Sweden family visit visa
Required documents, fees and processing time for a Sweden family visit Schengen visa when you apply from United States.
SCHENGEN · VISA C✈ DOCUMENTS
🇸🇪 Sweden·····✈·····🇺🇸 from United States
To
Sweden
Type
C · FAMILY
Apply at
USA
Centre
VAC
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Action neededVisiting family / friends — short stay (Type C) · applying from United States.
Documents ready00 / 13
Competent authority
Embassy of Sweden in Washington D.C. (decision authority); submitted via VFS Global.
Application centre
VFS Global (USA)
Recommended — commonly expected even when not on the official list
Cover letterA letter of introduction stating who you are and why you are travelling.
Fees
Consular (Type C)
€90
Service fee
$35
Est. total (adult)
$135
Long stay (Type D)
—
The short-stay (Type C) consular fee is harmonised at €90 for adults across all Schengen states; collected in USD · centre: VFS Global.
Fee notes
VFS Global. Long-stay via Migrationsverket residence permit (null).
Timeline
medium confidenceProcessing
15–45 days
End-to-end
3–8 weeks
Centre
VAC
Appointment wait
No official published wait; realistically ~1-3 weeks, longer in peak summer.
Application centre
VFS Global (mandatory appointment, biometrics). Applications forwarded by VFS to the Embassy of Sweden in Washington DC, which decides.
Timeline notes
Embassy states 15 days from when it receives the application, plus a couple of days for VFS to forward.
Funds to show
high confidenceThe amount you must be able to prove, per the Schengen Borders Code reference amount. It depends only on the destination — not on your nationality or where you apply.
Per day
SEK 450
Minimum
—
In EUR ≈
€40 / day
Notes
Set by Swedish legislation (as of 15.11.2011): reference amount SEK 450 per day. EUR equivalent approx 40 at ~11.2 SEK/EUR.
Consulates apply discretion and may expect a buffer above this figure — treat it as a floor, not a guarantee.
Funds source ↗⚠ Special cases & caveats
- Applicant visiting family/friends in another Schengen country (not Sweden)Provide an invitation letter from the reference person in that Schengen country.
- Non-immigrant residents of the USAGreen card or US visa must be valid at least 3 months after re-entry.