The Sweden Tourist Visa (Schengen short-stay Type C) process for Indian passport holders

1. Eligibility & Core Requirements

• Confirmation that Indian citizens require a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) to visit Sweden for up to 90 days within any 180-day period; no visa-on-arrival or e-visa option.

• Passport criteria: issued within the last 10 years; valid for at least 3 months beyond departure; at least two blank visa pages.

• Permitted purposes: tourism, leisure, visiting friends/family only; paid work, business, long-term study, settlement, or migration prohibited.

• Proof of strong ties to India (employment, property, family), clear return intent, and no history of Schengen overstays or immigration violations.

2. Document Checklist & Required Evidence

• Completed, printed, and signed Schengen visa application form from the official Swedish embassy portal (handwritten forms not accepted).

• Original passport and photocopies of biodata pages, previous Schengen visas, and any old passports.

• Two recent passport-size color photographs (35×45 mm, white/light grey background, biometric-compliant, taken within 6 months).

• Cover letter detailing purpose, travel dates, day-by-day itinerary, funding source, and return assurance.

• Visa appointment confirmation from the official Sweden Visa Application Centre portal.

• Confirmed round-trip flight bookings and accommodation proof for every night (hotel reservations or host invitation with host ID).

• Schengen travel medical insurance (≥ €30,000 coverage for emergencies and repatriation, valid throughout Schengen).

• Financial proof: bank statements (last 3–6 months, first and last three pages, bank-stamped), salary slips, and income tax returns (last 2 years).

• Employment proof: leave sanction/NOC and contract; business registration/tax returns for self-employed; pension statements; student enrollment certificates.

• Civil status documents: marriage certificate, minors’ birth certificates, parental consent letters.

• Any additional documents per the latest Swedish embassy or visa-centre instructions.

3. Permitted vs. Prohibited Activities

• Permitted: tourism, leisure, visiting friends/family, cultural/social events, short non-award courses (< 90 days).

• Prohibited: paid employment, business activities, long-term or degree studies, religious residency, settlement intent, or overstaying.

4. Recent Policy & Process Updates (2025)

• Only checklist-listed documents are accepted; extraneous or missing items may cause rejection or delays.

• Bank statements limited to recent months (first and last three pages).

• Enhanced scrutiny of itinerary, accommodation, insurance validity, finances, and return intent.

• Early application advised 15–45 days before travel due to seasonal delays.

• Biometric data (fingerprints and photo) required unless collected within the last 59 months.

• Process: online form completion/document upload followed by an in-person appointment at a visa centre for biometrics and document submission.

5. Application Submission Workflow

• Complete and print the online application form; schedule an appointment at an authorized Sweden Visa Application Centre (e.g., VFS Global).

• Submit originals and copies per the official checklist during the appointment.

• Provide biometric data as required.

• Track status online; await approval notification.

• Collect the passport in person or via courier; verify visa details immediately.

6. Role & Value of Professional Visa Service Providers (JKVTravel.com)

• Pre-screen eligibility, recommend the correct visa type, and provide a tailored, up-to-date checklist.

• Review, format, and translate documents per embassy and visa-centre standards to minimize errors.

• Manage digital submissions, appointment scheduling, document uploads, reminders, and status monitoring.

• Proactively address additional document requests, policy updates, and reapplications reducing refusal risk and delays.

• Streamline the process and reduce client stress, while clarifying that final visa approval rests solely with Swedish and Schengen authorities and cannot be guaranteed by any service.