Family Immigration: What You Should Know Before Applying for Sweden

Sweden is famous for its peaceful quality of life and an emphasis on family values. It is indeed a great place to live with your family. That said, before immigrating your family to Sweden, you need to understand the family immigration process and how it works.

Let’s talk more about all the things you should know before applying for family immigration in Sweden in this article.

What is Family Immigration?

Family immigration in Sweden allows you to bring your family members to Sweden and live with you. For that, you need to be a Swedish resident or citizen.

Under family immigration, you can bring the following people to live with you in Sweden:

• Spouses
• Cohabiting and registered partners
• Children under the age of 18
• Close relatives in certain cases and conditions only

Who Can Apply for Family Immigration?

To be eligible to apply for family immigration to Sweden, you must have a close family member living in the country legally. That person serves as your sponsor. Generally, family or spouses of the following can apply:

• A permanent resident of Sweden
• A citizen of Sweden
• Someone who has a temporary residence permit in Sweden and has the right to immigrate their family members

The sponsor must demonstrate that they can financially support the immigrants and provide them with proper housing.

Basic Requirements for Family Immigration

There are specific requirements to fulfill to apply for family immigration. 

Identity Verification

The applicant and sponsor must provide proof of their identities. Generally, national IDs and valid passports are acceptable. Refugees may struggle with producing their identity documents, and can use other verification methods.

Proof of Relationship 

The sponsor must be able to prove a genuine family relationship with the applicant(s). To prove that, you’ll need the following documents:

• Partnership registration or marriage certificate
• Sambos (cohabiting partners) must provide evidence
• Birth certificates for children
• Joint financial accounts
• Communication records
• Photos and videos

Maintenance Requirement (Försörjningskravet)

It is essential for the sponsor living in Sweden to fulfill specific housing and financial requirements. Typically, these include:

• Having a sufficient and stable income to support the applicants
• Have a house that is big enough to accommodate the family

Sometimes the maintenance requirement is waived to facilitate the sponsor and immigrants. For instance, refugees don’t have to instantly worry about providing maintenance.

It is crucial to review all these requirements before applying for family immigration in Sweden, so you can prepare accordingly and gauge your chances of success. Having an expert lawyer by your side is a good idea to easily and smoothly navigate the entire process.

Step-by-Step Family Immigration Application Process

Let’s walk you through the step-by-step process to apply for family immigration in Sweden.

Step 1: Gather Documents for Your Application

First, gather all the relevant and essential documents required for the family immigration application. Generally, these include:

• Proof of the relationship with the applicant
• Valid passports of the sponsor and the applicant
• Proof of housing and income at the sponsor’s end
• Birth certificates of children
• Partnership or marriage certificates

Ensure that all documents are translated into English or Swedish with the assistance of an expert and authorized translator.

Step 2: Submit the Application Online

The simplest and quickest way to apply for family immigration is via the website of the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). Fill out the given form, and attach all the necessary documents and proof. If there is some issue with the online application, you have the option of submitting a written application to the Swedish consulate or embassy.

Step 3: Submit the Application Fee

You’ll have to pay a specific application fee which depends on your nationality and relationship with the applicant. Generally, fees are submitted online or at the embassy if you submit your application in person.

Step 4: Wait for the Decision

The processing time of an application depends largely on the case. That said, a waiting period of several months is usually normal. Priority is given to applications of refugee family reunification.

You may be asked to provide additional supporting documents by the Migration Agency during the waiting period. This step helps better verify your relationship with the applicant.

Step 5: Decision Announcement

As soon as the authorities make a decision regarding your application, they notify you. You will receive a residence permit if your application gets approved. If your application is rejected, you can appeal the decision.

What Happens After the Application’s Approval?

If your spouse, partner or kids get a residence permit, they will also receive a valid residence permit card. The cards need to be personally picked, followed by biometric verification (fingerprints and photograph) of the approved candidates at the embassy. Biometric verification is sometimes even done at the airport when the applicants arrive in Sweden.

Upon Arrival in Sweden

Upon arrival in Sweden, your family members should:

• Immediately register with the Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency)
• Ensure to get their personnummer (personal identity number)
• Open a bank account
• Apply for Swedish health insurance
• If necessary, enroll in Swedish language classes 

Equip yourself with the essential guidelines and information on the steps to follow when your family arrives in Sweden. Consult a seasoned Swedish lawyer to ensure you don’t miss any important steps.

Do’s and Don’ts of Applying for Family Immigration in Sweden

There are certain things to take care of when applying for family immigration in Sweden to increase the chances of your success.

Things To Do When Applying

• Review your application multiple times
• Attach comprehensive and clear proof of the relationship
• Get a certified translator to translate every document
• Double-check every document before submitting the application
• Make sure to have proper housing and a stable income
• Get expert legal help for high-risk or complex cases

Things To Avoid When Applying

• Submitting an incomplete application
• Not providing all the required documents
• Not fulfilling the financial requirements
• Failing to respond to any request from Migrationsverket
• Giving inconsistent information
• Missing deadlines

Follow these simple and practical guidelines, and you’ll maximize your chances of experiencing success with the application.

How Advantage Law Firm Can Help You With a Family Immigration Application

It is indeed quite overwhelming to manage the family immigration process, considering the long waiting periods and strict regulations. Advantage Law Firm understands it and stands with you to provide all types of legal help with the application.

Our qualified and experienced immigration attorneys and lawyers can guide you through the entire application process, assist you with drafting the application, preparing documents, and providing legal representation when required. With our legal experts by your side, you’ll successfully navigate the entire process.

For any queries, call us or fill out the form below, and our representatives will get back to you shortly.