More effective working methods towards families of Swedes living abroad
Shorter processing times and improved service for Swedes living abroad and their families. The Swedish Migration Agency will also shortly announce a service promise regarding a decision within 90 days for this specific category.
Processing times for family members of Swedes residing abroad who wish to move to Sweden with their family have previously been long. This has caused difficulties for Swedes living abroad to return to Sweden after having lived overseas for a period, when they want to do so together with their family. The government therefore commissioned the Swedish Migration Agency to develop and introduce a new and more effective working method for processing applications from this category.
Read more here: The Migration Agency answers: Swedes living abroad and their families
The result is shorter processing times. During 2024, the average processing time among closed cases received the same year was 205 days (208 days for granted applications), but through an active approach, this has so far in 2025 dropped to 84 days (95 days for granted applications).
This is primarily due to digital passport checks in e-applications and new routines for decisions without a visit to the foreign missions when there are good reasons to assume that the application will be granted. In order to start processing the application as soon as it is received, a digital solution is being developed to easily identify the group for prioritisation.
Who is considered a relative of a Swede living abroad?
A Swede residing abroad can move back to Sweden at any time. If the person has family members who are non-EU citizens who wish to move with them, these individuals need to apply for a residence permit due to family ties.
In order to receive a quick decision, the person needs to submit an e-application and fulfil a number of requirements to be included in the category "relative of a Swede living abroad". It must be an established relationship where the person and the anchor person, who is a Swedish citizen, have cohabited for two years or cohabited for at least one year and have a child together. And they must have resided together abroad for at least twelve months and be residing together at the time of application.
Continued work for improved service
Work is now ongoing for more effective processing at the embassies as well, for example with remote video interviews at certain embassies when an oral interview needs to be held.
Looking ahead, the agency sees good opportunities for the processing time for relatives of Swedes living abroad to be predictable and no longer than 90 days. This will make it easier for these families to plan their move and clarify their intention to reside in Sweden, a requirement that exists for relatives to be granted a residence permit. A prerequisite is that the incoming applications are complete.
"A key piece of the puzzle is clear information from us so that the application contains everything needed to lead to a decision. It should be easy to return home to Sweden and be able to do so without being separated from one's family," says Ann-Kari Olsson, section manager in the North region who worked with the government commission.
