Exciting developments for international students and professionals seeking permits in Sweden! The Swedish Migration Agency has launched a pilot program enabling applicants from 23 countries to forego embassy visits and verify their passports digitally.
This innovative approach simplifies the application process, removing the need for potentially costly and time-consuming trips to a Swedish embassy for passport verification.
How Digital Passport Verification Works
Digital passport verification allows individuals to confirm their identity by scanning their passport and using facial recognition technology via a mobile app. This eliminates the necessity for in-person verification at embassies, making visa, permit, and other official documentation procedures more straightforward.
Explaining the Process
Fredrik Larsson from the Migration Agency’s foreign operations unit explains, “Applicants can now download an app, scan their passport, and utilize facial recognition to confirm their identity for work and student permit applications.”
Eligible applicants, including those who applied in 2024 but haven’t yet presented their passports, will receive an automated email containing a link to a secure e-service. This link remains active for one week, allowing applicants to conveniently verify their passports online.
Benefits and Target Countries
This initiative aims to streamline the application process for international talent. Previously, a visit to a Swedish embassy was mandatory for passport verification, sometimes requiring travel to a different country.
The pilot program is expected to benefit approximately 19,000 work permit applicants and 5,000 students annually from countries including the USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and others listed.
It’s worth noting that countries like India and Pakistan, major sources of work permit applicants, are not included in this initial phase, as their citizens do not require visas to visit Sweden.
Future Expansion
Regarding the program’s potential expansion to other countries, the Migration Agency has refrained from providing a timeline but has acknowledged the possibility. This digital passport verification scheme represents a significant advancement towards a more efficient and user-friendly immigration process in Sweden.
