Swedish Migration Board - start page
Print

Self-employed

If you plan to work for a period longer than three months to start up or run your own business or become a part owner of a company, you must have a residence permit. As self-employed your are not allowed to take employment with any employer.
Self-employed people who plan to work for a period shorter than three months in Sweden do not need a residence permit. For work that is shorter than three months, citizens in certain countries must have an entry visa; see link in the right column.
 

Requirements to be granted a residence permit


To be granted a permit requires that:
  • you have a valid passport. The Swedish Migration Board does not grant limited-time residence permits for longer than your passport is valid.
  • you can prove that you own at least fifty percent of the company, that you run the business and that you have the ultimate responsibility for it
  • your company must be expected to achieve satisfactory profits and be able to support you and your family (if applicable) during the two-year probationary period
  • you are able to demonstrate that you have solid experience in the sector and you should also have previous experience running your own business
  • you can show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family for the first two years. The Board estimates this to be SEK 200,000; for your accompanying spouse SEK 100,000; and SEK 50,000 for every accompanying child.
  • you have Swedish and/or English language skills
  • If you are a student and are here in Sweden, you must submit your application for a residence permit as a self-employed person before your residence permit for study has expired. Additionally, you must have earned at least 30 university credits or completed one term of a research programme in Sweden.
 
The Swedish Migration Board will assess your business plans from a financial perspective.

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 residence permit


You apply at a Swedish mission abroad in your native country or the country you are living in. You must use the form Application for Swedish residence permit — for self-employed persons, no. 125011.

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.

Make sure your application is complete


Always enclose the following 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.
  • bank statements showing that you have the necessary capital to establish or buy a business as well as personal funds adequate to support yourself and your family during your first two years in Sweden.
  • a detailed account of your business plans. You do this by enclosing: - business plan - market survey - contracts with customers/suppliers - contract for business premises - business permits (if required) - investment budget, liquidity budget and profit/loss budget - budgeted balance sheet.
  • receipt of paid application fee
  • If you have a residence permit for study in Sweden, you must attach a document that confirms you have earned at least 30 university credits or completed one term of a research programme in Sweden.
 
If you plan to work for less than three months and need an entry visa, you must also enclose two photographs in passport format. They must be taken from the front and not be older than six months.

Application fee


Most people have to pay an application fee; see page on fees. If your application is refused, your money will not be returned.
 

If you are granted a residence permit


The decision will be sent to the embassy or consulate where you applied or that you specified when you applied via the website. 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.
 

Important to remember


People who stay in Sweden for a period that is shorter than one year are not entitled to the same welfare benefits as those who reside here. It is therefore important that you find out about the insurance cover you need for you and your accompanying family members.
 

Permit validity period


The Swedish Migration Board normally approves a permit for two years.

Extending a permit


Here you can read about how to apply for an extension of your permit.

Permits for family members


Your husband/wife or common law spouse or minor children under 18 are eligible for residence permits for the same period as you. Among other conditions, they must be able to show that their support is secured. When families apply for a residence permit, they must use the form Application for permit for family members of employees/visiting researchers/athletes/au pairs/self-employed persons, no. 133011. They cannot be granted a work permit solely on their association with you.
 

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.
Page updated: 2011-12-19