Im a filipino working in Japan. Is it possible to enter Sweden even if I don't have a visa with them?

Question

My team is planning to go to Sweden next week to attend conference with our client. Apparently, Japanese could enter Sweden without visa.Whereas filipinos need visa if they will come from the Philippines. Since I am here in Japan, do i still need to apply for a visa? Im currently holding a working visa here in Japan. Im a bit worried that I could not go with them. However it was written in http://www.migrationsverket.se/english.jsp that,

"Visitors who arrive from countries that are not on the list can enter Sweden and the other Schengen countries and remain there without a visa for three months."

*the list includes the Philippines but not Japan

Since I'll be coming from Japan. Is it correct to assume that I could go to Sweden even if I dont have a visa? Thank you very much.

Answer 1

Dear Kabayan:

Your passport will determine. Since you are a holder of a Philippine Passport that will control, your stay in Japan, no matter how long will not make you qualify in visa-exempt treaty of the country you are residing, vis'a vis, from your country of citizenship.

The visa-exempt treaty of EU nations is applicable only to Japanese (Citizen) Passport Holders. Citizenship and their current passport will control. The Philippines does not have any visa-exempt treaty with any EU country. Thus, you need a visa.

BUT, if you have a valid reason to go to Sweden, why don't you apply. It seems you will be joining a competition or to that effect. You may have better chances of getting approved with your employment and reasons. Give it a try.

Answer 2

No because you are from the Philippines, unless you have Japanese residency. But if you hold a Filipinos passport then you will need a visa.

Visa's are given on your nationality not where you are traveling from.

Hope that helps and enjoy your trip. Sweden is a beautiful country even more so in the winter.

Answer 3

I'm sorry, but you do need a visa.  The Migrationsverket has some bad English that can be confusing sometimes.  I looked at the Swedish site and it said that visitors who are CITIZENS of certain countries don't need a visa.  When they said "arrive from," they really meant those who are citizens of that country.  It has nothing to do with where you are flying in from.

However, the link below says that citizens of the Philippines can get a visa for "affärsbesök eller liknande angelägenheter," which means "a business visit or similar concern."

Swedes aren't always 100% bureaucratic, so it would be worth it to contact the migrations office and ask if there is any chance they would allow you in on a Japanese visa.  Visiting the Swedish embasy in Japan would be a good idea.

Answer 4

you are on the list !!!

you need a visa.

it's the passport you hold not from which country you fly out of !!!!!!!!!!

good luck

i work in japan too.

let's meet up !!

hehehe