Work and Residence Permit for Sweden

As a migrant looking for a new place to live and work, if Sweden is not already high on your list, there are several reasons why it should be. Not only is Sweden renowned for its raw natural beauty, it has a free education system, high standard of living, excellent work-life balance, excellent healthcare, a rich and vibrant culture, clean, safe and orderly towns and cities, a transport system that is the envy of the world, and of course great skiing and snowboarding to name but a few of the many benefits. From the perspective of work and employment, being a modern and highly developed country, there are a wide variety of well-paid and skilled job opportunities available. Sweden is known for its innovative business culture and is home to some of the world’s best tech firms, including Spotify, Klarna, iZettle, and Skype. For those who wish to relocate to Sweden to work, it is possible to secure a work permit if you are a non-EU national as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.

In this article, we will explain the eligibility criteria for a work permit for Sweden and how to apply.

Do I need a work permit for Sweden?

If you are not an EU national who is able to work in Sweden under freedom of movement, you will not need a work permit if you already have:

• a permanent residence permit
• a residence permit to attend a college or university
• a special residence permit to work as a researcher or the EU long residence permit
• are an asylum seeker and have an AT-UND (exemption from the obligation to hold a work permit)

Otherwise, if you wish to work for an employer in Sweden, then you will need to apply for a work and residence permit.

Am I eligible for a Permit to work in Sweden?

Applicants for a Work Permit for Sweden must:

• Have a valid passport
• Be a national of a country outside of the EU
• Have an offer of a job from a Swedish employer registered with the immigration authorities (not all employers can recruit foreign nationals)
• Have been offered terms of employment that are at least on par with those set by Swedish collective agreements or which are customary within the occupation or industry
• Have been offered a salary that is at least on par with that set by Swedish collective agreements or which is customary within the occupation or industry
• Have been offered a position that will enable you to support yourself financially – this means receiving a salary of at least SEK 13,000 per month before taxes
• Have a Swedish employer who intends to provide insurance covering health, life, employment and pension when you begin to work.

Prospective applicants should also be aware that special rules apply to those in specific occupations. This means that some foreign workers have to supply certain documents with their application or use a different form when applying. For this reason, it is important to check whether your occupation is affected by any of these special rules on the Swedish Migration Agency website.

How do I apply for a Work Permit for Sweden?

The application process for a work permit for Sweden is completed online on the Swedish migration services website (Migrationsverket). The rules make it clear that foreign workers must apply for and be granted their work permits before travelling to Sweden. The application process for a work permit for Sweden is as follows:

1. Secure an offer of employment - Your intended employer must have advertised the role you are being offered in Sweden and the EU/EEA, and Switzerland for at least ten days before the offer of employment was made.
2. Your employer in Sweden starts the application process – your employer will need to submit an offer of employment to the Swedish Migration Agency. They will provide your name, date of birth, citizenship, education and your email address, along with information such as the occupation code for your job.
3. You receive an email from the Swedish Migration Agency advising that you can apply for a work permit – the guidance states, “When your employer has completed an offer of employment, you will receive an email with Information about how to apply for a work permit. In the application, you provide information about yourself. If your family is coming with you to Sweden, you apply for permits for them at the same time. You should also check that the information about your employment terms in the offer of employment corresponds with what you and your employer have agreed on”.
4. Prepare any required documents
5. Pay the application fee and submit your application
6. Wait for your application be to processed

Can I bring my family members with me to Sweden?

Yes, in most cases, you will be able to bring your partner/spouse and dependant children with you to live in Sweden. They will be able to remain in Sweden for the same amount of time as the main permit holder. In addition, your family members will be able to work (assuming your work permit is for longer than six months).

In terms of applying for your family members, this can be done at the same time as applying for your work permit. If you are already in Sweden and your family members are yet to join you, your family members can submit an online application to join you from their home country. If you need any help with applying for a permit for your family members, speak to an immigration lawyer specialising in Swedish immigration law.

Reiss Edwards have the resources and expertise to assist with all aspects of Swedish immigration. If you need assistance with your Work Permit for Sweden or any other immigration matter, contact our Swedish Immigration Solicitors on 020 3744 2797 or by email at info@reissedwards.co.uk