Exemptions to the work permit requirement

Exemptions for all types of work

• Citizens in Nordic countries.
• Foreign citizens who have a permanent residence permit in Sweden.
• EU/EEA citizens and their family members (regardless of citizenship).
• Citizens of Switzerland
• Third-country nationals who are long-term residents
• People who have been granted residence permits because they are plaintiffs or witnesses in a crime investigation
• Students who have a residence permit for studies at a college or university level.
• Visiting researchers who have been granted a special residence permit for research.
• Asylum seekers who are exempted from the requirement to hold a work permit (AT-UND).

Exemptions for certain work categories

• Staff on trains and lorry drivers in commercial international traffic.
• Representatives who work temporarily in Sweden for a company (examples are sellers or journalists).
• Drivers and crew members on tourist buses (maximum three months).
• Persons who are employed as carers for a person visiting the country (maximum three months).
• Visiting researchers or teachers within higher education who are to participate in research, teaching or lecturing activities (totalling a maximum of three months covering a twelve-month period).
• Persons who reside in, but are not citizens of, Switzerland or in a country included in the EU/EEA and who are employed at a company in the country of residence. He or she must, on behalf of the company, work temporarily in Sweden in connection with a contract or equivalent (the time the temporary work is in progress).
• Fitters or technical instructors in connection with the urgent installation/repairs of machinery (maximum two months). Note that work must be of an urgent nature, for instance something unpredictable that has happened that calls for a quick response. If the work is planned or anticipated, the exemption rule does not apply.
• Persons who are temporarily engaged at Sveriges Radio AB, Sveriges Television AB, Sveriges Utbildningsradio AB or Nordisk Television AB for radio or television broadcasts (maximum one month from entry).
• Performing artists, technicians and other touring staff providing that the artist has been invited by a promoter who is included in a list of established promoters (a total of 14 working days over a twelve-month period). The list of promoters is updated regularly and the latest version is available on the Swedish Migration Board website.
• Professional athletes/stewards who are to take part in international competitions in Sweden (a total of three months covering a twelve-month period).
• Specialists in an international group who are working temporarily in Sweden for the group (in total less than one year).
• Employees employed by an international group that will undergo practical training, on-the-job training or other in-service training at a company in Sweden which is part of the group (totalling a maximum of three months covering a twelve-month period).
• Employees that will undergo training, conduct tests, prepare or finish deliveries or participate in similar activities in Sweden as part of a business deal (totalling a maximum of three months covering a twelve-month period).
• Diplomatic and foreign consular civil servants at foreign country missions along with their families and staff; the only exception in principle applies to employment issues at the mission in question.