Getting long-term status to Sweden is your key to secure Sweden permanent residency (PR)
Long-term residents in Sweden
If you are a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country and have lived in Sweden continuously for five years, you may apply for long-term resident status in Sweden.
Important to Know
If you have lived in Sweden for five years with a residence permit or have been legally resident in Sweden on other grounds, you can apply for long-term resident status. This status gives you certain rights similar to those of EU citizens and provides more opportunities to move to another EU country to work, study, start a business, or retire. If granted, you will also receive a permanent residence permit in Sweden, unless you already hold one.
When you apply, the Swedish Migration Agency only examines your eligibility for long-term resident status in Sweden, not for other types of residence permits like those based on family ties, studies, or work. The agency also does not assess eligibility for long-term resident status in other EU countries. If you are unsure about meeting the requirements, you may apply for both long-term resident status and an extension of your current residence permit, but this requires paying the application fee for both.
Requirements for Long-term Resident Status in Sweden
You must be able to verify your identity. You must have been legally resident in Sweden for the past five years without interruption, either with a residence permit or on another legal basis. You must be able to support yourself and your family, either through work, running your own business, studying, or having sufficient financial resources.
Prepare This Before You Apply
All documents should be in Swedish or English, and translated documents must be certified. You must also include a copy of the original-language document. You need to submit documents proving your identity, documents that show how you support yourself (such as employment certificates, recent payslips, pension statements, tax information, or business income), and documents showing your housing costs (such as a rental agreement or loan interest statement). If someone else applies on your behalf, include a signed power of attorney form.
What Applies to Your Family
Your family members must apply separately and meet the requirements individually. Children who have lived in Sweden for less than five years cannot be granted long-term resident status. Family members who do not meet the requirements must apply for a residence permit as close relatives before their current permits expire. If you are granted long-term resident status, your family members can apply for a residence permit based on their relationship to you, but you must meet the maintenance requirement. This means showing that you can support your family financially and have adequate housing.
What Time in Sweden Can Be Counted Toward the Five-Year Requirement
You can include time spent in Sweden with a residence permit, except for temporary stays or studies below the doctoral level. Time is counted from the day you received your residence permit, or from the date you applied for asylum if you are a refugee or eligible for subsidiary protection. If you have stayed legally in Sweden on another basis, such as with right of residence, you count time from when that right was granted.
Allowable Time Outside Sweden
You must have resided in Sweden without interruption for the past five years. Being outside Sweden for more than six consecutive months or more than ten months total during this time counts as an interruption. Travel for business or within Europe is also included. Gaps between residence permits may also count as interruptions.
If Your Residence Permit Will Soon Expire
You may apply for long-term resident status while your current permit is still valid. If your permit is close to expiring, it is advisable to also apply for an extension. Without a valid permit or an open application for an extension, you risk having to leave Sweden if your long-term resident application is denied.
Waiting Time for a Decision
It is not possible to give an exact waiting time for a decision, as it depends on factors like whether your application is complete and if additional information or coordination with other authorities is needed. Based on recent statistics, 75% of cases are decided within seven months.
Application Fee
The fee for adults is SEK 1,000 and for children is SEK 500. This fee is non-refundable even if your application is rejected.
Exemptions from the Application Fee
Family members of Nordic citizens, EU/EEA citizens and their family members, Swiss citizens and their family members, and Japanese citizens do not pay a fee. Family members of Swedish citizens must pay the application fee.