Non-Immigrant Visas
Mail-In Applications
Please note that as of May 26th, 2004, most mail-in application categories were eliminated. Only the following two categories of applicants may mail in their applications:
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Persons applying for visas for diplomatic or official travel (A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4 or C-3, except attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials) and NATO visas. All these visas are exempted from the visa fee.
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Applicants who have not yet turned 14, or who have turned 80.
If you do not meet the requirements for a mail-in application, please follow the instructions on the general information page.
CONTENTS OF A MAIL-IN NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION
Send in the following:
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VALID PASSPORT: The original passport is required. Please note that some Swedish passports are of bad quality (this applies mostly to passports issued 1998-2000) and that if the ID-page is starting to fall out, or even if it only has a little crack in it, you must apply for a new passport before you come for an interview. Please check if the passport cracks by bending it a few times.
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ONE PHOTOGRAPH (Attached to you DS-156 Form): Color or black and white, less than six months old, 5x5cm, against a white background, where you are facing the camera directly. Please note that Swedish style passport photos are NOT accepted.
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ORIGINAL RECEIPT: of 1050 SEK paid into bankgiro 5452-8948. The receipt must state applicants’ names, amount paid (1050 SEK per applicant) and bankgiro number. Internet receipts will not be accepted. A sample receipt may be found on our website. The application fee is not refundable, even if you decide for any reason whatsoever, not to appear for the interview. Please note that we only accept original receipts.
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COMPLETED DS-156 APPLICATION FORM (Download DS-156 in English/Swedish)
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ENVELOPE: Please bring a self addressed stamped envelope (stamps worth 63 SEK must be put on envelope) for the return of your passport. You will not receive your visa at the interview. We will mail your passport when we have finished processing your visa.
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PERSONBEVIS: Stating when you first started residing in Sweden
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COURT AND POLICE RECORDS: Persons who have been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime must provide a police record in original, copies of court records and of any prison records, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty, or other act of clemency. NOTE! If you have not been arrested you don’t need to submit any records.
Depending on what visa you are applying for, you need to submit additional information. Please make sure you have the right documents required for your visa type:
Tourist Visa (B2):
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PROOF OF FINANCE: A current bank statement or other evidence to show that you have sufficient funds to cover the costs of the trip. If someone else will be financing your trip, we need both a bank statement and a letter of consent from this person.
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EMPLOYMENT LETTER: Stating the type of contract, how long you have been employed for and for how long you have been granted vacation or leave. This only applies to people that have employers.
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TRAVEL PLAN: Of places you intend to visit, people you intend to stay with, and approximate dates.
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INVITATION LETTERS: From family or friends with whom you intend to stay during your trip.
Business Visa (B1):
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EMPLOYMENT LETTER: With specific details about the purpose of your trip, the length, and who will be financing the trip.
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INVITATION LETTER: If you will be attending a conference, or visiting a company. If you are going as a volunteer, a letter of invitation describing the organization you are going to work for should be brought to the interview.
Aupair/Student/Exchange visitor visas (J1 or F1):
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PROOF OF FUNDS TO COVER ALL EXPENSES: For example CSN letter, scholarship, or bank statement.
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DS-2019: For J1 “Exchange Visitor” (includes aupairs) status you must include the original SEVIS DS-2019 form. Family members seeking J2 status need their own copies of the DS-2019 form.
I-20 FORM: For F1 and M1 students the original SEVIS I-20 form must be included. Family members seeking F2 and M2 status need their own I-20 form.
Please note that you will have either a DS-2019 or an I-20 form, not both. If you will be doing your OPT, please bring the OPT card with you.
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Proof of payment of the SEVIS fee. All student and exchange visa applicants presenting I-20 or DS-2019 forms issued on or after September 1, 2004, must present proof of payment. Instructions on how to pay can be found on https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml
Temporary Work Visa (H,L,O or P):
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I-797 WORK PERMIT: Applicants for H,L,O or P visas need to submit the “Notice of Action”
BLANKET L PETITION: Applicants with Blanket L1 petitions must submit 3 copies of the petition
Please note that you should have either a work permit or a Blanket L petition, not both.
Dependants of work visa applicants need to send a copy of one of the objects stated above, together with a copy of the principal applicant's visa and a Personbevis showing relation to principal applicant, if applying separately.
Treaty Investors/Traders (E visa):
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COMPANY APPROVAL LETTER: E-visa applicants need to submit a copy of the approval letter that notified the company of its treaty investor or treaty trader status or DS-156E/I-129 renewal letter.
Dependants of work visa applicants need to send a copy of one of the objects stated above, together with a copy of the principal applicant's visa and a Personbevis showing relation to principal applicant, if applying separately.
Crew visa (C1/D):
- GUARANTEE LETTER: Stating your name, occupation and length of employment
Media visa ( I ):
- EMPLOYMENT LETTER: Stating employment status; whether your position is permanent or temporary, your purpose of travel and length of stay. You must also bring proof of membership in a professional journalistic organization. Freelance media workers must also submit a valid contract of employment.
Mail-in applications should be sent to the following address:
Nonimmigrant Visa Unit
Embassy of the United States of America
Dag Hammarskjolds väg 31
115 89 Stockholm
Processing of mail-in applications normally takes 2-4 weeks from the date they are received. However, during the busy Christmas and summer seasons normal processing time may be as long as two months. Longer processing time may also be required in the following situations: (1) in cases where the applicant has failed to submit all the required elements of an application; (2) in cases where the Embassy requires additional information from the applicant; and (3) in cases where the Embassy has asked the applicant to appear for an interview.
PLEASE NOTE:
All persons from those countries designated as 'state sponsors of terrorism' will be subject to an additional review before a visa can be issued. The countries subject to review are Iran, Libya, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, and Cuba. Applicants who are born in or who are citizens of those countries can expect a delay of usually two to eight weeks before a visa can be issued, however this process could take even longer.
In addition, a limited number of applicants are subject to special security screening procedures, which affect about 2% of all visa applicants worldwide. We do not discuss the specific criteria used for selecting applications for security review. Applicants selected for security review will be informed of the need for additional screening at the interview and can expect delays of normally two to eight weeks before a visa can be issued. In some cases, delays could be even longer.
We strongly recommend that applicants not purchase airplane tickets or make nonrefundable travel arrangements until they have actually received their visa; visa applicants should never assume their application would be automatically approved.
Average Wait Times