Sweden is modernising its immigration system by extending digital passport verification to citizens of 74 visa-exempt countries. Applicants for work and study permits can now confirm their passports online through the Freja eID app, eliminating the need for embassy visits and helping cut down processing times.
A Step Forward in Migration Services
The Swedish Migration Agency has been testing digital passport checks since 2024. Following the success of that pilot, the service is now available to a much larger group of applicants, marking an important shift towards a faster and more efficient residence permit process.
Goodbye to Embassy Appointments
Previously, applicants were required to present their passports in person at a Swedish embassy or consulate — a step that often caused long delays and forced some to travel abroad if no consulate was nearby. With the expanded system, eligible applicants can now complete the process entirely online using a secure digital link provided by the Migration Agency.
Who Qualifies?
The digital passport check is available if you:
- Are a citizen of one of 74 visa-free countries or territories.
- Apply online for a Swedish work or student residence permit.
- Hold a biometric e-passport (with a chip symbol).
If you meet these requirements, the option will appear automatically during the application process.
What You’ll Need
To finalise the check, applicants must have:
- A personal link from the Swedish Migration Agency.
- A valid biometric e-passport.
- A smartphone or tablet.
- The Freja eID app, which is approved in Sweden for secure identification.
Through Freja, applicants can scan their passport and securely transfer the data to the Migration Agency.
Eligible Countries
Citizens of the following 74 states and territories can now benefit from the digital system:
Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City.
Americas & Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay, USA.
Asia & Oceania: Australia, East Timor, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates.
Africa: Seychelles.
Why It Matters
This change is more than just a convenience for applicants — it’s part of Sweden’s broader digital transformation in migration services. By reducing reliance on in-person checks, Sweden aims to make the system faster, more efficient, and less dependent on consular availability.
For students and professionals planning to move to Sweden, the update could mean avoiding weeks of waiting and costly travel to embassies. If successful, this model may also inspire other European countries to adopt similar digital processes in the future.
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