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Citizens of Canada
If you are a citizen of Canada and between 18 and 30 years of age you can obtain a residence and work permit in Sweden for up to one year due to an agreement between Sweden and Canada on the exchange of young workers —the Canada-Sweden Youth Exchange programme.
The agreement entitles young people who are citizens of Canada to a Swedish work and residence permit for a period of one year. Permits are not tied to a specific employer or place. Similarly, young Swedes may also quality for a Canadian work permit within the framework of the exchange programme.
You do not need to show that you have got a job when you make your application.
You apply for a work and residence permit at the Swedish embassy in Ottawa or at any of the Swedish consulates in Canada. If you are staying in another country, you can submit your application to the Swedish embassy or consulate in that country. You shall use the form Application for residence and work permit in Sweden for young people from Canada, New Zealand and Australia, nr 155011.
Enclose the following documents with your application:
Note that the embassy or consulate where you submit your application may require additional documents. You will find more information and contact information on the website of the relevant embassy. Click on the link in the right column to find the appropriate embassy.
It costs SEK 1,000 to submit an application. If your application is refused, your money will not be returned.
The decision will be sent to the embassy or consulate where you applied. You need to bring your original passport with you when you pick up your permit.
You can be granted a permit for a maxium of one year
Since you will not be entered into the population registry in Sweden, you will not be entitled to social welfare benefits. For that reason, it is important that you have an insurance policy that covers your expenses if you get sick, etc.
If the Swedish Migration Board rejects your application for a residence permit, you may appeal the decision within three weeks of the date you were given the decision. Send your appeal to the Swedish Migration Board.
If the Board upholds its decision to reject your application, your appeal will be forwarded to the Migration Court at one of the three administrative courts, in either Stockholm, Göteborg or Malmö. Which court will hear your appeal depends on which Permit Unit rejected your application.
Requirements to be granted a residence and work permit
You do not need to show that you have got a job when you make your application.
To be granted a permit requires that you:
- Are a Canadian citizen
- Have a valid passport.
- Are between 18 and 30 years of age
- Can show that you have sufficient money to support yourself until you find work.
You must apply for a residence and work permit as self-employed from your native country or other country outside Sweden where you are living. Your permit must be valid and be included in your passport before you travel to Sweden
Applying for a residence and work permit
You apply for a work and residence permit at the Swedish embassy in Ottawa or at any of the Swedish consulates in Canada. If you are staying in another country, you can submit your application to the Swedish embassy or consulate in that country. You shall use the form Application for residence and work permit in Sweden for young people from Canada, New Zealand and Australia, nr 155011.
Your permit must be valid and be included in your passport before you travel to Sweden.
Make sure your application is complete
Enclose the following documents with your application:
- 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
- Two photographs in passport format, taken from the front and that are not more than six months old
- A receipt of paid application fee
- Bank accounts that confirm that you can support yourself
Check the requirements of Swedish missions abroad
Note that the embassy or consulate where you submit your application may require additional documents. You will find more information and contact information on the website of the relevant embassy. Click on the link in the right column to find the appropriate embassy.
Application fee
It costs SEK 1,000 to submit an application. If your application is refused, your money will not be returned.
If you are granted a residence and work permit
The decision will be sent to the embassy or consulate where you applied. You need to bring your original passport with you when you pick up your permit.
Permit validity period
You can be granted a permit for a maxium of one year
Important to remember
Since you will not be entered into the population registry in Sweden, you will not be entitled to social welfare benefits. For that reason, it is important that you have an insurance policy that covers your expenses if you get sick, etc.
The Swedish embassy or consulate or other Swedish authorites cannot help you find a work in Sweden; you have to contact an employer yourself.
Right to appeal
If the Swedish Migration Board rejects your application for a residence permit, you may appeal the decision within three weeks of the date you were given the decision. Send your appeal to the Swedish Migration Board.
If the Board upholds its decision to reject your application, your appeal will be forwarded to the Migration Court at one of the three administrative courts, in either Stockholm, Göteborg or Malmö. Which court will hear your appeal depends on which Permit Unit rejected your application.
If you have given power of attorney (and thus the right to represent you) to someone in Sweden, that person can write and submit the appeal for you.
You can not appeal against the decision to reject your application for a work permit
Page updated: 2010-02-15
Migrationsverket
