If your child’s residence permit application is approved, there are a few next steps before life in Sweden can begin.
The process usually looks like this:
- Your child receives a residence permit card
- Your child can travel to Sweden
- You register the child with Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency)
- The child receives a personal identity number (personnummer)
- The child can attend school and access healthcare
Moving countries can feel like a big step, especially for children.
Taking care of these practical steps early can help make the transition smoother and less stressful for the whole family.
Here's what what happens if your child's application is approved.
1
residence permit card
After the application is approved, your child will receive a residence permit card.
This card proves that the child has permission to live in Sweden.
It usually includes:
- the child’s photo
- fingerprints
- the type of residence permit
- the validity period of the permit
The card is also used when travelling to Sweden.
If the child applied from outside Sweden, the card is usually collected at a Swedish embassy or consulate.
2
travelling to sweden
Once the residence permit card is issued, your child can travel to Sweden.
When entering the country, they should carry:
- their passport
- their residence permit card
These documents show border authorities that the child is allowed to live in Sweden.
3
registering
After arriving in Sweden, one of the most important steps is registering with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).
This is how the child becomes officially registered as living in Sweden.
During registration, you may need to provide:
- the child’s passport
- the residence permit card
- information about the family’s address
4
getting a personal identity number (personnummer)
After registration, the child may receive a personal identity number, or commonly referred to as a personnummer.
This number is used for many services in Sweden.
It allows the child to:
- access healthcare
- register for school
- use public services
Processing times can vary, so it may take a few weeks or longer.
5
finding school and healthcare
Children living in Sweden usually have the right to:
- attend school
- access healthcare
Education in Sweden is free for children, and healthcare is largely publicly funded.
To arrange schooling, you normally contact your local municipality after arriving.
⬢ Read more about getting a personnummer (personal identity number)
⬢ Applying to bring your child to Sweden
⬢ Why family residence permit applications get rejected
⬢ Learn about the Swedish school system
⬢ Learn about the Swedish health system
⬢ Maintenance requirement explained
↗︎ Register with Skatteverket
↗︎ Residence permit cards – Migrationsverket
how long does it take to get a personnummer for a child?
Processing times vary, but it often takes several weeks after registering with Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency).
can my child start school immediately?
In many cases, children can begin school once they are registered in the municipality.
does my child automatically receive healthcare?
Children who are registered as living in Sweden generally have access to the public healthcare system.
how does my child get a residence permit card?
If your child needs a residence permit card, they may need to visit the Swedish Migration Agency to have their photograph and fingerprints taken. The agency will provide instructions about what to do.
can my child travel to and from sweden?
A residence permit does not replace a passport or other travel document. Your child will normally need a valid travel document when travelling. Check the requirements for both Sweden and the country your child is travelling to before making plans.
what happens when my child's residence permit expires?
Check the expiry date carefully. If your child needs to remain in Sweden, make sure any application to extend the permit is submitted within the applicable time period. The requirements for an extension depend on the type of permit.
can my child get a permanent residence permit later?
Possibly. Whether a child can qualify for permanent residence depends on the type of permit, how long the child has lived in Sweden and the requirements that apply when they apply.
what if my child's permit was approved but they cannot travel to sweden?
The next steps depend on the child's nationality, location and the type of permit. Check the instructions from Migrationsverket and make sure the child has the required travel document before travelling.
what should I do first after my child's permit is approved?
Read the decision carefully and check:
- the permit's start and expiry dates
- whether your child needs a residence permit card
- whether the child needs to visit the Migration Agency
- whether you need to register the child with Skatteverket
- whether there are any conditions or instructions in the decision
Keep the decision and other important documents somewhere safe.