Pop-up passport controls in the USA and Canada will make travelling to Sweden easier for those who do not need a visa
In July 2023, students and work permit applicants, who do not need a visa, can have their passports checked at five different locations in the USA and Canada.
This summer, staff from the Swedish Migration Agency and the Embassies of Sweden in Ottawa and Washington, DC, will be performing passport controls at pop-up stations across North America in order to make the application process more accessible for visa exempt students and work permit applicants.
The pop-up passport controls are available to those who
- live in the USA or Canada,
- have applied for a residence permit for the purpose of studying or working in Sweden,
- may enter Sweden without a visa.
List of foreign citizens who require Visa for entry into Sweden
External link, opens in new window.
No appointment needed
Applicants who wish to have their passport checked at the pop-up control station do not need to book an appointment or even wait for the Migration Agency to contact them about presenting their passport at the embassy. Applicants who fulfil the requirements are welcome to visit one of the locations listed below.
No interviews at the pop-up stations
Applicants who need a visa or a residence permit card to enter Sweden cannot have their passport checked at the pop-up stations. They need to visit the Embassy of Sweden in Washington or Ottawa in order to provide fingerprints and be photographed. The same goes for those who need to be interviewed, for example if they have applied for a residence permit to move to a family member in Sweden. Contact the Embassy of Sweden in Washington or Ottawa to find out how to book an appointment.
Locations and dates
Canada
July 3, the Swedish consulate in Vancouver
July 4, Vancouver, British Columbia. University of British Columbia
USA
July 5-6, San Francisco, California. University of California Berkeley
July 7, Los Angeles, California. University of California Los Angeles
July 10-11. Houston, Texas. Rice University
July 12-13, Chicaco, Illinois. DePaul University
Background
Since November 1, 2022, anyone who applies for a Swedish residence permit must present their passport in person at the embassy before they can receive a positive decision from the Swedish Migration Agency. Checking the passport is often done when the applicant visits the embassy for an interview or when they have their fingerprints and photograph taken for their residence permit card. However, this new requirement has been a significant change for visa exempt applicants, who have previously been able to receive a decision and travel to Sweden without visiting the embassy. Several universities have expressed that the new requirement could hinder exchange between Swedish and American universities.