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If you have or are expecting children in Sweden
If you are currently in Sweden without a valid residence permit, you may in some cases be granted a residence permit due to family ties, without having to leave Sweden to apply.
If you want to live with a close family member in Sweden, the main rule is that you must submit your application at a Swedish mission abroad (embassy or consulate) in your home country. You must not move to Sweden until you have received a residence permit.
If you have sought asylum and have children or are expecting children with a resident of Sweden, you can in exceptional cases receive a residency permit without having to leave Sweden. This applies if you have a child who has a residence permit or who is a Swedish citizen, and if you are expecting a child with a person who is a Swedish citizen or who has a permanent residence permit.
Applying for a permit without leaving Sweden
If you have sought asylum and have children or are expecting children with a resident of Sweden, you can in exceptional cases receive a residency permit without having to leave Sweden. This applies if you have a child who has a residence permit or who is a Swedish citizen, and if you are expecting a child with a person who is a Swedish citizen or who has a permanent residence permit.
In these cases the requirements are:
The consequences for your child to be separated from his or her parent determins whether or not you can be granted a residence permit without having to leave Sweden.
Your application may also be turned down if you have a criminal record or have been an illegal resident for a significant period of time, or if you have provided incorrect information.
- that you fulfill the conditions for being granted a residence permit due to ties to a close family member in Sweden
- that it is clear that you would have received a residence permit if you had submitted your application before coming to Sweden and
- it is not reasonable to demand that you return to your home country to apply.
The child's best interest
The consequences for your child to be separated from his or her parent determins whether or not you can be granted a residence permit without having to leave Sweden.
Your application for a residence permit with in Sweden may be turned down if:
- you do not fulfill the requirements for a residence permit due to ties to a close relative
- it is likely that the embassy will be able to process your application within a reasonable period of time
- it is believed that your child will not be harmed by your temporary separation.
Your application may also be turned down if you have a criminal record or have been an illegal resident for a significant period of time, or if you have provided incorrect information.
You can bring up the issue of your ties to your family member at any time during your stay in Sweden, regardless of wether you have an application with the Migration Board or with the Migrations Court.
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You can read more about the conditions for being granted a residence permit due to ties to a close family member in Sweden under the heading Moving to someone in Sweden - Applying for a permit.
Page updated: 2011-07-20
Migrationsverket
