Sweden Moves Migration Operations from Shanghai to Beijing: Full Timeline for Applicants
Updated: 8 hours ago
BEIJING, September 22, 2026 — Sweden has confirmed that its migration operations in China will be consolidated at the Embassy in Beijing, with the transfer from the Consulate General in Shanghai to be completed by 1 January 2027.
The regionalisation decision, taken jointly by the Swedish Migration Agency and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in May 2026, means that applicants across China will deal with a single migration section in Beijing .
Three-Stage Transfer Timeline
The handover is being phased rather than switched overnight.
Date | What Changes |
1 October 2026 | The Beijing Embassy takes over visa application processing from the three Visa Application Centres (VACs) currently handled by Shanghai. Shanghai stops receiving visa applications from this date. |
1 November 2026 | The Beijing Embassy takes over interviews, investigations and other migration case assignments for people living in China. Related documents should also be sent to Beijing. |
1 January 2027 | The Beijing Embassy handles all migration operations in China. No migration cases will be handled in Shanghai after this date. |
During the transition, the Consulate General in Shanghai continues to handle certain migration tasks — including biometric data collection, residence permit card issuance and interviews — until 30 October 2026, after which those functions also move to Beijing.
What This Means for Applicants
The practical impact depends on where you are in the application process.
Applicant Situation | Action Required |
Applying for a visa on or after 1 October 2026 | Submit through the Beijing Embassy's designated channels; Shanghai will not accept applications |
Awaiting an interview or investigation | Expect contact from the Beijing Embassy from 1 November 2026 |
Sending supporting documents | Address them to the Beijing Embassy from 1 November 2026 |
Needing biometrics before 30 October 2026 | Still handled in Shanghai |
Other consular matters | Unaffected — only migration operations are moving |
The Swedish authorities have stated that the change is not expected to have a major impact on applicants, and that case processing continues as normal.
Updated Contact Points
From 1 October 2026, visa-related enquiries should be directed to the migration section at the Beijing Embassy.
Contact Channel | Details |
Visa enquiries | |
Migration section phone | +86 10 8531 1850 |
Phone hours | Monday–Thursday, 14:00–15:00 |
Visiting hours | Monday–Thursday, 09:00–11:00 |
Quick Reference Summary
Aspect | Details |
Decision taken | May 2026, by the Swedish Migration Agency and Ministry for Foreign Affairs |
Visa applications move | 1 October 2026 |
Interviews and investigations move | 1 November 2026 |
All migration operations consolidated | 1 January 2027 |
Shanghai retains migration functions until | 30 October 2026 |
Other consular services | Unaffected |
Read Also
Official Resources
Resource | Link |
Sweden Abroad – Regionalisation of Migration Issues (English) | |
Sweden Abroad – (Chinese) | |
Embassy of Sweden Beijing – Contact | |
VFS Global – Sweden Visa Centres in China |
For the latest immigration updates, visa policy changes, and 2026 developments worldwide, visit: visasupdate.com/blog/category/sweden
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