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Family reunification

I have refugee/protection status — is my family exempt from the maintenance requirement, and how fast must they apply?

If you hold refugee status, the maintenance requirement does not apply if your family applies within three months of the day you got your decision. The window is strict — apply late and it generally applies. Those with subsidiary protection are normally not covered. Check your exact status at Migrationsverket.

Updated

Whether your family is exempt from the maintenance requirement (försörjningskrav) depends closely on your exact protection status and on how quickly they apply.

  • With refugee status, the maintenance requirement does not apply if your family members apply for a residence permit within three months of the day you received your residence-permit/refugee-status decision.
  • The three-month window is strict — if they apply late, the requirement generally applies.
  • Quota (resettlement) refugees are also covered if relatives apply within three months of arrival.
  • People with subsidiary or alternative protection are generally not listed for this exemption and normally must meet the maintenance requirement.

Status categories matter a great deal here, and the rules are affected by the 2026–2027 reforms, so check your exact status and the current wording at Migrationsverket. Our question on bringing family and the maintenance requirement explains the requirement itself.

Sources

Official details can change. Always confirm what applies to your own case directly with the responsible authority.

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