Terms for staying in Sweden

Persons who are not citizens of Sweden or an EU/EEA country may need a permit to enter or stay in Sweden.

Citizens of certain countries are allowed to stay in Sweden without a visa or permit for a limited period of time. Others need a visa or permit to enter Sweden. Staying in Sweden without such a permit is to stay here illegally. Persons who stay in Sweden illegally can be detained and expelled from the country. The Swedish police have the right to control that foreign citizens have the legal right to stay in Sweden, a so called internal alien's control.

Persons who are in need of international protection should apply for asylum by contacting the Swedish Migration Agency or the Swedish Police. An asylum application gives the person the legal right to stay in Sweden while the application is being assessed. 

More information about border control

The Swedish Migration Agency - protection and asylum in Sweden

The Swedish Migration Agency in English