Sweden entry requirements for United Arab Emirates passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

United Arab Emirates passport holders can visit Sweden without a visa for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This applies to tourism, business, and family visits. As of 2026, you can enter Sweden and the entire Schengen Area visa-free for short stays.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Valid passport
Must be valid for your entire stay in Sweden
Your passport needs to be valid for the whole time you're in Sweden. Sweden does not enforce a 6-month validity rule beyond your departure date, but some airlines may still ask for it — check with your carrier before flying.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from the Schengen area
Immigration officers at Swedish airports regularly ask for a return or onward ticket showing you'll leave the Schengen zone within 90 days. Have a printed or digital copy ready — budget airlines sometimes check this before boarding too.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Border officers may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. Have a hotel confirmation or a letter from your host ready — a simple booking printout works fine.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself during your stay
Sweden doesn't publish a fixed minimum amount, but officers expect you to cover accommodation, food, and transport. Carry a bank statement or credit card showing available funds — around 450 SEK per day is a safe benchmark.Recommended
90/180-day rule applies
Your 90-day visa-free stay is counted across all Schengen countries combined. You cannot stay 90 days in Sweden, then move to France for another 90 days. Use the Schengen calculator to track your days — overstaying can lead to fines and a re-entry ban.
No visa-free extension
You cannot extend your visa-free stay in Sweden. If you need to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit (work, study, or family reunion) before your visa-free period ends. The application fee is €80 (approx. $88 USD) and processing takes 1-3 months.

What happens at the border

1
Arrival at Swedish airport
When you land at Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), Gothenburg Landvetter (GOT), or Malmö (MMX), follow signs to 'Passport Control' (non-EU queue). Have your passport and return ticket ready. The officer will check your passport, ask about your stay (purpose, duration, accommodation), and stamp your passport with the entry date.
2
Present documents
Hand over your passport. If asked, provide your return ticket (digital or printed) and proof of accommodation. Answer questions clearly — typical questions: 'How long are you staying?', 'Where are you staying?', 'What's the purpose of your visit?'
3
Receive entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the entry date. This stamp marks the start of your 90-day visa-free period. Check the stamp before leaving the counter — if it's missing or unclear, ask for clarification.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After passport control, proceed to baggage claim, then customs (green channel for most travellers). You're now free to enter Sweden.
Download Sweden Entry Checklist
PDF · United Arab Emirates Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Download PDF

Overstay calculator

Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Schengen Tourist Visa (Single Entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 3 months
Cost€80 (approx. $88 USD)

For longer stays or if visa-free not applicable; apply at Swedish embassy.

Schengen Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period per visit
ValidityUp to 1 year or more
Cost€80 (approx. $88 USD)

For frequent travellers; requires justification for multiple entries.

National Visa (D Visa) for Long Stay
Max stayOver 90 days
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€80 (approx. $88 USD)

For work, study, or family reunion; requires specific permit.

work visa
Swedish Work Permit
Up to 2 years, renewable
€80 (approx. $88 USD) application fee
For skilled workers with a job offer in Sweden. Requires employer sponsorship and compliance with labour market conditions.
Apply
student visa
Swedish Student Residence Permit
Duration of studies, up to 1 year renewable
€80 (approx. $88 USD) application fee
For full-time students accepted at a Swedish university. Requires proof of admission and sufficient funds.
Apply
family reunion visa
Swedish Residence Permit for Family Reunification
Up to 2 years, renewable
€80 (approx. $88 USD) application fee
For close family members of Swedish residents or citizens. Requires proof of relationship and accommodation.
Apply
Other fees
ServiceCost
Stay extension costVisa-free stay is not extendable; must leave Schengen area.N/A
Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines vary; may include ban from Schengen area.~€100 per day (approx. $110 USD)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds proof30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Sweden

No transit visa needed

United Arab Emirates passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through Swedish airports, as they are visa-free for short stays.

Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsStockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) · Göteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) · Malmö Airport (MMX)

Health & vaccines for Sweden

Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTick-borne encephalitis (TBE)Consider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk

Risk in wooded areas, especially in southern and central Sweden; vaccination recommended for outdoor activities.

Lyme diseaseLow risk

Transmitted by ticks in rural areas; use repellent and check for ticks.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Stockholm
Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) – Stockholm Office
Lindhagensgatan 74, 112 18 Stockholm
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00

For visa and permit issues; appointments required for most services.

Gothenburg
Swedish Migration Agency – Gothenburg Office
Polhemsplatsen 3, 411 11 Göteborg
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00

Handles residence permits and visa matters.

Practical information for AE travellers

Country basics
CapitalStockholm
LanguageSwedish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid.
Money
CurrencySwedish Krona (SEK)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 9.28 SEK
updated May 29
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h (EST) / +6h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+9h (PST) / +9h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe to drink throughout Sweden.
Emergency numbers
Police112
Medical112
EU emergency112
US EmbassyFind contact

Getting to Sweden

4,820 kmgreat circle distance
~7hfrom United Arab Emirates
Find flights

Nearby destinations you can also visit

Countries close to Sweden — with your same passport.

Frequently asked questions

No. The visa-free stay is not extendable. You must leave the Schengen Area before your 90 days are up. Overstaying can result in fines (around €100 per day) and a ban from re-entering the Schengen zone. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a residence permit (e.g., work, study, family reunion) before your visa-free period ends.
Overstaying is taken seriously. You may be fined approximately €100 per day (around $110 USD) and could be banned from re-entering the Schengen Area for up to 5 years. Always track your days carefully — use the Schengen calculator app to stay within the 90/180-day rule.
No. UAE passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through Swedish airports (Stockholm Arlanda, Gothenburg Landvetter, Malmö). You can stay in the international transit area without passing through passport control. If you need to enter Sweden (e.g., to switch airports or stay overnight), you'll need to use your visa-free entry.
Sweden doesn't specify a fixed amount, but a safe benchmark is around 450 SEK (about $45 USD) per day. Carry a recent bank statement (last 3 months) or a credit card with sufficient limit. A combination of cash and card is ideal. Immigration officers may ask to see proof of funds, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary.
No. Visa-free entry is for tourism, business meetings, and family visits only. You cannot work or study (full-time) without the appropriate permit. If you have a job offer, you must apply for a Swedish Work Permit before starting work. The application fee is €80 (approx. $88 USD) and processing takes 1-3 months.
Report the loss immediately to the local police (call 114 14 for non-emergencies) and get a police report. Then contact the UAE Embassy in Stockholm (address: Diplomatic Area, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Stockholm; phone: +46 8 545 200 00) for an emergency travel document. You'll need the police report and a copy of your passport if available.
No, it's not mandatory for visa-free entry, but it's strongly recommended. Sweden has high-quality healthcare, but non-EU visitors may need to pay out-of-pocket. A hospital stay can cost hundreds of euros per day. Travel insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation is a smart investment.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.