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Sweden & Saudi Arabia

How to apply

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.

Updated 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 need to pay an additional fee for booking an interview at a specific Embassy - sometimes even using official 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 see Swedish Migration Agency webpage for more information.

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.riyadh@gov.se).

Applying online 

1. Prepare the 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. You attach documents electronically and pay the application fee using your credit card. Family members use the same online application if they apply at the same time as you. The online application goes directly to the Swedish Migration Agency for processing followed by a decision. At the Swedish Migration Agency’s website you can see if the Migration Agency has received your application, check your personal data, as well as seeing what documents you have sent in.

Online application on the Swedish Migration Agency website 

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
In some cases an interview with the applicant is required and you therefore need to visit the embassy. Wait for the email you receive from the Swedish Migration Agency asking you to make an appointment at the embassy. Only then you could book an appointment. You make an appointment on our website: https://www.swedenabroad.se/en/embassies/saudi-arabia-riyadh/contact/book-an-appointment/ Write your application number and your full name when filling the form.

At the embassy, if you are required to conduct an interview, you must prove your identity by showing your passport and residence permit (Iqama). Children applying for a residence permit are also interviewed. If the child is too young or too immature, the person looking after the child is interviewed instead.

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. You may also need to be photographed and fingerprinted for the residence permit card you will receive if you are granted a residence permit. This also applies to children.

You can find the address of the embassy under ‘Contact’.

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.

5. Wait for the decision
When the Swedish Migration Agency has reached its decision, you will be informed of this by email. You get the actual decision by visiting the embassy. Bring your passport when collecting the decision.

6. Wait for the residence permit card
If you are granted a residence permit, you will be issued with a residence permit card. If you already have been photographed and fingerprinted the card should reach the embassy within 4 weeks after the decision was taken.

If you need a visa to enter Sweden
Visit the embassy to be photographed and fingerprinted for the residence permit card. You can do so either while waiting for a decision or after you have been granted a residence permit. You can visit the embassy without making an appointment Sunday’s to Thursday’s between 08.30 – 09.15. Bring the passport that you used when applying for a residence permit.

You can find the address of the embassy under ‘Contact’.

It can take up to four weeks for the residence permit card to be prepared and delivered to the embassy. Once the card has arrived at the embassy you can collect it without making an appointment Sunday’s to Thursday’s 08.30 – 09.15. You must bring your passport with you. If you want to know whether your card has reached the embassy, you can contact us.

If you do not need a visa to enter Sweden
If you have been granted a residence permit and do not require a visa, you travel to Sweden and arrange for the card there. Contact the Swedish Migration Agency for photographing and fingerprinting.

Applying on a paper form

The information below is for applicants who will apply at the embassy of Sweden in Riyadh, for information about qualifications to do so please see where to apply.

How to proceed:

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. Pay the application fee
The fee should be paid upon your appointment at the embassy. Bring the original receipt.

 

3. Present your application at the embassy
In order to present your application you must book an appointment: https://www.swedenabroad.se/en/embassies/saudi-arabia-riyadh/contact/book-an-appointment/

Bring along the completed application form together with all your documents and the receipt of the fee.

You can find the address of the embassy under ‘Contact’ -

4. Visit the embassy
At the embassy, you will be interviewed. Children applying for a residence permit are also interviewed. If the child is too young, the person looking after the child is interviewed instead.

You will be photographed and fingerprinted for the residence permit card you will receive if you are granted a residence permit. This also applies to children.

After the interview, your case is sent 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.

5. Wait for the decision
The Swedish Migration Agency’s 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. You arrange for the card in the same way as described above under ‘Applying online’.