Wann benötigen Ukrainer ein Visum für Schweden und wie beantragt man es?

Bürger der Ukraine benötigen kein Visum für einen kurzfristigen Aufenthalt in Schweden, aber ein Visum ist für Arbeit, Studium oder langfristigen Aufenthalt erforderlich. Erfahren Sie, welche Anforderungen an Antragsteller gestellt werden, wie man einen Antrag stellt, eine Liste der erforderlichen Dokumente, Arten von Visa und viele weitere nützliche Informationen

Rechtliche Unterstützung bei Visafragen für Ukrainer

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For citizens of Ukraine who have a biometric passport, a visa for a short-term stay in Sweden is not required. But if your goal is to study, work or stay for a long time, you should take care of obtaining the appropriate visa or residence permit in advance.

In this material, we explain in detail when a visa is required to travel to Sweden, how to apply for it correctly and how to avoid the most common mistakes.

A note for Ukrainians with the rules for leaving Ukraine and entering the EU 2025 at the link.

What can be imported and exported from Ukraine: customs rules here. Rules for crossing the Ukrainian border in 2025 here.

Do you need a visa but don't know where to start?

Get a consultation from the lawyers of Visit Ukraine!

When do Ukrainians need a visa to enter Sweden?

Thanks to the visa-free regime with the EU, citizens of Ukraine can stay in Sweden without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period if they have a biometric passport. This rule applies to tourist trips, business trips, visiting friends or participating in short-term events.

Rules for entering the Schengen countries with a non-biometric passport at the link.

A visa to Sweden is required in the following cases:

- You plan to stay for more than 90 days. For example, for long-term treatment, participation in courses, living with family.

- Studying at universities, colleges or language courses.

- Work or internship, including under a contract or through an agency.

- Reunification with family legally residing in Sweden.

What is the fastest way to cross the Ukrainian border - by train, bus or private transfer.

Main types of long-term visas to Sweden

Student visa / Residence permit for studies

- For whom: those who have enrolled in a university, college or language school in Sweden.

- Features:

1. Apply for a residence permit for studies (uppehållstillstånd för studier) before entering the country.

2. Proof of admission to the educational institution is required.

3. You need to show financial capacity and health insurance.

4. Ability to work up to 20 hours/week during your studies.

Work visa / Residence permit for work

- For whom: those who have received a job offer in Sweden.

- Features:

1. You need to have a contract from an employer in Sweden.

2. Usually applied online on the Migrationsverket website.

3. The employer must meet the requirements for wages and working conditions.

4. Usually issued for 1–2 years with the possibility of extension.

Visa for highly qualified workers (EU Blue Card)

- For whom: professionals with higher education and experience in the field of IT, engineering, medicine, etc.

- Features:

1. Requires a diploma, contract and salary that meets the minimum threshold for the Blue Card.

2. Allows you to live and work in Sweden and later apply for a PMP.

Sweden will simplify the rules for issuing EU Blue Cards, details in this material.

Family reunification visa

- For whom: family members of citizens or residents of Sweden.

- Features:

1. Can be issued for a spouse, children, partners.

2. Requires confirmation of family ties, housing conditions and financial capacity of the person living in Sweden.

Self-employment visa

- For whom: entrepreneurs who want to open a business in Sweden.

- Features:

1. Must submit a business plan, proof of financing and business experience.

2. The permit is issued for 2 years with the possibility of extension.

3. Has high requirements for the profitability of the project.

Researcher visa / Residence permit for researchers

- For whom: scientists who have an invitation to conduct research activities from a Swedish institution.

- Features:

1. Simplified procedure for scientists.

2. Family members can be transported.

3. An agreement with a research institution is required.

Humanitarian visa / temporary protection permit

- For whom: persons in need of international protection, for example, due to the war in Ukraine.

- Features:

1. Temporary residence permit, usually for 1 year with the possibility of extension.

2. The right to reside, work and receive social services in Sweden.

3. Submitted directly to the Swedish Migration Board or in the country.

We tell you how Ukrainians can move to Sweden in 2025 in this article.

Important! All long-term visas to Sweden are actually issued as a residence permit, not a standard "D visa" as in some other countries. The application must be submitted before arrival in Sweden, and the decision is made by the Migrationsverket. Only the application for a temporary protection permit is submitted directly in the country.

To determine which visa is right for you and prepare the necessary package of documents, consult a visa lawyer at Visit Ukraine. This will help to avoid mistakes and speed up the process of obtaining the document.

How to apply for a visa to enter Sweden?

There are two main ways to apply for a visa to Sweden for citizens of Ukraine: through the VFS Global visa center or directly at the Embassy of Sweden in Kyiv. Below we explain how to apply, what documents are required and what is important to consider.

Option 1: Submitting documents through VFS Global

The most convenient and fastest way is to use the services of the official partner of the Embassy of Sweden - VFS Global.

- Official website for registration: www.vfsglobal.se/ukraine

- Phones:

+380 44 594 96 23

+380 50 323 85 93

- Visa application center addresses:

Kyiv: Sportivna Square, 1-A (Gulliver Shopping Center)

Lviv: Dzerelna Street, 18b

Kharkiv: Akademika Pavlova Street, 271, Radmyr Expohall Business Center, 4th floor

- Registration for submitting documents is free of charge.

- A service fee is charged, separate from the consular fee.

- The company also offers additional services (for example, courier delivery of a passport).

- If you submit documents through VFS, personal presence at the Embassy is not required.

Option 2: Submitting documents directly at the Swedish Embassy

This option is suitable for those who have special circumstances or want to submit documents independently.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in Ukraine is located at: 01901, Kyiv, Ivan Franko St., 34/33, 3rd floor.

Application procedure

1. Prepare documents

Standard set: passport, medical insurance, invitation (if necessary), etc.

2. Make an appointment

Appointments are made through VFS Global (online or by phone), even if you submit documents at the Embassy. The service is free of charge.

For official delegations (up to 5 people) with a government invitation, you must write to visa.kiev@gov.se or call +380 44 494 42 90 (Mon, Tue, Thu from 14:00 to 15:00).

3. Pay the consular fee

Ukraine has signed an Agreement on Visa Facilitation with the European Union, therefore Ukrainian citizens pay a reduced amount for a visa to Sweden.

As of August 2025 - adults: 35 euros, children under 18 years old: free of charge.

Important! The consular fee changes monthly - check the current amount on the Embassy website.

Applicants submitting documents to the Embassy pay the fee in advance at any Ukrainian bank using the following details:

Beneficiary: Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine

Bank: JSC "OTP Bank", Kyiv

IBAN/UAH: UA573005280000026002004400015

MFO: 300528

EDRPOU Code: 22971307

Confirmation of payment must be submitted together with the documents.

In case of refusal, the consular fee is not refundable.

4. Submit documents on the appointed day

The application includes: application form, package of documents, receipt of payment. A short interview is possible.

Since 2015, all applicants over the age of 12 are required to provide biometric data (fingerprints and photo) during application.

5. Wait for a decision

After consideration of the case, the passport is returned to the applicant through VFS Global or can be obtained at the Embassy with prior approval.

If you are receiving a passport for another person (for example, a spouse), a written power of attorney is required.

If you need help obtaining a residence permit or work permit for Sweden, please contact migration specialists for advice.

What documents are required to obtain a visa to Sweden?

Basic documents

1. Application form No. 119031: completed and signed, the form can be downloaded from the Embassy or VFS Global website.

2. Receipt of payment of consular fee: the original must be provided.

3. Passport or other travel document that: is valid for at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa, contains at least 2 blank pages, and was issued no earlier than 10 years ago.

4. Passport copies: identification page of the foreign passport, all pages with visas and stamps, internal passport (all 16 pages).

5. Photo (1 pc.): passport-sized, full-face, taken no later than 6 months before submission.

6. Medical insurance: must cover emergency medical care and transportation home.

7. Financial guarantees: proof of funds (minimum 450 SEK/day/person (excluding accommodation and transport). Suitable: bank statement with cash flow for the last 3 months, originals and copies of traveler's checks.

If the inviting party covers the costs - documents confirming its financial capacity.

8. Proof of employment:

- Certificate from the place of work (official employment): position, start date, salary for 6 months, vacation, job retention. Name and position of the signatory, contact details and company registration.

- For sole proprietors (private entrepreneurs): certificate of registration, tax returns for the last 2 quarters, bank statements.

- Additional documents: documents confirming the purpose of the trip, e.g. invitation, hotel reservation, itinerary, etc. (depending on the type of trip: tourism, business, visiting relatives etc.).

Insurance for entry to Sweden: who needs it, rules for processing different categories of visas and where to buy it, read here.

Important! If you already had a visa to Sweden:

1. Provide proof of stay in the country (stamps, tickets, receipts, reservations).

2. If you did not receive a stamp in your passport, submit other supporting documents (for example, electronic boarding passes, hotel checks, bank statements from Sweden, etc.).

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How can you avoid errors when applying for a visa to Sweden?

Most refusals occur due to technical or formal errors. The most common of them are:

- Incorrectly filled out application form.

- Missing documents or errors in dates.

- Out-of-date certificates.

- Lack of financial evidence.

- Incorrectly selected type of visa.

- Attempt to submit false documents.

Such errors lead to refusal of the application for visa. To avoid them, carefully check all the information you provide in the application form and make sure that the package of documents is complete. It is also important to monitor changes in migration legislation and respond to them in a timely manner.

Why should you contact Visit Ukraine lawyers when applying for a visa to Sweden?

Applying for a long-term visa is often associated with bureaucratic difficulties, lack of up-to-date information and the risk of refusal due to formal errors in the documents. Visit Ukraine lawyers will help you avoid common mistakes, correctly prepare a package of documents and navigate all the legal nuances, especially if your situation is non-standard.

Turning to specialists is an opportunity to save time, nerves and get support at every stage of the application.

What can Visit Ukraine lawyers help with?

- Consultation on the type of visa in your situation.

- Verification of the package of documents.

- Assistance in filling out the application form.

- Preparation for application.

- Support in case of refusal or appeal.

Get professional advice from Visit Ukraine lawyers to avoid mistakes and unnecessary expenses. Our experts will help you with applying for a visa to Sweden quickly and without stress.

Reminder! Before moving to a new country, it is worth researching the living conditions and the cost of basic necessities. We have already talked about the cost of living in Sweden, where to look for housing for rent and how much food costs.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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