Eligibility quiz
Do you have a child who is a Swedish citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Sweden
You can live in Sweden while your permission is valid.
It normally lasts at least one year, though some children get the same period as their parent's permission.
If you live in Sweden and intend to stay at least one year, you can generally register as a resident, normally giving you a registered address and a personal identity number.
Study in Sweden
You can study in Sweden if you meet the rules of the course or institution.
Work in Sweden
You can generally work in Sweden without separate work permission, and are not limited to one employer or occupation.
Travel and return
You can leave and return to Sweden with a valid passport and residence-permit card while your permission is valid.
You can also visit the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period with those documents.
Vote locally
Citizens of EU or Nordic countries can vote in local and regional elections from age 18 if registered as residents.
Other people who are not Swedish citizens can vote in those elections after more than three consecutive years of resident registration.
Use public healthcare
If you are registered as a resident, you can use Swedish healthcare on the same basis as other residents.
Receive social benefits
Depending on your residence, work and earnings, you may receive social insurance benefits.
These can include child, sickness and parental benefits and a pension, each with its own conditions.
How to apply
From outside SwedenFrom outside Sweden
Find your consulate
Find the Swedish embassy or consulate-general responsible for residence-permit applications where you live. You will name it in your application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Swedish embassy or consulate-general handles residence permits to live with a child for people living in your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application.
See required documentsFill in your application
Fill in the online application for a residence permit to live with a child in Sweden and attach clear scans or photos of your documents. Choose the situation that applies to you and name the embassy or consulate-general you found.
Fill in your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Swedish Migration Agency online application for a residence permit to live with a child in Sweden?”
Submit your application
Submit your application online and pay the fee in the service using a Visa or Mastercard. You can also submit a paper application at the responsible Swedish embassy or consulate-general.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit the Swedish Migration Agency online application for a residence permit to live with a child in Sweden?”
Book your appointment
When the Migration Agency asks you to book an appointment, log in to My Page and book it. You can also use My Page to follow your application.
Book your appointmentGo to your appointment
Bring your passport and the original documents you submitted to the embassy or consulate-general, and answer questions about your relationship. Your passport will be checked, and your fingerprints and photograph may be taken for your residence-permit card.
Prepare for your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to my Swedish embassy appointment for a residence permit to live with a child in Sweden?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the Migration Agency to decide your application, and answer any questions or requests for more documents. You can follow your application on My Page.
Follow your applicationWait for your card
If your application is approved, wait for your residence-permit card. If you need an entry visa, you must have the card before you travel to Sweden.
Find your card informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get my Swedish residence-permit card after a residence permit to live with a child in Sweden is approved?”
Once in SwedenOnce in Sweden
Travel to Sweden
Travel to Sweden and follow the conditions of your permit after you arrive. If you need an entry visa, bring your residence-permit card with you.
Plan your travelSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I travel to Sweden after getting a residence permit to live with a child in Sweden?”
Extend your permit
If you need to stay longer, apply to extend your permit before it expires. You can then wait for a decision about staying longer.
Apply to extendSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply to extend a Swedish residence permit for a parent of a child living in Sweden?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Child's birth certificate
Get your child's official birth certificate or another civil record that names you and your child. Ask the office that registered the birth for a copy.
Child's residence record
Include evidence that your child lives in Sweden. Make sure any copy you submit is clear.
Child's citizenship records
Include a copy of your child's Swedish passport or other proof of your child's Swedish citizenship. Make sure the copy is clear.
Other custodian's consent *
Include the other custodian's consent. Use the Migration Agency's consent form if the instructions ask for it.
* Only if you share custody and the form instructions ask for the other custodian's consent.
May need translationEvidence of your connection *
Include evidence of your relationship with your child. Show your social and emotional dependence before your child moved, or your continuing relationship and why leaving Sweden to apply would be unreasonable, as applicable.
* Only if you lived with your child before your child moved to Sweden or you apply from Sweden.
May need translationCustody decision *
Include the custody or guardianship decision, or an equivalent official document. Make sure the copy is clear.
* Only if you are your child's legal guardian.
May need translationEvidence of living together *
Include evidence of your shared home with your child. Show that you lived together immediately before your child moved to Sweden, or that you currently live together in Sweden, as applicable.
* Only if you lived with your child before your child moved to Sweden or you apply from Sweden.
May need translationPlans to live together *
Include evidence that you and your child intend to live together in Sweden. Make sure any copies you submit are clear.
* Only if you lived with your child before your child moved to Sweden or you apply from Sweden.
May need translationChild contact agreement *
Include your joint contact plan, contact agreement or court decision showing your contact with your child. Make sure the copy is clear.
* Only if you apply based on regular contact with your child.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Extension before expiry
Apply for an extension before your permission expires if you want to stay.
Applying late can mean losing the right to work while you wait and losing some benefits.
Permission can end
Your permission ends when it expires; you must leave unless it is extended or you have another status.
A partner's permission may be withdrawn if the relationship ends, and a long absence may put an extension at risk.
Staying or working without permission can lead to expulsion and an entry ban.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
EU Freedom of Movement Support Initiative
English Facebook group for people living in Sweden interested in Swedish visas
Request to joinr/TillSverige
English Reddit group for people living in Sweden interested in Swedish visas
Join on RedditUppehållstillstånd och svenskt medborgarskap
Swedish Facebook group for people interested in Swedish visas and citizenship
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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