If you hold a permanent or temporary work and residence permit, you are entitled to family reunification.
Family members include:
- your spouse, cohabiting partner or registered partner;
- your prospective spouse (intention to marry or enter into a cohabite relationship with a person who is resident in Sweden), or registered partner;
- minor children joining a parent, provided he/she has the necessary written consent;
- your close adult relatives in exceptional circumstances.
Where and how to apply | Your family members must submit their application to a Swedish embassy or consulate in their country of origin or of residence or electronically on the Migration Agency’s website. They cannot submit their application while visiting Sweden. Neither can you submit it in Sweden on their behalf. |
Documents required | Your family members must show:
In some cases you may have to prove that you can maintain your family member/members in Sweden. |
| Duration of validity of permits | A permanent residence permit is granted to your spouse, partner or registered partner or relative if you lived together for at least two years in your country of origin. Otherwise, a residence permit of two years (or shorter but for at least one year) will be granted and is renewable. After two years, family members can be granted a permanent residence permit. If the relationship ceases to exist, the residence permit is in principle not renewed. The Migration Agency may also withdraw the residence permit. A case-by-case examination is made to check any particular reasons for not withdrawing the permit. |
| Appeals | Decisions can be appealed before the Migration Agency for administrative review and further before one of the three Migration Courts. The appeal must be made within three weeks of the date you were given the decision. A further appeal can be brought before the Migration Court of Appeal. Leave to appeal must be granted by the Migration Court of Appeal in case of precedence exemption or extraordinary exemption. |
| Permanent residence | After two years, your family members shall be granted a permanent residence permit. Grounds for rejection include:
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| Long-term residence | An EC long-term residence status may also be granted after five years of legal and continuous residence. The applicant must prove sufficient financial resources. |
- More on who is eligible to join you in Sweden
- More on bringing your family to Sweden
- Swedish Migration Agency (Family Reunification)
- Swedish Migration Agency
- Ministry of Employment
- Ministry for Foreign Affairs
- Embassies and consulates
- Ministry of Justice
- Swedish Institute
- Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions