Sweden’s Ambassador to Uganda Maria Hakansson
The Embassy of Sweden has announced that, starting March 2, 2026, processing of long-term residence permit applications for Ugandan nationals will be handled by Sweden’s Embassy in Nairobi. The change applies to applications for work, study, family reunification, long-term visas, and residence permit extensions.
However, Sweden’s Ambassador to Uganda, Maria Hakansson, has clarified that Ugandan applicants will not be required to travel to Kenya for in-person procedures. Interviews and biometric submissions will continue to take place at the Swedish Embassy in Kampala.
Short-stay Schengen visa applications for visits of up to 90 days—such as tourism, business, or family visits—will also remain available locally. Applicants will continue to submit these applications through VFS Global in Kampala.
The embassy has advised applicants to direct questions about residence permits to the Nairobi mission through its official contacts and to track their applications using the Swedish Migration Agency’s online portal. Officials also warned applicants to avoid unofficial agents claiming to speed up the process.
Other consular services, including document legalisation and assistance to Swedish citizens in Uganda, will continue to be provided at the Kampala embassy.
The change reflects a wider approach by several European missions to centralise migration processing in regional hubs while maintaining essential services in host countries.
