The Swedish government has announced plans to tighten the rules for family reunification visas. This decision was introduced as part of the fight against excessive migration. Find out what is planned to change for expats and their families, as well as the current procedure for obtaining a Swedish family reunification visa

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The Swedish government, led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, has announced plans to revise its family reunification visa policy. This initiative is aimed at strengthening migration requirements. From now on, foreign nationals seeking to join their relatives in Sweden will find it much more difficult to do so.

Details about the procedure for obtaining a family reunification visa in Sweden and the planned changes can be found in our new material.

What will change for expats and their families in 2024?

The changes that the Government plans to approve in Sweden in the procedure for granting family reunification visas:

1. Strengthen income requirements – sponsors must meet stricter income standards to show that they can financially support family members coming to Sweden.

2. Expand the DNA testing procedure - authorities can use more DNA tests to verify family ties, especially in cases where there is insufficient documentation.

3. Review the list of family members eligible for a residence permit - The government plans to review and possibly reduce the number of family members eligible for a residence permit in Sweden.

In this way, the state government is trying to bring Sweden's policy closer to European Union (EU) standards. It is planned that changes to the current legislation will be published by January 25, 2025.

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What is a family reunification visa in Sweden?

A Swedish family reunification visa is issued to persons who are married or plan to marry a Swedish citizen. Relatives of expats who want to join their spouse, parents and children in the country can also obtain a residence permit.

How to apply for a family visa to Sweden?

The procedure for applying for a family visa in Sweden consists of the following stages:

1. Fill in the application with information about yourself and the person you are going to move to in Sweden. You must also indicate at which embassy or consulate general of Sweden you are going to come for the interview. Before applying, check whether the person you are going to move to in Sweden meets the maintenance requirement (has a residence permit in Sweden, owns or rents a home, earns enough to support himself and a family member).

2. Collect a package of documents - the applicant's passport, documents confirming family ties, a relative's residence permit in Sweden, employment and housing documents, etc.

Send the necessary documents translated into Swedish or English by an authorized translator. The translated documents must be attached to the original documents. Before you submit your documents, make sure that the information you provide is clear and understandable.

3. Pay the visa fee (adult – 190 euros, children under 18 – 93 euros).

4. After the Swedish Migration Agency receives your application, your family member in Sweden will receive an email. A person living in Sweden must answer the questionnaire within two weeks.

5. Make an appointment at the embassy - the Swedish Migration Agency will send you an email asking you to book an appointment for an interview at the embassy or consulate general after the application has been processed.

6. Attend the interview - during the interview, you must bring your passport and the originals of the documents you submitted with the application. If children are applying for a visa, they must also undergo an interview.

7. Wait for the consideration of the application and the decision. The Embassy will notify you by email once a decision has been made on your visa.

How long does it take to process a family visa application?

The time for consideration of applications for moving to a spouse can last 16 months. For children under the age of 18, the processing of applications to move to their parents can last 13 months, and for children over 18 - 12 months (one year).

If you applied to an embassy or consulate general abroad, the processing time will be longer.

Are there many migrants in Sweden?

For decades, Sweden has been known for its welcoming attitude towards refugees and migrants, especially those fleeing conflict zones. Since the end of the 20th century, the state has accepted a large number of refugees from various regions: the former Yugoslavia, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran and Iraq.

This policy has had a significant impact on the population of Sweden, now the country is home to about 10 million migrants and their descendants.

However, the government's planned migration policy changes may significantly reduce the number of expats in the country.

We will remind you! Sweden is actively fighting the labor shortage. The most affected sectors include healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Find out which specialists will find it easiest to find a job in Sweden in 2024 by following the link.

Ihor Usyk - head of Visit World's legal department

To organize a safe move to Sweden, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations when traveling abroad.

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