How to apply for a residence permit in Sweden

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 Consulate after you have presented your application. When the Consulate 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.

Please note that if you have given your family member/relative/partner a power of attorney to represent you, he or she is responsible for informing you of the decision. If your application is granted, you are requested to bring your passport to the Consulate, and the residence permit will then be entered into your passport.

Please enclose the following documents with your application:

If your husband/wife/partner is in Sweden:

• Two fully completed and signed application forms
  
  
• Three [3] photographs of passport style and size [35 x 45 mm] for all applicants, including minors. Your photograph must be:
  – colour photo
  – recent and of true likeness
  – showing full face
  (facing the camera directly with your eyes looking straight at the camera)
  – taken without headgear
  – head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and even then, may not cover any portion of the applicant's face
  – taken against a plain, evenly lit and light background
  
  Photographs 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. Please also provide your old passport, if any.
  
  
• Two photocopies of your Household Register (Hukou Book), with all the pages with contents. Please bring the original Household Register when you come to the interview. Your present marital status has to be stated in the Household Register.
  
  
• Notary Certificate of marriage (Chinese and English version) and a copy of the certificate, or two copies of a Swedish marriage certificate (vigselbevis) if you were married in Sweden. If you have been married before, you are required to enclose a Notary Certificate of the divorce (Chinese and English version) in original and one copy. If you are not married, you are required to enclose a Notary Certificate stating that you are single (Chinese and English version) in two copies. All the notaries must be authenticated by the local provincial Foreign Affairs Office.
  
  
• 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", maximum 3 months old.
  
  
• Non-Chinese applicants must provide a valid Chinese residence permit.

Application fee:
You are required to pay a fee. If your application is rejected, the fee will not be refunded. The application fee is currently 430 RMB.

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
  
  
• Three [3] photographs of passport style and size [35 x 45 mm] for all applicants, including minors. Your photograph must be:
  – colour photo
  – recent and of true likeness
  – showing full face
  (facing the camera directly with your eyes looking straight at the camera)
  – taken without headgear
  – head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and even then, may not cover any portion of the applicant's face
  – taken against a plain, evenly lit and light background
  
  Photographs 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. Please also provide your old passport, if any.
  
  
• Two photocopies of your Household Register (Hukou Book), with all the pages with contents. Please bring the original Household Register when you come to the interview.
  
  
• Notary Certificate stating the relationship of the child and both parents, as well as one copy.The notary must be authenticated by the local provincial Foreign Affairs Office.
  
  
• Notary Certificate stating who has the legal custody of the child, as well as one copy. The notary must be authenticated by the local provincial Foreign Affairs Office.
  
  
• If one of the child's parents will stay in China, 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, as well as one copy. The notary must be authenticated by the local Foreign Affairs Office.
  
  
• 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), maximum 3 months old.
  

Application fee:
You are required to pay a 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 permanently in Sweden with your child or other relatives:

• Two fully completed and signed application forms
  
  
• Three [3] photographs of passport style and size [35 x 45 mm] for all applicants, including minors. Your photograph must be:
  – colour photo
  – recent and of true likeness
  – showing full face
  (facing the camera directly with your eyes looking straight at the camera)
  – taken without headgear
  – head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and even then, may not cover any portion of the applicant's face
  – taken against a plain, evenly lit and light background
  
  Photographs that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and may cause delay in processing the application.
  
  For more information please see
  > Photo guidelines
  
  
• A valid passport and two photocopies of the identity page of the passport. Please also provide your old passport, if any.
  
  
• Two photocopies of your Household Register (Hukou Book), with all the pages with contents. Please bring the original Household Register when you come to the interview.
  
  
• Notary Certificate stating the relationship of the child/parents/relative.All the notaries must be authenticated by the local provincial Foreign Affairs Office.
  
  
• Two photocopies of the identity page of the related person's passport.
  
  
• Two photocopies of the Civil Registration Certificate, "personbevis", of the related person, maximum 3 months old.
  
  
• Other documents that show that you are dependent on your family member/relative in Sweden.

Application fee:
You are required to pay a fee. If your application is rejected, the fee will not be refunded. The application fee is currently 430 RMB.

Extra information on residence permit for visits:
You can also apply for a residence permit to visit someone in Sweden. In addition to the application material mentioned above, you need to provide proof of financial support, either through personal resources or though a guarantor. Possesion of a return ticket or adequate resources for the return trip is also a conditition.

Application fee:
You are required to pay a fee. If your application is rejected, the fee will not be refunded. The application fee for residence permit for visits is currently 860 RMB.

If you fail to supply the necessary documents mentioned above, the decision-making process of your case may be delayed. The Consulate 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. If you wish to fill out a power of attorney, you can find this document on the right.