A significant change has taken effect in Sweden’s visa processing system in Bangladesh. But what exactly has changed, and who is now responsible for making visa decisions?
Bangladeshi applicants planning to travel to Sweden should pay attention to an important announcement from the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka.
Effective 15 October 2026, the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka will no longer decide Schengen visa (short-stay visa) applications submitted in Bangladesh. Instead, the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) now makes all such decisions.
This is an important administrative change for applicants, particularly those who are accustomed to the previous decision-making arrangements.
What Has Changed?
According to the Embassy of Sweden, the change concerns the authority responsible for deciding Schengen visa applications.
Previously, the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka handled the decision-making process. Since 15 October 2026, the Swedish Migration Agency has taken over this responsibility.
The Embassy has also clarified that it is no longer authorised to provide guidance, information or assistance regarding Schengen visa matters. Applicants should therefore direct their queries to the appropriate official channels, including VFS Global and the Swedish Migration Agency, as applicable.
However, applicants do not need to follow an entirely new submission procedure.
Do Bangladeshi Applicants Need to Change Their Application Process?
No. The Embassy has confirmed that the application procedure remains unchanged.
Applicants must continue to:
- Book an appointment through VFS Global.
- Submit their Schengen visa applications.
- Provide biometric information.
- Submit all required supporting documents.
Therefore, the main difference is who makes the final decision, not where or how applicants submit their applications.
Does This Arrangement Also Cover Other Countries?
Yes. Sweden continues to represent five other countries in Bangladesh for Schengen visa applications: Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Luxembourg and Slovenia.
Bangladeshi applicants travelling primarily to any of these countries can continue submitting their Schengen visa applications through VFS Global under the Swedish representation arrangement.
However, this agreement applies exclusively to Schengen short-stay visas. The Swedish authorities do not represent these countries for national visas or residence permits. Applicants seeking permission for longer stays must contact the relevant country’s embassy or immigration authority directly.
What Should Bangladeshi Applicants Keep in Mind?
The change does not mean that applicants need to submit their applications through a different channel or that the visa requirements have automatically changed.
Stay informed about official updates from Swedish authorities and verify the latest visa instructions before submitting your application.
