Pakistanis Seeking Swedish Residence Permit Directed to Ethiopia for Application Process

The Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa has been designated as the new location for Pakistani citizens and residents in Pakistan who have been instructed by the Swedish Migration Agency to book appointments for visa interviews, biometrics, passport check-ins, and Swedish residence permit applications due to family ties, studies, or work.

This arrangement also applies to individuals seeking a visitor’s permit to visit Sweden for more than 90 days. However, it is important to note that applicants are solely responsible for obtaining any necessary visas for Ethiopia.

The Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa will be unable to assist or provide information regarding entry into Ethiopia. Therefore, it is advised that individuals do not book any travel tickets until they have received a confirmed appointment from the embassy.

When booking an appointment in Addis Ababa, it is crucial to provide the case or dossier number, full names, and dates of birth of all applicants, as well as information on the spoken languages. Applicants who have previously been instructed to book an appointment at the Swedish Migration Agency or the Embassy of Sweden in Islamabad need not contact them to have their cases transferred.

Upon completion of the visit at the Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa, the case will be sent back to the Swedish Migration Agency for processing and decision-making. The estimated waiting time cannot be provided by the embassy.

If the application is approved, a residence permit card will be produced as proof of the individual’s right to travel to Sweden. It is essential to possess a residence permit card in order to travel to Sweden. The card will be automatically sent to the Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa. However, if the applicant wishes for the residence permit card to be sent directly to the Swedish Migration Agency in Sweden and collected by a person with power of attorney, such as a family member, this must be clearly stated during the visit at the embassy, prior to providing fingerprints. Residence permit cards cannot be sent to the Embassy of Sweden in Islamabad.

Typically, it takes approximately 3-4 weeks for a residence permit card to arrive in Addis Ababa after a decision has been made. Applicants will receive information by email from the embassy regarding the card’s arrival.