A new pilot scheme has been launched to speed up passport control checks for employees and students applying for residence permits for studies and work.
A Digital Passport Check e-service has been developed so that visa-free students and workers can avoid time-consuming and sometimes expensive trips to a foreign authority to show their passports. It will also save money and time for the foreign authorities, and is good for the environment.
Visa-free nationals from 23 countries will be able to have their passports checked digitally using the identification app Freja. Applicants will be able to download an app, scan their passport and do a facial recognition to identify themselves for their applications for residence permits for studies and work, says Fredrik Larsson, expert at the Swedish Migration Agency’s foreign unit.
The Swedish Migration Agency will be at the technological forefront from a global perspective when the first offers for digital passport control are sent out in the last week of May.
The offer of digital passport control will go out in the form of an automatic email within a couple of days of an online application for a work permit or study permit. The email contains a personal link to the e-service which is valid for one week and the short response time is important so as not to delay the processing.
In connection with the launch, the Swedish Migration Agency is also sending the offer to all people – who are covered by the pilot – and who have made an application in 2024 but have not yet shown their passport.
The 23 countries included in the pilot for digital passport control are
USA
CANADA
BRAZIL
MEXICO
AUSTRALIA
UK
NEW ZEALAND
HONG KONG
TAIWAN
JAPANESE
SOUTH KOREA
CHILE
SINGAPORE
MALAYSIA
NORTH MACEDONIA
GEORGIA
UKRAINE
ARGENTINA
COLOMBIA
PERU
ALBANIA
SERBIA & MONTENEGRO
BOSNIA & HERCEGOVINA
For more information about fast and efficient assistance with work permit applications please do not hesitate to contact us at info@relocatetosweden.com.
Relocate to Sweden provides expert advice and hands-on help for companies recruiting internationally or transferring staff to Sweden. We help your international recruits with the entire relocation process including immigration, home finding, tax consultancy, registration with Swedish authorities, schools, health care and intercultural training. We also provide private relocation services. Email us at info@relocatetosweden.com or call us on +46 8 361011 if you would like help. You can also read more about our relocation services at www.relocatetosweden.com or follow us on social media for tips and advice