Sweden Visa Requirements for Nigerian Citizens 2024

Sweden is the place if you are looking for a country with an affordable yet quality educational system, excellent work environment, rich culture and many more exciting benefits.

Little wonder thousands of people worldwide move to Sweden.

This piece is for you if you are one of those people.

Here, I will show you the Sweden visa requirements for Nigerian citizens, among other relevant information.

Let me know in the comment if you have any questions or need further clarification.

Sweden Visa

Passport visa

Like any other country, you cannot travel to Sweden without a visa, which is your legal permit to live, study and work in Sweden.

There are different types of Swedish visas, and the type of visa you apply for depends on what you want to do in Sweden and how long you wish to stay in the country.

Types of Swedish Visas

There are two categories of Swedish visas:

  • Type C
  • Type D

The Type C visas are short-stay visas, while the Type D visas are long-stay visas.

Some of these visas include:

Swedish Work Permit Visa

The Swedish work visa permit type D visa allows individuals to work in Sweden for more than ninety (90) days.

With this visa, you can bring your dependents, including children up to age 21.

Note that you must have secured a job in Sweden before you can get this visa.

Swedish Student Visa

The Swedish student visa is also a type D visa issued to individuals who wish to study at a university in Sweden.

Before you can get this visa, you must have secured admission into a Swedish university.

This visa also permits you to travel around Sweden and the whole Schengen territory.

Swedish Tourist Visa

If you want to visit Sweden solely for tourism and entertainment, then this visa is for you.

This type C visa permits individuals to stay in Sweden for a full 90 days.

Swedish Visitor Visa

The visitor visa is for you if you plan to see your friends or relatives in Sweden.

This visa is for individuals who want to visit their friends or family members staying in Sweden.

It is a type C visa, and you can only remain in Sweden for ninety (90) days.

Note that you must get an invitation letter from your host before obtaining this visa.

Swedish Business Visa

This type C visa permits businessmen and women to travel to Sweden for commercial activities.

With a Swedish business visa, you can stay in the country for only ninety (90) days.

Other Swedish visa types include;

  • Swedish Airport Transit Visa
  • Swedish Medical Treatment Visa
  • Swedish Job Seeker Visa
  • Swedish Freelancer Visa
  • Swedish Partnership Visa
  • Swedish Family Reunion Visa

General Sweden Visa Requirements

man and woman looking at a laptop

Every visa type has specific requirements that applicants must meet before being considered for the visa.

The general requirements for a Swedish visa include the following:

  1. International Passport
  2. Passport Photographs
  3. Visa Application Form
  4. Cover Letter
  5. Travel Medical Insurance
  6. Proof of Accommodation
  7. Proof of Financial Ability
  8. Flight Tickets

International Passport

It would help if you had an international passport that would remain valid for at least three months after your visa expires.

This passport should have at least two blank pages where your visa would be placed.

Additionally, you need to make a copy of the first page of your international passport, including your personal information and previous visas, if you have any.

Passport Photographs

You must present at least two passport photographs taken within the last six months.

These passport photos should have a dimension of 35mm by 45mm, be taken on a plain background and be coloured.

You must have a neutral facial expression and be without nose masks, hats or headgear except for religious purposes.

The photos must comply with the Schengen photo guidelines.

Visa Application Form

You are required to fill out the Swedish visa application form correctly.

After you have filled out the form, sign appropriately. If a minor is an applicant, the form should be filled out by the parent or guardian and signed.

Cover Letter

You must provide a cover letter that states your reason for moving to Sweden.

This letter must be well-written and detailed.

Travel Medical Insurance

You must present a document that shows that you possess medical insurance that covers at least €30,000 of your health costs in Sweden and the whole Schengen territory.

Note that your visa will be automatically denied if you have an invalid insurance policy.

Proof of Accommodation

You must prove that you have secured a place to stay in Sweden.

You can present your hotel reservation or hostel receipt if you are a student.

If you would be staying with a friend or relative, you can request an invitation letter from them and present it at the embassy.

Proof of Financial Ability

You must prove that you can cater for your needs throughout your stay in Sweden.

You can present your bank statements for the last six (6) months or a sponsorship letter if you would be sponsored.

Suppose you are going to Sweden through a scholarship.

In that case, you must present your scholarship letter, which indicates the body or person giving you the scholarship, the scholarship value and when you would receive the money.

Flight Tickets

You are to present proof that you will return to Nigeria once you finish your business, education etc.

This would also show the details of your trip, such as your name, date of arrival and departure etc.

Swedish Work Permit Visa Requirements

Doctors and Nurses in a hospital

In addition to the general requirements discussed above, applicants for the Swedish work permit visa must meet the criteria below:

  • Must have secured a job in Sweden.
  • Present their employment letter.
  • Present a copy of their work permit.
  • Proving that no other Swedish citizen was qualified to take up the job.
  • Present their CV.

Swedish Student Visa Requirements

Group of students staring at a laptop

In addition to the general requirements discussed above, applicants for the Swedish student visa must meet the criteria below:

  • Secured admission into a Swedish university.
  • Present the admission letter.
  • Present tuition fee receipt.
  • Present their CV and other academic certificates.
  • Current birth certificate for minors travelling to Sweden.

Swedish Tourist Visa Requirements

couple standing together

In addition to the general requirements discussed above, applicants for the Swedish Tourist visa must meet the criteria below:

  • Present a letter of invitation from a friend or relative in Sweden if invited.
  • Present a letter from the employer in Nigeria.
  • Present birth certificates for minors travelling to Sweden.

Swedish Visitor Visa Requirements

High rise building

In addition to the general requirements discussed above, applicants for the Swedish visitor visa must meet the criteria below:

  • Letter of invitation from a friend or family member in Sweden.
  • Proof of relationship with the person to be visited.

Swedish Business Visa Requirements

Woman sitting in front of a MacBook

In addition to the general requirements discussed above, applicants for the Swedish business visa must meet the criteria below:

  • Present an invitation letter from the body organizing the conference, seminar etc., if they would be attending one.
  • Present a letter of invitation from the company inviting them to Sweden.
  • Letter from the employer in Nigeria.

Sweden Visa Application Guide

Female colleagues collaborating with a surface in a board

A description of the Sweden visa application processes

  1. Determine the Type of Visa

    It is the first step to applying for a visa.

    If you are still confused about what kind of visa to use, you should visit the VFS website and identify the correct visa.

    You would be presented with sufficient information on the various visa types.

  2. Fill out the Visa Application Form

    Now fill out the application form and sign on it.

    All the necessary details are on the VFS website.

    This form will be presented at the VFS Global office in Lagos or Abuja.

    Remember that the Embassy of Sweden at Abuja no longer processes visa applications from Nigeria since February 2022.

    Hence, the visa application centre will send your application to the Swedish embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.

  3. Get your Documents Ready

    Prepare all the documents stated above and make photocopies as they may be needed.

    Remember to cross-check your documents to ensure that none of them is missing.

  4. Submit your Documents

    You can book an appointment or proceed to the VFS office to submit your documents.

    Choose the visa application centre closest to you and submit your documents.

  5. Pay the Required Fees

    Pay your the required visa fees on the appointment date if you have not done so earlier.

    Note that the fees are non-refundable even if your visa is later denied.

    Contact the visa application centre for the exact fees for your visa, as the fees can be changed at any time.

  6. Collect your Passport

    You can track your application on the VFS website to know your application status.

    You may also receive updates on your phone via SMS or email.

    When you are notified that a decision has been made concerning your application, visit the VFS office to collect your passport.

Sweden Visa Processing Time

Woman sitting on the bed holding her phone

There is no specific processing time for your application.

It can take fifteen (15) days to some months, depending on several factors.

It is best to apply as early as possible so your application can be sorted out quickly.

Conclusion

Sweden, the heart of Scandinavia, is a great place to travel abroad. If you plan to move to Sweden, you don’t need to go through any agent; you can do the process yourself.

The good thing is that we have broken all the steps down, so following our guidelines will give you a smooth experience.

Let me know in the comment box below if you have any questions or need further clarification. I will love to help you.

Share on:

Your go-to education blogger, offering practical strategies, expert advice, and educational resources to help students thrive academically and unlock their full potential.

8 thoughts on “Sweden Visa Requirements for Nigerian Citizens 2024”

    • Yes, the Swedish embassy in Nigeria still processes job stickers visa applications. The visa application fee is currently 2,000 Nigerian Naira (NGN).

      The processing time for a job stickers visa is usually 10-15 working days. However, it may take longer if the embassy needs to verify any of your documents.

      Reply
  1. Hi blessing, please can I have your WhatsApp number, there are other questions and directions I need your answers to… Please you can drop it in my Gmail below… Thanks

    Reply
  2. Hi blessing, please can I have your WhatsApp number, there are other questions and directions I need your answers to… Please you can drop it in my Gmail below… Thanks

    Reply

Leave a Comment