Sweden Visa RequirementsFor Syria passport holders
Syrian citizens need a Schengen visa to visit Sweden. Sweden is a Schengen member state and one of the countries that hosted the largest number of Syrian refugees during the 2015-2016 refugee crisis. Swedish processing of Syrian Schengen visa applications typically happens through the Swedish Embassy in Beirut, Ankara, or Amman.
Syria passport holders require a visa to enter Sweden.
Syrian citizens must apply for a Swedish (Schengen) visa at the Swedish Embassy in a third country accessible to them: Ankara (Turkey), Beirut (Lebanon), Amman (Jordan), Cairo (Egypt), or Abu Dhabi (UAE). Contact the Swedish Embassy at swedenabroad.se for current processing arrangements. Required documents: valid Syrian passport, completed Schengen application form, two passport photos (35mm x 45mm), travel health insurance (minimum EUR 30,000), confirmed return flights, hotel reservations, bank statements, employment documentation, and extensive proof of ties to Syria or country of residence. The Schengen fee is EUR 90 (~$98 USD). Processing takes longer than standard due to additional security screenings. Note: if visiting family in Sweden, an invitation letter from the Swedish-resident relative with their personal number (personnummer) and Swedish ID copy strengthens the application significantly.
Sweden is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Completed Schengen visa application form
Valid Syrian passport (minimum 3 months validity beyond stay)
Two passport photos (35mm x 45mm, white background)
Travel health insurance (minimum EUR 30,000, all Schengen states)
Confirmed return flight bookings
Hotel reservations or accommodation proof in Sweden
Bank statements (last 3-6 months)
Proof of ties to Syria or country of current residence
Invitation letter from Swedish-resident family/friend (if applicable, with personnummer) Recommended
Current Travel Situation
Syria to Sweden: What You Need to Know
Sweden is a Nordic EU and Schengen member state that became one of the primary destinations for Syrian refugees during the 2015-2016 refugee crisis. Sweden accepted more Syrian refugees per capita than almost any other European country. This created a large Syrian-Swedish community, making Sweden a particularly significant destination for Syrian citizens visiting relatives. Swedish-Syrian cultural exchanges and diaspora connections are substantial. Swedish embassies closed in Damascus during the civil war, so Syrian citizens must apply for Schengen visas through Swedish embassies in third countries.
How to Get There
No direct Syria-Sweden connections exist via Damascus (limited operations). From Beirut (BEY, Lebanon), connections to Stockholm Arlanda (ARN): via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines BEY-IST-ARN), or via Frankfurt (Lufthansa BEY-FRA then FRA-ARN). Total journey from Beirut to Stockholm is approximately 8-12 hours.
Money & Banking
Sweden uses the Swedish krona (SEK), not the euro, despite being an EU member. Sweden is expensive: budget SEK 1,200-2,000 ($110-190 USD) per day. Credit cards are universally accepted, as Sweden is almost entirely cashless.
Practical Tips
Stockholm is Sweden's capital and cultural heart: Gamla Stan (medieval Old Town on an island), the Vasa Museum (preserved 17th-century warship), the ABBA Museum, Skansen open-air museum (Swedish folk culture), and royal Drottningholm Palace (UNESCO). Gothenburg has world-class seafood and the Liseberg amusement park. Malmo connects to Copenhagen via the Oresund Bridge. For Syrian visitors coming to see relatives in Sweden, the Stockholm suburbs of Rinkeby, Tensta, Husby, and Botkyrka host large Syrian and Arab communities, as do Gothenburg's Biskopsgarden area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Syrian citizens visit family in Sweden on a visa?
Yes, but obtaining the Schengen visa is difficult. Apply at the Swedish Embassy in Beirut, Ankara, Amman, or Cairo. Having a Swedish-resident family member provide an invitation letter (with their personnummer and Swedish ID) significantly strengthens the application. The fee is EUR 90 (~$98 USD).
Is there a large Syrian community in Sweden?
Yes. Sweden accepted one of the highest numbers of Syrian refugees per capita during the 2015-2016 crisis. The Syrian-Swedish community is one of Europe's largest. Stockholm suburbs (Rinkeby, Tensta, Botkyrka) and Gothenburg have significant Syrian and Arab communities.
How do Syrians reach Sweden without a visa?
Syrians cannot enter Sweden without a Schengen visa (or refugee/asylum status). For Syrians already legally residing in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, or other countries, the Swedish Embassy in their country of residence is the appropriate application point. For asylum seekers, the process is different from tourist visa applications.