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Family members are given a residence permit for reasons of family reunification. The residence permit card will generally be handed to the family member at the Embassy or Consulate where the interview took place. The length of the permit is two years, or if the reference person has a shorter temporary permit, the family member will get a permit for the same duration. The permit may also not be longer than the validity of the family members passport. The residence permit entails the right to work in Sweden, and the family members will access social benefits, and the same introduction program as beneficiaries of protection. When in Sweden, family members can apply for status as a refugee or person eligible for subsidiary protection, following the same procedure as an asylum seeker.
For family members of refugees, there is the possibility to obtain a subsidy to cover travel costs to Sweden.[1] In 2023, 71 applications for subsidies were granted by the SMA. The budget for travel grants for relatives in 2022 was SEK 3 million SEK, and SMA will use the remaining of that sum to cover travels during 2024.[2] For family members of persons with subsidiary protection, during 2023 the Swedish Red Cross was able to assist 8 families (representing a total of 48 individuals) to reunite in Sweden.[3]
[1] Förordning (1984:936) om bidrag till flyktingar för kostnader för anhörigas resor till Sverige.
[2] Information provided by Migration Agency via e-mail in January 2024.
[3] Information provided by the Swedish Red Cross via email in January 2023.