Family reunification

Who is eligible to apply for family reunification?

Your family can apply for residence permits in order to move to Sweden if you

• have been granted a permanent residence permit
  
• have been granted a temporary residence permit as a refugee or a beneficiary of subsidiary protection status, and you appear to have a good chance of being granted a long-term residence permit
  
• have been granted a temporary residence permit due to an impediment to enforcement, meaning that a decision on rejection or expulsion cannot be carried out, and you appear to have a good chance of being granted a long-term residence permit
  
• have been granted a temporary residence permit due to particularly distressing circumstances and you appear to have a good chance of being granted a long-term residence permit.
  

Only your immediate family may move to Sweden to live with you. This means your spouse, partner or cohabitant and your children under the age of 18.

You and your spouse, cohabitant or partner must both be over 21 years of age. If you have a temporary residence permit, you usually have to have been married or cohabiting previously. If you have a permanent residence permit, you can move in together or get married in Sweden.

You have to be able to support yourself and your family

In order for your family to be allowed to move to Sweden you need to show the Migration Agency that you earn enough money to support yourself and your family. This is known as a maintenance requirement. You also have to have a home that is adequate for your entire family.

The maintenance requirement does not apply if you have a residence permit as a refugee and your family members apply for their own residence permits within three months of the day on which you received a decision granting you a residence permit or refugee status.