How to apply

The information below is for applicants who will apply at the embassy of Sweden in Riyadh.

If you are applying online, are granted a residence permit and do not need a visa to enter Sweden, you do not normally have to visit the embassy. Regardless of how you apply, your residence permit must have been granted before you leave for Sweden.

Applying online 

How to proceed (for applications on paper forms, see further down):

1. Prepare the documentation
Check which documents and personal data 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 website.

The Swedish Migration Agency website

2. Applying
Follow the Swedish Migration Agency’s instructions. You attach documents electronically and pay the application fee using a VISA card or a MasterCard. 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.

Online application on the Swedish Migration Agency website

3. 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 on Sunday's to Thursdays between 08.30 to 09.15. Bring your passport when collecting the decision.

4. Arrange for a residence permit card
If you are granted a residence permit for more than three months, 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 on Sunday's to Thursdays between 08.30 to 09.15 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. 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 made and delivered to the embassy. You should contact the embassy to make sure it has arrived before you come to pick it up. You must bring your passport with you when you come.

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

If you cannot or do not want to apply online, you can fill in a paper form that you submit in person to the embassy. How to proceed:

1. Prepare the documentation
Check which documents and personal data 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 website.

The Swedish Migration Agency website

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

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

Bring the completed application form with you, together with all the required documents.

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

The embassy sends your documents to the Migration Agency in Sweden.

4. Wait for the decision

The Swedish Migration Agency informs the embassy of its decision. Bring your passport when collecting the decision.

5. Arrange for a residence permit card

If you are granted a permit for more than three months, you will receive a residence permit card. You arrange for the card in the same way as described above under ‘Applying online’.