Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- Embassy of Sweden is at 11 Montagu Place, London, W1H 2AL
- Consular phone line is +44 (0)20 7917 6400
- Schengen short stay visas plus work, study, family and self employment residence permits are handled
- Long stay applications are decided by Migrationsverket and submitted via migrationsverket.se
- British citizens travel visa-free for short stays under Schengen rules
Address and Contact Details
The Embassy of Sweden in London is at 11 Montagu Place, London, W1H 2AL, near Marylebone. The consular section handles visa applications, passport and identity matters for Swedish citizens, and notarial services for use in Sweden.
The main consular phone line is +44 (0)20 7917 6400. The embassy's official site, swedenabroad.se/en/embassies/uk-london, lists opening hours, application portals and the latest visa notices. Many long stay processes are completed via migrationsverket.se rather than at the embassy.
Public hours are limited to weekdays and split by service type. The embassy closes on UK bank holidays and Swedish national days such as Sveriges nationaldag on 6 June, with adjusted hours over the Christmas period.
Visa Services Available
Sweden's visa system has two main strands: Schengen short stay visas under EU rules, and Swedish national residence permits administered by Migrationsverket for stays over 90 days. Categories handled through the London embassy include:
- Schengen Visa (Short Stay): for tourism, business meetings, family visits and short events up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
- Residence Permit - Work: tied to a job offer from a Swedish employer meeting collective agreement standards.
- Residence Permit - Study: for students accepted at a recognised Swedish university with paid tuition where applicable.
- Residence Permit - Family Ties: for spouses, partners and dependent children of Swedish residents.
- Self Employment Permit: for entrepreneurs with a viable business plan and adequate funds.
- EU Blue Card and ICT Permits: for highly qualified workers and intra-company transferees.
British citizens do not need a Schengen visa for short visits. The embassy mainly serves third country nationals resident in the UK travelling to Sweden for longer purposes.
How to Book an Appointment
Most Swedish long stay residence permit applications are filed online at migrationsverket.se. The applicant then attends an in-person appointment at the embassy or a partner centre to verify identity and biometrics. Schengen visa applications are submitted at the partner visa centre serving the applicant's UK address.
Demand rises around the Swedish academic intake periods in late August and January, and when Swedish employers run large hiring waves. Slot availability is shown on the embassy site and the Migrationsverket online portal.
Bring the Migrationsverket case number, a printed appointment confirmation and original supporting documents. Late arrivals can be turned away and asked to rebook.
Documents and Requirements
Document requirements vary by visa category. Common items requested include:
- A passport valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen Area with two blank pages.
- The completed application form, either Schengen visa form or the relevant Migrationsverket online application.
- Two recent passport-style photographs to Schengen standards.
- Travel insurance for short stays with at least 30,000 euros of medical cover across the Schengen Area.
- Flight bookings and accommodation evidence for short stay applications.
- For work permits, the employer's offer of employment, evidence of collectively agreed pay and the union opinion where applicable.
- For study permits, the letter of admission, proof of paid tuition and bank statements showing the required minimum funds.
- For family permits, marriage, partnership and birth certificates legalised or apostilled where needed.
- For self employment, a business plan, financial projections, evidence of relevant experience and proof of funds for two years of living costs.
Originals and photocopies are usually required. Documents not in Swedish, English, Danish or Norwegian should be translated.
Processing Times and Fees
Schengen visa applications are usually processed within 15 calendar days, with extensions of 30 or 45 days for cases needing additional checks. Migrationsverket residence permits are usually decided in three to four months for standard cases, with some priority categories such as researchers and certain highly qualified workers handled more quickly.
Schengen visa fees follow European Commission tariffs and are payable in pounds sterling at the visa centre. Migrationsverket fees for residence permits vary by category and are paid online when the application is submitted. Children and certain other groups qualify for reduced or waived fees.
Verify the latest fee at the time of booking, since both Schengen-wide and Swedish national fee scales are reviewed periodically.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK passport holders need a visa for Sweden?
British citizens can travel to Sweden for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, business meetings or family visits without a visa, under Schengen rules. Stays for work, study or residence still need a Swedish national permit.
How is the Swedish work permit different from the EU Blue Card?
The standard Swedish work permit is tied to a specific employer and job offer that meets collective agreement standards. The EU Blue Card is a separate route for highly qualified workers with a higher salary threshold, offering EU-wide mobility benefits after a qualifying period.
Can I work in Sweden while my permit application is being decided?
Most applicants must wait until the residence permit is granted before starting work in Sweden. Some extension cases allow continued employment with the same employer while a decision is pending, subject to Migrationsverket's specific rules.
Where do I submit biometrics for a Swedish long stay permit?
Biometric data is captured at the Swedish embassy in London or at a partner office depending on the applicant's residence and category. Migrationsverket sends a notice with the booking link after the online application is accepted as complete.
Does Sweden require translations of UK marriage certificates?
UK marriage and civil partnership certificates can be submitted in English for most family permit applications, though Migrationsverket may request a sworn translation in specific cases. The case officer requests this in writing during processing.
How We Verified This
Details in this article were cross-checked against the Embassy of Sweden in London site, the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket), GOV.UK travel advice for Sweden, and European Commission Schengen visa policy pages. EU Blue Card information reflects current Swedish implementation.
Sources
- Embassy of Sweden London: swedenabroad.se/uk-london
- Swedish Migration Agency: migrationsverket.se
- GOV.UK Sweden travel advice: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sweden
