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.

Updated on 15 September 2025

An extended passport is a passport that has had its period of validity extended by inserting a stamp or sticker. From 1 October 2025, the Swedish Migration Agency will not grant residence cards, residence status or residence permits for studies, visits, family ties or work if you have an extended passport.

If you have refugee status, or status as a person in need of subsidiary protection, or if you have a residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive, you do not need a valid passport to obtain an extended residence permit and are therefore only affected by the change if you wish to travel abroad.

We will contact you if you need to supplement your application

We will contact you before making a decision on your application, if you need to supplement your application with a new passport.

If you are planning to submit an application and have an extended passport, you should apply for a new passport as soon as possible so that you can submit the correct documents from the outset. If we have to ask you to supplement your application, you may have to wait longer than normal for a decision.

The border police will also not accept extended passports from 1 October onwards. This means that you will need a new passport to enter Sweden, even if you receive a decision from the Migration Agency before 1 October.

Previously published news about why extended passports become invalid

Who must have a valid passport?

As a general rule, you need a valid passport from your home country to obtain or extend a residence card, residence status, visa or residence permit in Sweden.

You do not need a valid passport to stay in Sweden if you have:

refugee status
subsidiary protection status
temporary protection under the Temporary Protection Directive
permanent residence permit

However, you must always have a valid passport if you are travelling between countries.

Do people who are in Sweden and have a passport that has been extended with a stamp or sticker need to apply for a new passport?

Yes, this also applies to people who already live in Sweden with a temporary residence permit when they apply for an extended permit.

However, persons with a permanent residence permit, or who have refugee status or are in need of subsidiary protection, or if you have a residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive, do not need to have a valid passport.

The Migration Agency will contact those who have submitted an application with an extended passport if they need to supplement their applications.

What should I do if I cannot obtain a valid passport?

If you need a passport but cannot obtain a valid passport from your home country, you can instead apply for a travel document or alien's passport from the Migration Agency.

Who is eligible for a travel document or alien's passport?

You are entitled to a travel document if you have refugee status.

You may be entitled to an alien's passport if you

are in need of subsidiary protection and cannot obtain a passport from your home country,
are a citizen of a country whose passport is not approved in Sweden
for other reasons cannot apply for or obtain a valid passport from your home country.

When you apply for an alien's passport, you must explain why you cannot obtain a passport from your home country and what attempts you have made to obtain one.

You cannot obtain an alien's passport if you are in your home country.

My home country's embassy in Sweden only issues passport extensions, not new passports. What should I do?

If your home country's embassy in Sweden cannot issue a new passport, you will need to go elsewhere to obtain a new passport from your home country. Check whether your home country's embassy in another country can accept your application for a new passport. If there is no other embassy that can issue a new passport for you, you may need to travel to your home country to obtain a new passport.

If you need to travel abroad but do not have a valid passport, you can apply for a temporary alien's passport from the Swedish Migration Agency.

I cannot obtain a new passport from my home country through an embassy and I cannot travel to my home country. What should I do?

If you cannot obtain a passport from your home country, you can instead apply for a foreign passport from the Migration Agency. You will then need to explain your attempts to obtain a passport from your home country, or what is preventing you or your family from applying for a passport from your home country.