Visa Requirements
Do South African citizens need a visa for Sweden?
Official Requirement
Visa required
for South Africa citizens travelling to Sweden
Passport holders from countries without a visa-free arrangement with the Schengen Area must apply for a Schengen visa before travelling to Sweden. A visa or work permit is also required for anyone intending to stay longer than 90 days or to work or reside in Sweden.
Checked 26 September 2026
We are not a government authority. Requirements change without notice. Always verify with the official consulate link before travel.
Embassy Application Only
Sweden does not offer online visa applications. You'll need to apply in person at the nearest Sweden embassy or consulate. Contact the diplomatic mission for the current document checklist and appointment availability.
Official Sweden government page →
Stockholm
The short answer
South African citizens need a visa arranged in advance to enter Sweden. A visa has to be obtained before travelling to Sweden. The fee is EUR 90 for applicants aged 12 or older, EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11, and no fee for children aged 0 to 5, as stated by the Swedish Migration Agency in September 2026. The fee is paid when the application is submitted, may vary slightly on conversion to local currency, and is not refunded if the application is rejected. Passport validity: a passport valid for at least three months after you plan to leave the Schengen area. This covers tourist and short business visits only, not work, study or residence, and a border officer makes the final decision on entry in every case. This was last checked on 26 September 2026.
At a glance
Key facts for South African citizens visiting Sweden
- Requirement
- Visa required
- Passport validity
- A passport valid for at least three months after you plan to leave the Schengen area.
- Fee
- EUR 90 for applicants aged 12 or older, EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11, and no fee for children aged 0 to 5, as stated by the Swedish Migration Agency in September 2026. The fee is paid when the application is submitted, may vary slightly on conversion to local currency, and is not refunded if the application is rejected.
- Documents
- A passport valid for at least three months after leaving the Schengen area
- A valid round-trip ticket with a return journey within 90 days
- A written invitation from the person you will stay with, or a hotel booking confirmation
- Proof of funds for your stay and return journey, set at SEK 700 for each day of the visit
- Medical travel insurance covering at least EUR 30,000, valid in all Schengen countries
- Conditions
- A Schengen visa allows entry and a stay in the Schengen area of up to 90 days in any 180-day period; a longer visit needs a visitor's residence permit instead. If you are visiting several Schengen countries, apply to the country that is your main destination. In many places applications are received by an external service provider and decided by the Swedish authorities; elsewhere they go to a Swedish embassy or consulate-general, or to another Schengen country representing Sweden. The fee is waived for some applicants, such as students and researchers travelling for study or research.
Step by step
How South African citizens enter Sweden
Check whether you need an entry visa and confirm that Sweden is your main Schengen destination
Find where to apply for the country or territory you live in
Gather your passport, return ticket, invitation or booking, proof of funds, and travel insurance
Submit the application and pay the fee
Track the case with the reference from the service provider
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Practical Info
Travel Essentials
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Questions
What South African citizens ask about entering Sweden
Yes. South African citizens need a visa arranged before travelling to Sweden. This was last checked on 26 September 2026.
Start from the destination government page linked on this page. Yoogo does not process applications and takes no fee for them.
A passport valid for the trip, proof of onward or return travel, and proof of where you are staying. Officers can ask for evidence that you can support yourself for the visit. Entry is always the officer's decision, whatever the paperwork says.
Sweden uses SEK. Check the rate before you exchange anything at the airport, where the spread is usually widest.
Changes to this route
No changes recorded since the first check on 26 September 2026.
Full change history for this route →