How Indian passport holders get a visa for Sweden: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India
- Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~€19 / ~₹1,800–2,000. Travel insurance mandatory.
- Processing time: Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres.
- Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 40/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- Two biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background, ICAO-standard)
- Cover letter with purpose and itinerary
- Confirmed round-trip flight booking
- Hotel bookings for every night / day-by-day itinerary
- Bank statements for last 3 months
- ITR for last 2 years
- Travel medical insurance valid across Schengen, minimum €30,000 cover
- Employment proof / leave letter; for self-employed: GST or company registration
How & where to apply
Apply through the Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi via VFS Global Sweden. VFS Sweden centres operate in 15+ Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, Coimbatore, Jalandhar and Visakhapatnam. VFS Global — Sweden visa India (official partner)
Transit & connections
An ordinary Schengen visa lets you transit any Schengen airport landside.
How Sweden compares in Schengen Europe
With an ease score of 40/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. Sweden requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~€19 / ~₹1,800–2,000. Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres. |
| 🇮🇸 Iceland | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — via Denmark embassy + VFS in India | €90 short-stay visa fee (in force since 11 June 2024). Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS Global service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days from receipt at the Royal Danish Embassy New Delhi (which represents Iceland). Realistically 3–5 weeks; up to 8 weeks during the May–September peak. |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via BLS International in India | €90 short-stay visa fee (in force since 11 June 2024) — collected in INR (~₹9,599 for adults; ~₹4,799 for children 6–12; under 6 free). BLS International service charge extra (~₹1,802). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 10–15 working days at the Spanish Embassy New Delhi or Consulate General Mumbai. Realistically 2–4 weeks; longer during May–August peak. |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; up to 8 weeks in May–August aurora and summer peak. |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~₹2,000–2,400. Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days from receipt at the Danish Embassy New Delhi. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; allow 4 weeks minimum in March–September peak. |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge (~₹2,000 / €20). Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks; up to 45 working days in peak. Add 2 days courier from Delhi, 4–6 days from other cities. |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–6 weeks at most Indian VFS centres, stretching to 8–10 weeks during May–August and December–January peaks. |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
Sweden's network of VFS centres in India is among the widest of any Schengen state — small-city applicants have more options. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://www.swedenabroad.se/en/embassies/india-new-delhi/
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Sweden?
Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India. Sweden's network of VFS centres in India is among the widest of any Schengen state — small-city applicants have more options.
What documents do Indians need for a Sweden visa?
Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years; Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; Two biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background, ICAO-standard); Cover letter with purpose and itinerary; Confirmed round-trip flight booking; Hotel bookings for every night / day-by-day itinerary; Bank statements for last 3 months; ITR for last 2 years; Travel medical insurance valid across Schengen, minimum €30,000 cover; Employment proof / leave letter; for self-employed: GST or company registration
How long does a Sweden visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres.. Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~€19 / ~₹1,800–2,000. Travel insurance mandatory.. Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area.
How do Indians apply for a Sweden visa?
Apply through the Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi via VFS Global Sweden. VFS Sweden centres operate in 15+ Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, Coimbatore, Jalandhar and Visakhapatnam. Official source: https://www.swedenabroad.se/en/embassies/india-new-delhi/
Is a Sweden visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 40/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a Sweden visa online or on arrival?
Sweden requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
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