Sweden & China

Visit for longer than 90 days

If you wish to visit Sweden for more than 90 days, you need to apply for a Visitor's Permit or, if you have special grounds, for a ‘D-visa’ (national visa). An authorized English translation must be attached to any document in Chinese.

Check the estimated processing time for Visitor's Permits on the Swedish Migration Agency website

Applying for Visitor's Permit

You have to bring all the required documents to the Embassy in Beijing or Consulate-General in Shanghai. You need to book an appointment beforehand.

How to book an appointment at the Embassy in Beijing

How to book an appointment at the Consulate General in Shanghai

Required documents

  • Application form no 165011 Application for a visitor’s residence permit, completed and signed by the applicant. You can download the application form on the Swedish Migration Agency's website here.
  • A photocopy of the first page in your passport, and of any extensions and/or name changes in the passport.
  • A photocopy of your ticket for the return journey (we advise you to delay payment until your permit has been granted).
  • Proof of solvency in the form of a bank account statement or a wage specification for the last three months. If the person who is inviting you to Sweden will be paying for your support, you must show in the same way that he/she has enough money to do so.

The person you will be visiting in Sweden needs to provide you with the following documents:

  • Form no 249011 Invitation – If you wish to invite a relative or friend to visit you. In original or scanned copy and it must be completed and signed by the relative in Sweden who wish to invite you. You can download the invitation form on the Swedish Migration Agency´s website here.
  • A photocopy of the identity page of the inviter's passport, ID-card, or equivalent.
  • A photocopy of the inviter's residence permit card (if applicable)
For other purposes than family visits:
  • An invitation or admission in original stating your purpose in Sweden, for more information please see the Swedish Migration Agency´s website:

Visiting Sweden for research

Visiting Sweden for religious purposes

Visiting Sweden for volunteering or internship

Applicants under the age of 18:
  • Application form no 165011 Application for a visitor’s residence permit. The application forms should be signed by the parent/guardian of the applicant. You can download the application form on the Swedish Migration Agency's website here.
  • A photocopy of the first page in your passport, and of any extensions and/or name changes in the passport.
  • Photocopies of the first page of the legal guardian's passports.
  • A photocopy of your ticket for the return journey (we advise you to delay payment until your permit has been granted).
  • Proof of solvency in the form of a bank account statement or a wage specification for the last three months. If the person who is inviting you to Sweden will be paying for your support, you must show in the same way that he/she has enough money to do so.
  • A notarized birth or kinship certificate.
  • If the applicant´s parents are divorced, you must submit a notarized divorce certificate, showing who has custody of the child.
  • A notarized written consent from the applicant's parents/custodians, if one or both of them are staying in China. If there is only one parent/custodian, you must submit a notarized document showing that this is the case.
  •  Prepare the relevant documents mentioned under the heading For family visits or For other purposes than family visits.
  • The parent/legal guardian, or a friend/relative with a power of attorney from one of the parents/legal guardians, must accompany the applicant to the Swedish Mission Abroad when submitting the application.

Applying for a national visa (D-visa) due to special circumstances

A national visa (D-visa) is only issued in exceptional cases. According to the law special circumstances must apply in your case. Note that a family visit is not considered special circumstances.

You need the following documents:

  • Form number 253011 National visa (D-visa), completed and signed by the applicant. You can download the application form on the Swedish Migration Agency's website here.
  • A passport or some other valid travel document.
  • A photocopy of the identity page in your passport, and of any extensions and/or name changes in the passport.
  • A recently taken photograph in passport format that is no older than six months attached to the application form.

The following additional documents are required for applicants under the age of 18:

  • Birth certificate or proof of birth.
  • Statement of consent from the parents/legal guardians of the minor indicating that the child is allowed to travel to Sweden if he/she travels alone or with only one parent.
  • Relevant adoption documents, if the child is adopted.
  • A power of attorney from one legal guardian, if the child is accompanied by another person than a legal guardian during application.


Please note that the Embassy or Consulate-General might request additional documents depending on your situation.

Fees

Most people have to pay a fee for their visa or visitor's permit application, for more information regarding fees click here.  

Receiving the decision 

After you have submitted your visitor's permit application at the Swedish Misson, you need to check for the decision at the Swedish Migration Agency's website with the control number written on the receipt issued by the Swedish Mission

Collect your residence permit card

When you have been granted a residence permit , a residence permit card will be produced for you and sent from Sweden to the Swedish Embassy or Consulate-General. This will normally take 2-3 weeks.

How to collect your residence permit card at the Embassy in Beijing

How to collect you residence permit card at the Consulate General in Shanghai