Non Immigrant Visas

Non-Immigrant Visas Unit

A Nonimmigrant visa is required by anyone seeking temporary admission into the United States and who is not eligible to travel without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, or is exempt from the visa requirement. Nonimmigrant visas cover visits for tourism, business, work or study.

The Nonimmigrant Visa Unit is located in the Consular Section of the American Embassy. If you need a visa, you must fill out an on-line application and book an appointment with the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit.

Not all travelers to the U.S. need a visa. Some are eligible for traveling without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Sweden is a visa waiver program participating country. To find out if you are eligible, please see the full list of countries participating in the VWP.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are eligible to travel under the VWP without a visa, you must register with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Please note: This requirement does not affect U.S. citizens, or people traveling to the U.S. who already have a visa in their passport.

ESTA is an electronic travel authorization that all citizens of VWP countries must obtain prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP. ESTA has been mandatory since January 12, 2009, for all nationals of VWP countries traveling to the U.S under the VWP. This requirement does not affect U.S. citizens, or people traveling to the U.S. who already have a visa in their passport.

ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. The processing can take up to 72 hours. An approved ESTA application will be valid for up to two years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Authorizations are valid for multiple entries into the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that ESTA applications be submitted as soon as an applicant begins making travel plans.

VWP travelers are required to log onto the ESTA website and complete an on-line application. The web-based system prompts applicants to answer basic biographic and eligibility questions typically requested on a paper I-94W form (provided on the flight); ESTA is expected to completely replace the paper I-94W in the coming months. A third party, such as a relative, a friend, or a travel agent, may submit an application on behalf of a VWP traveler.

All applicants requesting an ESTA are charged for the processing of the application.The fee is $4.00. If your application is approved and you receive authorization to travel to the U.S. under the VWP, you will be charged an additional $10.00.

ESTA website is available in 22 languages: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish and Swedish.

Important Notice! VWP travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established websites which charge visitors a fee for submitting their ESTA registrations, or for information about ESTA. These businesses and websites are not endorsed or associated with the United States Government. For more information about ESTA, please visit www.cbp.gov/ESTA.

ESTA FAQs (PDF 274 KB).