Sweden issues long-stay visas (D visas) for people who want to stay longer than 90 days. A type D visa allows you to enter and live in Sweden for one year, but you also need to apply for a visitor’s permit.
A Sweden D visa (national visa) permits you to stay, work and study in Sweden for the period of validity.
Who Needs a Sweden D Visa?
A Sweden D visa is required for anyone who wants to stay longer than three months (90 days) in Sweden to live, work, or study.
EU/EEA and Switzerland citizens do not need a long-stay visa for Sweden. They can visit, work, and study in Sweden without any restrictions.
Who Is Eligible for a Sweden D Visa
To be eligible for a Sweden D visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be able to support yourself financially during the time you will be staying in Sweden.
- You must have a valid passport.
- You must have a return ticket or money to buy a ticket.
Difference Between a Sweden Visa D and a Schengen Visa
The table below shows how a Sweden D visa is different from a Schengen visa to help you get a better understanding of them:
| Sweden D visa | Sweden Schengen visa |
| Long-stay | Short-stay |
| Valid for a maximum of 1 year (365 days) | Valid for 90 days within a 180-day period |
| Work | Tourism |
| Study | Business |
| Family reunification | Family visit |
| Residence permit is mandatory | Temporary residence permit is not mandatory |
Types of Sweden D Visa
Depending on the purpose of your application, these are the most commonly-issued long stay visas for Sweden:
- Work Visa. A work visa is required for people who have found a job in Sweden and want to move to the country for employment. Sweden requires employees to obtain a work permit before entering the country.
- Work and Holiday Visa. Sweden work and holiday visa gives the opportunity to people between the ages of 18 to 30 to come to Sweden and explore life and culture. Individuals who obtain a work and holiday visa can work temporary jobs while they stay in Sweden.
- Student Visa. Foreign students admitted to a higher education institution in Sweden need a student visa to stay longer than three months. Sweden student visa must be obtained before you enter the country.
- Family Visa. Sweden family visa is issued for people who want to join their family members (spouses, a registered partner, cohabiting partner, or children) in Sweden. With a family visa, you can live, study and work in Sweden until your permit expires.
Documents Required for a D Type Visa for Sweden
These are the documents you are required to submit for a Type D Sweden visa application:
- Sweden national (Type D) visa application form. Fill out all 34 questions following the instructions and sign the application at the end. If the applicant is a minor (younger than 18), the legal guardian must sign the application.
- Passport. Your passport must be valid for at least three months after you plan on exiting Sweden and must not be older than ten years. The passport must have two blank pages.
- Passport-size photograph. One recently taken colored photo using a passport format, looking straight to the camera. Make sure to follow the photo criteria for Schengen.
- Proof of paid fee. Provide the printed receipt as proof that you have paid the required fee for a Sweden D visa.
- Biometrics. Your fingerprints and facial photo will be taken when you submit the application.
- Cover letter. A cover letter serves to prove the purpose of your travel depending on the reason for your trip (family visit, business, tourism, etc.)
- Proof of accommodation. Provide proof that you have a place to stay (hotel, friend or family member, etc.) during the time you are in Sweden.
- Means of subsistence. Provide a bank statement of the last three months to prove you can afford your stay in Sweden.
- Travel Health Insurance. Travel insurance is not required for a Sweden D type visa, but it is recommended in case of emergencies.
*All applicants must show that there are special circumstances that entitle them to a D visa.
How to Get a Sweden Visa D?
Here is how to get a Sweden D visa:
- Book an appointment for a D visa. Prior to visiting the embassy or consulate-general, you should contact them and set up an appointment.
- Fill out the application. After arriving at the embassy, fill out the application form specific for the type D (long-stay) visa.
- Complete the document checklist. Compile all the required documents you need for a D visa. You can find the document checklist below.
- Submit the application and documents. Submit the application together with the documents to the embassy or consulate-general.
- Attend the interview. The embassy will invite you for an interview to ask questions related to your application. Do not be late for your interview appointment.
- Wait for an answer. The embassy will email you about the status of your D visa application.
How Much Does the Sweden D Visa Cost?
The fees for a Sweden D visa can change depending on the type of long-stay visa you are applying for. The table below shows the fees for a type D visa:
| Category | Visa Fee |
|---|---|
| Adults | 140€ |
| Children | 70€ |
| Work | 190€ |
| Study | 190€ |
| Family reunification | 190€ |
You can pay the visa fee online or at the embassy/consulate-general when submitting the application. If your application gets rejected, the fee will not be refunded to you.
Who is exempt from paying the Sweden D Visa?
The following categories are exempt from paying the Sweden D visa application fee:
- Family members of EU/EEA citizens (not including Swedish nationals).
- Citizens of EU/EEA applying for residence permits.
- Citizens of Switzerland and family members of Swiss citizens.
- Citizens of Japan.
- Visitors in Sweden that cannot leave the country due to extraordinary events (an ash cloud or a pandemic that means it is temporarily not possible to travel).
How to Turn a Sweden Visa D into a Residence Permit?
Holders of a D-visa must obtain a residence permit before traveling to Sweden, depending on the type of their long-stay visa (work, study, family reunification, etc.). If the Swedish embassy or consulate-general grants you a D-visa, you will get a residence permit valid for three years with a possibility of extending it to five years.
You must meet the residence permit requirements, which differ for every type of long-stay (Type-D) visa. After obtaining the residence permit, you will receive a residence card that you must keep with you all the time.
What If My Application Is Rejected?
If the embassy or consulate-general notifies you that your visa application has been rejected, you can write an appeal letter. You can appeal the decision within three weeks from the date you received the visa decision. The email the embassy sends you will contain information on how to appeal their decision.