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Read more at Swedish Migration Agency how to apply for yourself and on behalf of your child.
The Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria handles applications for residents of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Angola, Malawi and Sao Tomé and Principe.
Moving to someone in Sweden - Migrationsverket
The easiest way to apply for a residence permit is to apply online. An online application goes directly to the Swedish Migration Agency.
If you are unable to apply online, please ask your family members in Sweden to fill out the electronic application form, attach copies of documents and pay any application fee.
If you still are unable or do not want to apply online, you can submit an application at Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria, by appointment only by sending an email to ambassaden.pretoria-migration@gov.se.
Since 3 May 2021, the procedure for those who submit a paper application in order to apply for a residence permit to move to a family member in Sweden has been changed. Paper applications, submitted from 3 May 2021, will now be handled in the same way as an application in the e-service (online application). This means there will no longer be interview or biometrics in connection with the paper application being submitted.
The embassy will only receive the application, the fee and supporting documents and forward it to the Swedish Migration Agency. The Swedish Migration Agency will notify the applicant to book an appointment for an interview at the embassy. In connection with that visit, the applicant will also be photographed, provide fingerprints and passport and other original documents will be checked.
The Swedish Migration Agency introduces new rules for better passport checks for residence permit applicants.
From 1 November 2022, applicants for a residence permit must show their passport at an in-person visit before the Swedish Migration Agency can grant a permit. The Migration Agency will contact applicants to schedule an appointment with the Embassy for passport and identity control.
Stricter passport checks - Migrationsverket
After the application for residence permit has been granted, citizens of these countries need residence permit cards to travel to Sweden. The card will be ordered automatically if the applicant has been photographed and submitted fingerprints during the application process. If you have not been photographed and fingerprinted, you will need to book an appointment to provide biometric data.
It will normally take up to four weeks for the residence permit card to be made and delivered to the Embassy. Therefore, we do not recommend that you purchase a flight ticket before receiving your card.
An automatic email will be sent to the registered email in your dossier once the embassy scans the residence card as received.
Please Note!
It is not possible to speed up the manufacturing or delivery of the card.
You will get an automatic e-mail once the Embassy receives the residence card.
Apply for residence permit online through The Swedish Migration Agency in Sweden
Moving to someone in Sweden - Migrationsverket
Your family member must fill in a questionnaire. Once you have sent in your application, he or she will automatically receive an e-mail with instructions. The family member must reply to the questions within two weeks.
You will be notified by the Swedish Migration Agency when to contact the embassy for an interview.
To book an appointment send an email to ambassaden.pretoria-migration@gov.se provide your dossier/control or case number.
If you cannot communicate in English and require an interpreter, contact the embassy of Sweden in Pretoria before the interview that you require an interpreter and in what language. In the e-mail, state your personal details and your case number and date of your appointment.
Bring your passport and original documents that you attached to your application for the interview.
Children applying for residence permit are also interviewed. If the child is too young or unable to conduct an interview, the person looking after the child is interviewed instead.
After the interview, your case will transfer back to the Swedish Migration Agency that will decide in your case. If you did not attend the interview or did not contact the Embassy to book an appointment in time, your case will be transferred to the Swedish Migration Agency and your application may be rejected.
When the Swedish Migration Agency has decided in your case, you will be informed through the e-mail stated in your application. The actual decision will be sent to your family member in Sweden if you have authorized him or her to represent you. Otherwise, you will be informed of the decision via email from the Swedish Migration Agency. In some cases, the Embassy will contact you by sending an e-mail or calling the telephone number you provided when you applied for residence permit.
Notification of the entire decision is only provided if you visit the embassy by appointment with the embassy in Pretoria.
Send an email to ambassaden.pretoria-migration@gov.se to receive a copy of the decision as well as verbal notification and how to appeal.
No decisions will be sent through e-mail.
1. Collect in person - We need your passport for identification
2. Courier service or someone else to collect on your behalf. We need:-
Please Note!
The embassy will not print your consent and will not hand out your residence card and decision if the courier service do not present the printed required documentation.
See embassy website for contact details and opening hours / public holidays.