Stockholm, Gothenburg and Swedish Lapland attract a steady stream of UAE travellers, but Sweden is one of the hardest Schengen visas to get from here. In 2025 the Swedish mission received 6,312 UAE applications and did not issue a visa in 41% of them. Of those it did approve, only 14% allowed multiple entries — the lowest share of any large consulate in the UAE. There is also a recent change: since 2 March 2026, Sweden’s visa and migration work for the UAE is handled by its embassy in Amman, Jordan.
Checked on 20 October 2026 against the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket), Sweden Abroad and the European Commission’s 2025 visa statistics. Sources at the end.
On this page
- Sweden at a glance
- What the move to Amman means for you
- Step by step
- The SEK 700-a-day rule
- Building a stronger file
- What the 2025 figures say
- Questions people ask
Sweden at a glance
| Who handles visas | Embassy of Sweden, Amman (regional migration hub) since 2 March 2026 |
| Where you submit | VFS Global — WTC Mall, Abu Dhabi, or Wafi Mall, Dubai |
| Visa fee | €90 from age 12, €45 ages 6–11, free under 6 |
| VFS service fee | Charged on top |
| Decision time | Usually within 15 days of the embassy receiving the file |
| Funds | SEK 700 per person per day |
| 2025 not-issued rate | 41% (UAE average 23.9%) |
| Multiple-entry share | 14% of issued visas |
What the move to Amman means for you
Sweden Abroad says responsibility for migration and visa matters for the UAE moved to the Embassy of Sweden in Amman, its regional hub for the Middle East and North Africa, from 2 March 2026. In practice:
- You still book and submit at VFS Global in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
- Questions about a visa case go to the Amman migration email, [email protected], not to the Abu Dhabi embassy.
- Allow extra time: files are reviewed outside the UAE.
The Embassy states it does not work with any paid agents, and no outside party can affect processing time or outcome.
Step by step
- Confirm Sweden is your main destination — the most nights, or the main purpose. See which Schengen country to apply to.
- Fill in and sign the Schengen application form.
- Book a VFS appointment in Dubai or Abu Dhabi through the VFS site.
- Submit your passport and documents and give fingerprints.
- Pay the visa and VFS fees. The visa fee is not refunded if you are refused.
- Track the application on the VFS site.
You can apply up to six months ahead. With decisions made in Amman, start at least 6 weeks before travel.
The SEK 700-a-day rule
The Swedish Migration Agency requires visitors to show SEK 700 per person per day of the stay, plus money for the return journey. Lower amounts can apply for young children, when meals and accommodation are prepaid, or when you stay with relatives or friends. Many older guides still quote SEK 450 — that is out of date.
| Trip | Minimum funds |
|---|---|
| 1 person, 7 days | SEK 4,900 (about AED 1,700) |
| 2 people, 10 days | SEK 14,000 (about AED 4,900) |
Proof can be your own bank statements or a written guarantee from your host in Sweden. See bank balance for a Schengen visa.
Building a stronger file
Migrationsverket’s list for a tourist visit is short, but with four in ten UAE applications failing, cover the two questions every officer asks — can you pay, and will you leave on time — with clear evidence:
- Passport issued in the last 10 years, valid 3 months past the visa’s end date, with two blank pages.
- A written description of the purpose of your visit — a short cover letter and day-by-day plan.
- Travel insurance: €30,000 minimum, all Schengen states.
- Bank statements meeting the SEK 700 rule, with regular salary credits.
- Proof you will leave: UAE residence visa, employer NOC with approved leave, return flight reservation.
- For family or friend visits: the host’s invitation form, a copy of their ID, and their financial documents if they pay.
What the 2025 figures say
| Sweden, applications in the UAE (2025) | Figure |
|---|---|
| Applications | 6,312 |
| Visas issued | 3,654 |
| Not-issued rate | 41% |
| Multiple-entry share of issued visas | 14% |
These 2025 figures were recorded under the Abu Dhabi mission, before decisions moved to Amman. Whether the Amman hub will decide differently is not yet known. Compare every consulate in our Schengen statistics for the UAE.
If you are refused
You can ask for the reasons behind the decision, and your decision letter explains how and by when to appeal. Reapplying with a file that fixes the reasons is the other route. See our refusal and appeal guide.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using SEK 450 a day from an old guide.
- Emailing the Abu Dhabi embassy about a visa case instead of the Amman migration hub.
- Applying three weeks before travel.
- Expecting a multiple-entry visa: plan for single entry.
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for a Sweden visa?
SEK 700 per person per day of your stay, plus your return journey, according to the Swedish Migration Agency.
Who decides Swedish visas for UAE residents?
Since 2 March 2026, the Embassy of Sweden in Amman handles migration and visa matters for the UAE. You submit at VFS in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Why is the Sweden refusal rate so high?
The statistics don’t give reasons. A clear purpose, funds that meet SEK 700 a day and strong ties to the UAE are the best defence.
Related guides
- Norway Schengen visa from the UAE
- Denmark Schengen visa from the UAE
- Schengen refusal and appeal from the UAE
- Schengen visa from Dubai and the UAE
Sources
- Swedish Migration Agency — Visiting Sweden for up to 90 days: migrationsverket.se
- Sweden Abroad — Should I contact the Embassy of Sweden in Amman about my Schengen visa? (updated 23 June 2026): swedenabroad.se
- Sweden Abroad — Visa applications in the UAE (VFS Global locations): swedenabroad.se
- European Commission — Visa statistics for consulates, 2025 (published 28 May 2026)
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 20 October 2026. Rechecked quarterly. Found an error? Email [email protected] — it gets fixed and logged.