United StatesSweden
American passport · policy checked 17 Jul 2026
Visa-free
Nothing to arrange. Visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
90
days
max stay per entry
0
visa fee
free entry
1
document
your valid passport
0
forms
no application, no appointment
Policy note
Annex II of EU Regulation 2018/1806.
Entering Sweden on an American passport
- Travel with your valid American passport - no visa, no application.
Sweden visa types
Organized Tour/tourismTouristdocuments
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- Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here (insubuy.com ↗)
- Passport, with at least 2 blank pages, valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and not issued more than 10 years ago as of the date of return from your scheduled trip. The same applies to passports issued more than 10 years ago that have since been extended (when applicant opts for passport collection, then an extra photocopy of passport bio data page needs to be provided).
- Two (2) recent passport photographs with a light background.
- Proof of purpose of the visit: evidence of accommodation, please provide confirmed hotel reservation or confirmation of an organized tour.
- Confirmed flight/travel tickets
- Evidence of occupation/student status:
- If you are employed, bring proof of your current occupation in the USA, i.e. an original letter from your employer, a solicitor or the Company House
- Notarized copy of U.S. Alien Registration Card or other valid resident visa (type A, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, O, or R)
- If you are a student, bring an original letter from your school or university confirming your status/attendance and a recent bank statement.
- Documents must be original and not older than one month
- Evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay i.e. original bank statements for latest three months
- Approval letter of vacation from work, university etc. is required to be submitted along with the application.
- emergency hospital treatment
- Children under 18 must have their birth certificate with them.
- Notarized copy of U.S. Alien Registration Card or other valid resident visa (type A, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, O, or R)
- DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR MINORS -
- Application form signed by both parents.
- Passport and US Visa (Original and copy)
- Full version birth certificate (Original and copy). If document is not in English, a notarized copy must be provided.
- Consent letter signed by both parents. If single parent, then sole custody letter/residence/custody order from court or solicitor must be provided.
- Copy of parents ID
PLEASE SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR MINORS.
Application for Schengen Visa (PDF checklist ↗) - OR
valid for at least three months after the intended departure from the Schengen area.
valid for at least three months after the intended departure from the Schengen area.
Business/conference/sportsBusinessdocuments
Please submit the following documents: · -
- Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please
- A passport/travel document
- 1 passport photo, in color, taken from the front. Digital files and photocopies of passport pictures will NOT be accepted.
- A copy of your hotel reservation.
- Notarized copy of U.S. Alien Registration Card or other valid resident visa (type A, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, O, or R) valid for at least three months after the intended departure from the Schengen area.
- emergency hospital treatment
- Business references: letter from U.S. company AND an invitation from the Swedish company stating who will cover the expenses. If the applicant is incurring their own expenses then the latest 3 months bank statement is required to be submitted.
- A copy of your flight itinerary.
click here (insubuy.com ↗)
Application for Schengen Visa (PDF checklist ↗) - OR
valid for at least three months after the intended departure from the Schengen area
, shall contain two blank pages and been issued within the previous 10 years.
NOTE: An entry visa does not automatically entitle the holder to enter the Schengen area. A decision is made every time the traveler passes through a border control, as traveler must have (1) proof of sufficient funds to support themselves for the duration of their stay and their return, (2) travel medical insurance, and (3) documents indicating the purpose of their visit.
TransitTransitdocuments
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- Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here (insubuy.com ↗)
- National passport or other travel document, valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area, and not issued more than 10 years ago as of the date of return from your scheduled trip. The same applies to passports issued more than 10 years ago that have since been extended. (When applicant opts for passport collection, then an extra photocopy of passport bio data page needs to be provided).
- Copy of airline ticket(s)
- Children under 18 must have their birth certificate with them.
- Children travelling alone or with one parent must have letter of consent and proof of ID of both parents and the none travelling parent. In the absence of consent letter only sole custody and residence orders from the courts will be accepted.
Application for Schengen Visa (PDF checklist ↗) - OR
Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) - Medical TreatmentMedical
90 dayssingle entry15-30d processing~$99valid 365d
Allows foreign nationals from visa-required countries to enter Sweden to receive medical treatment for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The visa application centre publishes no document checklist for this type.
Requires two medical certificates confirming diagnosis and treatment necessity, and proof of a deposit or payment guarantee for treatment costs. Same base fee as standard Schengen visa (EUR 90 adults). If medical stay exceeds 90 days, a visitor's residence permit must be applied for instead.
Official page ↗Visitor's Residence Permit - Medical Treatment (Long-Stay)Medical
365 dayssingle entry60-120d processing~$165online
Allows foreign nationals to stay in Sweden for medical treatment for extended periods exceeding 90 days, up to a maximum of 1 year.
The visa application centre publishes no document checklist for this type.
Maximum stay 1 year. Requires medical certificates and proof of treatment costs. Fee SEK 1,500 adults / SEK 750 children.
Official page ↗Visit Other Family/friendsFamilydocuments
- · Visa Application Form - Swedish
- Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here (insubuy.com ↗)
- Passport, with at least 2 blank pages, valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and not issued more than 10 years ago as of the date of return from your scheduled trip.
- Copy of U.S. Alien Registration Card or other valid resident visa (type A, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, O, or R) valid for at least three months after the intended departure from the Schengen area.
- Two (2) recent passport photographs with a light background.
- Proof of purpose of the visit:
- Letter of invitation form
- Sponsor’s proof of ID- Copy of Swedish ID (can be passport, Identification card or driving license)
- Evidence of accommodation
- Confirmed flight/travel tickets
- emergency hospital treatment
- Letter from employer stating that you are employed and have vacation time or have eligible vacation. (If you are self-employed, include a copy of your business license and tax return. If you are a student, include a letter from the school verifying enrollment.)
- Evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay, i.e. original recent bank statement, l. If you are being sponsored, please provide the hosts last three months bank statements. NO Travelers checks or Credit Card statements are acceptable.
Application for Schengen Visa (PDF checklist ↗) - OR
from your relatives/friends in Sweden.
Family Reunification Residence PermitFamily
multiple entry90-365d processing~$165valid 730donline
Allows the partner, spouse, children, or other close relatives of a person with a Swedish residence permit or citizenship to join them and live in Sweden.
The visa application centre publishes no document checklist for this type.
Fee SEK 1,500 adults / SEK 750 children. Covers partners/spouses, children, parents visiting adult children, and other relatives. The sponsor (anchor person) in Sweden must generally have a permanent residence permit, Swedish citizenship, or a valid temporary residence permit of sufficient duration. Maintenance requirement: sponsor must demonstrate adequate housing and income. Processing times can be lengthy (12+ months for complex family cases).
Official page ↗Visitor's Residence Permit - Family/Relative VisitFamily
365 dayssingle entry60-120d processing~$165online
Allows foreign nationals to visit a relative, spouse, or close family member residing in Sweden for extended stays exceeding 90 days.
The visa application centre publishes no document checklist for this type.
Parents visiting their children in Sweden may be granted up to 1 year. Relatives visiting family members may receive up to 6 months. Fee SEK 1,500 adults / SEK 750 children. Requires invitation from the host in Sweden along with the host's ID and income documentation. Processing: 75% within 3-4 months.
Official page ↗Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) - Doctoral Exchange / Short Academic VisitStudent
90 daysmultiple entry15-30d processing~$99valid 1825d
Allows non-EU/EEA doctoral students and researchers to make short academic exchange, conference, or research visits to a Swedish university or institution for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, without applying for a residence permit.
Listed as a distinct purpose-of-visit category ('Doctoral Exchange Student') on the Swedish Migration Agency's official Schengen short-stay visa application page, separate from the long-stay Student Residence Permit - Doctoral Studies entry (which is for stays over 90 days requiring a residence permit). Base fee EUR 90 (approx. USD 99); the same page notes reduced or waived fees are available for students and researchers. Decision usually within 2 weeks, up to 30 days in complex cases.
Official page ↗Student Residence Permit - Doctoral StudiesStudent
multiple entry30-60d processing~$165valid 730donline
Allows non-EU/EEA nationals to reside in Sweden to pursue doctoral research at a Swedish university.
Fee SEK 1,500. Doctoral students may be eligible to apply for permanent residence directly after completing doctoral studies. Accompanying family members can apply simultaneously. Processing similar to higher education student permit.
Official page ↗Student Residence Permit - Higher EducationStudent
multiple entry30-60d processing~$165valid 730donline
Allows non-EU/EEA nationals to reside in Sweden to pursue bachelor's or master's degree studies at a Swedish higher education institution.
Fee SEK 1,500 adults / SEK 750 children under 18. Processing: 75% decided within 2 months. Maximum 1-2 years per permit depending on institution (designated universities can issue up to 2 years). Cannot exceed passport validity. Full-time enrollment required (30 credits/semester). Tuition fees must be paid before applying. Financial requirement: SEK 10,656/month (2026). Work limited to 15 hours/week for bachelor's/master's students from June 11, 2026. Permit renewable for duration of studies.
Official page ↗Student Residence Permit - Other Studies and Upper Secondary SchoolStudent
multiple entry30-90d processing~$165valid 365donline
Allows non-EU/EEA nationals to reside in Sweden to attend upper secondary school or other study programmes lasting more than 90 days.
Fee SEK 1,500 adults / SEK 750 children. Covers exchange programmes, upper secondary studies, contract or specialisation education. Full-time study required (minimum 20 teaching hours weekly). Health insurance required for studies under one year. Financial requirement SEK 10,656/month.
Official page ↗Au Pair Residence PermitWork
365 daysmultiple entry~$165valid 365donline
Allows a young person (18-29) to live with a Swedish host family for up to one year, helping with childcare and light housework while studying Swedish and experiencing Swedish culture.
For applicants aged 18-29 (must be under 30 at time of decision) with a written agreement with a host family. Childcare and light housework are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week, and the applicant must spend most non-working time studying Swedish (combined work + study capped at 40 hours/week). Fee SEK 1,500 (approx. USD 165). Maximum one year; cannot be extended. Must apply from outside Sweden and family members cannot accompany. Host family must provide work-accident insurance; the applicant needs comprehensive health insurance.
Official page ↗EU Blue CardWork
multiple entry30-60d processing~$220valid 1460donline
Allows highly qualified non-EU/EEA nationals with a high-salary job offer to live and work in Sweden with facilitated pathways to permanent residence.
Fee SEK 2,000. Minimum salary: SEK 52,000/month (1.25x average Swedish salary, effective 9 July 2025). Requires higher education (minimum 180 credits) or 5+ years relevant professional experience. Employment contract for minimum 6 months required. Comprehensive health insurance required. Permit duration: 9 months to 4 years. Processing: 75% of complete applications decided within 1 month. Path to permanent residence after 4 years.
Official page ↗ICT Permit (Intra-Company Transfer)Work
multiple entryvalid 1095donline
Allows non-EU/EEA nationals to be temporarily posted to a Swedish entity of a multinational company as a manager, specialist, or trainee.
Sweden implements the EU ICT Directive. Minimum salary thresholds apply and were updated from 1 June 2026. Managers and specialists may be granted up to 3 years; trainees up to 1 year. ICT permit holders may move between EU member states under the directive's mobility provisions. Specific fee not published on the main listing page.
Official page ↗Residence Permit for Research (Guest Researcher)Work
multiple entry30-90d processing~$165valid 1460donline
Allows non-EU/EEA nationals invited by an approved Swedish research principal to conduct research in Sweden under a hosting agreement.
Requires a signed hosting agreement with a research principal approved by the Swedish Research Council; at least 50% of working hours must be devoted to research. Fee SEK 1,500 adults / SEK 750 children (approx. USD 165); Japanese citizens exempt. Financial requirement approximately SEK 9,700/month. Permit granted for up to 4 years at a time, not exceeding passport or hosting-agreement validity. Processing: 75% of complete applications decided within 1 month. From 11 June 2026, doctoral students who hold a hosting agreement receive this same research permit rather than a study permit.
Official page ↗Residence Permit for Traineeship/InternshipWork
multiple entryonline
Allows non-EU/EEA nationals to come to Sweden for a traineeship or internship, either connected to their higher education or arranged via an international exchange programme.
Two routes: a traineeship/internship related to the applicant's higher education, or one offered through an international exchange programme. Applied for from outside Sweden before entering. Specific fee and maximum duration depend on the route and are set out on the relevant Migration Agency sub-pages.
Official page ↗Seasonal Work PermitWork
90 dayssingle entryvalid 90donline
Allows non-EU/EEA nationals to perform seasonal agricultural or horticultural work in Sweden for a limited period.
Sweden implements the EU Seasonal Workers Directive. Seasonal work permits are issued for up to 90 days and cover sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, and tourism. Must have a job offer meeting Swedish collective agreement or industry-standard wages. Specific fee and processing times not published on the main Migrationsverket page.
Official page ↗Work Permit (Employee)Work
multiple entry18-90d processing~$220valid 730donline
Allows non-EU/EEA nationals with a job offer from a Swedish employer to live and work in Sweden.
Fee is SEK 2,000 (approx. USD 220). As of 1 June 2026, minimum salary is SEK 34,470/month (90% of median salary). Comprehensive health insurance required from 1 June 2026. Permit typically issued for up to 2 years, renewable. Eligible for permanent residence after 4 years of work permit. Processing averages 18 days for fast-tracked complete applications. The employer must advertise the position in the EU/EEA before offering to a third-country national (new rule from June 2026).
Official page ↗Work Permit (Self-Employed)Work
multiple entry60-180d processing~$220valid 730donline
Allows non-EU/EEA nationals to reside in Sweden and run their own business.
Fee SEK 2,000. Must own and actively manage at least 51% of the business. Financial self-sufficiency requirement: SEK 200,000 for applicant plus SEK 100,000 per accompanying spouse and SEK 50,000 per child. Requires good industry experience, language skills, and a credible business plan with established customer contacts. Permit up to 2 years, renewable. Path to permanent residence after 4 years.
Official page ↗Diplomatic/Official Visa ExemptionDiplomatic
90 daysmultiple entryfree
Visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic, service, official, or special passports from designated countries under bilateral agreements or Sweden's national visa list.
Countries whose nationals ordinarily require a Schengen visa but whose diplomatic/service/special passport holders are exempt include: Bolivia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Turkey (including special passport holders), China (diplomatic only), India (diplomatic only), Morocco (diplomatic only), Tunisia (diplomatic only), Armenia (diplomatic only, per EC-Armenia agreement), Azerbaijan (diplomatic only, per EC-Azerbaijan agreement), Belarus (diplomatic only, per EC-Belarus agreement - NOTE: suspended in practice due to EU sanctions since 2021), Cape Verde (diplomatic only). Based on Swedish Government official visa list last updated 01 September 2023.
Official page ↗Residence Permit to Look for Work or Start a BusinessOther
270 daysmultiple entry90-210d processing~$242valid 270donline
Allows highly-educated non-EU/EEA nationals to enter Sweden for up to 9 months to search for employment or explore business establishment, without a prior job offer.
Fee SEK 2,200 (approx. USD 242). Requires a second-cycle qualification (60+ credit Master's, professional degree, or PhD). Must show financial self-sufficiency of SEK 13,000/month and hold comprehensive health insurance. If employment or business is secured during the permit period, holder may apply for a work/self-employment residence permit from within Sweden. Processing: 75% decided within 7 months. Not a digital nomad visa per se, but functionally similar for job-seeking professionals.
Official page ↗Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) - Religious PurposesOther
90 daysmultiple entry15-30d processing~$99valid 1825d
Allows foreign nationals from visa-required countries to visit Sweden for religious events, pilgrimages, or religious gatherings for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Listed as a distinct purpose-of-visit category (alongside tourist, business, and medical visits) on the Swedish Migration Agency's official Schengen short-stay visa application page. Same base fee and processing apply as other Type C purposes: EUR 90 for adults 12+ (approx. USD 99), EUR 45 for ages 6-11, free under 6; decision usually within 2 weeks, up to 30 days for complex/embassy-dependent cases. Reduced or waived fees may apply to representatives of nonprofit/religious organisations or citizens of countries with an EU visa facilitation agreement (e.g. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cape Verde, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Western Balkans states).
Official page ↗Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) - Volunteer Work / Short InternshipOther
90 dayssingle entry15-30d processing~$99valid 365d
Allows foreign nationals from visa-required countries to undertake short-term unpaid volunteer work or an internship placement in Sweden for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, without applying for a residence permit.
Listed as a distinct purpose-of-visit category ('Volunteer Work/Internship') on the Swedish Migration Agency's official Schengen short-stay visa application page, separate from the long-stay Residence Permit for Traineeship/Internship entry (which applies to placements exceeding 90 days or tied to higher education requiring a residence permit). Base fee EUR 90 (approx. USD 99); reduced/waived fees may apply depending on the sponsoring organisation. Decision usually within 2 weeks, up to 30 days in complex cases. Does not constitute a Swedish work permit and does not permit paid employment.
Official page ↗Temporary Protection Permit (Ukraine/EU Directive)Other
multiple entryfreevalid 365d
Grants temporary residence in Sweden to displaced persons from Ukraine under the EU Temporary Protection Directive, allowing right to work and access to social services.
No application fee. Granted to Ukrainian nationals and stateless persons who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022. Provides access to employment, housing, social welfare, and healthcare. Duration aligned with EU Council decisions on temporary protection extension.
Official page ↗Working Holiday Residence PermitWorking holiday
365 daysmultiple entry90-120d processing~$165valid 365donline
Allows young people (18-30) from partner countries to holiday in Sweden for up to one year and work incidentally to fund their stay and experience Swedish life and culture.
For citizens aged 18-30 of countries with a youth-exchange agreement with Sweden: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. Fee SEK 1,500 (approx. USD 165); Japanese citizens are exempt from the fee. Applicant must have at least SEK 15,000 to support themselves on arrival. Work is permitted but must not be the main purpose of the stay. Maximum one year and cannot be extended. Comprehensive health insurance required (Australian citizens exempt). Processing: 75% of complete applications decided within 3 months.
Official page ↗via VFS Global ↗Sweden visa policy, fees & entry rules in full →
Sweden visa for American citizens - FAQ
Do American citizens need a visa for Sweden?
No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
How long can American citizens stay in Sweden?
American passport holders can stay in Sweden for up to 90 days per entry under the current visa-free arrangement.
What documents do American citizens need for Sweden?
A valid passport is all American citizens need for a short visa-free visit (up to 90 days). If you apply for a longer-stay visa, Earth Visa lists the full required documents per visa category from the official visa application centre.
Check entry with visas you already hold →What “visa-free” means →