How to apply tourist visa to Sweden for the first time in Manila, Philippines

Visiting Sweden for the first time with a sponsor/host

Note: A sponsor/host can be a relative, friend, or your partner in Sweden.
-These advices are based on my experiences when I applied for a visit to Sweden for the first time.

The visa for visiting Sweden as a tourist is called a Schengen visa. It is a visa valid for a maximum stay of 90 days in a 6-months of visit. This visa is also valid when entering the other Schengen states.

Here are some simple steps when applying for a Schengen visa to visit Sweden:
1. Be sure that you have your passport ready. You must also bring the photocopies of your old and new passport.
2. Book an appointment to the embassy of Sweden in Makati or you can book an appointment through another embassy which represents Sweden such as Switzerland's embassy for your interview. Set your appointment 3 months before your intended flight to give time for waiting for the decision of your application. The decision can be made in a week but most of the time it takes months, depending on your application.
3. A sponsor must sent you a copy of invitation letter which inviting you to visit him/her in Sweden, his/her civic registration certificate, a proof of financial record ( the latest 3 months of flowing cash in the bank account ), a work certificate from his/her employer, a copy of your round-trip plane ticket ( note: don't buy the ticket first, just book it ), and a copy of your Medical Insurance. Please note that he/she must also send these to the embassy through e-mail before the appointment date. ( NOTE: All must be translated in English )
4. The applicant must fill-up the following forms personally: ( just click to the below to show and download the files )

http://www.migrationsverket.se/download/18.56e4f4801246221d25680001154/blvisa_119031_en.pdf
http://www.migrationsverket.se/download/18.51d465a612bb43eca6480003592/bl_fam_239011.pdf

5. Together with the requirements in number 3 and 4, you must bring 2 identical-couloured passport sized photos with White background. Please note that you should not staple these on the forms, just give them these together with the forms instead. You must also bring the exact amount of Php. 3,300 for the visa fee or else you got trouble because they don't change if you have bigger than the said amount. ( Note: The fees can be changed, so please check the embassy's website for the updates.)
6. Bring your original documents with 1 photocopy of each.
7. You need to appear personally in your appointment. Come atleast 1 hour before your appoitment time because you need to fill-up the additional questioner which can be obtained in the reception of the visa section or you can ask the guard for this.
8. Note: Bring your ID, example is postal ID or work ID. You need this to be able to use the elevator to go up in the visa section area. You should also look out for your attire, slipper or sandals is not allowed inside the building.
9. The interview are nervousing especially if you knows nothing about your sponsor so to be ready, talk to your sponsor and ask about the things you don't know about her/him.
10. After the interview, you must wait. You should pay the fees. After paying fees, you don't need to pick your passport back. They need it for the visa sticker. You can ask them if they can send the passport home to you when it is done. You need to pay extra for the delivery. You can also pick-up the passport personally in the embassy. They usually call you when it is done to inform you if it is approve or not.

Visiting Sweden without a sponsor/host

A person can also visit Sweden even if he/she have no inviting person in the country. The following are the requirements:
1. A Valid passport
2. Enough Money to support yourself in your whole stay in Sweden
3. Medical Insurance
4. Accommodation ( if you have book a hotel )
5. Round-trip plane ticket (note: you don't need to buy it, just book it)
6. Visa forms ( you can e-mail the embassy for the forms )
7. The embassy will ask you additional requirements

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I hoped I can help.