The quickest and easiest way to apply for a residence permit is to apply online. An online application goes directly to the Swedish Migration Agency and is given priority. If you cannot or do not want to apply over the Internet, you can fill in a paper form that you submit in person to the embassy.
The description below applies to you if you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA and wish to move to live with a family member who is also a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA or is a Swedish citizen.
How to proceed (for applications on paper forms, see further down):
1. Prepare your documentation
Check which documents and personal data you require. The Swedish Migration Agency gives priority to applications that are completed in full, and you get a decision sooner.
Read more under Required documents.
2. Applying
Follow the Swedish Migration Agency’s instructions for applying online over the Internet. You attach documents electronically and pay the application fee using a VISA card or a MasterCard.
3. Your family member must answer questions
Your family member has to fill in a questionnaire. Once you have sent in your application, he or she will automatically receive an email with instructions. The family member must reply to the questions within two weeks.
4. Visit the embassy/consulate
Wait for the email you receive asking you to make an appointment at the Embassy. The handling officer will check the status your case. All applicants, including children, must come to the booked personal interview. At that time your documents will be controlled, your photo will be taken, and a short interview will be performed. At the embassy, you have to prove your identity by showing your passport, and you will be interviewed. Children applying for a residence permit are also interviewed. Bring along the originals of the documents you attached to your online application. In its email, the Swedish Migration Agency may also have asked you to bring additional documents with you. After the interview, your case is transferred back to the Migration Agency in Sweden. If you have neither attended the interview nor made contact with the embassy, your case is nevertheless sent to the Swedish Migration Agency, and your application may be rejected.
Warning: Avoid people selling services for family reunification
The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has been informed that there might be individuals falsely representing the Swedish Migration Agency or the Embassy in certain countries. These individuals are claiming that it is possible, e.g. through payment, to obtain an earlier appointment for an interview at the Embassy or that the applicants needs to pay an additional fee for booking an interview at a specific Embassy - sometimes even using letterheads and pretending to be officials. Please note that the Swedish Embassies and Consulates General have nothing to do with any individuals who offer services for payment. All appointments for interviews for family reunification are made through the Embassies and are free of charge.
Please contact the Embassy if you have any information that people are falsely representing Swedish authorities or if you suspect that somebody is trying to sell you services for additional charges (visa.moscow@gov.se).
5. Wait for the decision
When the Swedish Migration Agency has reached its decision, you will be informed of this by email. The actual decision will be sent to your family member in Sweden, if you have authorised him or her to represent you.
6. Wait for the residence permit card
If you are granted a residence permit, you will be issued with a residence permit card. It is possible to pick up the card at the Embassy of Sweden in Moscow. You must bring your passport with you.
Embassy of Sweden in Moscow is accepting applications for a residence permit from the citizens of:
• Russian Federation
• Armenia and Belarus
• other countries who are permanently and legally residing in the territory of the Russian Federation.
How to proceed:
1. Prepare your documentation
Check which documents you need. The Swedish Migration Agency gives priority to applications that are completed in full, and you get a decision sooner.
Read more under Required documents and on the Swedish Migration Agency´s website.
2.Pay the application fee.
The application fee is to be paid in RUR, at the time of submission.
Read more under Fees.
3. Present your application at the embassy
If you want to submit your application on a paper form you can visit the Migration department of the Embassy of Sweden. You do not need a prior appointment.
Bring along the completed application form together with all your documents.
All applicants, children also, have to be present at the time of the interview.
4. Visit the embassy
The embassy will receive the application, application fee and related documents and forward it to the Swedish Migration Agency. Once the Swedish Migration Agency has started to process your case, the applicant for a residence permit will receive a notification to make an appointment for an interview at the embassy or consulate. In connection with that visit, the applicant will also be photographed, provide fingerprints and passport and other original documents will be checked.
If you want to apply for a residence permit to move to someone in Sweden, submit your application in the e-service, all information will be received by the Swedish Migration Agency directly. The processing can then begin more quickly as the application does not need to be sent to Sweden from the embassy or consulate.
For those who cannot apply in the e-service (internet application), it is possible to give a power of attorney to the person you are moving to. He or she can then submit the application in the e-service for you.
Read more on the Swedish Migration Agency’s website
5. Wait for the decision
The Swedish Migration Agency’s decision will be sent to your family member in Sweden if you have authorized him or her to represent you. Bring your passport when collecting the decision.
You can check your application status by entering your dossier number on the website of the Swedish Migration Agency.
6. Wait for the residence permit card.
If you are granted a residence permit, you will be issued with a residence permit card.
Warning: Avoid people selling services for family reunification
The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has been informed that there might be individuals falsely representing the Swedish Migration Agency or the Embassy in certain countries. These people are claiming that it is possible, through payment, to obtain an earlier appointment for an interview at the Embassy. Please note that the Swedish Embassies and Consulates General have nothing to do with any individuals who offer services for payment. All appointments for interviews for family reunification are made through the Embassies and are free of charge. It is only the Embassies that handle the applications for family reunification.
Please contact the Embassy if you have any information that people are falsely representing Swedish authorities or if you suspect that somebody is trying to sell you services for additional charges (visa.moscow@gov.se).
