How to apply

The description below applies if you are the citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA and wish to move to live with a family member who is also a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA or is a Swedish citizen.

Applying online

How to proceed (for paper application, see further down):

1. Preparing your documents
Check which documents and personal data you require. 

2. Applying
Follow the Swedish Migration Agency’s instructions for applying online over the internet. You attach documents electronically and pay the application fee.

Swedish Migration Agency web application

3. Answering questions
Your family member has to fill in a questionnaire. Once you have sent in your application, he or she will automatically receive an e-mail with instructions. 

4. Visiting the Embassy
You will receive an e-mail asking you to make an appointment for an interview at the Embassy.

Booking an appointment with the Migration Section: By e-mail: visa.hanoi@gov.se or by telephone on Tuesday and Thursday 15.00 - 16.00, tel: 024 372 60 400

Make sure to bring your passport for the interview. Children applying for a residence permit are also interviewed.

Bring all the original documents you attached to your online application. The Swedish Migration Agency may also have asked you to bring additional documents. If you are being interviewed at the Embassy in Hanoi you will have your photo and fingerprints taken at the same time as your interview. This also applies to children.

You can find the address of the Embassy under ‘Contact’ in the menu on the left.

After the interview, your case is transferred back to the Migration Agency in Sweden. If you have neither attended the interview nor made contact with the Embassy, your case is nevertheless sent to the Swedish Migration Agency.

OBS! If you are more than 30 minutes late to the booked interview, a new appointment will have to be booked. If you miss your appointment several times, the case will be sent to the Swedish Migration Agency without the required interview.

5. Waiting for the decision
When the Swedish Migration Agency has made its decision, you will be informed of this by e-mail. The actual decision will be sent to your family member in Sweden, if you have authorised him or her to represent you.

6. Acquiring the residence permit card
If you are granted a residence permit, you will be issued with a residence permit card.

The card is ordered automatically if you have already had your photo and fingerprints taken. If you have not, you will have to visit the Embassy during regular visiting hours, Monday - Thursday 09.00 - 11.30. Make sure to bring your passport.

Once the residence permit card has been delivered to the Embassy it will be sent out to you by mail to the address that you have provided ín the application process. You will have to show your passport in order to receive the residence permit card.

Applying on a paper form

If you cannot or do not want to apply online, you can submit your application to the Embassy. 

1. Preparing your documents
Check which documents and personal data you need. 

Read more under ‘Required documents’ and on the Swedish Migration Agency website.

2. Paying the application fee
Fee must be paid in cash at the Embassy.

For more information about current fees, please consult the Fee page. Please note that the fee is non-refundable.

3. Presenting your application at the Embassy
You need to book an appointment to hand in your application.

Booking an appointment with the Migration Section: By e-mail: visa.hanoi@gov.se or by telephone during telephone hours Tuesday and  Thursday 15.00 - 16.00, tel: 0243 72 60 400

Bring along the completed application form together with all your documents and the receipt of payment.

You can find the address of the Embassy under ‘Contact’ in the menu on the left.

4. Interview  at the Embassy
You will get an appointment for the interview at the Embassy. Children applying for a residence permit are also interviewed.

If you are being interviewed at the Embassy in Hanoi you will have your photo and fingerprints taken. This also applies to children.

After the interview, your case is sent back to the Migration Agency in Sweden. If you have neither attended the interview nor made contact with the Embassy, your case is nevertheless sent to the Swedish Migration Agency.

5. Waiting for the decision
The Swedish Migration Agency’s decision will be sent to your family member in Sweden, if you have authorised him or her to represent you. If not, the Embassy will contact you.

6. Waiting for the residence permit card
If you are granted a residence permit, you will be issued with a residence permit card. You arrange for the card in the same way as described above under ‘Applying online’.

* Important information*

If your application is rejected, you may appeal againt the decision within three weeks of the date you received the decision. You shall send the appeal to the authority who made the decision. Swedish Migration Board. If you have given someone a power of attorney to represent you, he or she may appeal on your behalf.

If you have general questions regarding residence permits, please contact the Embassy by e-mail at visa.hanoi@gov.se or by telephone during phone hours on Tuesday and Thursdays 15.00 -16.00. Our staff speak English and Vietnamese.

If you have any questions regarding an ongoing application you  should contact the Swedish Migration Agency directly.