Children born in Sweden: residence permits when the parent holds PUT

Start with the parents’ status

Birth in Sweden does not itself grant Swedish citizenship or permanent residence. A child with a Swedish parent at birth normally acquires Swedish citizenship through the parent. EU/EEA right-of-residence and British residence-status cases have separate rules. Use Migrationsverket’s route selector for children born in Sweden.

Choose the right application

For parents from outside the EU/EEA, a residence-permit application is generally needed. A parent with a work permit uses the service for families of employees; a parent with a study permit uses the service for families of students. The child does not simply inherit a parent’s PUT.

Passport and supporting documents

Apply for the child’s passport promptly. If it is missing when you submit the permit application, the official guidance allows you to supply copies afterwards before a permit can be granted. Do not postpone all contact until every document is ready. Provide custody or consent documents when required. Documents should be in Swedish or English, with the original-language copy and an authorised translation where needed.

Permit length and the next renewal

With a temporarily resident parent, the child can receive a permit for the same period. With a permanently resident parent, the child can receive up to two years. Neither may exceed the child’s passport validity. This does not promise permanent residence after three years: the parent’s permit ground and the child’s route still matter.

Fees and family requirements

The general children-born-in-Sweden route lists a 1,000 kr application fee under age 18, with exemptions. Worker and student family routes have their own instructions. Do not confuse a child’s exemption from self-support for permanent residence with every possible family maintenance requirement. Check your route before deciding which income documents to omit.