Frequently asked questions about family reunification and maintenance requirements
Your family has the possibility of applying for residence permits to move to you in Sweden if you
- have been granted a permanent residence permit
- have been granted a temporary residence permit as a refugee or person in need of subsidiary protection, and are considered to have well-founded prospects of being granted a residence permit for a longer period
- have been granted a temporary residence permit due to impediments to enforcement or particularly or exceptionally distressing circumstances, and are considered to have well-founded prospects of being granted a residence permit for a longer period.
If a family member of a quota refugee applies for a residence permit, the maintenance requirement applies if the application was made more than three months after the quota refugee arrived in Sweden. The maintenance requirement also applies if the family has the possibility of being reunified in a country outside the EU or if the relationship is new.
If you have received a temporary residence permit, only your immediate family can apply to come and live with you in Sweden. Your spouse, partner or registered partner and your children under the age of 18 are considered to be immediate family members. Both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old. If you are under the age of 18, your parents count as your immediate family.
The maintenance requirement means that you have to be able to support yourself and your family, and that you and your family have a home that is large enough.
The Swedish Migration Agency will check that you are able to support yourself and your family members and that you have a home of a sufficient size and standard for all of you to live to when your application is received. You have to be able to use the home from when your family members come to Sweden. If you do not meet these requirements, your family will have their application for residence permits refused.