Non EU/EEA citizens – Residence permit

When applying for a residence permit you must present your application to the Embassy / Consulate of Sweden yourself. Your relative(s) in Sweden cannot apply on your behalf.

Make sure you fill in all the particulars on the form. You should also ensure that you supply the correct address to your relative(s) in Sweden.

If you are married, or cohabiting, or intend to marry or cohabit with someone who is permanently resident in Sweden

Once you have presented your application, you will be asked to attend an interview at the Embassy / Consulate. You will need to bring some form of documentation proving your relationship to the person in Sweden, such as letters, photographs or a marriage certificate. You should also bring your passport and two passport-sized photographs.

Joining your partner in Sweden - information sheet

If you are under 18 years of age, unmarried and your parents are residents in Sweden

You must be able to show that you lived together in your country of origin/domicile before your parent or parents moved to Sweden.

If you are a parent or some other close relative of a person who is now resident in Sweden

In exceptional cases, other relatives may qualify for residence permits by reason of family ties. You must be able to show that you lived together with your relative immediately prior to his/her move to Sweden, and that you are dependent on that person in such a way that it is difficult for you to live apart. This means that you must be financially, socially or emotionally dependent on the relative who lives in Sweden.

A relative of a refugee or of a person who has been granted asylum for some other reason can, in exceptional cases, be granted a Swedish residence permit if the two have had a very close relationship, even if they have not lived together in their former country of domicile.

Residence permits by reason of family ties - information sheet

How much does it cost to apply?

You may be required to pay an application fee. If your application is denied, the fee will not be refunded. For information on the fees click the link below.

Fees to apply for a residence or working permit - information sheet

Who decides my case?

The Embassy / Consulate sends your application to the Migration Board in Sweden for decision. The Embassy / Consulate will notify you of the decision of the Migration Board.

The residence permit must be entered in your passport before your arrival in Sweden. You cannot travel to Sweden and wait for a decision there.

How long will I have to wait for a decision?

It can take a long time for a decision to be reached.

Once you have presented your application, the Embassy / Consulate will ask you to attend a personal interview.

When the interview has taken place, the Embassy / Consulate forwards your application to the Migration Board in Sweden for a decision. This may take up to four weeks. The Migration Board then makes additional enquiries, either by inviting the relative in Sweden to a personal interview, or by sending him/her a questionnaire by post. The questions must be answered in writing and sent back to the Migration Board.

How long is the permit valid?

If you lived together with your relative in your country of origin/domicile, the Migration Board will normally grant you a permanent residence permit (PUT). This entitles you to live in Sweden for as long as you like.

If you did not live with your relative in your country of origin/domicile, but intend to set up home together on your arrival here, the Migration Board will normally grant you a permit for 12 months (in some cases for six months). You must then have to apply for an extension to your permit. If you are still living together, your permit will be extended for a further 12 months (or six months).