After a decision for those who have the status of long-term resident in the EU
If the Swedish Migration Agency approves your application for a residence permit, you will receive a residence permit card, which is proof that you have the right to be in Sweden. If the Swedish Migration Agency rejects your application, you have the option of appealing against the decision if you do not accept it.
As an employee or self-employed person, or if you have sufficient means to support yourself, you can receive a permit for at most five years. If you are a student, you will receive a permit for the time that your studies last, although for no more than one year at a time.
If you plan to continue living in Sweden after your permit has expired, you should submit an application for extension of your permit. You should apply for an extension before your previous permit runs out.
Read more about extending your work permit
When you have had a residence permit for five years, you can obtain status as a long-term resident in Sweden. If you meet the requirements for this, you will also receive a permanent residence permit. Your permanent residence permit is valid for as long as you reside in Sweden. Keep in mind that, if you did not live in Sweden for longer periods during the time of the permit, this can affect your ability to obtain a permanent residence permit. You can lose your status as a long-term resident in another EU country if you are absent from that country for six years.
The Migration Agency may withdraw a permit
The residence permit can be withdrawn if, in your application, you provided incorrect information or did not mention something that was significant in regards to your residence permit. The permit can also be withdrawn if the requirements for the permit are no longer met.
If the Swedish Migration Agency rejects your application
If the Swedish Migration Agency rejects your application, it means you are not entitled to a residence permit for Sweden. You may lodge an appeal against the decision within three weeks of the date when you received notification of the decision. Information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in the decision. If you have given someone a power of attorney document that authorises him/her to represent you, this person is able to lodge an appeal on your behalf.
If you are still in Sweden when your application is rejected, you must leave the country within the timescale given in the decision.
Information for persons arriving in Sweden with a residence permit
Do not forget to save your residence permit decision. It will be useful when contacting various national authorities and organisations.
To register as living in Sweden and obtain a Swedish personal identity number, contact the Swedish Tax Agency, Skatteverket.
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To be registered in the social insurance system, contact the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, Försäkringskassan. External link, opens in new window.
Some municipalities have municipal housing agencies where you can look for accommodation. The municipality can also give you advice on private landlords.
The municipality in which you live will offer child care and schooling for children.
For questions about health care, contact the region where you live. Find healthcare in the whole of the country on 1177 Healthcare Service Guide. External link, opens in new window.
For questions about learning Swedish for Immigrants (SFI), contact the municipality you live in. See also the website of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions. External link, opens in new window.
If you are looking for a job you can register with the Swedish Public Employment Service, Arbetsförmedlingen. External link, opens in new window.
The Swedish Pensions Agency External link, opens in new window. has information in Swedish about income support for the elderly for those who come to Sweden late in life and have a low or no pension.
For information about studying at colleges or universities, see Universityadmissions.se External link, opens in new window. or studera.nu. External link, opens in new window.
For questions about student loans and grants, contact CSN. External link, opens in new window.
For questions concerning driving licenses, visit the Swedish Transport Agency. External link, opens in new window.
For questions about the right to vote, contact the Election Authority, Valmyndigheten. External link, opens in new window.
Information from the Swedish National Agency for Education about the Swedish education system can be found at Skolverket. External link, opens in new window.
Information about society in Sweden can be found in a number of languages at informationsverige.se. External link, opens in new window.
For more information on society in Sweden visit the website of the Swedish Institute. External link, opens in new window.
Hej hej Sverige! External link, opens in new window. has simple and inspiring films about how Sweden works.
On the page Learn Swedish on www.informationsverige.se, External link, opens in new window. you will find links to several programmes for learning Swedish on your own.
The information service at the Swedish Consumer Agency External link, opens in new window. can answer your questions about buying goods and services and about contract terms and conditions.