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    Visa Guide · 🇸🇪 Sweden

    Sweden Seamen Transit Visa from Bangladesh

    Schengen short-stay visa for seafarers joining, leaving, or transiting to a vessel through Sweden.

    Last Updated: 30 August 2026

    The Sweden Seamen Transit Visa is a Schengen short-stay visa category for Bangladeshi seafarers travelling through Sweden for crew change, joining a vessel, leaving a vessel, or maritime transit connected to assigned sea duty. It generally allows a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

    This category should be used where the planned crew movement is connected to Sweden or where Sweden is the responsible Schengen destination under the travel plan. It is not intended for general tourism, family visits, or local land-based employment in Sweden. Seafarers on duty may usually submit Schengen visa applications earlier than regular short-stay applicants, subject to official rules and appointment availability.

    Document Checklist

    1. Passport (Original): Original passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended return/departure date, with at least 2 blank pages.
    2. Previous Passport(s) & Visa Copies: Copies of previous passport(s) and previously issued visas/stamps to support travel history, where available.
    3. Photograph (ICAO Format): Provide 2-4 recent colour passport photographs with a plain white background, 60%–70% face coverage, no eyeglasses, no head/ear coverings (unless worn for religious reasons), and no borders. Photos must be ICAO-compliant and printed on matte/semi-matte paper.
    4. Seaman’s Book / CDC: Copy of the valid seaman’s book, Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), or equivalent seafarer record document. The original may be checked during submission where required.
    5. Schengen Visa Application Form (Offline): Printed Schengen visa application form completed for each applicant; signed and dated by the applicant.
    6. Cover Letter: Applicant’s signed letter addressed to the Visa Officer/Visa Office explaining the seafarer profile, purpose of transit, intended travel dates, joining/leaving plan, sponsor or agency support, and key supporting documents.
    7. Employment Contract: Copy of the current or relevant seafarer employment contract showing the applicant’s position, employer/manning agency, vessel assignment, joining instruction, and service period where applicable.
    8. Manning / Crew Management Agency Letter: Letter from the Bangladeshi manning agency, crew management company, or employer confirming the applicant’s employment/engagement, rank or role, travel purpose, route, vessel details, and who will bear the travel or related costs.
    9. Invitation from Maritime / Shipping Agency: Invitation or joining letter from the maritime agency, shipping agent, vessel operator, or relevant agency in Sweden/Schengen Member State where the seafarer will join or leave the vessel. It should include agency contact details, port, vessel name/IMO number, joining or sign-off date, and travel arrangement details.
    10. Vessel / Crew Change Supporting Documents: Supporting evidence such as crew list, vessel particulars, IMO details, port call or berthing schedule, joining/leaving instruction, employer correspondence, or agency communication confirming the maritime purpose of travel.
    11. Flight Reservation / Travel Itinerary (Temporary): Provisional flight or travel itinerary showing the planned route, travel dates, arrival point, and onward movement to the port or vessel where applicable. Payment is not necessarily required at this stage.
    12. Accommodation / Transit Arrangement: Hotel booking, crew accommodation confirmation, or agency letter confirming accommodation or transit arrangements if the seafarer will stay overnight before joining or after leaving the vessel.
    13. Proof of Occupation / Maritime Qualification: Documents supporting the applicant’s professional seafarer status, such as employer records, STCW certificates, certificate of competency, training records, or other maritime qualification documents.
    14. Personal Bank Statements & Solvency Certificate: Original bank statements (personal and/or salary account) for the last 6 months, issued by the bank and showing the bank name and contact details. Statements must be stamped and signed by an authorized bank officer (e-statements not accepted), and accompanied by a bank solvency/financial standing certificate where required.
    15. Financial / Sponsorship Evidence: Personal financial documents and/or written confirmation from the employer, manning agency, shipping agent, or sponsor showing who will cover travel, accommodation, insurance, or other costs during the transit period.
    16. Personal TIN & ITR: Copy of the personal TIN certificate and Income Tax Return (ITR) for the last 3 tax years, along with the acknowledgement receipts, where available or applicable.
    17. Travel Health Insurance: Travel medical insurance covering the full duration of stay, valid in all destination country/countries (entire Schengen territory where applicable), with a minimum medical coverage of EUR 30,000. The policy must clearly show the insured person’s name, coverage area, validity dates, and coverage limit.

    Process Roadmap

    Step 1

    Confirm Seafarer Transit Purpose

    Confirm whether the travel is for joining a vessel, leaving a vessel, crew change, or maritime transit through Sweden/Schengen. For short stays up to 90 days, the Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) is generally used.

    Step 2

    Complete the Application Form

    Prepare the Schengen visa application form with accurate details, keeping it consistent with the passport, seaman’s book, employment contract, travel plan, and maritime documents.

    Step 3

    Arrange Maritime Documents

    Collect the seafarer-specific documents, including the employment contract, manning agency letter, maritime agency invitation, seaman’s book, vessel details, and joining or sign-off evidence.

    Step 4

    Prepare Applicant Documents

    Arrange the applicant’s passport, photos, cover letter, itinerary, accommodation or transit proof, financial or sponsorship evidence, occupation documents, and insurance. Translate documents where required.

    Step 5

    Book Appointment at Visa Application Centre

    Book a submission appointment at the Sweden Visa Application Centre in Dhaka and keep the confirmation with the file. Seafarers on duty may usually submit Schengen applications up to 9 months before intended entry.

    Step 6

    Submit Application & Provide Biometrics

    Attend the appointment in person to submit the application and passport, provide biometric information, and complete the required visa, VFS, and selected service payments.

    Step 7

    Track Application & Verify Visa

    Track the application through VFS using the reference number. Once a decision is made, collect the passport from VFS or receive it by courier if selected, and check the visa details before travel.

    Common Rejection Pitfalls

    Unclear crew-change purpose or vessel details

    How UnivEase helps

    We review the travel purpose, vessel information, joining or sign-off documents, and agency letters so the maritime reason for travel is clearly presented.

    Incomplete maritime agency or employer documents

    How UnivEase helps

    We help identify the required employment contract, manning agency confirmation, maritime invitation, seaman’s book, and vessel-related evidence before submission.

    Mismatch between travel route, port details, and joining date

    How UnivEase helps

    We cross-check flight reservations, port or vessel schedule, agency letters, accommodation or transit proof, insurance, and cover letter details to reduce inconsistency.

    Weak profile evidence or unclear cost responsibility

    How UnivEase helps

    We review occupation proof, maritime qualifications, sponsor or agency support, financial evidence, and ties to Bangladesh so the file is structured properly.

    VFS & Embassy

    Embassy

    Embassy of Sweden, Dhaka
    Address: Bay’s Edgewater, 6th Floor, Gulshan-2, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
    Telephone: +88 02 5566 8500
    Fax: 02222299032 (local) / +8802222s299032 (international)
    Email: ambassaden.dhaka@gov.se / migration.dhaka@gov.se
    Website: Click Here
    Office Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8.00 am to 4.00 pm.

    Visa Application Centre

    Sweden Visa Application Centre, Dhaka
    Address: Borak Mehnur, 51/B, Lavel 7, Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh.
    Phone: (+88) 09606 777 333 / (+88) 09666 911 382
    Email: Info.SwedenBD@vfshelpline.com
    Website: Click Here
    Submission hours: Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 1.00 pm.
    Passport Collection hours: Sunday to Thursday, 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Apply for your Sweden Seamen Transit Visa with better preparation.

    Get clear guidance on seaman’s book, employment contract, maritime invitation, vessel details, travel proof, fees, appointment process, and submission steps before you apply.

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