If you want to move to Sweden to live with a close relative, you need a residence permit.

Other rules apply if you or the close relative in Sweden are citizens of an EU/EEA country (other than Sweden). A close relative may for instance be a husband or wife or a child (a minor).

E-Application

The easiest way to apply for a residence permit is to apply online. An online application goes directly to the Swedish Migration Board. The processing can then begin more quickly as the application does not need to be sent to Sweden from the embassy. The handling time varies.

If you are unable to apply online, please ask your family members in Sweden to fill out the electronic application form, attach copies of documents and pay any application fee.

Swedish Migration Board web application

Paper application

If you are unable to apply online or prefer not to, you can submit an application at the Embassy of Sweden in Lusaka, please make an appointment by sending an email to ambassaden.lusaka-migration@gov.se.

The embassy will only receive the application, application fee and related documents and then forward it to the Swedish Migration Agency. Once the Swedish Migration Agency has started to process your case, you may receive a notification to make an appointment for an interview at the embassy. In connection with that visit, you will also be photographed and provide fingerprints. Your passport and other original documents will be checked.

For those who submit a paper application to apply for a residence permit to move to a family member in Sweden - find more information here.