If you apply for international protection (asylum), you will receive an application card as proof that you are allowed to be in Sweden while you wait for a decision about your application. If you applied for asylum before 12 June 2026 you have received an LMA card.
An application card or LMA card shows that you have applied for international protection (asylum) and have the right to be in Sweden while you wait for a decision. The card is valid throughout the country and is issued by the Swedish Migration Agency. “LMA” stands for “Lagen om mottagande av asylsökande”, which translates to “the Act on Reception of Asylum Seekers”.
When you apply for international protection in Sweden, you will be photographed. Your photo will be used for the proof that the Swedish Migration Agency has registered your application, and for the application card. The application card replaces the proof of registration. The card is personal, so only you can use it, and you cannot use it as an identity document.
Zoom imageThe application card, front and back.
Zoom imageThe LMA card, front and back.
Keep your application card or LMA card with you at all times, so you can present it in contact with authorities, employers or health and medical care providers, for example.
Below the photo on your card is your case number at the Swedish Migration Agency. When you contact us, it is useful to have that number available. With the help of your case number, we can quickly produce the information we have about your application.
Present your card when your contact national authorities or when you need to show an employer that you have the right to work. If you have gotten a job and want to open a bank account, you must present your card to the bank.
In some cases, you may use the application card or LMA card as proof of your identity when collecting postal packages from abroad or registered mail from the Swedish Migration Agency.
If you present your card at the pharmacy, you will pay less for most medications prescribed by a physician. In some cases, you will also pay a lower patient fee if you present your card when you visit a health/medical care provider.
You will have an application card or LMA card throughout the time you are waiting for a decision about your application.
The application card’s period of validity is one year. After that, you need to apply for a new card if you still have not had a decision about your application.
The LMA card’s period of validity can be extended by three months each time you visit the Swedish Migration Agency.
The application card and the LMA card have a QR code that allows anyone with access to a QR reader to easily check
Scanning the QR code on an LMA card does not reveal any other personal information about you. The QR code on an application card, however, reveals a little more information about you, for example when you applied and which country you are a citizen of.
If you receive AT-UND status, this will be registered directly on your card, and your employer can verify your status by scanning the QR code.
If your application card or LMA card is stolen or lost, you must report this to your Unit for Reception. The Swedish Migration Agency will then block your card and order a new one.
2026-06-12
The migration pact is introduced on the 12 June
On 12 June 2026, the EU's Pact on migration and asylum is introduced. Among other things, this means that the EU will have common rules about how migrants will be controlled at the border, and what the procedure is when somebody applies for international protection (asylum).
2026-06-01
New levels of reintegration assistance from 1 June 2026
The EU Reintegration Programme (EURP) provides support for people returning to their country of origin after their application for asylum has been rejected or when they no longer have the right to remain in the EU. The levels of assistance available under the programme are now being revised.
2026-01-01
Now you can apply for the increased repatriation grant
People who have received a residence permit in Sweden on grounds of protection needs and want to repatriate can apply for the increased repatriation grant from today, 1 January 2026. Family members can also receive the grant if they meet certain requirements.
2025-12-04
More Afghans may be able to receive passports from their home country
The Swedish Migration Agency estimates that Afghan authorities are now able to issue national passports to their citizens within a reasonable time. This means that Afghan citizens with a residence permit in Sweden no longer automatically have the right to an alien’s passport. Instead, the Swedish Migration Agency will review each application for an alien’s passport individually.
2025-10-31
The repatriation grant will be increased
The Swedish Government has taken a decision to increase the repatriation grant on 1 January 2026. The amount you can receive depends on whether you are applying as a single adult, as a couple, or as a family with children.
2025-09-11
How you will be affected when extended passports become invalid
We have previously reported that Swedish authorities will not accept extended passports from 1 October 2025. Here we answer frequently asked questions about what this means and who will be affected.
2025-09-09
New payment card for financial aid
In October, the Swedish Migration Agency will replace all bank cards for people receiving financial aid.
2025-09-01
Changed rules on asylum seekers' accommodation
From 1 September, the main rule is that asylum seekers must live in the accommodation allocated by the Migration Agency in order to be entitled to daily allowance and special grant.