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- | Working in Sweden
- | For people wanting to work in Sweden
- | Employees from countries outside the EU
Employee
Special regulations apply to certain groups, such as performing artists and athletes, and these have their own sub-headings in the left menu. The same thing applies to citizens from Australia, Canada, South Korea and New Zealand, where special regulations also apply.
For work that is shorter than three months, citizens in some countries must have an entry visa, see link in the right column. There are exemptions from the requirement to hold a work permit for certain work categories who only plan to work in Sweden for a short time; see link to the right.
Requirements to be granted a work permit
To be granted a permit requires that:
- you have a valid passport.
- you can earn your own living on the job you have been offered.
- you work to such an extent that your wage is at least SEK 13,000 per month.
In addition your employer must:
- have advertised the post in Sweden and the EU for at least ten days (for new recruitment)
- offer terms of employment that are equal to those of a Swedish collective agreement or what is customary within the profession or sector
- give the relevant union organisations the opportunity to express an opinion on the terms of employment in the job offer.
Those who receive a residence permit will be given a residence permit card. The card is proof of your residence permit. When you enter Sweden, you must therefore show your card along with a valid passport.
Applying for a work permit
If you want to work in Sweden you must, in the majority of cases, apply for a work permit in your native country or other country outside Sweden where you are resident. However, in certain cases you may apply for a work permit in Sweden, see the heading Applying in Sweden in the left menu.
Make sure your application is complete
Always enclose the following with your application
- job offer
- copies of the pages of your passport that show your identity, the validity period of your passport and whether you have permits to be in countries other than your native country
- receipt of paid application fee.
No UT cards for permits shorter than 3 months
If you are working for a period of less than three months, a UT card will not be issued. If you need an entry visa for Sweden, you will be given a note of your work permit along with the entry visa in your passport. In your copy of the decision, there is information on the rules that apply to your work permit. The entry visa, along with the copy of the decision, is proof of your work permit, and it is important that you are able to show them. When you apply for an entry visa, you must attach two photographs in passport format. They should be taken directly in front of you and not be older than six months.
If you do not need an entry visa to come to Sweden and have a work permit for less than 3 months, the copy of the decision you are given is the proof of your work permit. It is therefore important that you have your copy of the decision with you so you can show it when you enter Sweden.
Different ways of applying
You can either apply here on the Swedish Migration Board's website or by completing the form. If you apply using the website, you will get a decision sooner, providing that the Migration Board does not need to request further information.
If you are currently outside Sweden, you apply:
- on the Swedish Migration Board's website or
- at a Swedish mission abroad in the country you are living in. Use the form Application for Swedish work permit — for applicants outside Sweden, no. 149011.
If you are currently in Sweden, you apply:
- on the Swedish Migration Board's website or
- by post to the Swedish Migration Board or to one of the Swedish Migration Board's permit units.
Use the form Application for Swedish work permit — for applicants currently in Sweden, no. 151011 if you do not apply via the website.
In order for the Migration Board to be able to issue a residence permit card, you will be photographed and will need to submit fingerprints in connection with:
- submitting your application or
- when you receive your residence permit.
Application fee
Most people have to pay an application fee; see page on fees.
If you are granted a residence and work permit
If you are outside of Sweden
If you have not previously been photographed and had your fingerprints taken, you will need to visit a Swedish mission abroad to do so. Once the residence permit card is ready, the mission abroad will issue, or in certain cases send, the card to you.
If you are in Sweden
You will need to visit one of the Swedish Migration Board´s Permit Units to submit fingerprints and be photographed. This will usually take place when you submit your application in person. You can also be called to the Migration Board at a later date. You will also be called to the Migration Board if you apply for a residence permit electronically or if you send in your application by post.
If you are granted a residence permit, your residence permit card will be sent to your registered address.
Permit validity period
You will get a residence and work permit that covers the relevant period, maximum validity period for your permit is two years. That means you will get a permit for two years even if the employment lasts until further notice. You will get a shorter permit if it is difficult to decide for how long the employment lasts, for instance if your work is to build a newly started company. When your old permit expires you can apply for an extension. Here you can read about how to apply for an extension of your permit.
After 48 months you may be granted a permanent residence permit.
Change of employer
For the first two years the residence and work permit is restricted to one named employer and a particular profession. For this reason, you will have to apply for a new work permit if you change employer or profession over the first two years. If the residence and work permit has been extended after two years, it will be restricted to a particular profession. But even here you must apply for a new work permit if you change profession.
Employment ends
A residence and work permit in Sweden is always temporary.
If you lose your job and do not get a new one within three months, the Swedish Migration Board may cancel your residence permit.
If you get a new job, you must submit a new application for a work permit unless the permit also covers the new job.
Permits for family members
Your family may be granted residence permits for the same period that you were granted residence and work permits for. If the employment is to be for more than six months, family members can also be granted work permits.
Family members include:
- husband/wife or common law spouse
- children of yours under 21 or of your husband/wife or common law spouse.
If you have children who are 21 or older they must be dependent on you or your husband/wife or common law spouse for support in order to be granted a residence permit.
Right to appeal
You can only lodge an appeal against an application refusal for a work permit if you have also been given a decision on refusal of entry or deportation.
