The work of Swedish embassies and consulates regarding migration and visas
Missions abroad (embassies and consulates) monitor and report on matters concerning migration and refugees. They also handle applications for visas and residence permits and assist the Swedish Migration Board and the Swedish Police Service in matters pertaining to legislation on aliens and citizenship.
Missions abroad may monitor and report on the situation regarding human rights and the situation for minorities and other vulnerable groups, refugee situations and conditions in refugee camps, migration flows or matters concerning human smuggling and illegal immigration. Reporting and monitoring play an important part in formulating migration policy.
Demand-driven and statutory activities
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
Visas |
194 000 |
214 000 |
227 000 |
234 000 |
196 000 |
206 000 |
Residence and work permits |
35 000 |
42 000 |
63 000 |
71 000 |
74 000 |
73 000 |
Total |
229 000 |
256 000 |
290 000 |
305 000 |
270 000 |
279 000 |
In 2010, missions abroad received 206 000 visa applications and 73 000 residence and work permit cases in connection with applications based on personal ties. About 98 per cent of the visa applications were handled by the missions abroad while 2 per cent, or approximately 4 200 visa cases, were passed on to the Swedish Migration Board. The approval rate for visa applications was just over 91 per cent.
Missions abroad are independent agencies when it comes to making decisions in matters concerning Schengen visas. However, in cases where missions abroad are unsure of how to assess a visa application, the mission can refer the case to the Swedish Migration Board for a decision. If an application is rejected, the matter can be appealed.
As regards applications for residence permits on the grounds of ties to Sweden, the mission abroad conducts interviews with the applicant while the Swedish Migration Board interviews the sponsor in Sweden. Decisions in these matters are made by the Swedish Migration Board in both cases.
In certain cases, missions abroad have the authority to grant residence permits.
The Swedish Migration Board and the Police Service can use the services of a mission abroad to obtain information in a particular case. It may concern general conditions in the country of operations or more individual-related issues, assessments, verifications etc.
Migration experts
Migration experts - i.e. officials specialising in migration issues - are stationed at Swedish missions abroad. They are stationed, for example, in countries from which many asylum seekers arrive, countries from which human smuggling and illegal immigration emanate and in countries where the embassy receives a large number of visa applications.
