Plan your move in the right order

You can apply if you are married to, in a registered partnership with, or living with (sambo) the person in Sweden — or plan to be.

• Both of you should be over 21. Exceptions are possible, for example if you have children together.
• If you are married, the person in Sweden should register the marriage with Skatteverket.

In many cases the person in Sweden must be able to support both of you and have a home of sufficient size and standard. Income that counts includes salary, income from your own business, unemployment benefit and sickness benefit.

Some people are exempt. The exact amounts and housing standard are on Migrationsverket's maintenance-requirement page.

• Documents must be in Swedish or English. Translations must be certified, and you include a copy of the original.
• Married couples: your marriage certificate (for Pakistan, the Nikah nama and NADRA Marriage Registration Certificate).
• Cohabiting partners: proof you have lived together, such as a joint rental contract or registration certificates.

Apply through Migrationsverket's e-service. The person in Sweden gets their own questions to answer. The fee is shown in the e-service before you pay — for many family categories it is SEK 2,000 for adults and SEK 1,000 for children, and it is not refunded if refused.

Migrationsverket often asks the applicant to attend an interview at the Embassy of Sweden in Islamabad about your relationship. After a positive decision you give biometrics and receive your residence permit card.