The Newbie Guide to Sweden

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residence permit

Four Steps to Do After Being Accepted to a University in Sweden

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Written by Hamzah Dzikri Fadliansyah

Congratulations! You are accepted to a university in Sweden. Now, what’s next? Many of you wonder what to do after receiving the notification of selection results from universityadmissions.se. Here are four steps you need to take to start your journey of studying in Sweden.

Accept the offer and pay the tuition fee

Of course, the first thing you need to do is accept the offer. The step is very simple because you just need to open your account via universityadmissions.se, an integrated website to apply for studying in higher education in Sweden. There, you want to choose to keep your place at the offered university.

Then, the next step you need to take is paying the tuition fee. The tuition fee for studying in Sweden depends on your case. For example, if you are a citizen of EU and EEA countries, you do not need to pay for the tuition. So, that step is done for you if it applies. On the other hand, you need to pay the tuition fee if you are citizens outside of EU and EEA countries. The exact amount of the tuition fee and how to pay it are already informed in the notification of selection results. You just need to follow the given instructions.

If you intend to use your scholarship to pay the tuition fee, you need to consult with your scholarship giver. They will arrange it with the university. That is why you need to follow the instructions based on your case.

Applying for a residence permit

After paying the installment of your tuition fee in a university in Sweden, you need to apply for a resident permit to study in Sweden. You are required to have a resident permit in order to study in Sweden. Thereby, you need to apply for one. Accordingly, you must pay attention that students’ residence permit is different from that for work. Therefore, some requirements are different.

Luckily, you can check our post on How to Get a Residence Permit for Students. Check whether you have fulfilled the requirements and then submit your application to Swedish Migration Board, Migrationsverket. You may want to know how long the process for getting the residence permit can be. It varies depending from person to person. There is also no certain reason why one residence permit is processed faster than the others. Therefore, you need to be patient about it. The average time to get a residence permit for a student is between two and three months after submitting the application.

Applying for an accommodation

Here comes the challenging part of moving to Sweden: finding housing! Many have known that finding accommodation in Sweden is not easy, especially within a student budget. Luckily, many universities in Sweden offer student housing coordinated by the universities. They are, of course, sometimes a little bit pricy than those from outside of campus-arranged housing. However, some universities, such as Lund University and Uppsala University, provide a housing guarantee for students coming from non-EU or EEA countries. It means that you can secure a place in a rent arranged by the campus. Some regulations may differ from one campus to others. Thus, you need to refer to your campus’ website.

Nonetheless, there are many other options if you want to find housing outside of campus accommodations. AF-Borgen in Lund, for example, offers student housing at a lower price and varied types of rooms. There are also websites arranged for each city to find accommodation. Another option, you can also check on a Facebook group in your campus’ city to find housing. Still, you need to be careful to avoid any kind of scam. Just make sure that you have already secured housing in advance so that when you arrive, you already have a place to stay to start your study in a university in Sweden.

Booking your ticket to Sweden

This is your last step to starting your journey of studying in Sweden. Once you have already received the certainty of your residence permit status, you need to book a ticket to Sweden. There is no lie that if you want to get a lower price of transportation tickets, such as flights or trains, you need to purchase them as early as possible before your departure. So, it is recommended to book it in advance.

Those are the four main steps you need to do if you accept the offer from your study application at a university in Sweden. On a side note, you also need to keep yourself updated with any information regarding your commencement to study at universities, such as orientation weeks and some other agendas. Therefore, your university’s website is the one you should bookmark and check regularly.

In addition, when moving to Sweden, it is not complete if you do not understand a little bit about the language the locals speak, Swedish. Speaking Swedish can be an advantage for you. Take a look at the course Swedish Learning Options offered by Newbie Learn to understand the different possibilities you have to learn Swedish.

Do you think those steps are complete? Or you may have something more to add? Let others know about your concern in the comment section below! See you in Sweden soon!

About the Author

Hejsan! My name is Hamzah, an Indonesian student studying in a Master of Science program in Media and Communication Studies at Lund University. While I enjoy binge-watching movies and TV series, talking with friends, and everything involving food, now I have found traveling as a new hobby. Before going back to my home country in the middle of 2022, I want to share my stories about my life as an international student in Sweden with you.

Permits for non-EU/EEA Citizens

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Written by Joseph Mukama

As an immigrant coming from a country outside the European Union or the European Economic Area (EU/EEA), you need a valid Schengen visa (less than 90 days) or Swedish residence permit (more than 90 days) to be allowed in Sweden. There are a series of various checkpoints from the time one enters Sweden as a student until one stops to wait on that slow-coming decision from the Migrations office every year or every other year.

A visa issued by an embassy representative grants visits to Sweden and/or the Schengen region for a period of less than three months. On the other hand, a residence permit card issued by the Migrations office (Migrationsverket) in Sweden grants stays longer than three months. A residence permit card shows the reason for the stay i.e. study, work or permanent. Temporary residence permits are the student permits and work permits.

E-learning course: Preparing your move to Sweden

Are you already feeling a bit overwhelmed about all the stuff you need to figure out how to move to Sweden? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just stressful this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to move. Here you will learn about:

 

  • Short (and long facts) about Sweden.
  • The history and background of Sweden in regards to democracy, religious freedom, gender equality, social security, child welfare and LGBTQIA+.
  • The types of visas and residence permits that are available plus the requirements.
  • Important Swedish agencies, and trust us, you DO need to know about these ones.
  • How to find a place to stay and how to avoid rental fraud.
  • How to pack for your move depending on the season.
  • And there will be some quizzes to make sure you are paying attention and not falling asleep at your screen. 

After finishing this course, you will have a greater understanding of what has made Sweden what it is today, how you best prepare for a move here and to get your stay here started in the best manner. 

 

Sign up to your course here

 

Student permits

This is a type of permit that allows you to stay in Sweden for the main purpose of the study. It is valid for up to one year and it needs to be extended every year until the studies end. The type of permit, as written on the front side of the card, is UPPEHÅLLSTILLSTÅND (residence permit). The permit may have the text “Får arbeta” to imply that you are permitted to work.

Permit extension after studies

When the studies are complete (all studies credits registered), you can request a residence permit for looking for work after studies. Nowadays, the requested duration is up to a maximum validity of one year, provided that you can financially sustain yourself (and the dependants, if applicable) for the entire length of the requested period. This is a minimum of SEK 8,568 per month as of this writing.

For studies less than one year, usually you are not registered in the Swedish Civil register (no personal number) and therefore you are not covered by a comprehensive health care insurance. In this case, you must also show proof of comprehensive healthcare insurance for the entire extension period you applied for.

Work permits and permits for PhD research

The permit relating to PhD research studies follow the same conditions as a work permit.

When you get a job, the employer offering the job initiates the process of applying for a work permit. The Migrations office reviews your application and it issues a work permit card if all the paper. The type of permit, as written on the front side of the card, is UPPEHÅLLS- OCH ARBETSTILLSTÅND (residence and work permit). The permit may also have some remarks.

Some general rules apply such as a minimum pay of SEK 13,000 per month (as of now) and insurance cover comparable to the applicable collective agreement. Special terms and conditions apply depending on how long you have held the work permit in Sweden.

The first two years

Normally, Migrationsverket issues work permits for two year validity periods (it can be less depending on the type of employment). Within the first two years (exactly 24 months) of work in Sweden on a work permit (not student permit), the work applies to;

  • A given occupation.
  • A given employer.

The work permit card will have these remarks i.e. the occupation and the employer.

In summary, if your occupation changes even with the same employer, you need to apply for a new work permit. If you change the employer, you need to apply for a new work permit.

Photo Joseph Mukama (edited): Work Permit obtained the first two years.

Between two and four years

When you have held a work permit for at least two years, the caveat on the employer is lifted and the permit is then only bounded to the occupation for which the permit is given.

Therefore you can change the employer without applying for a new work permit as long as the occupation remains unchanged. You must apply to extend the work permit when the previous one is about to expire.

Loss of a work permit

When you lose your job/work permit, you are upto 3 months to get another job.

As an example, if someone finished their university studies and obtained a 1-year permit to look for work. If in the first month of this, the person gets a job, they would apply for a work permit. If the person got laid off in say two months time and they did not get a new job within the permitted 3 months, they would be expelled from Sweden.

Permanent residence permits

Usually, the Migrationsverket grants a work permit for a maximum period of 4 years (Alien’s Act (Utlänningslag) Chapter 2 Section 2a). The permit extension after you have held a work permit for 4 years leads to what is called Permanent Residence (permanent uppehållstillstånd) provided you fulfil the same conditions;

  • Work permit(s) amounting to 4 years within the past 7 years (Alien’s Act, Chapter 5).
  • Having worked in Sweden for a minimum of 44 months within the work permit periods.
  • Fulfilled the permit requirements for all the previous work permits.

The type of permit, as written on the front side of the card, is PERMANENT UPPEHÅLLSTILLSTÅND (permanent residence permit).

According to the Alien’s Act, Chapter 7 Section 7e, if you did not move to Sweden and start work within the first four months of your first work permit, your request for extension of a work permit is denied. The Migrationsverket revokes the work permit and orders you out of the country.

More than 5 years of habitual residence

The Migrationsverket defines habitual residence as a long-term resident (the continuous period of five years) with the intension of remaining in Sweden. For non-EU/EEA citizens, this implies that time during studies does not apply.

Refer to Tatiana Sokolova’s articles on Becoming a Swedish citizen.

Selected corner cases: What to keep in mind

If your permit periods do not fit the discussed timelines, then it is time to practice some algebra.

  • Work permit: If you need to make an application for a work permit after you have worked say 1year and 10 months (this is still less than 2 years), you get a 2-year extension with the conditions as discussed in the section “The first two years”.
  • Work permit: If your employer changes the company organisation number, this by definition is a different employer. Therefore terms and conditions apply depending on how long you have held the work permit. See section under work permits.
  • Permanent residence: You do not fulfil the 44 months of work within 4 years but you have worked for more than 3 years during the work permit period. Migrations office may grant you a discretionary extension to the work permit so that you can be eligible for a permanent residence permit. See related article on changes to the requirements for permanent residence (skattenatet.ey.se, 2020-07-07) by José Vaz and Elsa Tirén.
  • Permanent residence scenario: You fulfil the 44 months of work but have a held a work permit for less than 4 years (e.g. 3 years, 10 months). Migrations office grants you a permit long enough for you to reach the 4 years (slightly over 2 months in the example). Then you can reapply for a new permit. The law is the law.

Useful Direct Links

** The law is a complex framework. Please drop a comment if you feel something is missing or missinterpreted by me. Thanks!!!

About the Author

Kodheyo banna! Joseph here. I moved some years back to Gothenburg for studies from Uganda, the ‘Pearl of Africa’ located in East Africa. I later moved to Lund/Malmö for work. I am married, and I love meeting people, nature, and physical activities. I like to read books and try out new things. My favourite Swedish word is beroendeframkallande. Hoping to share interesting moments with you all.

A complete guide to buying an apartment in Stockholm (Part 2)

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Buying an apartment is one of the most serious steps in life. It requires a lot of planning, savings and to be as prepared as possible. On this part two of the series, I will talk about the mortgage and downpayment. To read part 1 click here. 

Know your Purchase Ability.

Before rushing into apartment visits, you should already have the answer to the following two questions:

Do you have sufficient money (savings) in your bank account? How much can I lend (mortgage) from the bank? To know how much can you get from the bank, follow these steps:

  1. Use a calculator and enter your own figures.
  2. Calculate your Downpayment threshold – determine the price of the apartment you can afford in reality.
  3. Calculate your Total Monthly cost – estimate how much it costs monthly at a realistic property price.

Reality Check #1: Calculate your downpayment threshold 

Your actual wealth is comprised of asset and cash

1) Mortgage (‘Bolån’ in Swedish) – Is the loan that you can borrow from a bank which is going to fund 85% of your property purchase

  • You can borrow about 4.5x your annual income (since Jan 2018). Using an average disposable income of 45,000 KR/ month in Stockholm, one can borrow around 2.4m (=45000*12*4.5).
  • Your loan interest is 30% tax deductible! This means that you get 30% off, paying your interest at a very low and discounted price for owning the entire apartment rather than paying for someone else’s and still not owning any parts of it.

2) Savings in your bank for the downpayment – The downpayment (‘Kontantinsats’ in Swedish) is the initial money you are required to pay when the purchase is made. The money is readily available in your Swedish bank to be transferred to the seller.

  • A minimum 15% of the apartment value is required by Swedish law.
  • Note that if you have a lower income level, you may not be able to borrow enough to cover the full amount of 2.4 m. You will then be required to pay >15% depending on your apartment ‘s price. In that case, choose a smaller and cheaper apartment instead.

So, how much do you need for the downpayment?

Always have money readily available, at least 15% of the downpayment. This amount can change and you may end up paying 25%

  • Being a foreigner, you may not be able to borrow as much with less than 3 years of bank records in Sweden.
  • Your loan might still not be able to cover the full apartment price if you have a lower income or if you desire a bigger apartment

Several hundred thousand KR might sound a lot for a young professional. This is one of the reasons why many local parents buy an apartment for their children to give them when they finish university. However, if you have already been working for several years, then you might possibly be able to have the downpayment by yourself with a smart savings plan.

Your Downpayment Calculator  
Max Loan – 5x income (‘000 kr)  
2,430   
    
Mortgage (‘000 kr)Downpayment (%)Downpayment (‘000 kr)Apt price (‘000 kr)
1,27515%2251,500
1,70015%3002,000
2,12515%3752,500
2,430 (max)19%5703,000
2,430 (max)31%1,0703,500
2,430 (max)39%1,5704,000
Bold*: >15% downpayment required 

Here is a calculator for Mortgage loan calculator .

Using the above scenario of 45,000 KR as a monthly income and a 15% downpayment, you can consider buying an apartment worth of 2.5m with a downpayment of 375,000 KR and a loan of 2.1m (<2.4m of what your bank would allow).

For any apartment of 2.86m or above, you will be paying >15% as your max loan offers only to 2.4m. e.g. 31% of downpayment for a 3.5m apartment.

Try entering your own income level in the calculator now, check the maximum loan you can borrow and the optimal amount of down payment you can handle.

Reality Check #2: Calculate your monthly costs

Your monthly costs for owning an apartment is split into 4 parts:

  1. Mortgage Loan Interest – Varies according to which bank you choose.
  2. Amortization – This is not really a cost. Simply put, this is the money you slowly pay off the total amount you borrowed (principal) through a monthly period. The amount you pay is around 2% of your loan. Note that after your loan-to-apartment price (/loan-to-value) ratio reaches below 50%, you will no longer need to be paying amortization. The general thumb rule is: ‘Borrowers granted mortgage loans after June 1, 2016 must repay 1% of total loan principal yearly if the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is 50-70%. If LTV exceeds 70%, the repayment must be 2% of principal’ (SEB, Dec 2018).
  3. Housing Association fee (‘Avgift’in Swedish) – aka management fee for the association who takes care of the building.
  4. Utility costs: This is a small payment. Heating is free in Sweden according to the law. Some buildings come with free water and cheaper wifi package. Internet, insurance and electricity will usually amount to about 500kr/month per person.

The table below shows the total monthly cost when you move in (i.e. loan-to-apartment price ratio >50%)

Currently, most small apartments in Central Stockholm are priced around 2.5-3.5m. Assume that you buy an apartment worth of 2.5m, with a downpayment of 15%, interest of 1.5% and amortization rate of 2%. Your monthly costs are 7,492 tr in total.

However, you will only receive the 30% tax refund on your loan interests (9,563 tr=31,900*30%) at the END of each fiscal year, so make sure you have enough cash flow to pay 8,289 KR each month.

   Assumptions 
Annual costs(‘000 kr) Downpayment rate15%
Apartment price2,500 loan Interest rate1.5%
Downpayment375 Amortization rate2%
Mortgage/Loan2,125   
Interest32 loan to apartment price/ market price
Amortization43 85% 
———————-    
Interest/month2.7  (million kr)
Amortization/month3.5 Max loan (est. from SBAB)2.6
Housing Association fee/month1.6 Max loan (income x4.5)2.4
Monthly costs7.8 Max loan (est. from Skandia)2.5
     
Internet0.1   
Insurance0.2   
Electricity0.2   
Other monthly costs0.5   
     
Monthly total8,289   
Less tax (30% deductible on interest)    
Monthly total after tax deduction7,492   

The table below shows the total monthly cost when you pay off a good level of loans (i.e. loan-to-apt price ratio <50%)

   Assumptions 
Annual costs(‘000 kr) Downpayment rate15%
Apartment price2,500 loan Interest rate1.5%
Downpayment375 Amortization rate0%
Mortgage/Loan1,225   
Interest18.4 loan to apartment price/ market price
Amortization0 49% 
———————-    
Interest/month1.5   
Amortization/month0   
Housing Association fee/month1.6   
Monthly costs3.1   
     
Internet0.1   
Insurance0.2   
Electricity0.2   
Other monthly costs0.5   
     
Monthly total3,622   
Less tax (30% deductible on interest)    
Monthly total after tax deduction3,163   

As  I mentioned in Part 1, the actual cost of the apartment is only about 3,000 KR/ month. This happens when your loan to apartment price is less than 50%, meaning that you pay off a good level of loans. Then your amortization rate will equate to 0%,  i.e. your monthly amortization amounts to 0.

This way, you are exempted from paying 10,000 KR per year. Your total monthly cost after tax deduction will now be 3,163 KR per month. Now, compare that to your rental costs (12,000 KR/ month)!

If you are still renting, you are basically helping the flat owner repay his/her million KR loan.

After completing this exercise, it’s time to check the market to see if there are apartments in your price range.

Further reading

Want to know more about buying a place to live in Sweden? We’ve got you covered! Check out these blog posts from our newbie bloggers who share their expertise and experiences. 

Read Part 3 here.

The posts on this Blog are distributed for informational and entertainment purposes ONLY.  Forecasts, estimates and certain information contained here should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product.  Past performance is not indicative of future results.  The Author in no way guarantees any specific outcome or profit.  Investments can lose money over short or even long periods of time.  You should consult your financial advisor before making an investment decision.

About the author

Teenie is a Stockholm-based investment advisor and tech enthusiast. Inspired by the gigantic potential of Stockholm aka ‘Unicorn Factory’, Teenie left her job from a top-tier bank in Hong Kong and moved to Sweden in 2017. She’s also the creator of an online activewear brand (yogafriday.com) and the founder of a fashion community that is still active today in England. At present, Teenie continues to seek for emerging technologies in pursuit of improving everyday living and a better future.

Getting That LGBT “Love-Visa” to Come Live in Sweden

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You’ve found love in Sweden. So what do you and your LGBT partner need to do so that you can come live happily ever after in Sweden, also known as LGBT paradise? This article is all about getting your “Love Visa” to migrate to Sweden! 

My story

I moved from Canada to Sweden to study in the 1990s, and remember being impressed that Swedish immigration rules based on “family ties” also covered gay and lesbian couples. Back then, very few countries supported LGBT migration—my home country certainly didn’t.

At that time, most countries required you to be both married and straight, to even be considered for immigration to be with your partner. Sweden had then—and still has today—extremely generous migration rules for people wanting to live with their Sweden-based partner.

To qualify for a residence permit, it suffices for you to be be in a committed relationship with a Swedish resident, with the mere intention to live together as a couple in Sweden. If you fulfill this basic requirement—whether straight and cis, or LGBT—you have the right to apply to migrate to Sweden.

So back to my story: After a year in Sweden as a student I met a Swedish guy, and after a year of living together, we applied for a residence permit for me, using our relationship as a basis. I was legally in Sweden with my student visa, but knew that a regular residence permit would be better in the long term.

That was awhile ago so I don’t remember all the details, however I do remember all the paperwork—the forms to fill in and all the addition papers included in our application—and the long wait for processing.

I also remember the Swedish Migration Agency interviews: We were interviewed separately and back then these interviews were actually called interrogations (förhör). Sitting rather nervously at my interview, I remember wondering—perhaps unfairly—if the rather elderly official had ever (knowingly) met a gay couple. In the end things went fine—the interviews were not difficult, and I received my residence permit.

Just a layperson’s advice

The rest of this article is based on my knowledge of the LGBT migration process in Sweden, based on my own experiences with the Swedish Migration Agency. Be aware that I am not a migration expert, so if in doubt, the official rules and guidelines on the Migration Agency website have the last word. This article does not contain advice about applying for asylum in Sweden due to LGBT persecution in your home country; for that see the links at the end of this article.

General tips—for both homos and heteros

These first points are valid for anyone applying to the Swedish Migration Agency for a residence permit, be you gay or straight.

Online applications are faster

The Swedish Migration Agency allows you to apply both online via their website and “manually” by filling in printed forms. The processing times for the online applications are much, much faster than sending in printed forms. If you are applying to come to Sweden, use the online application, unless you are specifically disqualified from doing so owing to some special case in your application.

Complete and accurate applications speed processing times

Make sure your application is 100% complete and 100% accurate—this is also an absolute must. When the Migration Agency official who gets your case reads your application for the first time, and if it is completely and accurately filled in, he/she can immediately send it on to the next step, such arranging for your interview. If your application is incomplete or obviously inaccurate, the official will, in the best case, send it right back to you with questions about your errors/omissions.

There’s nothing a Swedish bureaucrat loves more than a properly filled-in form, so put some work into it and get things off to a good start with your new bureaucrat buddy. Everyone I know who had a speedy decision was meticulous in their application and went over it multiple times before submitting it.

Coordinate with your partner

When applying for a residence permit due to your relationship with your Sweden-based partner, both of you are required to submit information. Do all this work together, making sure that the information you each submit agrees with each other. This means making sure you both remember (and agree on!) the date you first met, how your relationship developed, common friends, and future plans together. When the time comes for your interview at the embassy, make sure to know the basics about each other—your families, work, friends, hobbies and important events in each other’s lives.

The Migration Agency is not looking to interrogate you about every last detail, but they are looking to see that you are in a valid and honest relationship and that you know the basics about each other, like any genuine couple would.

Follow the rules

The Migration Agency sets some pretty specific rules about how, when, and from where to apply for your residence permit. Don’t try to bend the rules and hope that you’ll slip through—follow the application rules that apply for your case, which are clearly described on the Migration Agency website. If you don’t follow their rules, you risk a longer processing time, or in the worst case, rejection of your application.

Get ready to wait

Although Swedish bureaucracy is in many cases pretty fast and hopefully somewhat efficient, the Migration Agency is known for long processing times. So get ready to wait, sometimes up to and even more than a year. And have a plan B ready—if you are in for a wait, make sure to have plans to study, earn a living and keep busy in in your home country.

Specific advice for LGBT applicants

I was impressed from day one that Sweden has for many decades officially and explicitly given equal value to both heterosexual and LGBT relationships in the migration application process. Sweden was a pioneer in this area, and without this equal treatment I received in the 1990s, I wouldn’t have been granted a permit.

So even though we are treated equally in the application process, there are a couple things to remember if your application is based on a LGBT relationship.

Make it very clear that you are in a romantic relationship with your Sweden-based partner

To be eligible for a residence permit through your partner, you must state clearly that you are partners, intending to live together in a romantic relationship when you arrive in Sweden. This might seem obvious, but many of us who are LGBT—especially if we’re young or coming from a homophobic background—have never actually said words such as “I am gay,” “I am lesbian,” or “I am in a relationship with another man.” It’s critical that you make it extremely clear to the embassy official or Migration Agency agent who interviews you that you are in a romantic relationship with your partner.

If you are feeling shy and try avoid the subject by saying things like “oh, we are just really good friends”, “she’s like a sister to me”, “he’s like my brother” the official interviewing you will quite likely reject your application. When they ask you “are you gay?” “are you lesbian?”, “are you in love with him?”, you must answer clearly yes.

I know this can be difficult if you’re in the closet and don’t normally talk openly about these things, so to help prepare for the interview, talk about these interview questions with your partner, and even practice how to handle and answer these questions.

The embassy interviews are not about the sex

I’ve never heard of a Migration Agency official asking explicit sex or “bedroom questions” at the interviews. These officials are there to confirm that your application is truthful and that you are applying to move to Sweden to live with your partner whom you love. If you do get an intimate question you are not comfortable with, you can answer something like “I’m not comfortable answering that detailed question, but I do assure you that I’m in a serious romantic relationship with my partner, and we intend to live together in Sweden as a common-law (or married) couple.”

Language barriers—avoid a “lost in translation” situation at your interview

When you are being interviewed about your application, it is important that you and the official both understand each other clearly, that there are no language barriers. This is perhaps even more important when discussing a LGBT relationship. If the official doesn’t speak your language fluently, or if you are not confident discussing and describing your relationship in English, ask for an interpreter to make sure that language misunderstandings do not hinder your application.

Be prepared for an embassy LGBT-“newbie”

Although the Migration Agency’s rules explicitly allow for residence permits for LGBT couples, you might have bad luck and get an official at the embassy interview who has never interviewed a LGBT couple before—he or she might be uncertain about how to run the interview. In that case, keep calm, answer the questions, and again, don’t be shy about stating that you are in a romantic relationship with your partner. If you feel the official is asking inappropriate questions or is not treating you fairly, take notes afterwards about the mistakes he/she made, which will help strengthen your appeal later on, if you are unfairly denied a permit.

To wrap this up—I’m happy to tell you that I know countless LGBT couples who have successfully applied for and received a Swedish residence permit based on their relationship. It’s a lot of paperwork, it takes time, and there’s a lot of waiting involved, but the system usually works.

And to throw this back to you—What are your experiences with LGBT residence permit applications? Use the comments section to tell us about the success stories, advice on what mistakes not to make, or even about cases that were not approved.

Useful links

Residence permits

The Swedish Migration Agency provides excellent and clear information about the application process. Start with the “Moving to someone in Sweden” page and follow the links. Again, LGBT applicants are treated the same as the straight applicants, so these pages don’t actually say much about LGBT. Read more here

Asylum for LGBT applicants

There are provisions for asylum applications for LGBT persons who fear persecution in their home country. Read more here

Legal help

If you have a complicated case, or if your application has been denied, get professional help. Googling the term “advokatbyrå migrationsrätt” gives you a list of local law offices specialising in Swedish migration law.

Written by: Steven Muir

I am originally from Canada but after many years here, first as a student and now working for a Swedish company, I definitely see myself as a seasoned “Oldbie” here in Sweden, full of advice for Newbies! I blog about LGTB life here in Sweden. Probably not too much about the latest club or who’s gay on the latest docusåpa (look it up), but more about things I’ve learned about living in Sweden, where being gay is at least part of my identity.

My one piece of advice for all Newbies if you want to enjoy living here – gay, straight, or any flavour of the rainbow: Learn Swedish and do it now! It doesn’t have to be perfect, but just understanding what’s being said around you in the office, understanding a joke cracked at lunch, or being able to “harumph” properly in Swedish at the parent who just ran over your foot with the triple-wide pram on the bus — all this is so much easier and enjoyable when you understand this Swedish chef language we Newbies and Oldbies are immersed in here.

Let me know if there’s any Swedish LGBT Newbie questions you’re curious about!

Social orientation for newcomers

The course “Samhällsorientering för nyanlända” provides vital information for you who are new in Sweden. In the course you learn about your rights and responsibilities, how the Swedish society is organized and practical everyday life tasks.

The course is free of charge and taught in your mother tongue or another language that you understand. The course consists of eight blocks which include the following themes:

  1. Arriving in Sweden
  2. Living in Sweden
  3. Supporting yourself and developing in Sweden
  4. The individual’s rights and obligations
  5. Building a family and living with children in Sweden
  6. Having an influence in Sweden
  7. Looking after your health in Sweden
  8. Ageing in Sweden

Who can take the course?

The course “Samhällsorientering för nyanlända” is for those who are between 18 and 64 years and have a residence permit based on family ties and are registered at a Swedish municipality after the first of May 2013. You can also take the course if you take part in a so-called introduction plan (etableringsplan).

Social orientation is not offered to you who are a:

  • citizen of an EU / EEA country or Switzerland
  • high school student
  • labour migrant
  • student or guest researcher

Contact your municipality to register and take part in the course. Note that the offer is only active during your first three years in Sweden.

You can learn more about “Samhällsorientering för nyanlända” here (information mainly in Swedish).

Literature

The course is based on a book called “About Sweden” this book can be downloaded by anyone and is free of charge. It is translated into several languages, you just select the language at the top of the page.

E-learning course: Preparing your move to Sweden

Are you already feeling a bit overwhelmed about all the stuff you need to figure out how to move to Sweden? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just stressful this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to move. Here you will learn about:

 

  • Short (and long facts) about Sweden.
  • The history and background of Sweden in regards to democracy, religious freedom, gender equality, social security, child welfare and LGBTQIA+.
  • The types of visas and residence permits that are available plus the requirements.
  • Important Swedish agencies, and trust us, you DO need to know about these ones.
  • How to find a place to stay and how to avoid rental fraud.
  • How to pack for your move depending on the season.
  • And there will be some quizzes to make sure you are paying attention and not falling asleep at your screen.

After finishing this course, you will have a greater understanding of what has made Sweden what it is today, how you best prepare for a move here and to get your stay here started in the best manner.

 

Sign up to your course here

Temporary residence

A temporary residence permit – a so called tidsbegränsat uppehållstillstånd, allows you to live and work in Sweden for a limited period of time (mostly two years).

You will probably start your time in Sweden by getting a temporary residence permit the first time you apply – if you meet all the requirements of course.

This means that you will have to make a second application before your current permit expires, if you want to stay in Sweden for a longer period of time.

On July 20, 2021, the Swedish migration legislation will be changed. Many who have applied for a residence permit and not received a decision before July 20 will be affected by the new rules.

You can read about the major general changes in the law on Sveriges Riksdag website or Migrationsverket website. For more detailed information on how a certain type of permit or application is affected by the changes in the law, you can visit the pages about each permit on The Swedish Migrations Board – Migrationsverket.

E-learning course: Preparing your move to Sweden

Are you already feeling a bit overwhelmed about all the stuff you need to figure out how to move to Sweden? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just stressful this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to move. Here you will learn about:

 

  • Short (and long facts) about Sweden.
  • The history and background of Sweden in regards to democracy, religious freedom, gender equality, social security, child welfare and LGBTQIA+.
  • The types of visas and residence permits that are available plus the requirements.
  • Important Swedish agencies, and trust us, you DO need to know about these ones.
  • How to find a place to stay and how to avoid rental fraud.
  • How to pack for your move depending on the season.
  • And there will be some quizzes to make sure you are paying attention and not falling asleep at your screen.

After finishing this course, you will have a greater understanding of what has made Sweden what it is today, how you best prepare for a move here and to get your stay here started in the best manner.

 

Sign up to your course here

About residence permits

You should apply for a residence permit if you want to work, study or stay in Sweden for more than three months. There are different types of residence permits (temporary as well as permanent) and they are granted on various grounds – such as work, family or studies in Sweden.

How to get a residence permit

Residence permits are granted on various grounds – such as work, studies or protection (asylum). However, the most common reason for obtaining a residence permit in Sweden is family ties. Over 40 000 residence permits were granted in 2013 due to family ties.

Who can apply for a residence permit?

You should apply for a residence permit if you want to live, work or study in Sweden for more than three months. However, not everyone needs a residence permit. EU citizens, for instance, have the right of free movement within the EU.

Other countries have agreements with Sweden that facilitates for their citizens to come to Sweden. Check with your local Swedish Embassy or Consulate if your country of origin has any agreements with Sweden that could facilitate for you when moving here.

How do I apply for a residence permit?

You apply for a residence permit by submitting an application to your local Embassy or Consulate or in some cases directly to the Swedish Migration Board – Migrationsverket.

E-learning course: Preparing your move to Sweden

Are you already feeling a bit overwhelmed about all the stuff you need to figure out how to move to Sweden? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just stressful this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to move. Here you will learn about:

 

  • Short (and long facts) about Sweden.
  • The history and background of Sweden in regards to democracy, religious freedom, gender equality, social security, child welfare and LGBTQIA+.
  • The types of visas and residence permits that are available plus the requirements.
  • Important Swedish agencies, and trust us, you DO need to know about these ones.
  • How to find a place to stay and how to avoid rental fraud.
  • How to pack for your move depending on the season.
  • And there will be some quizzes to make sure you are paying attention and not falling asleep at your screen.

After finishing this course, you will have a greater understanding of what has made Sweden what it is today, how you best prepare for a move here and to get your stay here started in the best manner.

 

Sign up to your course here

You must submit your application from your country of origin or the country where you legally reside. If there is no Embassy or Consulate in your country you may have to travel to the nearest country (who has a Swedish Embassy or Consulate) in order to submit your application.

It is sometimes possible to submit an application at an Embassy or Consulate of another Schengen country. It is important, that you get your residence permit before you travel to Sweden.

In some exceptional cases, you might receive a residence permit while staying in Sweden. This exception applies if you already have a residence permit, or if you have or are expecting children.

On July 20, 2021, the Swedish migration legislation will be changed. Many who have applied for a residence permit and not received a decision before July 20 will be affected by the new rules.

You can read about the major general changes in the law on Sveriges Riksdag website or Migrationsverket website. For more detailed information on how a certain type of permit or application is affected by the changes in the law, you can visit the pages about each permit on The Swedish Migrations Board – Migrationsverket.

 

How long does it take to get a decision from Migrationsverket?

You will have to be patient, because processing times are quite long, especially for first time applicants. The current waiting time for first time applicants are between 14 – 18 months! However, it does get better with time. Processing times for second time applicants are generally shorter – around a workweek. Yet, this highly depends on the complexity of your application.

Tip: make your application online. This usually helps to speed up the processes. Another tip is to check out the current waiting times on Migrationsverkets website or to call them directly and ask how the application is going.

has information in English about visas and residence permits

Residence permits for EU citizens

One of the great things with the European Union is the right of free movement. As a EU citizen, you can live, study and work in any country within the European Union. This right does also include your close relatives – spouse & children – even if they are non-EU citizens.

However, if you are planning to neither work nor study in Sweden, you might have to prove that you have the sufficient means to support yourself during your time here.

Another good thing to know is that you are entitle to permanent uppehållsrätt, PUR, when you've lived and worked in Sweden for five continuous years. This right also includes your close relatives, if they lived with you during this entire time.

E-learning course: Preparing your move to Sweden

Are you already feeling a bit overwhelmed about all the stuff you need to figure out how to move to Sweden? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just stressful this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to move. Here you will learn about:

 

  • Short (and long facts) about Sweden.
  • The history and background of Sweden in regards to democracy, religious freedom, gender equality, social security, child welfare and LGBTQIA+.
  • The types of visas and residence permits that are available plus the requirements.
  • Important Swedish agencies, and trust us, you DO need to know about these ones.
  • How to find a place to stay and how to avoid rental fraud.
  • How to pack for your move depending on the season.
  • And there will be some quizzes to make sure you are paying attention and not falling asleep at your screen. 

After finishing this course, you will have a greater understanding of what has made Sweden what it is today, how you best prepare for a move here and to get your stay here started in the best manner. 

 

Sign up to your course here

Residence for asylum seeker

Another ground for getting a residence permit is asylum. The right of asylum is an ancient juridical concept that implies that any person persecuted in his or her own country has the right to be protected by another sovereign country.

The Swedish Migration Agency, Migrationsverket

The Swedish Migration Agency – Migrationsverket is therefore obliged too investigate if you meet the conditions and requirements for asylum in accordance with the Swedish Aliens Act, and if so, to offer you protection in Sweden.

(Information is mainly in english.)

FARR, the Swedish Network of Refugee Support Groups in Sweden

FARR, is a Swedish Network of Refugee Support Groups in Sweden. They work as an umbrella organization for individuals and groups working to strengthen the right of asylum. Here you find information about asylum rights and regulations in Sweden. They are politically and religiously independent.

On July 20, 2021, the Swedish migration legislation will be changed. Many who have applied for a residence permit and not received a decision before July 20 will be affected by the new rules.

According to the new rules it will be required that each family member must him- or herself meet the requirements in order to receive a permanent residence permit. There will also be changes to who has the possibility of family reunification and who is covered by the requirement to be able to financially support oneself when relatives apply for residence permits.

If you do not meet the requirements for a permanent residence permit, you may still be able to receive an extended residence permit if you meet the requirements.

On the Swedish Migration Board – Migrationsverket website you can read more in detail about the new requirements.

E-learning course: Preparing your move to Sweden

Are you already feeling a bit overwhelmed about all the stuff you need to figure out how to move to Sweden? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just stressful this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to move. Here you will learn about:

 

  • Short (and long facts) about Sweden.
  • The history and background of Sweden in regards to democracy, religious freedom, gender equality, social security, child welfare and LGBTQIA+.
  • The types of visas and residence permits that are available plus the requirements.
  • Important Swedish agencies, and trust us, you DO need to know about these ones.
  • How to find a place to stay and how to avoid rental fraud.
  • How to pack for your move depending on the season.
  • And there will be some quizzes to make sure you are paying attention and not falling asleep at your screen.

After finishing this course, you will have a greater understanding of what has made Sweden what it is today, how you best prepare for a move here and to get your stay here started in the best manner.

 

Sign up to your course here

Missing something? Or does something feel unclear? Contact us and help us improve.

Residence permit for students

Residence permit for students are granted for you who wish to study in Sweden. There are two main requirements you must meet, in order to obtain a residence permit based on studies:

  • You must be admitted to a university or institution of higher education in Sweden.
  • You must give proof that you are able to support yourself financially throughout your entire time in Sweden.

This currently means, that you need to have no less than 8 100 SEK/month to cover your daily living expenses (like rent, food, transportation etc).

On July 20, 2021, the Swedish migration legislation will be changed. Many who have applied for a residence permit and not received a decision before July 20 will be affected by the new rules.

If you are a doctoral student and you apply for a permanent residence permit, this will affect you and any family members applying with you.

According to the new rules to be eligible for a permanent residence permit as a doctoral student, you must

  • have held a residence permit for four years of the past seven years
  • be able to financially support yourself
  • be expected to live an orderly life.

On the Swedish Migration Board – Migrationsverket website you can read more in detail about the new requirements.

E-learning course: Preparing your move to Sweden

Are you already feeling a bit overwhelmed about all the stuff you need to figure out how to move to Sweden? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just stressful this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to move. Here you will learn about:

 

  • Short (and long facts) about Sweden.
  • The history and background of Sweden in regards to democracy, religious freedom, gender equality, social security, child welfare and LGBTQIA+.
  • The types of visas and residence permits that are available plus the requirements.
  • Important Swedish agencies, and trust us, you DO need to know about these ones.
  • How to find a place to stay and how to avoid rental fraud.
  • How to pack for your move depending on the season.
  • And there will be some quizzes to make sure you are paying attention and not falling asleep at your screen.

After finishing this course, you will have a greater understanding of what has made Sweden what it is today, how you best prepare for a move here and to get your stay here started in the best manner.

 

Sign up to your course here

Residence permit based on employment

What are the requirements to get a residence permit based on employment? More than 19 000 residence permits where granted in 2013 due to employment. The two main requirements for obtaining a residence permit based on employment are:

  • a job offer from a Swedish employer.
  • a monthly salary of no less than 13 000 SEK/month before tax.

When you apply, it is important to attach a proof of the job offer to your application.

You must have your residence permit settled before you enter Sweden. If you need to come to Sweden to do an interview or any kind of employment test, you may need a visa in order to do so.

On July 20, 2021, the Swedish migration legislation will be changed. Many who have applied for a residence permit and not received a decision before July 20 will be affected by the new rules.

According to the new rules to be eligible for a permanent residence permit as an employee, you must

  • have held a work permit for four years of the past seven years
  • be able to financially support yourself
  • be expected to live an orderly life.

If you have a permit as a self-employed person, you can be granted a permanent residence permit after two years.

On the Swedish Migration Board - Migrationsverket website you can read more in detail about the new requirements.

E-learning course: Preparing your move to Sweden

Are you already feeling a bit overwhelmed about all the stuff you need to figure out how to move to Sweden? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just stressful this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to move. Here you will learn about:

 

  • Short (and long facts) about Sweden.
  • The history and background of Sweden in regards to democracy, religious freedom, gender equality, social security, child welfare and LGBTQIA+.
  • The types of visas and residence permits that are available plus the requirements.
  • Important Swedish agencies, and trust us, you DO need to know about these ones.
  • How to find a place to stay and how to avoid rental fraud.
  • How to pack for your move depending on the season.
  • And there will be some quizzes to make sure you are paying attention and not falling asleep at your screen.

After finishing this course, you will have a greater understanding of what has made Sweden what it is today, how you best prepare for a move here and to get your stay here started in the best manner.

 

Sign up to your course here

Residence based on family ties

What are the requirements to apply for a residence permit based on family ties? You can get a residence permit based on family ties and the Swedish Migration Board - Migrationsverket has a quite generous understanding of the concept of family and includes the following members:

  • wife/husband
  • registered partner
  • common-law spouse
  • fiancé and
  • unmarried children (under the age of 18)

This means that you could be granted a residence permit in Sweden based on family ties, if you e.g. have a husband or wife that legally lives and works in Sweden.

Note: you don't need to be married to the person you move to. Being common-law spouses is a fully valid ground to be granted a residence permit.

Furthermore, Migrationsverkets definition of family is not restricted to a heterosexual understanding off it. Gay couples are welcome to apply for a residence permit in Sweden on the same conditions as heterosexual couples.

Note: In order to extend your residence permit you must still remain in a relationship with your partner. However, if your relationship has ended, you may, in certain cases, be permitted to stay.

On July 20, 2021, the Swedish migration legislation will be changed. Many who have applied for a residence permit and not received a decision before July 20 will be affected by the new rules.

According to the new rules regarding residence permit based on family ties you will always receive a temporary residence permit the first time you apply for a permit to live with a family member in Sweden.

To be eligible for a permanent residence permit after July 20, you must

  • have held a residence permit for at least three years
  • be able to financially support yourself
  • be expected to live an orderly life.

Since residence permits are most often granted for two years at a time, you can usually apply for a permanent residence permit after four years at the earliest.

On the Swedish Migration Board - Migrationsverket website you can read more in detail about the new requirements.

 

 

E-learning course: Preparing your move to Sweden

Are you already feeling a bit overwhelmed about all the stuff you need to figure out how to move to Sweden? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just stressful this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to move. Here you will learn about:

 

  • Short (and long facts) about Sweden.
  • The history and background of Sweden in regards to democracy, religious freedom, gender equality, social security, child welfare and LGBTQIA+.
  • The types of visas and residence permits that are available plus the requirements.
  • Important Swedish agencies, and trust us, you DO need to know about these ones.
  • How to find a place to stay and how to avoid rental fraud.
  • How to pack for your move depending on the season.
  • And there will be some quizzes to make sure you are paying attention and not falling asleep at your screen. 

After finishing this course, you will have a greater understanding of what has made Sweden what it is today, how you best prepare for a move here and to get your stay here started in the best manner. 

 

Sign up to your course here