2019:Visas
For more information see: Visa policy of the Schengen Area on Wikipedia.
Due to Sweden being a part of the European Union and Schengen Area, the visa policy of Sweden is set by the European Union and that it does not operate any separate visa policy on its own.
We cannot guarantee that the information provided is accurate or up to date. Even the official Swedish government websites may contain outdated or incorrect information. To avoid unpleasant surprises, get information regarding your visa application confirmed in writing.
Visa-free access
Free access (no visa required at all)
- European Union citizens
- nationals of the countries comprising European Economic Area (EEA):
- nationals of Switzerland
Free access (90 days within a 180-day period)
Nationals of the following 62 countries and territories holding ordinary passports may enter the Schengen Area, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania without a visa, for short stays (usually 90 days within a 180-day period):
Visa required
Passport holders of countries listed below will need a visa to enter the Schengen Area and Sweden to attend the conference.
Entities and territorial authorities that are not recognized as states by at least one member state
- Kosovo
- Palestine
Applying for a Visitors Visa
Citizens of countries that are not one of the visa exempt countries listed above will require a visitor's visa for Sweden. The following documentation is needed when applying for this visa through a local Swedish consulate or embassy:
Please note that the visa approval process can be long and time consuming. We recommend to register and get an appointment (if required, depends on country of origin) at the Swedish embassy or consulate of your choice as early as possible. Moreover, please note that if you are transiting certain countries (e.g. USA, United Kingdom) en route to Stockholm, you may also be required to apply for a transit visa.
Depending on your country of origin, you need to get an appointment at the Swedish embassy or consulate. It is advisable to get one as soon as possible. We advise you to check the appointment availability soon, as in some countries longer waiting times and scarcity of appointment options are likely, and to make an appointment straight away. Please also check the processing time for a visa. We recommend starting the visa process as soon as possible.
Please note that these are intended to be general guidelines, and you should be sure to check with your local embassy or high commission when finding the exact requirements for your visa application.
To apply for a visa, you need to present (the following list is required no matter the origin):[1]
- A valid passport, valid for at least three months after the visa has expired, and that has been issued in the last ten year period.
- An invitation letter
- Money for the stay and the journey home. It is required that you have SEK 450 for each day spent in Sweden. This may be lower if food and accommodation is paid in advance. You will have to be able to show that you have enough funds with for example bank statements or a document where the invitor promises to meet all expenses during the visit.
- An individual medical travel insurance, that covers all costs that could arise from an emergency medical assistance, emergency hosptalization or medical repatriation. It will have to cover costs of at least EUR 30,000 and be valid throughout the Schengen area.
In most cases, you will also have to present:
- Passport and photocopy of passport.
- Two passport photos that are no more than six months old and that are taken full-face (taken when you are facing the camera directly with your eyes looking straight at the camera).
- Conference program or the equivalent.
- Travel documents.
- Hotel room booking confirmation.
- Visa application form.
Costs range from country to country, as do issuing times. Please contact your consulate for specific requirements.
Swedish consulates and embassies
- You will find country-specific information here.
Supporting Documents for Visa Applications
If you are attending Wikimania 2019 and require a visa, the Wikimedia Foundation can provide you with a letter to support your visa application. However, please note that beyond providing a supporting letter, the Wikimedia Foundation is unable to influence the visa application process.
If you require a supporting letter, please contact visas@wikimedia.org
When writing to request a supporting letter, you must include your full name, home address, and passport number in the body of the email. Please do not include a PDF of your passport, as attachments will not be opened. If you know the address of your visa application centre and/or the name of the Swedish official processing your application, please include that as well.
Please allow plenty of time when requesting your visa letter before your visa application is due, as the WMF does not prioritize urgent requests. Requests for invitation letters will be filled in the order that they are received.