Sweden Work Permit 2024: A Guide to Securing Your Sweden Work Permit

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Updated August 2024

Key takeaways

Sweden offers work permits for job seekers with advanced degrees and self-employed individuals planning to start businesses.

Exemptions from work permits include permanent residents, students, researchers, and asylum seekers with an AT-UND.

Employers must initiate the work permit process in Sweden.

Table of Contents

Is a work permit required to work in Sweden?

The citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland do not need a work permit to work in Sweden. Generally, civilians from countries outside the EU must apply for a work permit to work in Sweden. However, there are a few exceptions to the rule.

Individuals from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea aged 18–30 can also apply for a working holiday visa for up to one year. Nonetheless, foreigners from countries with visa requirements must obtain a work permit to be employed in Sweden.

Despite this, a work permit is not required if:

You have a permanent residence permit.
You have a residence permit for study purposes.
You have a special residence permit to work as a researcher.
You are an asylum seeker and have an AT-UND (exemption from being obligated to hold a work permit).

Please note that, in Sweden, the terms “work permit” and “work visa” are used interchangeably. However, “work permit” is the official term employed by the Swedish government, and the same will be consistently used throughout this article.

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What are the Sweden work permit types?

Sweden offers various work permits tailored to different types of job seekers. Although there are several subcategories, the main types can be broadly classified into three categories:

Job seeker visa

You can apply for a residence permit if you have completed studies corresponding to an advanced degree. With this permit, you can travel to Sweden to look for work or investigate the possibility of starting your own business. A maximum of nine months can be allotted in this scenario.

During the period that you have this residence permit, your family cannot move to Sweden to live with you. If you get a job in Sweden during the permit period, you can apply for a work permit from within the country.

You can submit your application for a job seeker visa either online or in person. For online applications, use the e-service on the Swedish Migration Agency’s website.

If applying in person, you’ll need to fill out the form “Application for a residence permit to seek work on completing studies or research (188011)” and include the required documents as specified in the form.

Requirements

Digital copies of the following documents are needed for a job seeker visa:

Passport pages showing personal details, photo, signature, passport number, issuing country, validity, entry stamps, and any other residency permissions
Exam certificates
Official transcript showing the courses you completed
Bank statements or documents proving you can support yourself during your stay. If you need central bank approval to transfer money, include that too
A valid health insurance for Sweden
A signed letter allowing the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) to verify your education (download the letter of consent)

Self-employed worker permit

This is designed for freelancers and entrepreneurs who plan to establish their own businesses or become part or full owners of a company for a period exceeding three months.

Although it’s categorized as a type of visa, a work permit is not required for self-employment. Instead, you will need a residence permit, which is issued for one year at a time during an initial two-year probationary period.

Requirements

A valid passport
Prove you have significant experience in your field and experience running your own business.
Documents proving your Swedish and/or English proficiency
Prove you run the business, are fully responsible for it, and own at least half of it
Show that your business sells or produces goods/services in Sweden
Demonstrate you have enough funds to support yourself and your family for the first two years (SEK 200,000 for you, SEK 100,000 for your spouse, and SEK 50,000 per child)
Provide reliable documentation for your budget
Show you have established customer contacts or a network in Sweden
Prove that after two years, your business will be financially stable, and you can support yourself and your family (based on Swedish income standards)

Sweden work permit with sponsorship

Sweden work permit sponsorship involves a collaboration between you and an employer. Upon receiving a job offer, the employer applies for your work permit, demonstrating the need for your expertise.

If approved, you can embark on your career journey, contributing your skills to Sweden’s workforce while enjoying its exceptional quality of life.

The application process involves active participation from your employer, who is responsible for initiating the permit application. More on this below.

Requirements

To obtain a work permit, you must:

Have an employment contract signed by both parties (if the employment contract is in a language other than English or Swedish, it must be translated. A copy of the original document must also be attached)
Have a valid passport
Have employment with 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 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 employment that will enable you to support yourself. In order to satisfy this support requirement, you need to work to an extent that will result in a salary of at least SEK 13,000 per month before taxes.
Have an employer who provides insurance covering health, life, employment and pension when you begin to work
A power of attorney in the event you are representing the applicant.

You can access the requirements that apply to your employer or the criteria as an employer for the Sweden work permit here.

How to apply for a Sweden work permit?

Application process

To apply for a Sweden work permit, follow the steps given below:

Your employer in Sweden initiates the work permit application by providing employment details. This includes your name, date of birth, citizenship, education, and email address.
Ensure that you have access to the provided email address throughout the application process, as the Swedish Migration Agency will use it for communication.
Once your employer submits the employment information, you’ll receive an email explaining how to proceed with the work permit application.
Complete the application by providing your personal information. Verify that the employment terms match what you and your employer have agreed upon.
If your family accompanies you to Sweden, apply for their permits simultaneously. Be aware of the maintenance requirement when bringing family members.
In most cases, a fee is applicable, payable via Visa or Mastercard. After payment, submit your application. You and your employer will receive confirmation of submission via email. The Migration Agency will reach out if more details are needed.
The Swedish Migration Agency needs to verify your passport before a decision. Depending on your location, show your passport at a Swedish embassy, consulate-general, or a Migration Agency service center.

The Migration Agency then processes your application and informs you of its decision accordingly.

Processing time

The processing time for a work permit to Sweden is between one to three months after all the required documents are submitted. The waiting duration can vary depending on the type of work permit and whether the application was made online or in person.

Fees

The price of a Sweden work permit differs based on the permit type and the applicant’s nationality. It is essential to consult the official embassy website for accurate and up-to-date information on permit fees before applying.

For Sweden work permit:

Work permit: SEK 2,200
Self-employed: SED 2,000
EU Blue Card, ICT permit, seasonal work: SEK 2,000
Extension of work permit: SEK 2,200
Residence permit for highly qualified persons to look for work or start a business: SEK 2,20

For family members of persons applying for or holding a work permit:

Adult: SEK 1,500
Child (under the age of 18): SEK 750

Please note that your application fee will not be refunded if your application is refused. For more information about special charges applicable to certain professions, visit the Sweden Migration Agency website.