Swedish visa resources
Eligibility for a Sweden visa application
The general principles that decide who qualifies for Sweden's national long-stay residence-permit routes.
Important
Eligibility for a Swedish residence permit depends on the route you apply under. The Swedish Migration Agency examines applications from people who want to come to Sweden to work, study, join family, run a business, or receive protection. You must hold a valid passport and be able to evidence the specific grounds you rely on.
Decisions are made under Swedish law and international conventions, with a focus on legal certainty. Several routes carry financial and, increasingly, conduct requirements, so read the criteria for your specific route carefully.
Common route-based grounds
- Work: a genuine job offer meeting Sweden's terms; a salary threshold applies (see work-permit pages for the current amount).
- Study: admission to an approved course of study, such as higher education.
- Family ties: joining a partner, spouse or relative in Sweden, subject to relationship and, often, maintenance requirements.
- Self-employment: a viable business you will run in Sweden.
Cross-cutting requirements
- A passport valid for the whole permit period.
- For family routes, the person in Sweden may need to meet a maintenance (financial support) requirement.
- Stricter 'good conduct' requirements now apply to several routes, including employment and family reunification.
- Being granted a permit for more than one year opens the way to Swedish population registration and a personal identity number after arrival.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.