Swedish Migration Board - start page
Print

Employing asylum seekers

If you employ an asylum-seeker, he/she must be exempt from the work permit requirement - and have an "AT-UND" (proof of exemption). An asylum seeker who has had his/her asylum application refused may in some cases apply for a residence and work permit in Sweden.
If you employ an asylum-seeker, he/she must be exempt from the work permit requirement and thereby have an "AT-UND" (proof of exemption). This means the asylum-seeker has the right to work in Sweden without a work permit. You can see whether an asylum-seeker has an AT-UND by looking at the LMA card that all asylum-seekers in Sweden carry. If there is a valid AT-UND, it will be stated under item 7 on the card. The AT-UND will remain valid until the asylum-seeker leaves the country or is granted a residence and work permit.

You must inform the Swedish Migration Board in writing when you employ an asylum-seeker. The notice should be sent to the Reception Unit where the asylum-seeker is registered. You must also notify the Swedish Migration Board when employment is terminated. Use the form Notice of employment of asylum-seeker — for employers who employ asylum-seekers, no. 152011. The form for notifying the Swedish Migration Board is available here on our website.

Asylum-seekers who have had their application for asylum refused


If the asylum-seeker´s application for asylum has been rejected and the decision has come into force, he/she may apply for a residence and work permit in Sweden. The application must be submitted within two weeks of the date the decision came into force.
To be granted a work permit, these requirements must be fulfilled:
  • The employee have been employed for at least the last six months while he/she had asylum seeker status and the employment must last for at least an additional 12 months after the date of application. The employment must have been with the same employer.
  • The terms of employment must be equal to or better than those provided under a Swedish collective agreement or that are customary for the occupation or sector.
  • The relevant trade union has been given the opportunity to express an opinion on the terms of employment.
  • The employee must currently have and previously had work whose scope is such that the monthly wage is at least SEK 13,000 before tax.
  • The employee must have a passport that will still be valid after the permit expires.

Right to appeal


It is not possible to appeal against the rejection of an application for a work permit. The earlier decision on refusal of entry and deportation will apply and the asylum-seeker must leave the country.

Links

Forms


For employers employing asylum seekersPDF (only in Swedish)
Form no 152011
Page updated: 2010-02-01