On May 20, 2011, an EU regulation will enter into force, which means that Swedish national authorities will begin issuing residence permit cards instead of the current stickers being inserted into passports. The card will start being produced and is-sued on May 20, 2011.

The aim of the residence permit cards, or UT cards, is to be more secure than today’s stickers. The cards will therefore be biometric – they have a data chip with the bearer’s photo and finger-prints. All EU member states will issue the same type of residence permit cards beginning May 20, 2011.

Fingerprints and photographs will be taken when the application is submitted, in connection with the notification of a decision on a residence permit, or when a person needs new proof of residence. The biometric data will be stored only on the card’s chip and will be erased when the permit has been processed. The UT card will be the same size as a bank card and will have the label ‘RESIDENCE PERMIT’ in the language of the issuing country. The UT card is only proof of residence permit; it cannot be used as an ID card or travel document.

A new card is issued for each new residence period, though the maximum period of validity will be five years. The current stickers will be valid until the expiration date, but at the latest until May 20, 2015.

UT cards from May 20

The residence permit card will start being produced on May 20, 2011. This means that proof of residence permit will be issued in the form of stickers in passports up until May 19, 2011. Beginning May 20, 2011, proof of residence permit  will be issued in the form of a UT card. It will then no longer be possible to get stickers inserted into passports.

Applying in Sweden

When a person applies for a residence permit in Sweden, a photo and fingerprints are normally taken when the application is submitted or, where an interview is conducted. Photos and fingerprints can also be submitted after a decision on a residence permit has been made.

People submitting electronic applications have the opportunity of visiting the Migration Board them-selves, after an application has been registered, to have their photo and fingerprints taken. It’s possible to check the Migration Board website to see if an application has been registered. There is also information on opening hours at various Permit Units.

How can you get a UT card in Sweden?

The UT card is sent automatically to the applicant’s address in Sweden one week after a decision has been made, if the biometric data has already been submitted.

Applying abroad

When a person applies for a residence permit abroad, a photo and finger prints are normally taken when the application is submitted or, where an interview is conducted. Photos and finger prints can also be submitted after a decision on a residence permit has been made. At certain Swedish missions abroad it is possible to submit an electronic application first and then visit the mission to have the photo and finger prints taken. Visit www.swedenabroad.se for information on opening hours and any opportunities for applying electronically and scheduling a visit.

How long does it take to produce a UT card and send it to the Swedish missions abroad?

The UT cards are produced in Sweden, which means it can take up to three weeks to produce them and send them to the Swedish missions abroad. The mission issues, or in certain cases sends, the finished card to the applicant.

Important!

The UT card is to be presented alongside a valid passport document when crossing the border, and should be with you when travelling within Sweden.

Exemptions

Two groups are categorized as exemptions from the requirement for submitting fingerprints:

- children under the age of 6

- persons who cannot submit fingerprints for physical reasons.

These persons must, however, still be photo-graphed, and submit a signature in some cases.

Personal data

It is important that personal data on the UT card is consistent with the personal data in the passport. If the personal data on the UT card is incorrect, you must contact the Swedish Migration Board.

Persons who have changed their name must first go to the Swedish Tax Board, which is responsible for national registration, to have their new name registered. They should then visit the nearest Permit Unit of the Swedish Migration Board in order to obtain a residence permit.

It is especially important when crossing the border that the same information in the passport is found in the national registration and on the UT card.