How long can you stay in Sweden without a visa? This is a valid question if you are from a Schengen nation and plan to visit in the near future. Sweden allows citizens from visa-free countries to stay without a visa for up to 90 days. All they need is to present their passport or ID card at the point of entry, and they will be allowed into the country. However, if they plan to stay for more than 3 months, they need to ally for a visa.
Who Can Stay In Sweden Without A Visa?
Before you travel to Sweden without a visa, you first need to find out whether you need one in the first place. Sweden is a Schengen nation and has been a member since 2001. Due to the immigration policy of the Schengen area, citizens of other Schengen nations can visit without a visa. She is also a member of the European Union since 1995, so EU citizens may also visit without a visa.
Besides EU and Schengen citizens, there is a visa-free list, and citizens of countries on that list may also visit Sweden without a visa.
These are the set of visitors that can visit and stay in Sweden without a visa for 90 days.
The Sweden Type D Visa
The government of Sweden has a special visa called a Type D visa. This travel document is issued to visitors who want to remain in the country for more than 90 days. The visa is valid for one year, but the visitor must apply for and obtain a visitor’s permit. This visa allows the holder to live, work and study in Sweden without issues with law enforcement authorities. Type D visas are issued by the Swedish embassy.
However, there are special categories of people who don’t require a Type D visa to stay in Sweden longer than 90 days, and they are
Family members of European Union and EEA citizens
European Union and ERA citizens applying for residency permits to reside in Sweden
Swiss citizens and their family members don’t need a Type D visa
Japanese citizens
Sweden Type D Visa Eligibility
The eligible visitors for this visa are those who can support themselves financially during their stay in Sweden and have valid passports issued by their home governments. They must also have reserved return flight tickets to fly back home at the end of their visa.
Important Point To Note
At this point, it is important to note that the Type D Sweden Visa is not the same as a Sweden Schengen visa. While the former is only recognized within Sweden’s borders, the other is recognized by all Schengen countries.
Length of Stay: The Schengen visa is a 90-day short-stay visa, while the Type D visa is a long-stay visa with a minimum of 1 year.
Purpose: Holders of Type D visas can live and work in Sweden, while the Schengen visa is only for tourism purposes and nothing else.
Residency Permit: Type D visa holders must apply for a permanent residency permit once they arrive in Sweden, but the same is not required for Schengen visa holders.
Types of Sweden Type D Visas
There are different types of Type D visas, but we review the common ones below.
Work Visa: A work visa is for foreigners who have found a job in the country and wish to move permanently. The visa entitles the holder to a work permit.
Holiday & Work Visa: The work and holiday visa is issued to foreigners who are aged between 18-30 years old so they can explore life in Sweden for a while. The Schengen visa is for temporary job holders from other countries.
Student Visa: International students admitted into a Swedish institution of higher education may apply for this visa if their course takes longer than 3 months.
Family Visa: Spouses, children, and parents who wish to join family members may apply for a family visa. It allows the holder to live, work and study in Sweden.
Documents For Type D Visa
Below are the Sweden visa requirments
Valid Passport: National passport valid for at least 6 months and not older than 10 years with a minimum of two blank pages left
Photograph: A recent passport photograph in line with Schengen criteria.
Receipt: Proof of payment of application fee.
Biometric Scan: You fingerprints taken when submitting your documents at the embassy
Cover Letter: a signed letter explaining your purpose for the trip.
Accommodation: A hotel or house address where you will live in Sweden
Proof of Subsistence: A statement of account for three months to cover your living cost.
Type D Visa Application Fee
The application fee varies depending on the visa; adults will pay an average of €140, while children's fees cost €70. Work and Study visas cost more.
Now that you know how long can you stay in Sweden without a visa, visit the Sweden embassy in your country if you plan to stay for more than 3 months.