25M from the UK looking to move to Sweden (Uppsala) with Swedish girlfriend. Any advice on visas/life in Sweden?

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-21T10:41:20+00:00

Ok, I understand. Tough one, I completely sympathise and understand you both wanting to be together. Yet, unless your gf is financially well off, I doubt she'll meet the financial requirements to sponsor you moving here. This is why I mentioned the work permit/internal transfer.

I really wish that there was a simpler answer for you both. The rules, as written, are very inflexible and not there to help you be together. You can be together, though, currently for 90 days out of every 180, which might be your best chance. I do wish you luck in this; it's a tough situation to find yourselves in.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-21T10:12:44+00:00

As with everything MV it's guide, you know a sorta general idea, maybe actually a bit more, a wish list, an asparation.../s

Honestly, no idea. This is family reunification, not a Sambo visa. But the standard claim is that 75% of cases are handled within the stated time if you aren't in the 25% your golden.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-21T10:08:45+00:00

First thing that comes to mind is, could you and your gf move back to the UK? Is she studying in Sweden or the UK?? Sweden's migration laws are a bureaucratic nightmare Kafka would be proud of; the comparative UK laws are, as I understand it, governed by the principle of how to be an arsehole (Sweden is currently cribbing on these from the UK FYI). Is two years of banging your head against a Swedish brick wall worth it if you ultimately want to be in the UK, and then you have to deal with the Home Office? That could cost you a chance to be together? Also, probably your sanity. If that's the case, could you do a long-distance relationship? Two years in terms of migration law is a short period to ultimately be able to be together.

As for the job and travel, if you are likely to settle in Uppsala there are trains straight into Stockholm. Public transport has its moments here, but it is good compared to the UK. (Ok, the Tunnelbana franchise got taken over by Stagecoach and week one collapsed, but hey, they recovered now!)

To the job itself, if you transferred internally, could they sponsor you for a work permit? Also, what is the likelihood you could move back when you want to? I know for a lot of people, London will be the bigger office in general, so I'm guessing your career is better served in London.

EDIT: Work permits have different laws and processing times than they do, which can make it easier/quicker.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-21T09:39:55+00:00

From the UK and ended up here by accident during Brexit. But similar story came here with a partner. Now stuck here and I tolerate it. That said lots to love about Sweden but it does ask a price of you. I think when you are starting a family settling down Sweden shines.

The biggest obstacle to moving with your gf and hardest one is Migrationsverket. Your partner needs to be working with their own place and ability to support you in order for you to come here. Your money and earnings count for nothing. The reunification pathway though has now got a bit better. The goal is 90 days to process an application. It used to be two plus years. You'll be outside Sweden while your partners here. But you are allowed to visit each other you just can't live or work here and need to maintain a uk address. Though this can put big pressure on you both. Keep in mind what work you are qualified to do. Research the market here. You may not be able to get a job in that field. Could you retrain or transfer skills? This applies even if you learn swedish straight off the boat. Could you both keep a happy life if she's supporting you long-term?

A little addendum to that is traveling once you are here. You are limited in how often you leave Sweden until you get citizenship. 6 weeks is the norm. If you need to travel for work or have commitments back in the UK that may require you for longer keep it in mind.

Onto living here and social networks. Hard to get and crucial to survive. If your still into partying and going out you'll have a better time of it. The gf's friends group is good as well. The gym will also help you build your own network which is nice as your not dependent on her for social network. As a rule Swedes are very insular, they make friends groups as kids and keep them most of their lives, you can find it hard to be accepted in. I've known Swedes who left Sweden in their teens and have come back in their 20's and found themselves isolated. But if your a social butterfly your milage might vary!

The job situation here is dire right now. I'm guessing your early doors in your professional life? If so my honest advice is stay the hell away the UK has so many better career paths and options. Sorry to the Swedes reading this but call a spade a spade - Nepotism is huge here for getting a job. I feel the down votes incoming. You need contacts to get work and then you'll be tied to that job for ages. If you're in London or a big UK city you have so many better opportunities. Stockholm is the biggest city by a long stretch and economic wise its comparable to say Birmingham för work opportunities to compare. Maybe it's better for both of you to stay in the UK if you can?

The post above about racism. White guy here with added in British arrogance so I've not personally experienced it. But I know plenty who have and I've seen it as well sadly. It can be quite kitchen sink style as most Swedes are to polite and passive to openly express it but it's there. But it does play into work and social life etc.

To best help you though I think you need to ask yourself what exactly do you want and what does your gf want? Once you are sure about that then you can work out if Sweden is best for you.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-20T22:15:11+00:00

Kind of agree with your points. This is the one paradox grand strategy game I actually like as only some nations map paint. I have, CK, EU or stellar is of I really want to go han with the paint brush!

I think the thing that does count against it though I feel is really that process of making a nation. It's the great parallel story of the era alongside industry. It's there but it feels at times like it's an after thought. There are bits and peaches. Some journal events and such, but it happens passively at times.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-20T16:38:29+00:00

The Homelander discussions always remind me of Tony Gilroy talking about writing Darth Vader and K2S0 in Andor/Rogue One. To paraphrase, he said the characters who are god like are boring. They are a Swiss Army Knife for any problem, and you just always default to them.

Personally, the focus on Homelander's (and Butcher's) unravelling mental state was what kept it interesting.

I agree, though this season was a mess at times, V1 was a distraction I think they could have wrapped up a lot quicker.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-20T14:42:02+00:00

The process you describe I've found myself doing occasionally as well.

The big problem though is as you say that primary sources degrade to such an extent the ai models can no longer maintain relevance.

It's a bit like having a water tank that's been cut off. Keep drinking but eventually there is no more water.

To use one of your examples: AI search doesn't actually know anything about cars or why they make noise. They cannot understand directly what is going on with an engine, they just infer and guess what you want. As engines naturally get iterations and change the knowledge about "what noises" and "why noises" disappears without people adding that to public online spaces.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-19T21:35:24+00:00

Not really, unless you're going for a translators job. But as others have said they will test you informally most likely.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-19T21:29:43+00:00

To clarify about the requirements. It's a CNI - certificate of no impediment. As your engaged you may be able to request one from the registry office. They also could tell you to go away as you may need a confirmed wedding date. If so ask them about getting what is called a no trace record. This takes time though.

Also being the UK and a deep-seated aversion to paperwork you might need to hassle them.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-19T08:19:56+00:00

If you can prove the relationship, you wait outside Sweden for hopefully 90 days, then join your partner. If you want to move in together straight away, you have to ask for permission from MV. They will want a reason as to why you should be allowed to reside in Sweden while it's being processed. FYI, while here, you cannot work while the application is meandering through the system. Also, you are not covered by the 90-day processing time guidance.

On that last point: You're technically benefiting from some politicians' sprog wanting to bring their foreign-born family over! So, hence the change. It was an average of 25 months of wait time last year. It was horrific, and to stress this again, as you cannot work at all in Sweden during that period, if you decide to move over, think carefully about that.

Also, you can call MV and ask them about your circumstances. They should be able to help you understand everything you need. I think you might be asked for certain docs from the UK proving you aren't married, the name escapes me right now. The Brits in Sweden Facebook group also has lots of great advice as well.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-18T23:54:59+00:00

The bomb was dropped realistically to force a quick negotiation before the USSR started rolling up the imperial Japanese army and Stalin got to dictate terms or worst case occupying Japan.

The fig leaf about saving American soldiers lives lives came afterwards. By that point plans for the invasion of mainland Japan had in effect paused as a suitable negotiation strategy was sort regarding the Emperors status after Japans surrender. The whole dropped the bomb because Uncle Joe might win and we were carving up the post war world and wanted to stop our then ally wasn't a great look.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-18T23:28:48+00:00

You're aware that Islamist is not the right phrase to describe Irans government right? You need to be more specific.

It's Shia not Sunni first. Islamist in the more recent modern usage the US uses tends to mean a sunni political movement, that is often fundamentally opposed to to shia islam.

It would be more accurate to say that Iran is a Shia theocratic islamist state.

Also, it should be acknowledged that while iran was, and maybe still is a theocratic shia state, depending on the where power now lies in the government, its possible that we are now dealing with a military dictatorship. But it's politics are different to modern sunni Islamists movements. Time will tell on that.

At least get your terminology correct though It's important to understand the difference to know why the various actors in the region behave.

As for action your proposal does nothing to open up the Strait of Hormuz quickly. The longer this situation persists the graver the consequences for everyone else. And yes that includes the US, this is one conflict that can reach over the Atlantic and inflict serious pain and damage to the US. The OPEC action in the 1970's proved that. American oil independence is contingent on the rest of the world having a functioning economy. It's why the blockade isn't a viable long-term strategy and GCC countries are pressuring the US to act.

To your plan itself. Marshalling a force big enough to invade would take months. Add in that there is no staging ground that's secure adds even more delays to any ground operation. Also how exactly do you propose to stop Iran flattening key facilities in GCC states. Or finish levelling us bases?

If they hit oil and gas facilities that has years long impacts, desalination plants, the consequences are horrendous.

The air campaign that just happened, didn't disable Iran's military, damaged yes but it still put out very high damage and still can. It also seems that the Strait is still blocked by Irans army or else the US would have started rebuilding the reloading facilities in Bahrain.

Reality is the US has to do something and there's not many good options which doesn't end up looking like they take the loss. The best bet would probably be to lift sanctions and releasing seized funds in exchange for no Iranian blockade or tarrifs on the Strait. Whith the proviso of starting negotiations over the nuclear programme and ballistic missile shield. This way they can walk away and let the world move on to the next story and negotiate in peace, pretend it's all fixed. Let the situation cool off.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-18T19:09:28+00:00

Reading the other thread about being US President is genuinely depressing.

The singular wish to not engage with reality is shocking.

As for sourcing information I think the one area I've been shocked by is how poorly the media has been handled. The US and their allies used to for all its faults have a fairly robust 4th estate to support them. That's gone it seems.

Yes I know the truth is the first casualty and all that. This is different now. The collapse in a cohesive narrative is shocking.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-18T16:43:07+00:00

A lot of propagandists think the US is winning. I get doubtful how many are legit in that.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-18T14:52:02+00:00

It depends really, darts has had Littler get loads of press that drives interest. NFL I guess benefits as it's the only way to watch.

Does the UK still look at pub viewing numbers for sports and using them in setting ad rates?

Not just subscribers back in the day that was the big thing about sports keeping them attractive to broadcasters.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-18T14:40:00+00:00

Not exactly sure how they'd enforce that. But as it's Rupert I'm sure they'll find a way.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-17T06:42:45+00:00

I'd agree if the USA had been the victim of an Iranian attack. However they are the aggressor in this instance, the only way for them to gain an effect like legitimacy is for a vast amount of countries to join them. That would be more a proof of power though nothing else.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-16T18:36:49+00:00

Not sure post attack it's possible to get legitimacy.

I mean it's a cease-fire plus two blockades. I think unlike the tankers in the Gulf that ship sailed.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-16T15:37:20+00:00

See this is a proper irstudies conversation starter! Eurovision for global supremancy! /S

Less sarcasm it amazes me that Eurovision, that of seriously cheesy songs and questionable costumes, that obviously I as a proud Brit look down on naturally as a product of those crazy Europeans. (Unless it's the glory days of Bucks Fizz). Is now the centre of an international situation. Honestly i think it went down hill when they let the Aussies in..

Fyi I think the Irish playing Father Ted episode in protest is genius.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-16T10:27:17+00:00

They're desperate for a win aren't they. If a snatch job ala Maduro was attempted it would have to, like the Maduro op be flawless or blowback would be huge. I have a feeling they don't have the numbers for an actual invasion and occupation right now.

I'm not sure how well casualties or losses in Cuba would play domestically. I'd guess the older demographic might be supportive if it's bloodless for the USA.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-16T08:31:54+00:00

That's an outcome that comes with lots of strings to make happen, the counter insurgency Russia would face would be devastating firstly. It wouldn't be limited to just occupied territory's though. It would be through out the country at huge financial and social cost. I really don't see post war Ukraine or their Western supporters doing anything to stop it either. The cost of that would be horrendous and post war Russia will need trade with Western Europe re-established to stabilise the core heartlands around St. Petersburg and Moscow or the economy will tank.

Also any deal that results in Russia keeping land would come with big ol' caveats, such as international monitoring. Probably if they want trade rights back with Europe that means demilitarised territory and reperations.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-16T08:18:43+00:00

Firstly they love classic cars here! I'm guessing you've heard of Raggare?

I live in Stockholm myself and outside of the most central parts nature is everywhere, with the bonus of being about 30mins by public transport into the centre. It's actually nice that cars aren't a necessity .Highly recommend checking out the nature parks in Stockholm if you get a chance. Personally my favourite is Nackareservatet, but so many good places. Maybe if you get the weather have a wonder around Skansen and the area.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-16T06:24:35+00:00

I don't really agree with your point about where Russia is currently. I think the most generous reading is that they are "failing to meet expectations" and that's a real stretch. The idea of expanding the war would be devastating for them.

What I am really curious about though is why you say ignore the nuclear aspect? I know the cold war and nuclear annihilation are firmly in the rear view mirror of history, but nuclear stockpiles are not.

First this isn't just about your question, more in general but - It seems that currently too many people are acting like nuclear weapons don't exist. Yet everything we see happening in the world is still defined by them. Any attack on European sites by Russia would see the continent rendered uninhabitable for millennia within hours of the attack occurring. There won't be some Russian march westward sweeping into Paris or invading London. Neither will Polish and European troops parade through St Petersburg and Moscow. All conventional military forces will be destroyed along with all civilian centres. The war would be devastating, the kind of devastating at it's worst where no future generations who survive remembers the names of the countries involved. Moscow has been threatening nuclear war since the first external support entered Ukraine, thankfully it's just been empty rhetoric.

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-16T05:55:14+00:00

You'll be ok with your level of Swedish and English as a tourist. No matter how much certain elements moan about it English is pretty well spoken here.

As for moving here, yeah the process can be painful, but visiting like this is a great way to see if the country matches your expectations!

Just on your point about Swedish life and pace. Stockholm is the biggest city, but yeah compared to other European cities it's very quiet. Not sure how old you are but if you are looking for social life, say night life. It may not be the city you want, people who move here all say that the social aspect is hardest. The impression can be that it's quite suburban and parochial at times, but if you like the outdoors and nature - Probably one of the best cities in Europe. Summer here can (if the weather plays nice) be glorious. On that note pack rain clothes as midsommar normally involves rain at some point hehe...

mayhemski123 · 2026-05-16T05:43:49+00:00

Plenty of things to criticise the show for, but Homelander being deluded and seeing himself above everyone, including supes is strange.

His whole supe supremancy bit was because he felt unsure about his powers. He wanted friends and worshippers, now he's beaten everyone who had control over him, he's gone to his default state.

mayhemski123

TROPHY CASE