Changes related to work permits
The Swedish Migration Agency has been tasked with promoting highly qualified labour immigration. Therefore, we have improved our service in the area of work permits in various ways.
The Swedish Migration Agency shall promote the recruitment of highly qualified labour
In the budget and policy specification for 2023, the Swedish Migration Agency was commissioned by the government to promote highly qualified labour immigration. This will be done, among other things, through special information initiatives aimed at employers and employees in highly qualified occupations, as well as other initiatives that create good conditions for complete applications and shorter processing times.
To fulfil this mission the Swedish Migration Agency implements:
- A new way to sort work permit applications.
- Increased service for employers who recruit highly qualified labour.
- Better information and more user-friendly e-services.
New sorting for better service and shorter processing times
In order to be able to prioritise service to employers who recruit highly qualified labour, the Swedish Migration Agency is introducing a new way of sorting applications for work permits based on occupation and industry. It will also be easier to distinguish at an early stage between applications that are ready for decision and those that need to be supplemented.
The new way of working does not affect the requirements for obtaining a work permit, but is a way to offer employers who recruit highly qualified workers extra service, and also to create the conditions for making quick decisions in complete applications for highly qualified applicants.
Applications from highly qualified workers that do not need to be supplemented are handled within 30 days.
Read more about the service employers who recruit highly qualified workers can receive
Easier to make a complete application
In order for all employees and employers to have access to good information and good conditions to make a complete application, ongoing work is underway to develop the e-service for applying for work permits. One of the goals of this work is to increase user-friendliness in the form of better language and guidance. At the same time we are reviewing the information on the Swedish Migration Agency's website. This results in a number of ongoing changes and updates that together should provide a more user-friendly experience for all applicants.
Related information
Better service helps contributes to a competitive Sweden
Highlighting highly qualified labour with a new work method
How the increased maintenance requirement affects employers who hire workers from outside the EU
Read more previous news for employers
The Swedish Migration Agency's three seminars during Almedal Week 2023 (in Swedish):
Kan vi stoppa utnyttjandet av utländsk arbetskraft? External link, opens in new window.
Questions and answers about the work permit-related changes
Other changes related to work permits
On 1 November, the maintenance requirement for applicants who are applying for a work permit in Sweden was increased. In order to obtain a work permit, a salary of at least SEK 27,360 is required, which is 80 percent of today's median salary.
Read more about increased maintenance requirement for work permits