The Swedish Sambo Visa in 2015 Part 1: What is it?

This topic will require several installments, as well as full disclosure that I am still figuring it out, piece by piece. Given that I am only little more than half way through the process (8 months and counting), I can't speak with full authority on how this will all shake out.  But I have 8 months under my belt, and have spoken to Migrationsverket ("MV") enough times to ensure they hate me, so I might as well share what I have learned about the Swedish Sambo Visa.

EDIT: A reminder that this is the overview for NON-EU CITIZEN APPLICANTS.  EU citizens have a whole different process.  Read more about it on MV's website here.

"Sambo" is short for the Swedish noun "samboende", which translates to, "cohabitation" (sam = same, boende = place of living). The Swedish sambo visa grants temporary residence ("uppehållstillstånd", or UT for short) to non-EU citizens on the basis of a relationship.  You must be able to prove the validity of that relationship (via call logs, photographs, plane tickets to visit one another, and the like).  You must be able to prove you have visited each other in person, and you will be required to cohabitate starting Day 1.

In order to apply for this visa, you would visit the Migrationsverket website (click here to be redirected), and follow the links.  The form is very clear and easy.  You will fill out your portion and submit it with a fee, a copy of your passport, and a legally-supported document showing you are single / unmarried.  For US Residents, a copy of your most recent tax return is generally sufficient.  Then, your partner will be emailed with a link and invited to fill out their part of the application. Then they submit it, and your process is now underway.

When you apply, your first step will be to verify you are outside of Sweden, and to create a login/password so you can save your application and continue working on it later, as need be:

That is the easy part.

The hard part is the unending, inescapable wait -- but we will get to this later.

Notes about the application: 

• You must file your application OUTSIDE OF SWEDEN.  If you file it within Sweden, you will be rejected.  You need to return to your country of citizenship, or the country in which you have permanent legal residence.  It is only there that you may have your interview at the embassy, and after your interview, you cannot go back into Sweden until you have your decision or else your application runs a risk of rejection based on the Swedish Alien's Act.  If you do want to enter Sweden after your interview, you must notify MV - they will place a hold on processing your application until you have come and gone.  It's a matter of whether you want to extend your wait or not, I suppose.  I discuss this in more detail in Part 2.
• DO NOT SUBMIT A PAPER APPLICATION.  The wait times increase exponentially.  File electronically, and make sure you submit exactly what they ask for. 
• As an American, when it came to my "Single Status Declaration", I submitted my last 2 years worth of W-2 forms, as well as a notarized statement declaring I am single and also not widowed/divorced.  I drafted a Word document template based off of the content from this Single Status Affidavit for Georgia (I live in Los Angeles, and couldn't find any record that worked).  And then I had this document professionally notarized.  I didn't want to take any chances.
• Only submit exactly what they ask for.  In the first part of your application, you need only submit the information they have requested.  Do not submit any photographs, flight stubs, or anything else.  Your time will come to submit that all, later.  Give them only what they ask for, and EVERYTHING that they ask for, in full completion.... lest you cause your application to require further investigation and increase your wait time.
• Legal texts, if you're the researching type:
• We received so much conflicting information during our application process, that I decided to just dive into the legal texts myself to "see the forest for all the trees", as we say here.  Here are some resources in English discussing the Swedish Alien's Act (Chapter 5 Section 3 discusses the residence permits on grounds of relationship):
• Conditions for Family Reunification in The European Union: Sweden
• You may note that there is explicit law on page 15 stating that an application must receive a decision within 9 months of submission... however that the time period can be extended for "other reasons", and there are no consequences to any party involved if the time period is exceeded. Just bear that in mind.
• Swedish Code of Statutes from LegislationOnline.org
• This will open as a PDF, but it is the official document, and in Chapter 5 Section 18, it clearly indicates that an alien must apply outside of Sweden (however there are some exceptions listed)

There are also a couple caveats to this.  First of all, bear in mind this is just for a SAMBO VISA.  Other rules apply for work visas, asylum applications, etc.  This also only applies to non-EU citizens.  If you have legal residence or citizenship in the EU, you have the Right to Movement, and can go to Sweden directly.  Also, there are rare instances where MV will consider speeding up your application on the grounds of things such as pregnancy, terminal illnesses and the like. EDIT (21 December 2015): In October 2015, MV took away the ability to file for priority status.  However, they will still review cases on a rare basis.  You may also try to have your partner apply from within Sweden on the basis of being pregnant or having children together, but you will need to meet specific requirements.  For more information on that, read the sections on "If you have or are expecting children" on MV's website here.

Next up.... our experience so far with the process!