport;
3. a copy of the return ticket.

Medical insurance for long-term visas is not required. It is only recommended to purchase.

6.1 Photo for a visa to Sweden

For Swedish diplomats, the requirements for the same are common to all Schengen countries. The photo must be recent (less than 6 months old), size 35x45 mm, color, clear, without damage or retouching.

6.2 Visa documents for children

The package of documents for a visa for a minor has a number of differences. So, the questionnaire is signed not personally, but by legal representatives (parents, guardians). Also, for children under 14, instead of an internal passport, a birth certificate is provided. Traditionally, a notarized exit permit is required if children cross the border without one/both parents.

The Swedes have a special application for obtaining a residence permit for persons under 18 years of age. It can be downloaded in English or Swedish from the Migration Board website.

6.3 Additional documents for different types of visas

It is only possible to obtain a residence permit to study in Sweden if you have proof of enrollment in full-time education. You will also need evidence of at least 8 thousand kroons for 1 month for living in Swedish territory and a comprehensive medical insurance policy.

For a Schengen Swedish visa for different purposes of the visit, you must provide:

• booking hotels, tickets as confirmation of the route for tourists;
• invitation from the host company for businessmen, individual entrepreneurs;
• certificate of courses for short-term studies, internships;
• a written request of the host, confirmation of his solvency for a visitor visa.

Unlike Schengen and study visas, obtaining a work permit in Sweden is quite difficult. You will need to submit a job offer, trade union opinion and other documents from the Swedish employer to the embassy or online.