Applying for a visa to Sweden

The Embassy of Sweden in Skopje processes visa applications for persons who are not citizens of North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina who have residency status in these three countries. The Embassy also handles visa applications to visit Norway (for residents of North Macedonia) and Denmark (for residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina). 

All Schengen visa applications are assessed according to the rules in the Schengen visa codex. If you want to know more about the Schengen visa policy, you can read about it at the EU commission's web page. 

A visa application can be submitted up to six months before the planned entry to the Schengen area. It is the main destination of your trip that decides which member state you should lodge your application at.

How to apply

Appointments to apply for a visa must be made before visiting the Embassy in Skopje. When visiting the Embassy, you must bring certain documents.

Decisions are normally taken within two weeks. If you are granted a visa, the Embassy will call and invite you to visit the Embassy to get a visa sticker for your passport. During the visit, you can obtain a copy of the decision. If your application is rejected, the Embassy will send the decision to you by post. You have three weeks to submit an appeal starting from the day you receive your decision.

Apply for a Schengen Visa

Schengen Visas 

If you hold a permit or travel document from Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Hercegovina, you will need a Schengen visa to travel to Sweden. 

The Embassy of Sweden in Belgrade and Sarajevo no longer handles any Schengen visas. Furthermore, the Embassies will not reply to any inquiries relating to Schengen visa applications in general or regarding ongoing visa applications or previous ones.

Inquiries about Schengen visas should be addressed to our External Service Provider  Welcome to VFS Global | For Individuals | Home.

You are advised to apply by visiting the VFS Global application centres in Belgrade and Sarajevo, where you need to book an appointment. The applications, along with your passport, will then be shipped by courier to the Embassy of Sweden in Skopje for processing and a decision. Once a decision has been taken by the Swedish Embassy in Skopje, your passport and the decision will be sent back to the VFS centres in Belgrade or Sarajevo, where you can collect them.

You need to submit your application in good time before travelling. Your application and passport should reach the Swedish Embassy in Skopje not less than 15 days before your planned visit begins, according to Article 9, Section 1 in the visa code EU/ 2019/1155.

You will need to take the time it takes to transport your passport into consideration when deciding how far in advance to apply.

The normal transportation time for the passport to be sent one way (return time is the same) to and from the Swedish Embassy in Skopje is about 2 to 3 working days.

It is crucial that your application fulfils the requirements before sending the application the Swedish Embassy in Skopje. Please read all clarifying information on VFS Global's website Welcome to VFS Global | For Individuals | Home before applying.

The normal handling time for a Schengen visa at the Swedish Embassy in Skopje is around 15 days (counted from when the Swedish Embassy in Skopje has received the application and the passport). If an application is not complete or if an interview or document verification is needed, the handling time can be extended up to 45 days.

Be wary of other agents selling services. Please note that VFS Global is the only authorized external service provider collaborating with the Swedish authorities on applications for visas to Schengen. 

For more information or clarification please visit Welcome to VFS Global | For Individuals | Home.

List of countries whose citizens need a visa for entry into Sweden here

Biometric information

When you hand in your application for visa you need to submit biometric information (photo and fingerprints). Exceptions are made for:

• Children under the age of 12.
• Heads of State or government and members of national governments with accompanying spouses, and the members of their official delegations when they are invited by Member States governments or by international organizations for an official purpose.
• Sovereigns and other senior members of royal family when they are invited by Member States governments or by international organizations for an official purpose.
• Applicants with some physical hinder, who have lost or injured hands or fingers.

Applicants who have applied for a Schengen visa during the last 59 months do not have to leave their fingerprints again when they apply for a new visa. They must be able to show a copy of the previously issued visa sticker. If there are reasonable doubts about the identity of the applicant, the consulate might request the applicant to leave biometric information again. The applicant can also request to submit new biometric information if it cannot immediately be established that he/she has been issued a Schengen visa during the last 59 months.

If you have any questions regarding visa matters you can  contact the Embassy of Sweden in Skopje, through email ambassaden.skopje-migration@gov.se or phone tel. +389 2 3297 898, open Monday-Thursday 11.00-12.00.