Live in Sweden

Applying for a residence permit

Please note once your application has been submitted to the Embassy you are not allowed to enter Sweden until a decision has been made.

Requirements for a 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.
  
  
• Two [2] 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
  – 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.
  
  
• National passport or other travel document.
  
  
• 1 copy of your Swedish family member's or relation's passport.
  1 recent copy of the family member's or relations "personbevis" (the family member must be registered in Sweden).
  
  
• If married, your marriage certificate. Your marriage must be registered with the Swedish National Tax Board (Skatteverket). 
  
  
• If cohabiting but not married, copies of a shared lease, utility bills and/or bank statements.
  
  
• If divorced, 1 copy of your divorce certificate. If the applicant is a child under 18 with divorced parents, 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 JPY 8300 (Adult) JPY 4200 (Children under 18)
  (Japanese citizen are free of charege)

Once you have presented your application, you will be summoned to an interview at the Embassy.

Who decides my case?

The Embassy / Consulate sends your application to the Migration Board in Sweden for decision. The Embassy / Consulate will aslo 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 summon you for 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 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).

If you are of working age, you will automatically be granted a work permit as well.

When you have had a limited residence permit for two years and your relationship is still intact, you will be granted a permanent residence permit.