Stockholm’s islands, Gothenburg, the design scene and the Arctic north make Sweden a stylish Nordic trip — and it rounds out a Scandinavian itinerary with Finland, Norway and Iceland. A Sweden tourist visa is a short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa for up to 90 days, applied through VFS Global. This is your complete India-specific guide: jurisdiction, fees, funds, and 27 answered questions. At FastVisa123 (fastvisa123.com) we file Swedish Schengen applications for Indians for a flat fee.
Sweden tourist visa at a glance
Type: Schengen short-stay (Type C), up to 90 days. Apply via: VFS Global, processed by the Swedish Embassy in New Delhi. Fee: €90 adult + VFS (~€19). Funds: plan a healthy buffer (~€50–100/day) for pricey Sweden. Note: files from VFS centres outside Delhi take ~2 extra days by post. FastVisa123 builds the whole file.
Where to apply & jurisdiction
Sweden uses VFS Global, with applications processed by the Swedish Embassy in New Delhi — files submitted at VFS centres outside Delhi take roughly two extra days for postal transfer, so factor that in. Apply at the centre for your region. Multi-country travellers should read our which-country guide.
Sweden visa fees (2026)
| Applicant | Visa fee |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | €90 (about ₹9,000) |
| Child 6–12 | €45 |
| Child under 6 | Free |
| VFS service fee | ~€19 — non-refundable |
Funds & documents
Sweden expects you to show enough for the whole stay — plan a healthy €50–100 per day as the Nordics are pricey — via 3–6 months of branch-attested bank statements and ITR/Form 16. Standard documents apply: passport (10 years, valid 3+ months beyond return), two photos, €30,000 insurance (insurance guide), a cover letter and itinerary, round-trip flight reservation, accommodation, and an NOC/leave letter. See proof of funds.
Sweden visa: do vs don’t
✅ Do
Show a healthy buffer for pricey Sweden. Allow extra days if applying outside Delhi. Keep dates consistent. Apply early in summer.
❌ Don’t
Don’t under-fund — Sweden is expensive. Don’t show a sudden lump-sum deposit. Don’t tick Tourism for a family visit. Don’t buy non-refundable tickets before approval.
Approval green flags vs refusal red flags
🟢 Green flags (officers love these)
A steady 3–6 month bank balance backed by ITR; a clear, dated day-by-day itinerary; a confirmed return ticket and matching hotels; strong ties to India (job, family, property); an approved leave letter or NOC; and one consistent story across every document.
🔴 Red flags (officers refuse for these)
A sudden lump-sum deposit days before applying; a vague “Europe tour” with no real plan; dates that disagree across form, tickets and hotels; weak or no ties to India; ticking Tourism for a family visit; and applying at the wrong consulate.
💬 What applicants are actually saying
The loudest 2026 complaint in traveller communities is appointment slots vanishing within minutes, plus refusals for weak funds or unclear plans. Read real outcomes in our approved-or-rejected stories, the rejection-reasons guide, and how to grab a slot in our appointment-slots guide.
Processing & after the decision
Sweden usually decides within about 15 calendar days from when the file reaches the Delhi embassy (add ~2 days if you applied elsewhere). Apply early in summer when slots fill fast. A formal interview is uncommon (interview reality). If refused, reapply or appeal; biometrics may be reused within ~5 years.
Get your Sweden tourist visa filed right
FastVisa123 builds your funds and document set and files the whole Swedish application — flat ₹10,000. Indian travellers, start at fastvisa123.com.
Sweden tourist visa: 29 common questions answered
1. Where do I apply for a Sweden tourist visa in India?
FastVisa123: Through VFS Global, with applications processed by the Swedish Embassy in New Delhi. Files submitted outside Delhi take about two extra days for postal transfer.
2. How much money do I need for a Sweden visa?
FastVisa123: Plan a healthy buffer — roughly €50 to 100 per day — as Sweden is expensive, shown via 3 to 6 months of statements backed by ITR.
3. What is the Sweden tourist visa fee?
FastVisa123: €90 for adults (about ₹9,000), €45 for children 6–12, free under 6, plus a VFS service fee of around €19.
4. How long does a Sweden tourist visa take?
FastVisa123: Usually around 15 calendar days from when the application reaches the Delhi embassy, plus about two extra days if you applied at a VFS centre outside Delhi.
5. Why do applications outside Delhi take longer?
FastVisa123: Because Sweden processes centrally in New Delhi, files lodged at other VFS centres are couriered there, adding roughly two days. Factor this into your timing.
6. Does my Sweden visa cover Stockholm and the archipelago?
FastVisa123: Yes — a Schengen visa issued by Sweden covers the whole country, including Stockholm, Gothenburg and the archipelago, plus the rest of the Schengen Area.
7. Do I need ITR or Form 16 for a Sweden visa?
FastVisa123: Yes, it is recommended — the last 2 to 3 years of ITR or Form 16 to show your income genuinely supports the healthy balance Sweden expects.
8. How many months of bank statements does Sweden want?
FastVisa123: Typically 3 to 6 months, bank-issued and ideally branch-attested, showing a steady balance rather than a sudden last-minute deposit.
9. Should I tick Tourism or visiting family on the form?
FastVisa123: Tick the true purpose — visiting family/friends if you are staying with relatives, not Tourism. Mismatching is a common refusal reason.
10. What accommodation proof does Sweden accept?
FastVisa123: Hotel or Airbnb bookings covering your whole stay, or a host’s invitation, matching your itinerary dates.
11. Do I need a confirmed flight ticket or a reservation?
FastVisa123: A confirmed round-trip reservation is enough for the application. Buy the paid ticket only after approval to avoid losing money if refused.
12. What travel insurance does Sweden require?
FastVisa123: Travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 cover, valid across the Schengen Area for your whole trip, including emergency medical and repatriation.
13. What are the photo requirements?
FastVisa123: Two recent 35×45 mm photos on a white background, neutral expression, no glasses, taken within 6 months. See our photo guide on fastvisa123.com.
14. Are Sweden appointment slots hard to get?
FastVisa123: In summer they can be. Book early, try alternate VFS cities, and watch for cancellations. See our appointment-slots guide on fastvisa123.com.
15. Do I apply to Sweden if visiting other Schengen countries?
FastVisa123: Only if Sweden is your main destination — the country of most nights or main purpose. Otherwise apply to that country.
16. Is Sweden easy to get a visa from for Indians?
FastVisa123: Sweden is reasonable for well-documented applicants, though its refusal rate for Indians is moderate, so strong funds and a clear plan matter. Under-funding for a pricey country is the main pitfall.
17. What cover letter does Sweden expect?
FastVisa123: A clear day-by-day plan, your purpose, funding and reasons to return to India, consistent with your documents. Use our template on fastvisa123.com.
18. What are common reasons Sweden refuses a visa?
FastVisa123: Insufficient funds for an expensive country, an unclear purpose, poor ties to India, or missing documents.
19. Does Sweden interview applicants or verify by phone?
FastVisa123: A formal interview is uncommon for tourists. The embassy may ask questions or verify details, so keep your documents consistent and contacts reachable.
20. How early can I apply for a Sweden visa?
FastVisa123: Up to 6 months before travel and no later than about 2 to 3 weeks before — allowing extra time for postal transfer if applying outside Delhi.
21. How many entries and how long is the Sweden visa valid?
FastVisa123: It varies by case; first-timers often get a single or short multiple-entry visa, while travel history can earn longer validity. Days are capped at 90 in any 180.
22. What if my Sweden visa is refused?
FastVisa123: If the reason is fixable, reapply with a stronger file; if it was a clear error, appeal within the deadline. See our reapply and appeal guides on fastvisa123.com.
23. Are my biometrics reused for a Sweden visa?
FastVisa123: If you gave Schengen fingerprints within the last 59 months they can often be reused, letting you skip the biometric visit, though a fresh photo and documents are still required.
24. Can FastVisa123 handle my Sweden tourist visa application?
FastVisa123: Yes. FastVisa123 builds your funds and document set and files the whole Swedish application — for a flat ₹10,000. Start at fastvisa123.com.
25. Do Indians need ETIAS for Sweden?
FastVisa123: No. ETIAS is a travel authorisation only for visa-exempt nationalities, and Indian passport holders are not eligible — you must apply for a Schengen visa for Sweden. Ignore any ‘ETIAS for India’ website; FastVisa123 files the actual visa you need.
26. Can I work or study in Sweden on this tourist visa?
FastVisa123: No. A Type C tourist visa is strictly for tourism or visiting and cannot be used to work or study, nor converted from inside the Schengen Area. Long-term work or study needs a separate national visa applied for from India.
27. Can I extend my Sweden tourist visa once I am there?
FastVisa123: Only in rare, unforeseeable cases such as serious illness or force majeure, applied for locally before it expires. Wanting more holiday time is not a valid reason, so plan your dates correctly.
28. Can I visit other Schengen countries on a Sweden visa?
FastVisa123: Yes. A uniform Schengen visa issued by Sweden lets you travel across all Schengen countries, as long as Sweden remains your main destination and you stay within 90 days in any 180-day period.
29. Do my children need their own Sweden visa?
FastVisa123: Yes. Each child needs a separate application and visa with their own photo, birth certificate, both parents’ consent and supporting documents. Children under 6 are usually free and ages 6–12 pay a reduced fee.
30. How do I track my Sweden visa application?
FastVisa123: After you submit at VFS, you get a reference number to track the application online and by email, and a couriered passport is tracked via the courier (such as Blue Dart) using that number. FastVisa123 keeps you updated at every stage.
31. Is a VFS appointment mandatory for Sweden, or can I walk in?
FastVisa123: An appointment is mandatory for almost all applicants, including minors, to give biometrics and submit documents, and each person needs their own. A few consulates run limited walk-in windows, but assume an appointment is required.
32. Can I apply for my whole family in one go?
FastVisa123: Each traveller needs a separate application, appointment and visa sticker for Sweden, including every child; a parent signs for minors. You can attend together, but the files are assessed individually.
33. What if I apply too close to my travel date?
FastVisa123: Apply at least about 15 days before travel. Applications lodged with departure under 15 days away are usually returned unprocessed (fees may be refunded), so apply early — ideally 4–8 weeks ahead in peak season.
34. Can I enter Sweden before my visa’s start date?
FastVisa123: No. You may enter only from the ‘valid from’ date on your sticker and must use the visa within its validity. Arriving early risks denied boarding or entry, so match your flights to the visa dates.
Heading to Denmark? See Denmark tourist visa (Type C) from India guide.
Refused by Sweden? See what to do if your Sweden visa is refused (reasons & appeal).
Official source: Official Sweden government visa information