You have a permit in Sweden – Protection under the Temporary Protection Directive You want to apply for a different type of permit

You have a residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive and want to apply for certain other types of residence permits without having to leave Sweden.

If you meet the requirements, you can apply for a residence permit for work, self-employment, research, higher education studies or an EU Blue Card. Normally, these permits must be applied for and granted before entering Sweden. From 11 June 2026, people with a residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive are exempt from this requirement. This means that you can apply from within Sweden.

The requirements differ depending on the permit

It is important that you find out what requirements apply to the permit you want to apply for before submitting an application. A residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive and other types of residence permits do not provide the same rights. It is important that you understand the consequences of changing the basis for your residence permit.

Your entitlement to support may be affected

If you apply for and are granted one of the permits that you can now apply for, the basis for your residence permit will change. This may affect the support you are entitled to receive from the Swedish Migration Agency, the Swedish Public Employment Service and the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.

If you have a residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive and are not registered in the Swedish population register through the Swedish Tax Agency, you are covered by the Act on Reception of Asylum Seekers (LMA). This means that you may be entitled to accommodation, a daily allowance and special grants from the Swedish Migration Agency.

If you are granted one of the permits covered by the new rules, you will no longer be covered by the LMA. This means that you will no longer be entitled to a daily allowance, special grants, accommodation provided by the Swedish Migration Agency or accommodation assigned to you by the Agency through a municipality. You will then need to arrange your own housing and financial support.

If you are already registered in the Swedish Population Register, you are not covered by the LMA. This applies even if you still have a residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive.

If you are granted one of the permits covered by the new rules, any support you receive from the Swedish Public Employment Service or your municipality may be affected.

If you are participating in the Swedish Public Employment Service’s introduction programme, your right to take part in the programme may be affected if you receive a work permit and start working. Employment may affect both your participation in the programme and your introduction benefit. If you receive housing compensation or a supplementary introduction benefit from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency linked to the introduction programme, this support may also be affected if your participation in the programme changes or ends.

If you change the basis for your permit, you will no longer be entitled to the accommodation provided by the municipality under a residence permit granted in accordance with the Temporary Protection Directive. This means that you will need to arrange housing for yourself on the regular housing market.

Your family members can also apply

If you are granted one of the permits that you can now apply for, your family members may apply for residence permits as your family members. As a general rule, you must have a sufficient income to support them. They can apply for a residence permit as a family member of someone who has applied for or been granted a residence permit for work, self-employment, research, higher education studies or an EU Blue Card.

You wnat to apply – Work – Family of an employee or self-employed person who apply afterwards

You want to apply – Study – Family who want to apply afterwards

Apply for a new permit before your current permit expires

If your residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive expires while the Swedish Migration Agency is processing your application, you can still be granted the new permit if you meet the requirements and submitted your application before your current permit expired.

You cannot hold two residence permits at the same time. If you wish to obtain a new residence permit, you must therefore request that your current residence permit be revoked if you are granted a new one.

You want to apply – Work – Employees

You want to apply – Work – Self-employed people

You want to apply – Work – Researchers

You want to apply – Work – EU Blue Cards

You want to apply – Study – Higher education

You want to apply – Study - Doctoral studies

News

2026-06-11

New rules for people from Ukraine from 11 June

From 11 June 2026, if you have a residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive, you can apply for another type of residence permit without having to leave Sweden.

2026-02-27

Apply for extended protection by no later than 4 March

If your residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive expires in 2026, you will need to apply for extended protection by no later than 4 March in order to stay in Sweden. This rule applies even if you are listed in the Swedish Population Register.

2025-12-17

The e‑service for extended protec­tion opens 28 January

If you have a residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive that expires during 2026, you must apply for an extended residence permit if you want to stay in Sweden. The application must be submitted in the e‑service, which will be open from 28 January until 4 March.

2025-07-23

Extended passports become invalid on 1 October

As of 1 October 2025, Swedish authorities will no longer accept passports that have had their period of validity extended by inserting a stamp or sticker into the passport. If you have such a national passport, you should apply for a new one.

The Swedish Migration Agency is responsible for considering applications from people who want to live in Sweden, seek protection or become Swedish citizens. Our work is based on Swedish laws and international conventions, with a focus on legal certainty and effective reception and return.