So What Now?
When starting your application it's good to be prepared that it could be a long process, with many different parts and obstacles. On this page, we wanted to gather some basic info regarding a couple of the more important things to know when applying.
FAQ
*This is general information and neither can nor should replace legal advice in the individual case,
but supposed to be an exchange of ideas/thoughts on how to structure, shape and proceed with your application
Do we need to be married before starting the application?
No, you don't have to be married to start your application. As long as you are in a relationship (girlfriend/boyfriend/partners/sambo) you are good to go.
Is there a set waiting time?
When going on immigrations website you'll be able to get a rough estimate of the general waiting time of your case. All cases are different, some take longer than others and there is no rhyme or reason as to why. We tell people it can be anything from 6-14 months and the most important part is just to be patient.
I'm a student and want to bring my partner, is that possible?
Will was a full time student when Morgan was accepted, and as long as you fulfill the maintenece requirments there shouldn't be any issues.
I've never met my partner in real life, can we still apply?
We are strong believers that you can have incredible relationships online. However, immigration tends to prefer you to have met in real life. There is no set limit, but a number between 2-3 weeks is often mentioned regarding this subject.
Can I apply while I'm in Sweden?
No. You will have to leave Sweden to apply. However, you don't need to go to your home country, another country such as Denmark will suffice. However, there is an option to apply from within if you have circumstances that meet immigrations requirements. See this article.
We've never lived together, will that be an issue when applying?
There's no rule that claims you've needed to live together before moving to Sweden, but it can help in a sense that immigration may see you as more established couple if you have.
My partner in Sweden isn't making enough to cover the maintenence requirement, can I help him with my money?
As it is written on the website, it is supposed to be soley based on the partners money and income, even if you are married.
Can I visit Sweden while my application is ongoing?
Yes, but timing is important. Before the interview your visit will have no impact on the process, while after it will pause your process until you have left Sweden as immigration can not make a decision while you're in Sweden.
Do I have to finish the application in one sitting?
After starting the application a link will be sent to your email, and it will be saved for the following 14 days. Which means you have plenty of time to go through it and finish it in multiple sittings.
Does my partner need a full time job to apply?
There is no hourly/percentage limit stipulated for the maintenance requirement. The main part is that you need to be able to show on paper that your income covers the amount, and in most cases this requires a contract that states that amount.
Do I need a passport to apply?
You will need a passport to apply, so you can support your identity. Your passport doesn't need to be brand new, but if you are granted residency you can only get a permit that lasts the duration of your passport. Hence, you want to have +2 years on it when applying.
How do I prove we are in a real relationship?
Its all about telling your story and backing it up with pictures, chat logs, bookings, documents and other things that will support your claims in your application. We cover it in this article below.
I live with my parents, can I bring my partner while doing so?
Unfortunately you need to to have your own place when applying. There have been cases of people living in the same building as their parents, where for example they have had access to a separate apartment with it's own entrance. However this follows it's own set of requirements.
How do I prove we are in a real relationship?
It's all about telling your story and backing it up with pictures, messages between each other, bookings for flights trains etc, documents and other things that will support your claims in your application. We cover it more in this article below.
Do I need an immigration lawyer to help us with the application?
Most people don't find the need to use a lawyer when applying, as most cases are rather straight forward. You can get all the info you need from groups on Facebook, forums or through people like us. Lawyers tend to come into the picture if you have to appeal or if you get in your view a wrongful rejection. When it comes to legal situations, its always best to advice a professional.
What is the most important part of the application?
The whole application in its entirety is what is important. That you are consistent in the story you are telling of your relationship, and that you are able to back those claims up with supporting documents, for example photos, chat logs or flight details.
Is there any way I can speed up the process?
In most cases there is nothing you can do to speed up the process. The most important part is that you fill out the application correctly, and attach all the documents that they need. By doing so, you eliminate the extra step of sending emails and requests of information back and forth with the agency.
Can I add documents to my case after we've submitted our application?
Yes you can! Just send an email to migrationsverket@migrationsverket.se with the updated information/documents. Don't forget to mention your name and case number in the email.
Can I track my application?
On the agency's website you'll be able to fill out your case number and see what the current status is.
How long is the interview and what kind of questions do they ask?
Depending on the embassy and what the interviewer sees as necessary, it generally spans from 30 min to 3 hours. The questions during the interview is based on the application you and your partner have submitted, which is why its important to be honest both when submitting and during the interview.
How do I contact the immigration agency?
You can call them on: +46 (0) 771-235 235 Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm
Email them on: migrationsverket@migrationsverket.se
If I want to conclude my case, when can I do that and where do I find the form to do so?
Six months after you've submitted your application you can send in a request to conclude your case. This gives the agency four weeks to conclude or refuse your request. Most people advice not to do this until after the interview, as refusal to conclude is common amongst cases who haven't had their interview. Here you can find the form.
Maintenance Requirment
This first section will cover the maintenance requirement as this is the first thing that immigration generally looks at, but also is one of the most asked about subjects.
When your partner moves to Sweden you need to be able to prove that you have sufficient housing and finances to support him/her/they.
Starting with finances, and income from immigrations point of view is:
salary/wages from work
unemployment benefits
sickness benefits
income-based old-age pensions
*Worth mentioning is that CSN is unfortunately not seen as income.
You can also be seen as able to support your partner, if your wealth (savings in money, stocks, mutual funds etc) is enough to support you and your partner for the next two years.
The amounts set for 2022 that you need to have in your account after you pay rent and tax each month are as follows:
SEK 5,158 for a single adult
SEK 8,520 for cohabiting spouses or cohabiting partners
SEK 2,756 for children 0–6 years of age
SEK 3,308 for children 7–10 years of age
SEK 3,860 for children 11–14 years of age
SEK 4,411 for children 15 years of age or older
Examples to show how the finances work:
By income: Marta who wants to bring her partner George to Sweden has an income as a nurse that gives her 18,420 kr per month after tax. Her rent for her apartment that she lives in is 8,100 kr, which leaves her with 10,320 kr each month. According to immigrations amounts for 2022 she would need 8,520 kr after rent, which she has. She therefore fulfills the maintenance requirements financial part.
By wealth: Jim has saved all his life for a downpayment for an apartment and has almost 300,000 kr in his bank account. Jim wants to bring his partner Charlie to Sweden, but as he is currently studying and has no current income, he has to apply with savings. Jims student apartment has a monthly rent of 3,800 kr. Together with the set amount for 2022 (8.520kr) that equals a total of 12,320 kr per month. Now Jim has to multiple that with 24 (two years worth of the monthly cost), which gives a total of 295,680 kr. So for Jim, as long as he is able to maintain that same amount (or as we would advise a little above) he fulfills the maintenance requirements.
The second part of the maintenance requirement is the housing situation.
According to immigration you need to prove that you have sufficient housing for you and your partner for at least 1 year from a granted application. This can be:
a first hand apartment contract
a second hand apartment contract
a student flat
a house or condo
The size/room requirements differ depending on if you have children or not, as most people we connect with are couples without children our examples will generally be based on that kind of situation. However the main difference if you would have children is that you would need more rooms.
Couples without children only need a one room apartment with a sufficient kitchen.
Couples with with 1-2 children require an additional bedroom (kids may share a bedroom). A number of people have been accepted where a child has been in the picture with a Swedish "tvåa", as immigration believes the parents technically could live in the "living room" as a bedroom.
Regarding the question "what kind of apartment do you need?" You need sufficient space, which to our knowledge is not stated anywhere on immigrations website or in the law. However, this has been discussed in forums and between people to be anything from 28-35 square meter, which is a general number that could cover a one room apartment. The main thing is that it has a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette (kokvrå). We’ve helped a lot of students and unfortunately a dorm room with a kokskåp or shared kitchen is not enough for the requirements. As we stated in our FAQ section above you can not live with your parents while applying.
Examples to show how the housing works:
In an apartment: Peter lives by himself in a two bedroom apartment in Stockholm (second hand contract). He wants to bring his partner Lena to Sweden, and wants to apply. To do so he needs to provide proof of him legally renting it from the owner, in accordance with the housing committee, an invoice for last months rent and a contract that states: monthly rent, number of rooms, name of tenant, name of landlord, period of tenancy and signature of landlord.
In a student apartment: Lisa lives in a student apartment and wants to bring her girlfriend Jenny to Sweden. To do so Lisa need to provide a contract stating the same things as Peter above, (last months invoice, in some cases immigration asks for confirmation from the student housing that it will be allowed for the partner to move in if the case is granted.) There has also been cases where students needed to provide a course plan, as you need to show that you are able to keep the flat for at least one year after the application has been granted. Lisa is a student on the physical therapy program, and is doing her second semester, which means that for at least 2 years she will be able to stay in the apartment, as long as she continues to study.
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Timeline of the Process
In this article we want to break down the different steps of the application and what you generally can expect.
The partner outside of Sweden starts the application:
You start your application by answering the questionnaire on immigrations website, giving information about you and the person moving to Sweden. You'll have to have all of your partners details such as a personal number or social security number, phone number, address, and other supporting documents stated under number 2. If you don't have it when you start, don't stress. After starting, it saves to the website and you'll have 14 days to complete the application. You can access your application through a link that you will receive in your email. We recommend that you download it as a PDF when you have finished it, and then read it through, before doing the final editing and submitting.
Pay the fee of the application:
After you have finished filling out the application, you will be asked to pay the fee of the application online. For adults the fee is 2000 kr, and for children its 1000 kr.
Partner in Sweden answers their questionnaire:
After the Swedish Immigration has received the application, an email will be sent to your partner in Sweden containing instructions on how they can proceed with answering their part of the application. In this part your partner needs to have documents prepared to prove both the housing and financial side of the maintenance requirements, along with all of your personal info and the details about your relationship etc.
Book an appointment for your interview:
When the agency has reviewed your application, and if they don't find it necessary to reach out and ask for further information from you, you will receive an email regarding booking your interview at your choice of embassy/consulate.
Your interview:
This is one of the parts which most people are the most nervous about. What is most important here is to bring your passport, and all the original version of the documents you've submitted (i.e. marriage certificates). During the interview you will have to answer questions regarding your relationship, which they will cross-reference with the info you have already supplied. If you need a visa to travel to Sweden, you will also have your photo and fingerprints taken while being at the embassy, as you are required to carry the residency card with you if approved when traveling to Sweden. If you don't require a visa, you may take your photo and fingerprints after entering Sweden if/when you've been granted your application.
The Immigration agency processes your application:
By this point, immigration will move into the decision part of the application, and start to process your application. If they need any further documents, they'll contact you. Our advice is to try to be as thorough as possible when applying, so additional correspondence is kept to a minimal. Even if you have left everything that they've asked for they will in some cases need more time to investigate. This could for instance be a phone interview with the partner in Sweden, or additional questions regarding proof of the relationship.
Receiving your decision:
When the decision has been made, you will be notified by email if its been granted or rejected. To collect the full printout of the decision you will have to contact your embassy/consulate, or if you've given power of attorney to your partner, the decision will be sent to them.
Read more about the different steps on immigrations website here
Is it possible or will this affect my case?
Visiting Sweden During Your Application
It’s a widely spread notion that you can’t visit your partner in Sweden while your application is in process, which is in fact false. It's stated very clearly on immigrations website (see tab 7) that you are able to visit during your application process.
What is important to know, and what may not be very clear is that there is a difference WHEN you visit your partner in Sweden during the application process. To make this easier we will separate the application process into two categories. This is not official terminology, but created to make it easier to explain the differences.
The investigation part - this is the part from when your application is handed in, until the agency has review your application and invited you to book your interview. Due to how the process is formed, the majority of cases won’t be able to go to decision without an interview. This is the crucial detail which means that a visit to Sweden won’t pause your application process during this time. You still need to notify immigration of your visit at the generic email migartionsverket@migrationsverket.se.
The decision part - After you've had your interview you will move into the part of the process where the agency is processing your application for a decision. Due to the fact that they can't make a decision on your case while you are in Sweden, they will automatically pause your case until you are out of the country again.
For people applying for visa to visit family during application
Many people have found it tricky to get approved for a visitors/tourist visa if you are in the process of applying for residency in connection to your partner. The main reason to why this can be complicated is that the authorities believe there is a higher risk for someone who is waiting to reunite with their partner in Sweden to overstay their visa illegally and not come back. We’ve seen time and time again people not being able to visit their partners due to rejected visas. In these cases it is super important to show ties to your home country and prove intent of your return home (such as house ownership/rental, return flight, work contract, etc). What ever you can show to prove you can't stay in Sweden is to your advantage.
Unfortunately, there has been instances where people have been rejected, due to the sole purpose of being in Sweden during this time of their process. According to the law, applicants can't be in Sweden when submitting the application, or when the decision is being made. In some cases, when the agency has been ready for a decision while the applicant has still been in Sweden, they have reached out and informed the applicant to leave the country. This may seem contradictory to the information concerning the pausing of the process, however it has happened to multiple of people, including our own case. How this can be possible? We actually don't know, as we and the others have informed them that we are in Sweden, which would technically pause our application.
When visiting Sweden during the application period, it is also important to note the general 90 days spent during an 180 day span rule that applies in the Schengen area. This basically mean that on a rolling 180 day cycle, you can only spend 90 days within Sweden (to make sure you are not overstaying, use this calculator). This is regardless if you are either from a country which doesn’t need a visa (i.e. U.S.) or if you are from somewhere who needs a visitors visa (i.e. Turkey). Neither of these will automatically pause you’re application, while if you apply for a visitors permit, your residency permit will be paused/rejected, as you can only have one permit application running at a time, and the agency will approve the one most favorable for you. Read more about this on immigration website (See tab 7).