The Process for Work Visa Application in Sweden
- 1. Possess Offer of Employment You need to have a valid offer of employment from a job that was posted in Sweden at least ten days before you received the offer. ...
- 2. Apply for Your Visa With Your Local Swedish Embassy or Consulate ...
- 3. Provide Your Passport ...
- 4. Two Recent Photographs ...
- 5. Work Documentation ...
- 6. Residence Verification ...
- 7. Proof of Financial Stability ...
- 8. Travel Paperwork ...
Full Answer
How to get a work permit and visa for Sweden?
- Apply for a work permit. ...
- Rules and required documents. ...
- Check your application. ...
- Collecting your residence permit card.
How to obtain a work visa?
In general, the following documents are required:
- Passport (s) valid for six months beyond the intended date of entry into the United States, unless longer validity is specifically requested by the U.S. ...
- Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application. ...
- Two (2) 2x2 photographs. ...
- Civil Documents for the applicant. ...
How to apply for a job in Sweden?
- Browse job registries, like the one on Arbetsförmedlingen or Jobbsafari, for job offers
- Join groups on Facebook, search for “jobb i stockholm” for example
- Check job accounts and hashtags on Twitter, e.g. #nyttjobb
- Reach out directly to companies via email, but don't forget to pick up the phone after a while
What are the requirements for immigration to Sweden?
- Citizens of another EEA state, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or the Vatican.
- have the right to reside in Sweden or another EU country.
- UK citizens who are holding or have applied for residence status.

Is it easy to get work permit in Sweden?
To obtain a work permit, you must have an employment in Sweden. You must have an employment contract that you must enclose with your application. Your employer must have advertised the job in Sweden and the EU/EEA and Switzerland for at least ten days before the employment contract was entered into.
How long does it take to get a work visa in Sweden?
If you need a visa to enter Sweden Bring the same passport with you as the one you used when applying for a work permit. You can find the embassy's address under Contact information. It can take up to four weeks for the residence permit card to be prepared and delivered to the embassy.
Do I need a work visa to work in Sweden?
You need a work permit to work in Sweden whether you are employed in Sweden or abroad, whether you are employed by an employment agency that provides personnel to a company in Sweden, or whether you have been transferred within an organization.
How much is work permit in Sweden?
Work permit application fees for employees, self-employed and their family membersApplication for family members of persons applying for or holding a work permitFeeAdultSEK 1,500Child under the age of 18SEK 750Jul 4, 2022
Which country is the easiest to get a work visa?
11 easiest countries to get a work visa (for Americans)Australia and New Zealand.The Netherlands.Cambodia.Germany.Ireland.China.Singapore.Ecuador.More items...•
Do Swedish companies hire foreign workers?
Sweden has been relying on foreign workers to plug its skills shortage for years, and the country is known both for an enviable work-life balance and for bureaucracy that can complicate work permit applications.
Can you move to Sweden without a job?
The Guide to Visa Types and Work Permit Requirements Likewise, EU/EEA residents can also move to Sweden without a job and spend a few months job searching. For non-EU/EEA residents moving to Sweden, the main visa requirement is to have a job offer before entering the country.
How can a foreigner get a job in Sweden?
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU and wish to work in Sweden, in most cases you need a work permit. The quickest and easiest way to apply for a work permit is to do it online. Applications over the internet go directly to the Swedish Migration Agency and are given priority.
Is it difficult to get a job in Sweden?
You will find it difficult to get a job without at least basic knowledge of Swedish; most jobs require fluency. There are some exceptions such as in higher technical professions or other sectors where highly skilled competence is required. Then, English is often the working language. You can learn Swedish online.
How can I get job offer in Sweden?
This guide will walk you through 8 steps to follow for finding a job in Stockholm.Speak the Swedish language. ... Check that your industry exists in Stockholm. ... Start looking the old school way. ... Try searching online. ... Consider working with a recruiter. ... Build your network. ... Apply (and wait) for your visa. ... Get moving.
How long can I stay in Sweden without a visa?
If you are a citizen of a Nordic country, you can freely travel to Sweden to live and work. You do not need a visa, work permit or residence permit. You can stay in Sweden for up to one year. If you are planning to stay in Sweden for more than 12 months, you must register in the Swedish Population Register.
Can I work while waiting for my work permit in Sweden?
The Migration Agency processes the application If you have applied for a work permit before your residence permit for studies expires and you have completed at least 30 credits in university college studies or one semester of postgraduate studies in Sweden, you are entitled to work while waiting for a decision.
Is it difficult to get a job in Sweden?
You will find it difficult to get a job without at least basic knowledge of Swedish; most jobs require fluency. There are some exceptions such as in higher technical professions or other sectors where highly skilled competence is required. Then, English is often the working language. You can learn Swedish online.
Can I visit Sweden while waiting for residence permit?
Can I visit Sweden while I am waiting on my residence permit? The decision must be issued before you travel to Sweden. While you are waiting on a decision, you can apply for an entry visa to temporarily visit Sweden.
How long does it take to get a decision from the Swedish Migration Agency?
In most cases this happens three weeks after the Swedish Migration Agency has advised you of the decision, or when you have signed a declaration of acceptance.
How long does it take to get residence permit in Sweden?
four weeksOnce you've got a decision to grant you a residence permit it can take up to four weeks to manufacture the card and send it to the embassy or consulate-general. If you were photographed and fingerprinted at the Migration Agency your card will be sent to your home address within a week.
What is a work permit in Sweden?
Work Permit is the most common type of permit for individuals planning on working in Sweden and it is used to apply for all job types. If someone is coming to Sweden for work, this is the permit to be applied for. There are other things you should be aware of that isn’t covered by this article.
How long does a work permit last in Sweden?
The permit itself is granted for a maximum period of 2 years. This can later be extended for an additional 2 years, after which permanent residence can be applied for. Below you will find the basic checklist on how to get work permit in Sweden: Have a valid passport. In order to receive a permit for 2 years, the passport should then be valid ...
Is it acceptable to negotiate away Swedish social security?
It is also not acceptable for any of these insurances to be negotiated away. Or for them to be covered by the Swedish social security system. These are all private insurances that must be signed for all employees with work permits in Sweden.
What are the requirements to get a work visa in Sweden?
The requirements for employees include: A valid passport. Job offer with terms equal to Swedish collective agreements or the occupation’s standard.
How long does it take to get a work permit in Sweden?
Waiting for the permit to get issued: Most expats working for a Swedish company need to wait one to three months to get their work permit. However, the wait time can vary based on the industry they are working in, whether someone submitted their application online or in-person, and whether they are self-employed or work for a company.
What is a blue card in Sweden?
An EU Blue Card is a combined work and residence permit meant for highly skilled workers. Applicants must have jobs in certain professions, a university degree, or five years of professional work experience. Expats who work for a company outside the EU and are transferring to the Swedish branch of the company should apply for an ICT permit. However, this avenue only applies to employees in managerial or specialist positions.
How to get a job offer for a visa?
A job offer:Submit a written job offer to an employee after you obtain approval from the right trade union regarding the job and salary. Make sure the offer includes a specific length of employment, as this will determine how long the visa will last.
Is a work permit the same as a residence permit?
Keep in mind that a work permit is not the same as a residence permit. EU citizens automatically have a right of residence, but they need to register with the Swedish Tax Agency. Anyone from a non-EU/EEA country needs to get a temporary or permanent residence permit depending on how long they want to stay.
Citizens of EU countries
As an EU citizen, you are entitled to work in Sweden without a permit. You also have the right to come to Sweden to look for a job. Your family has the right to join you in Sweden as long as you have right of residence in Sweden.
Citizens of non-EU countries
Generally, citizens from countries outside the EU must apply for a work permit to work in Sweden.
Citizens of Nordic countries
Citizens of a Nordic country have the right to freely live and work in Sweden without registering with the Migration Agency. However, you should register with the Swedish Tax Agency to gain a Swedish personal identity number.
Citizens of Switzerland
Swiss citizens need a residence permit to work in Sweden for longer than three months. You apply for your residence permit (pdf) after entering Sweden and can start working as soon as you enter the country. When entering Sweden, you must have a valid passport. Your family may join you.
International students
International students with a residence permit in Sweden are allowed to work alongside their studies. If they want to stay and work in Sweden after completing their studies, they need a work permit.
What is the basic salary requirement in Sweden?
The basic salary requirement is that the received salary should be “on par with those set by Swedish collective agreements or which are customary within the occupation or industry”. Before a work permit application the offer of employment form (containing salary details) is sent to the local union for their approval. The union should then comment on whether or not the salary is acceptable or not.
Do Swedish regulations affect employees?
Unfortunately, the Swedish regulations are set up that all mistakes made (caused by either the employer or employee) will in the end only really affect the employee. It is therefore very important to ensure that all requirements are met.
What happens if you get rejected for a work permit in Sweden?
Having the application be rejected can result in a big delay in starting you job in Sweden.
What happens if you get denied a work visa?
If you get denied or the Immigration Office finds out, it will hurt your future applications. You can try to apply for a working holiday visa. The good news is that it is possible to apply for a Schengen visa instead.
How long do you have to stay in Sweden to get a work visa?
In some cases, if you're coming to Sweden for under three months, you might require both an entry permit and a work visa. Full details are available on the Migration Agency website, or through your local embassy.
How do I get a Swedish work visa as an entrepreneur?
To be eligible you must prove that your business has a financially sound business plan, that you have the experience and skills to make it a success, and that you can speak either Swedish or English.
What documents do I need?
The exact documents needed may vary according to your visa type. You’ll be notified by the migration authorities of the exact paperwork required - but you can expect in all cases to be asked for copies of relevant pages of your passport.
How might my Swedish work visa affect my spouse and family members?
If you're coming to Sweden with a work or self employed visa then your family can apply for permits of the same length as the one issued to you. If your visa is at least six months long, your family can also apply for work permits to allow them to work legally in their own right. The application can be submitted at the same time as yours or later if you prefer.
How can I move money to Sweden from my bank account abroad?
To get the most of your money in Sweden, you'll want to open a bank account in Sweden, which you can do before you arrive.
Is Sweden a liberal country?
Sweden is famous for being the ‘land of the midnight sun’, and is viewed as liberal and progressive; both politically and economically. With stunning natural beauty, cosmopolitan cities and a vibrant, developed work culture, it's a popular place for expats to both live and work. The cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo in particular have large and active foreign communities.
Do I need a Swedish work visa?
Your first priority should be to figure out if you need a work permit at all. In some cases, depending on your nationality and the role you’re going to take on, a permit might not be necessary.
