Work and Residence Permits

Residence Permit Based on Family or Personal Connection

This applies to individuals who are married, cohabiting, or intend to marry or cohabit with someone who is a Swedish citizen or permanent Swedish resident. It also applies to unmarried children under 18.
Please note once your application has been submitted to the Consulate General you are not allowed to enter Sweden until a decision has been made.

Please submit the following documents, which you can download from the Swedish Migration Board: http://www.migrationsverket.se/.

• 2 copies of Residence Permit Application Form (#115021) or 2 copies of Application for Child under 18 (#113021), completed, signed and dated, including detailed contact information.
  Additional form(s) depending on if the applicant is:
• married to or cohabiting with a Swedish citizen or resident (#T92 and #22801);
• planning to marry or cohabit with a Swedish citizen or resident (#T91);
• a minor wishing to take up residence with a parent who is already living in Sweden (#T93);
• wishing to reside with a close relative (reference person) with whom he/she has previously shared a household and has a relationship of dependence which makes it very difficult to live apart (#T84)
• National passport or other travel document.
• 2 passport photos, in color, taken from the front with the face depicted at a straight angle.  Digital files and photocopies of passport pictures will NOT be accepted.
• 2 copies of your Swedish family member's or relation's passport and (if applicable) a notarized copy of US Alien Registration Card or other valid resident visa (type A, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, O, or R).
• 2 recent copies of the family member's "personbevis" (the family member must be registered in Sweden).
• If married, 2 notarized copies of your marriage certificate.  Your marriage must be registered with the Swedish National Tax Board (Skatteverket).  A letter and a copy of your marriage certificate should be submitted to the local tax office in Sweden where your spouse was most recently registered.
• If cohabiting but not married, copies of a shared lease, utility bills and/or bank statements.
• If divorced, 2 copies of your divorce decree. If the applicant is a child under 18 with divorced parents, 2 copies of the divorce decree plus notarized consent for the child to move to Sweden from both biological parents or court documents showing sole custody of the child(ren) must be submitted.

Application fee as well as shipping and handling fee, in the form of one money order or certified bank check, payable to Consulate General of Sweden or Embassy of Sweden, depending on where you file the application.  Applicants applying at the Consulate General of Sweden in New York may also pay by Visa or MasterCard.

Self-addressed stamped envelope or self-addressed pre-paid delivery service packing slip (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.) for return of passport.

How much does it cost?

A non-refundable application fee of $80 for adults or $40 for children under 18.

How do I submit my application?

Applications with all required documents may be delivered in person during visiting hours or mailed directly to the following address:

Consulate General of Sweden
120 Montgomery Street, Suite 2175
San Francisco, CA 94104

Applications must include a self-addressed stamped envelope or self-addressed pre-paid delivery service packing slip (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.) for return of passport.

Please note that you might be requested to provide additional documentation.

How long does it take?

An estimated time of 6-8 months is usually required to process your application.

Due to the current high volume of applications there is a very long waiting period for interviews in Sweden which might delay the process. The Consulate General has no means of speeding up this process.

Processing your application

After your documents have been examined by a consular officer, you will be invited for an interview.

Your Swedish family member/relation will be interviewed in Sweden. If your Swedish family member or relation resides in the US, you will be interviewed together.

Once all the documents have been received your case will be forwarded to the Swedish Migration Board. Your permit, if granted, will be attached to your passport and returned.

You can request the return of your passport anytime during the application process. If you wish to have your passport returned immediately please include a written request with your application. Please note that you will be required to pay double postage.

Further questions?

Specific questions about residence permits are answered at 415-788 2631.

Work & Live in Sweden
Sweden welcomes visitors and every effort is made to keep formalities to a minimum. However, like all countries, Sweden has conditions of entry that visitors must observe.
Please note that there are new requirements for visiting researchers in regards to work permits in Sweden. For more information, read the following information (pdf-file):

www.migrationsverket.se

Resident Permits for Visiting Researchers

If you are a citizen of a country that is not a member of the European Union (EU) or the EEA and wish to work in Sweden, you must have a work permit sticker attached to your passport before entering the country.

If you are a citizen of a country that is a member of the European Union or another EEA-country, you will not need a work permit to work in Sweden. Please contact the Consulate General of Sweden or visit the website of the Swedish Migration Board for further information.

If your stay in Sweden exceeds three months you will also need to apply for a residence permit. If your work permit is valid for three months or less, you do not need a residence permit, but may be required to have an entry visa:

http://swedenabroad.com/Page____34845.aspxentry visa.

Please note that you will need a Swedish work permit even if you are not paid by a Swedish employer. If you are paid by a US source, your US employer must submit a letter stating your monthly salary during your stay in Sweden. Regardless of who pays your salary, the employer in Sweden must provide you with a written offer of work. The Swedish employer must register the employment with The Swedish Employment Office.
Information about the process is found on the web-site of: www.arbetsformedlingen.se.

Your employer needs to offer a salary, insurance benefits and other employment benefits for at least the equivalent of valid labor agreements or Swedish praxis within the type of occupation or branch. You must also have a place of residence in Sweden.

Work permits are limited to a particular occupation and/or a particular workplace. You may not change occupation or workplace without a renewed assessment of labor market needs.

A work permit does not entitle the holder to immigrate or acquire Swedish citizenship. The permit cannot be extended without reassessment of the needs of the labor market.

Detailed information and forms are available on the website of the Consulate General of Sweden in New York:

http://www.swedenabroad.com/Page____13398.aspx