Embassy of Sweden — Local services in Washington

Worst experience ever. Last year on August 31st me and my husband suppose to visit our uncle in Sweden who had sent us an invitation. I am an American citizen as a result I didn't need visa from here but my husband needed because he was a permanent resident. After 10 days of his visa interview we were informed that his visa was denied because we suppose to have certain amount of daily deposit in the bank. Point to be noted here. In their website where it says what one needs for visa it only says bank statement for last 3 months. We had submitted both bank statements of our checking and savings accounts. In checking we didn't have a lot; however, in savings we had enough deposit. If these people decide not to pay attention is this our fault? They never checked our savings account's statement. My husband requested them to recheck the statement and as usual they took their time to answered us back because they really don't care about people's situation. As a result we had to cancel our flight, and very unfortunately the plane fare was non-refundable. I have never thought that with a permanent resident card someone's visa actually can get denied. My husband had submitted copy of his most current paychecks, copy of my paychecks; moreover, our uncle submitted his financial documents which showed he is able to support us. Altogether we have lost $1636.00 because the plane fare was non-refundable. If some people of the Swedish Embassy did their job correctly and paid little bit attention we wouldn't have to...

Not very positive. Have tried repeatedly to get information on how to fill a customs form for Sweden (specifically Swedish Customs form Tv 740.42). Consular office in San Diego could not answer it, as they had no one on staff that could answer it. Embassy staff in Washington D.C. could not answer it, as again it did not have someone on staff that could answer questions regarding this form. Was transferred to the trade section of the embassy, to two different persons in the trade section, who ostensibly did not have the minimum courtesy to call back, even if it was to re-direct to the country authorities. Spent all the embassy's working day, from 9:00am till 2:00pm, trying to get someone other than the phone receptionist to answer any questions. The phone receptionist was both very kind and very helpful, and tried her outmost to get anybody else to be as diligent as her, but without success. She should be promoted over the others for her work ethics and her willingness to help. All in all, rather disappointing to find out that the Swedish embassy does not have either enough staff, or competent staff to answer questions about...

As a Cambodian, I cannot help but feel a deep sense of injustice in Sweden’s decision to close its embassy in Cambodia, claiming concerns about human rights, while at the same time reopening an embassy in North Korea — a country where human rights are almost non-existent. What hurts even more is seeing Sweden sell its Gripen fighter jets to Thailand, a nation that has invaded and violated Cambodian land in the past. To us, this feels like Sweden has turned its back on Cambodia, a small nation still healing from war and struggling for peace, while rewarding countries that oppress their own people or threaten their neighbors. It leaves many Cambodians feeling abandoned, as though our struggles and dignity are less valued in the...