If your child’s residence permit application is approved, there are a few next steps before life in Sweden can begin.
The process usually looks like this:
Moving countries can feel like a big step, especially for children.
Taking care of these practical steps early can help make the transition smoother and less stressful for the whole family.
Here's what what happens if your child's application is approved.
After the application is approved, your child will receive a residence permit card.
This card proves that the child has permission to live in Sweden.
It usually includes:
The card is also used when travelling to Sweden.
If the child applied from outside Sweden, the card is usually collected at a Swedish embassy or consulate.
Once the residence permit card is issued, your child can travel to Sweden.
When entering the country, they should carry:
These documents show border authorities that the child is allowed to live in Sweden.
After arriving in Sweden, one of the most important steps is registering with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).
This is how the child becomes officially registered as living in Sweden.
During registration, you may need to provide:
After registration, the child may receive a personal identity number, or commonly referred to as a personnummer.
This number is used for many services in Sweden.
It allows the child to:
Processing times can vary, so it may take a few weeks or longer.
Children living in Sweden usually have the right to:
Education in Sweden is free for children, and healthcare is largely publicly funded.
To arrange schooling, you normally contact your local municipality after arriving.
Read more about getting a personnummer (personal identity number)
Applying to bring your child to Sweden
Why family residence permit applications get rejected
Learn about the Swedish school system
Learn about the Swedish health system
Maintenance requirement explained
↗︎ Register with Skatteverket
↗︎ Residence permit cards – Migrationsverket
Processing times vary, but it often takes several weeks after registering with Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency).
In many cases, children can begin school once they are registered in the municipality.
Children who are registered as living in Sweden generally have access to the public healthcare system.
If your child needs a residence permit card, they may need to visit the Swedish Migration Agency to have their photograph and fingerprints taken. The agency will provide instructions about what to do.
A residence permit does not replace a passport or other travel document. Your child will normally need a valid travel document when travelling. Check the requirements for both Sweden and the country your child is travelling to before making plans.
Check the expiry date carefully. If your child needs to remain in Sweden, make sure any application to extend the permit is submitted within the applicable time period. The requirements for an extension depend on the type of permit.
Possibly. Whether a child can qualify for permanent residence depends on the type of permit, how long the child has lived in Sweden and the requirements that apply when they apply.
The next steps depend on the child's nationality, location and the type of permit. Check the instructions from Migrationsverket and make sure the child has the required travel document before travelling.
Read the decision carefully and check:
Keep the decision and other important documents somewhere safe.
