FAQs – Entry Visa, Resident & Work Permit on Family ties, Work Permit

1. What is a entry visa?
   
2. Who need a visa?
   
3. Where is the visa valid?
   
4. What is required to be granted a visa?
   
5. What are the common requirements?
   
6. Where should the application be handed in?
   
7. What does it cost to apply for a visa?
   
8. Who makes the decision on visa applications?
   
9. How long will it take?
   
10. How long is a visa valid?
    
11. Is it possible to extend a visa while in Sweden?
    
12. Appeal

What is a entry visa?

A visa is a permit which is required to enter and remain in Sweden and the other Schengen states (see below) for a short period of time, e.g. to visit relatives or friends, as a tourist, on business, to attend a conference or simply to pass through (transit). A person who wishes to reside in Sweden, to be reunited with relatives for example, must apply for and be granted a residence permit before entering the country.

The visa should be complete and be entered in the passport before entry into the Schengen area.

The right to enter the Schengen area is examined every time you pass the outer border of the area. At the border control everyone who enters the area must be able to show that they have money for their keep during their visit and for their return journey home and that they have medical travel insurance and documents showing the purpose of their visit.

Who need a visa?

Nationals in the majority of countries outside the EU require a visa to visit Sweden and the other Schengen countries. This is a decision reached by Sweden together with the other EU countries.

Where is the visa valid?

In Sweden it is the Schengen Agreement visa rules that apply. The Schengen Agreement means, among other things, that Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Norway and Iceland, have abolished border controls for persons travelling between these countries. A visa granted by any one of these countries is also valid for visits to the other countries. In exceptional cases the visa could be valid only for entry into the issuing country or only for certain countries if the holder’s passport is not approved by all the Schengen countries.

What is required to be granted a visa?

Particular requirements
If you wish to visit Sweden and the other Schengen states you have to fulfil some requirements which are the same for all countries. In addition, there are requirements which vary from country to country. Each Swedish mission abroad (embassy or consulate) is an independent authority and together with the other Schengen states represented at the same place it can require additional documents and make other demands. The mission can for example require that the authenticity of the signature on certain documents is confirmed by at notary public. These requirements may change depending on the existing circumstances. It is therefore important that you check which requirements you have to fulfil in order to be granted a visa. If you can, enter www.swedenabroad.com and browse to the mission you are going to visit. If you cannot do this, please contact the embassy or consulate in another way.

Common requirements
Everyone who wishes to visit Sweden and the other Schengen states will need a passport valid for at least three months after the final date stated in the visa. You must also have money for your keep and for the journey home. The Swedish authorities have estimated that a person needs €40 (approximately SEK 370) for each day spent in Sweden. This amount could in certain instances be lower, such as in the case of a young child, if the cost of food and accommodation is paid in advance or if the applicant intends to stay with relatives or friends. You can prove that you have sufficient money for your keep by, for example, producing an account statement from your bank or a document showing that the person inviting you to Sweden promises to cover all expenses during your visit. It is also necessary to have individual medical-travel insurance which covers any costs that could arise in conjunction with - emergency medical assistance - emergency hospital care - transport to your home country for medical reasons. The insurance should cover costs of at least €30,000 and be valid in all the Schengen countries.

Where should the application be handed in?

You should hand in your visa application to a Swedish mission abroad.

Form
To apply for a visa you should fill in the form “Application for Schengen en Visa”. You can collect or order the forms on the on the Internet: www.migrationsverket.se, You can also order by e-mail: distributionen@migrationsverket.se, by fax on + 46 (0) 11 15 66 91 or by writing to the Migrations Board, Distibutionen, SE-601 70 Norrköping. Forms are also available at Swedish missions abroad.

What does it cost to apply for a visa?

For most applicants it costs 60 Euro (approximately SEK 550) to submit a visa application at a Swedish mission abroad. The fee is not refunded if you are not granted a visa. Certain groups are exempted entirely or partly this stipulation.

No fee
The following are exempted from paying a fee: - Children under the age of six years - Schoolchildren, students in higher education, research students and their accompanying teachers – on condition that the purpose of the trip is for studies or education - Researchers – on condition that the purpose of the trip is for scientific research. Relatives of EEA nationals (citizens of the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) or Swiss nationals do not need to pay a fee for their visa applications if they are going to travel together with that relative or meet in connection with the journey. The applicant must present a certificate which confirms marriage or relationship. The following persons are classified as relatives: - husband, wife, co-habitee* - registered partner - a child under the age of 21 years or an older child who is dependent on his/her parents for his/her keep - parents who are financially dependent on children in Sweden. * Does not apply to persons co-habiting with Swiss nationals. Relatives of Swedish nationals must, however, pay a fee to apply for a visa.

Who makes the decision on visa applications?

In the vast majority of cases the mission abroad can reach a decision after making certain checks with the other Schengen countries. If the mission abroad is uncertain about how to assess your application, it could pass the application on to the Migration Board in Sweden, which then makes the decision.

How long will it take?

Normally, a decision is made within two weeks although processing time at the mission abroad vary. In case where the Migration Board is to take a decision it could take longer as the mission abroad must then send the application by mail to the Migration Board. To be certain that you will receive your visa in time you should submit your application at least two months before you are due to travel to Sweden. During the holiday period June-August it could take longer.

How long is a visa valid?

A visa is time-limited and is valid for a maximum of three months in any six-month period. This means that if you have spent three months in the Schengen area you must leave the area for three months in order to be granted a new Schengen visa. If you have particular reasons you can be granted a visa for a longer period – up to a maximum of one year – although in that case the visa will only be valid for entry into Sweden and for a stay in Sweden. Particular reasons could, for example, be that you need to travel to Sweden several times during the year on business or to visit your children.

It is stated in the permit how many days you can use your visa during the permit period. This is often slightly longer than the period of validity of the visa. The reason for this is that the authorities expect that you could need a little time to arrange the trip – to book tickets and take out medical insurance for example. It should be noted that you are not permitted to stay in Sweden or another Schengen country longer than the number of days stated on the permit sticker. The time is calculated from the date of entry on the first trip.

Is it possible to extend a visa while in Sweden?

It is not possible to extend a visa. However, you can apply for a residence permit for a visit at one of the Migration Board permit units if you wish to stay longer than the time covered by a visa. However, this carries an extra cost of SEK 1,000 per adult and SEK 500 for children under age of 18. If the decision regarding this residence permit for a longer visit is sent to you by post, you have to visit one of the Migration Board permit units in order to have a permit sticker entered into your passport. If you know in advance that you want to remain in Sweden for more than three months you should apply at the mission abroad for a residence permit for a visit or, if you have particular reasons, a visa that is valid for a longer period of time. By doing so, you avoid paying fees twice. The mission abroad sends applications for a residence permit for the purpose of a visit to the Migration Board, which then makes a decision.

Appeal

Only relatives of EEA national may appeal against the rejection of a visa application and it is only decisions reached by the Migration Board that can be appeal against. There applications are heard by a migration court. The following persons are classified as relatives:
- husband, wife, co-habitee
- registered partner
- a child under age of 21 years or an older child who is dependent on his/her parents for his/her keep
- parents who are financially dependent o children In Sweden

Other persons are not permitted to appeal against the rejection of a visa application. However, you could ask the mission/authority (the embassy, consulate or the Migration Board) that rejected your application to review its decision, that is to say that it examines whether there are reasons for changing the decision. The review does not necessarily mean that the decision will be changed. You request a review by writing a letter to the mission/authority that reached the decision in which you state new reasons you wish the mission/authority to take into account when re-assessing your application. You can always make a new application for a visa.

RESIDENT & WORK PERMIT ON FAMILY TIES

FAQs

1. What are the rules?

2. Where do I apply?

3. What documents do I need?

4. What does it cost?

5. What happens to my application?

6. Who decides?

7. How long will it take?

8. How long is the permit valid?

9. What happens if the relationship ceases?

10. Where do I apply for an extension?

11. Appeal

If you wish to reside with a close relative who lives in Sweden you must have a residence permit.

1. What are the rules?
Spouses, co-habitees or registered partners

You are entitled to be granted a residence permit if you are married to, have entered into partnership with or are co-habiting with someone who lives in Sweden. You could have your application rejected if, for example, it is based on incorrect information, if it is a bogus relationship or if you do not intend to live together.

Prospective spouses, co-habitees or registered partners
You could be granted a residence permit if you plan to marry, enter into partnership with or commence co-habiting with someone who lives in Sweden. You could have your application rejected if, for example, it is based on incorrect information, if it is a bogus relationship or if it appears not to be serious.

Children under 18 years
If you are under the age of 18 years you are entitled to be reunited with your parents, assuming that the guardians have given their written consent.

Close relatives over the age of 18 years
You can in exceptional cases be granted a residence permit if you have lived together in the home country with the relative who is now resident in Sweden. This category includes children over the age of 18 years and parents of persons who are resident in Sweden. If you fall into this category you should apply for a residence permit as soon as possible from the date on which your relative was granted a permanent residence permit in Sweden.
You must be able to show that you have lived with your relative immediately before he or she moved to Sweden and that you had a dependency relationship in the home country which makes it difficult to live apart. The term dependency relationship means that you are financially, socially and emotionally dependent on your relative who lives in Sweden.

2. Where do I apply?

You apply for a residence permit at a Swedish embassy in your home country or the country in which you are living permanently. You must hand in your application in person. An application can normally not be granted if you submit it when you are visiting Sweden. Nor can your relative submit the application in Sweden. The same rules apply if you are married, co-habiting or are a registered partner.

3. What documents do I need?

You should use the form ”Application for RP, AP, TD and CRS”, No. 115021. You should bring along:
your passport
two passport-size photographs which are taken with you looking straight ahead and which are not older than six months.
If you are a husband/wife or registered partner you should also bring along a marriage certificate or registered partnership certificate. If you have children under the age of 18 years you should bring along a birth certificate for the child plus written consent from the guardians.
It should be noted that the embassy where you submit your application could require further documents. For more information, contact the embassy in question.

4. What does it cost?

Most people must pay an application fee when making the first application and also in conjunction with a possible extension of the residence permit. The application fee will not be refunded regardless of whether you are granted a residence permit or not. Details of the fees can be found on a separate page on this website.

5. What happens to my application?

When you have submitted your application you will be summoned to the embassy or consulate. The embassy or consulate normally conducts a personal interview and then passes the case on to the Migration Board in Sweden.
The Migration Board supplements the investigation, either by summoning the person who is a relative in Sweden to an oral interview or by sending a questionnaire by post. He or she must answer the questions in writing and send the form back to the Migration Board.

6. Who decides?

It is the Migration Board that decides if you will be granted a residence permit. When the decision has been made it is sent to the embassy or consulate where you submitted your application. You will be notified of the decision by the embassy or the consulate.
The permit must be entered into your passport before you enter Sweden. You cannot enter Sweden and wait for a decision.

7. How long will it take?

Details of current waiting times are available on the Migration Board website.

8. How long is the permit valid?

If you have lived together with your husband/wife/ partner/registered partner or relative in your home country for at least two years, the Migration Board will as a rule grant you a permanent residence permit.
If you have not lived together in your home country the Migration Board will as a rule grant a residence permit for two years, in some cases for a shorter period although a minimum of one year. You must then apply for an extension. If you are still living together when you have had a time-limited residence permit for two years you will be granted a permanent resident permit.

9. What happens if the relationship ceases?

If while holding a time-limited residence permit the ties cease, the residence permit is not normally extended. The Migration Board can also withdraw the residence permit when the ties cease. We take into account in each individual case if there are particular reasons for not withdrawing the residence permit.

10. Where do I apply for an extension?

If you wish to apply for an extension of a time-limited residence permit you must use the form ”Application for RP, AP, TD and CRS”, No. 115021. You should submit your application to one of the Migration Board permit units in Sweden.

You do not need to bring along any photograph. The Migration Board photographs you when you submit your application. Make sure that you fill in all the details on your application. If your application is complete when submitted it can be dealt with quicker.
You should also enclose:
a civic registration certificate, a so-called familjebevis, which can be ordered from the National Tax Agency telephone information service on 0771-56 75 67 or on their website www.skatteverket.se
a copy of your passport.

11. Appeal

If the Migration Board decides not to grant you a residence permit you can appeal against the decision within three weeks from the date on which you received the decision. You must send the appeal to the Migration Board, which will examine your case once more. If the Board stands by its rejection decision your appeal will be passed on to the Migration Court at one of the three county administrative courts in Stockholm, Göteborg or Malmö. Which court will deal with your appeal depends on which permit unit rejected your application.
If you have granted a relative in Sweden power of attorney and thus the right to represent you, he or she can prepare the appeal and submit it.

You can download the forms here on our web site. You can also order forms by e-mail at distributionen@migrationsverket. se, by fax on 011-15 66 91 or by writing to Migrationsverket, Distributionen, SE-601 70 Norrköping.
The forms are also available at Swedish embassy or at the VFS.

WORK PERMIT

FAQs

1. What are the requirements?
2. Where do I apply?
3. What does it cost to apply?
4. Who decides my case?
5. How long will I have to have for a decision?
6. How long is a permit valid?
7. May my family come with me?
8. Can I appeal if the Migration Board turns down my application?

You must have a work permit in order to work in Sweden. Once you have been granted a permit, it must be entered into your passport before your arrival. Obtaining a Swedish work permit is no easy matter. Swedes, foreign citizens already living in Sweden and EU/EEA citizens have preference over others in obtaining work here. If there is a temporary shortage of labour, or if you have obtained employment as part of an international exchange programme, the Migration Board may grant you a work permit. If the offer of work is for more than three months you will also require a Swedish residence permit.
A specialist employed by an international concern and travelling to and from Sweden in that capacity in order to work for temporary periods does not require a work permit. This applies if total duration of stay in Sweden is less than 12 months. If you will be in Sweden for less than three months, you will not require a residence permit. You may, however, require an entry visa. Visas are normally granted for three months at the most. You can read more about visas on our web-site.

1. What are the requirements?

• You must have a written offer of employment in Sweden, made out on a special form which your employer can obtain via the National Labour Market Board's web site www.ams.se After approval from the County Labour Board your employer must send the form to you so that you can enclose it with your application.
• Your employer shall guarantee you pay, insurance coverage and other terms of employment equal to at least the collective agreement or Swedish practise in the profession or the branch of trade.
• Accommodation must have been arranged for you in Sweden
• You must be fully prepared to leave Sweden when your term of employment is over.

2. Where do I apply?

First time applications
The first time you apply for a work permit, you do so at a Swedish embassy trough VFS-office in your country of origin or in your country of domicile.

Extensions of permits
If you want to renew your permit, send an application to the Migration Board – Migrationsverket, Tillståndsenheten, SE 601 70 Norrköping, Sweden. Alternatively, you can apply at any of the Migration Board offices in Sweden.
You can also apply via the Migration Board's web site.

3. What does it cost to apply?

You have to pay an application fee in most instances If your application is denied, the fee will not be refunded. You can read about the fees In at our web-site.

How do I pay the application fee?

First time applications
You pay the application fee when you apply.

• You pay the fee at one of Migration Board’s offices in Sweden.
• You may pay the fee into our postal giro account instead. The Migration Board’s postal giro account no. for permits for work or studies is 95 78 46-9. This postal giro number also applies to close relatives of someone who is applying for or already has these permits.