If you have been granted a residence permit you will also receive a residence permit card as proof that you are permitted to live in Sweden. The card has a computer chip that contains your fingerprints and a photo of you. You always need to have your residence permit card with you when you go to government agencies or the health care services. Everyone who is going to receive a residence permit card has to be photographed.
Children under the age of six do not need to have their fingerprints taken. Anyone who cannot be fingerprinted for physical reasons, such as permanent finger injuries, does not have to have their fingerprints taken either. Your fingerprints and photo are only stored on the card chip, not anywhere else.
For that reason you have to be photographed again, and have your fingerprints taken again, every time you need to have a new residence permit card issued. There is no charge for the issuing of residence permit cards other than the application fee for the permit.
If you need an entry visa to travel to Sweden, you must go to the Swedish embassy or consulate-general as soon as possible to be photographed and have your fingerprints taken if you did not do so when you presented your passport. You need to be photographed and provide your fingerprints even if you have had a residence permit card previously because your photo and fingerprints cannot be saved.
Not all embassies have the facilities to photograph you and take your fingerprints. Read more on the embassy's or consulate-general's website before going there. Countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Sweden External link, opens in new window.
