How to apply for a Residence Permit due to family ties

If you are a co-applicant to your husband/wife/partner/parent who is studying or working in Sweden during a limited period of time, you must apply as a co-applicant. Please refer to the relevant information:

> Co-applicants to students
> Co-applicants to employees

If you are planning to settle down with your family in Sweden, you will be summoned to a personal interview at the Embassy after you have presented your application. When the Embassy has all the necessary documentation, your case will be forwarded to the Swedish Migration Board. Another interview with your family member/relative will then take place in Sweden. The Swedish Migration Board is the decision-making authority in your case. The Embassy will then inform you of their decision. If you are granted residence permit it will be entered into your passport.

You are required to enclose the following documents with your application (note that all documents must be submitted both in original and a copy of the original document)

If your husband/wife/partner is in Sweden:

• Two fully completed and signed application forms
  
  
• Two passport photos taken within the past six months.
  – Photos that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and may cause delay in processing the application.
  
  
• A valid passport and two photocopies of the identity page of the passport. We only accept passports which have been signed by the holder of the passport. Note to Mongolian citizens. Mongolian citizens should not send their passports to the Embassy when applying for a residence permit as they might need them should they be summoned to an interview at the Embassy regarding said application.
  
  
• Notary Certificate of marriage (the original and a copy in Chinese and English version). The notary must be authenticated by the local provincial Foreign Affairs Office. Note: There is no need for a "double authentication", i.e. an authentication from the Swedish Embassy. The authentication from the Foreign Affairs Office is required from applicants who hand in an application from 6th of October 2008 and onwards. If you have been married in Sweden, you are required to enclose two copies of the Swedish Marrige Certificate (vigselbevis).
  
  
• If you have been married before, you are required to enclose a Notary Certificate of the divorce (the original and a copy in Chinese and English version). If you are not married, you are required to enclose a Notary Certificate stating that you are single (the original and a copy in Chinese and English version). All the notaries must also be authenticated by the local provincial Foreign Affairs Office. Note: There is no need for a "double authentication", i.e. an authentication from the Swedish Embassy. The authentication from the Foreign Affairs Office is required from applicants who hand in an application from 6th of October 2008 and onwards.   
  
  
• Two photocopies of the identity page of your husband's/wife's/ partner's passport.
  
  
• Two photocopies of your husband's/wife's/partner's Civil Registration Certificate, "personbevis". The information in this certificate should include the grounds for your application, i.e. if you are married this should be registered on your certificate. 
  
  
• You are required to pay an application fee. If your application is rejected, the fee will not be refunded. The application fee is currently 440 RMB. The Embassy will only accept card payment. Please observe: cash payment can only be accepted, when card payment is not possible.
  

For children (under 18 years of age) with one or both parents in Sweden, or children accompanying a parent to Sweden:

• Two fully completed and signed application forms
  
  
• Two passport photos taken within the past six months.
  – Photos that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and may cause delay in processing the application. For more information please see
  the photo guidelines on the right side of this page.
  
  
• A valid passport and two photocopies of the identity page of the passport. We only accept passports which have been signed by the holder of the passport.
  
  
• Notary Certificate stating the relationship of the child/parents (the original and a copy in Chinese and English version). The notary must be authenticated by the local provincial Foreign Affairs Office. Note: There is no need for a "double authentication", i.e. an authentication from the Swedish Embassy. The authentication from the Foreign Affairs Office is required from applicants who hand in an application from the 6th of October 2008 and onwards.
  
  
• Notary Certificate stating who has the legal custody of the child (the original and a copy in Chinses and English version). The notary must also be authenticated by the local provincial Foreign Affairs Office. Note: There is no need for a "double authentication", i.e. an authentication from the Swedish Embassy. The authentication from the Foreign Affairs Office is required from applicants who hand in an application from 6th of October 2008 and onwards.
  
  
• Notary Certiificate of birth certificate (the original and a copy in Chinese and English version). The notary must also be authenticated by the local provincial Foreign Affairs Office. Note: There is no need for a "double authentication", i.e. an authentication from the Swedish Embassy. The authentication from the Foreign Affairs Office is required from applicants who hand in an application from 6th of October 2008 and onwards.
  
  
• Two photocopies of the identity page of the passport of the parent(s)
  
  
• Two photocopies of the Civil Registration Certificate, "personbevis", of the parent(s) in Sweden. It is important that  that the child is registered as the parents child in this certificate, the necessary one is called "familjebevis". 
  
  
• If one of the child's parents will stay in China, a Notary Certificate of a letter from him/her is requested stating that he/she is aware of the child's application for residence permit and that he/she agrees that the child goes to Sweden (the original and a copy in Chinese and English). The notary must also be authenticated by the local provincial Foreign Affairs Office. Note: There is no need for a "double authentication", i.e. an authentication from the Swedish Embassy. The authentication from the Foreign Affairs Office is required from applicants who hand in an application from the 6th of October 2008 and onwards.  
  
  
• You are required to pay an application fee. If your application is rejected, the fee will not be refunded. The application fee for children under 18 years old is currently 220 RMB.

If you are planning to live  in Sweden with your child or other relatives:

• Two fully completed and signed application forms
  
  
• Two passport photos taken within the past six months.
  – Photos that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and may cause delay in processing the application. For more information please see
  the photo guidelines on the right side of this page.
  
  
• A valid passport and two photocopies of the identity page of the passport. We only accept passports which have been signed by the holder of the passport.
  
  
• Notary Certificate stating the relationship of the child/parents/relative (the original and a copy in Chinese and English version). The notary must also be authenticated by the local provincial Foreign Affairs office. Note: There is no need for a "double authentication", i.e. an authentication from the Swedish Embassy. The authentication from the Foreign Affairs Office is required from applicants who hand in applications from 6th of October 2008 and onwards. 
  
  
• Two photocopies of the identity page of the related person's passport
  
  
• Two photocopies of the Civil Registration Certificate, "personbevis", of the related person.
  
  
• Other documents that show that you are dependent on your family member/relative in Sweden.
  
  
• You are required to pay an application fee. If your application is rejected, the fee will not be refunded. The fee is currently 440 RMB. The Embassy will only accept card payment. Please observe: cash payment can only be accepted, when card payment is not possible.

If you fail to supply the necessary documents mentioned above, the decision-making process of your case may be delayed. The Embassy may call you for additional documents or information if necessary.

For further information concerning residence permit due to family ties you may contact the Embassy of Sweden or consult the website of the Swedish Migration Board.

Note: At your personal interview you will be given the option of filling out a power of attorney. If you choose to do this, it will enable your husband/wife/partner to answer any questions the Migration Board might have regarding your application. The Migration Board will also inform your husband/wife/partner of the decision, and if your application is rejected this person can appeal the decision.