For U.S. Green Card holders planning to visit Sweden, understanding the Schengen visa application process is essential. Here’s a comprehensive guide outlining the necessary steps and requirements.
Overview of the Schengen Visa
The Schengen visa allows holders to stay in the Schengen Area, including Sweden, for up to 90 days within 180 days. This visa is applicable for purposes such as tourism, business, family visits, medical treatment, studies, and other non-gainful activities.
Who Needs a Visa?
U.S. Green Card holders must apply for a Schengen visa unless they are citizens of a country that has a visa-free agreement with Schengen countries. It’s crucial to check if your nationality requires a visa for entry into Sweden.
Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Sweden?
US citizens can visit Sweden and the Schengen Single Area, on a visa and they must not stay longer than 90 days within 180 days. This exclusion did not only cover the other purposes: recreation, business, short-term study, cultural or sports activities but also covered medical treatment. This gives an assurance that if you are planning to visit Sweden for a vacation or business expedition, regardless of the duration of your visit, so long as you respect the allocated times, you will seamlessly travel within the country.
On the other hand, if your activities (incl. work, studies, or relocating) are in Sweden for the long term, a Residence (D) Visa is mandatory. This visa applies only to those individuals who are in Sweden for a long period and want to remain in this country.
In 2024, US citizens must register for the European Travel Information and Authorization Service (ETIAS) before they can travel to Sweden. ETIAS serves as a travel authorization tool, enabling citizens from visa-exempt countries to easily enter the Schengen Zone. This provision streamlines the process and grants a stay of up to 3 years or until the passport’s expiration date.
Green Card Holders’ Perspective: Navigating Visa Requirements
A visa is always required when the American resident have their passport. A visa-free regime is defined by its members and the EU. Let’s delve into the details:
Visa Not Required:
When you have the travel document and bonding from a free-movement agreement between the EU and your own country you won’t have to apply for a visa to Sweden. This installation shows that it is the free movement of people that is the basis for the exchange agreements between nations.
Visa Required:
On the other hand, the EU may not be as accessible to you if the country from which you received your passport does not have a liberal visa policy towards the EU. In this case, it will be you who will have to start an application process, instead of just going freely to the EU.
Eligibility Criteria for Applying for a Sweden Visa from the US
Applying for a Sweden visa from the US is feasible if you meet the following criteria:
Citizenship and Legal Residency:
In case you wish to submit your application, you need to have a visa for entry into the Schengen Area, possess a valid American legal residence permit, and submit the online application. This category is made up of green card holders and people who are brought to the United States via forms like i-20, h1-b, g1, j1, and variants of them as well. Particularly, you should be sure that your American residency remains valid at least for one and a half months after your planned return from the Schengen Area.
Prior Visa Denial:
If in the past your visa-free travel to Sweden or another Schengen country has failed, you should apply for a visa before you make a reservation to avoid complications.
Sole Destination or Primary Visit:
The main idea remains that, if you intend to visit no other European country apart from Sweden, you will get a visa first. On the other hand, if Sweden is the only stop among the rest of the Schengen countries, you should consider longer days in Sweden while trying to make Amsterdam from Sweden a stopover. It simply adds to the systematic order of your planned travel schedule.
US Visa Types B1/B2 and J1 Summer Work Travel:
People traveling from abroad holding USA-type B1/B2 or J1 tourist visas before the summer should do this in their country of residence, which is for the locality of these travelers.
Diverse Types of Sweden Short-Stay Visas for US Residents and Green Card Holders
Sweden possesses a wide selection of the length of short-stay visa classes corresponding to their functions of participation. Depending on your intent, you can choose from the following:
- Sweden Airport Transit Visa: For those who happen to be passing through a Swedish airport when they are just moving to another non-Schengen destination.
- Sweden Tourist/Visitor Visa: Great for travelers who – go on vacations, sightseeing tours, and visit friends and relatives living in Sweden or just curious folks who want to discover Sweden.
- Sweden Business Visa: By targeting those who attend various business activities in Sweden.
- Sweden for Official Visit: Composed specifically for official secondary groups visiting Sweden on business.
- Sweden Medical Visa: Applicable to those who will be receiving medical treatment from within the borders of Sweden.
Renewable Energy Integration in the Power Grid.
Sweden Short-term Study Visa:
This named collection is presented to the Swedish educational institutions’ short-term course attendees.
Sweden Visa for Cultural, Sports, and Film Crews:
Swedish National Agency for Education, custom-made programs for those taking part in cultural, sports, or film-related activities in Sweden.
Prerequisites for Obtaining a Sweden Visa from the US
While the complexities of visa application can be addressed, it is first imperative to gather all necessary documents to complete the process efficiently. Here’s a comprehensive list of the documents required:
Application Related
- A filled-in and signed application form is written with a blue pen.
- The visitors should have a valid passport that is not older than 10 years and an extension period in the form of at least three months after the visa expiry date. They need to have a minimum of 2 visa pages blank.
- Two latest passport-sized photographs as per the Schengen Visa requirement guidelines.
Residency and Identity
- Proof of residency like a Green Card or valid US residence visa. An example of resumé items that you should include can be found below.
- Proof of flight details: destination, dates, departure, and arrival time.
- Travel medical health insurance policy document with a minimum amount of USD 30,000 or equivalent in EURO.
Accommodation and Financial Means
- The accommodation papers in Sweden, such as hotel/hostel booking forms, rental documents, or letters of invitation from tour founders.
- A cover letter detailing the purpose of your visit, duration of stay, travel dates, and accompanying individuals (if applicable).
Financial Proof
- Bank account statements, sponsorship letters, or all of them as the form of evidence of financial solvency.
Civil Status and Employment
- Doctors process them like marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc. to prove their civil status.
- All papers may include dates of work related to the status of the applicant, like employment contracts, income tax forms, and leave permission from employers.
Special Cases and Invitations
- Acceptance letter from a university as well as I-20 acknowledgment with the school name on it.
- The student should be able to present the bond between the host and Self as in the case of staying with a friend or family member.
- Invitation letter from the host in Sweden also with a small number of office records such as a passport photocopy or residence permit copy.
- Ask the host to provide their financial evidence as a confirmation of your stay if they are subsidizing you.
Additional Requirements for Minors
- Original birth certificate.
- The parent’s signature on the Visa application form is agreed upon by them.
- Parents/legal guardians, whose signature is notarized consent for the minors to travel alone.
- Meeting Financial Requirements
US Green Card holders can prove their financial solvency to secure a Schengen Visa approval from Swedish authorities and achieve success. Moreover, the Swedish Immigration Authorities demand a minimum of SEK 450 per day of stay including airport transportation(approximately USD44.08). We establish this payment ceiling to ensure that visitors have enough money to survive and spend a set time in Sweden on their own.
Where to Apply: VFS Global Visa Application Centers
In terms of the efficiency of visa applications, Sweden has joined collaboration with VFS Global. There are VFS Global Visa Application Centers conveniently located across the United States:
- Washington, D. C.
- New York
- Chicago
- San Francisco
- Houston
Another purpose of these centers is to make convenient the application procedures and contribute to easy access.
Application Processing Time
The process to acquire a Sweden Schengen Visa in the United States, as per estimation, may take at least 15 days. Yet, in daily life, it may take 30 days to analyze highly populated types of cases. In other exceptional cases, the processing time may even be as long as sixty days. To ensure prompt processing, I recommend starting the application process as early as possible, prioritizing the three months preceding your intended travel date. This will secure your spot on the waitlist or facilitate scheduling an interview.
Paying the Visa Fee
To pay the visa fee, applicants have several options:
- Credit card
- Certified checks
- Postal money order
Those who want to submit their applications using postal money orders are obliged to address envelopes to “USAAalsService” The VFS Global company charges a total sum of $47 extra. 24 USD per application.
Visa Fee Breakdown
The visa fee structure for Sweden Schengen Visas is as follows:
- Sweden Schengen visa application fee: $95, 45 (about 80 USD)
- Sweden Schengen visa fee for children aged 6-11 years: €40 (which is approximately $47. 72 USD)
- Fee for Children is Free for those with age less than 6 years.
- Reduced fee for certain countries with visa-facilitation agreements: €35 (around $38. 52 USD).
To sum it up, ensure that you advance the process of obtaining a Schengen Visa to Sweden from the United States by faithfully compiling all requisite documentation and clearly revealing your purpose of visit. First, you should take into consideration the guidelines and requirements of this extensive guide. In such a way, you will have more chances to get a visa that would permit exploring the charming Swedish landscapes, bustling cities, and various cultures of Sweden. Your careful planning and timely submission of a complete application are likely to secure you the golden ticket to enjoy the most pleasant time in this land of the midnight sun.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to Sweden for a Schengen Visa straightforward and successful. Whether you’re a US Green Card holder applying for a Sweden Schengen Visa or Sweden Visitor Visa, we handle every step—from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our immigration lawyer consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas has a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need for a Sweden Schengen Visa as US Green Card holders. Call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can assist you.
