Requirements for a complete application
In order for the application for a work permit to be handled within the certification process, it must be complete. A decision for a complete application will be made within a maximum of 20 days. The application must be submitted online.
The possibility to become a certified employer closed 1 June
The Swedish Migration Agency has decided to close the possibility of becoming a certified employer as of 1 June. The reason is that the Swedish Migration Agency is going to introduce a new model for work permits, a model that will replace the current system of certified employers. If you already are a certified employer you will receive information about how the winding down of the certification system will be done.
Read more about the winding down of the certification system
For a completely complete application
- the position should have been advertised in Sweden and the EU for minimum of ten days in the event of a new recruitment
- you should provide information about the employment in the e-service
- you should have have agreed with the employee on terms of employment that are at least on par with Swedish collective agreements or what is customary in the occupation or industry
- you should have agreed with the employee on employment that allows the employee to support oneself. In order to satisfy this support requirements, the employee must work to the extent that the salary amounts to at least SEK 13,000 a month before tax
- you should have given the relevant trade union organisation an opportunity to comment on the terms of employment in the information about the employment
- the union should have assessed that the employment terms are in line with Swedish collective agreements or what is customary in the occupation or industry
- copies of the pages in the employee's passport should be attached, which show personal information, photograph, signature, passport number, passport issuing country, the passport's period of validity, bar code on the identification page, and if the employee is authorised to live in countries other than his country of origin
- the application fee should be paid
- a copy of the power of attorney from the employee to the company is attached.
Power of attorney to represent the employee
If the employee wants someone else to represent the employee in his or her case with the Migration Agency, he or her can grant you a power of attorney. A power of attorney may, for example, give you the right to make an application, be advised of the reasons for a decision or appeal against a decision on the employee’s behalf. The power of attorney must be written and signed by the employee, and must be presented, in the original, if requested by the Migration Agency.
To grant a power of attorney to another person, the employee may use the form Power of Attorney. The form applies to a person who has applied for a residence permit on the grounds of work, study, connections or visit.
Power of Attorney, form number 106011
Pdf, 641.6 kB, opens in new window.
Industries with special investigation requirements
If the company belongs to an industry where special investigation requirements apply, in addition to the above terms, the application must include
- documentation of paid salaries and covered insurance, and paid employer fees when you previously employed citizens from non-EU countries
- an account of how you can guarantee a salary for at least three months ahead
- documentation showing that the employee has been informed of the terms and conditions of employment offered and on the nature of the work.
Extension application
If the application concerns an extension of a work permit, the above conditions must be met. You should also
- provide information about the employment again for the period
- attach a PAYE tax return from the Swedish Tax Office for the previous year.
For a worker who has retained his employment in his country of origin, a single document can replace salary specifications and PAYE tax returns from the country of origin. Such a summary shall show in a clear way the total salary including any benefits and allowances paid to the employee both in the country of origin and in Sweden and be signed by you as an employer or your (legal) representative. In a sample check, you must be able to display all the documents that form the basis of the compilation.
Permanent residence permit
When you apply for an extension of a work permit for an employee, you can apply at the same time for a permanent residence permit. To be granted a permanent residence permit, the employee must meet the requirements for an extended work permit, and must also
- have had a work permit as an employee and have worked in Sweden for four years over the past seven years
- be able to support himself/herself financially
- be living an orderly life.
Family members of employees
Even family members who apply at the same time as the employee are included in the certification. In order for the certification to apply for applications from family members,
- the application for the family member and the employee is done simultaneously
- copies of the pages in the family member’s passport should be attached, which show personal information, photograph, signature, passport number, passport issuing country, the passport's period of validity, bar code on the identification page, and if they are authorised to live in countries other than their country of origin
- a copy of marriage certificate of spouse or other documents showing that the parties lived together in their country of origin is attached
- birth certificates for children are attached
- consent from the other legal guardian, if not accompanied to Sweden, where it appears that the child may move to Sweden is attached
- a copy of a power of attorney from the family members to the company is attached
- the application fee should be paid
- documents showing that the worker's income is sufficient to support himself and his family should be attached. It is stated on the application form or in the e-service which documents the employee must attach. (This does not apply when applying for an extension).
The documents must be translated into Swedish or English by a sworn translator.
If the employee is granted a permanent residence permit, different requirements apply for the co-applicant family. In most cases it is a requirement that the employee meets a maintenance requirement. This means that in addition to a sufficiently large income he or she also need to have a home of sufficient standard and size for the whole family to live in.
If you apply for a permanent residence permit for the employee, and his or her family applies at the same time for residence permits, you must also attach
- documents showing that the employee’s income is sufficient to support himself or herself and his or her family financially, and that he or she has a home of sufficient size and standard for the whole family to live in.
Read more about the maintenance requirement when applying for a permanent residence permit
Permanent residence permits for the family
The family may apply for permanent residence permits at the same time as the employee, but only after three years. The family cannot be granted permanent residence permits before the employee.
For family members aged 15 or over, it is a requirement that they are living an orderly life in order to be granted a permanent residence permit.
If the family applies for permanent residence permits and they are aged 18 or over, you must also attach documents showing that they can support themselves financially:
- If the family member is working: documents showing that he or she is an employee or a self-employed person, and the size of his or her income.
- If the family member is entitled to a pension: a decision from the Swedish Pensions Agency stating that he or she is entitled to income-based retirement pension, guarantee pension or financial support for the elderly.
- If the family member is unable to support himself/herself financially but has special grounds, e.g. permanent impairment of working capacity: documents showing this, e.g. an investigation by the Swedish Public Employment Service, a decision on entitlement to sickness benefit or activity compensation from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, or a medical certificate.
There is further information about which documents must be attached on the page about permits for the family.
Read more about permits for the family
Children who have reached the age of 18, in order to be able to apply as a close relative of the employee, must show that they are living together and that they have a social and emotional dependence on each other that makes it difficult for you them live apart.
Consent
A statement of consent is a signed letter from the parent who has custody but will not be accompanying the child to Sweden, in which he or she agrees that your child should be granted a residence permit to settle in Sweden. The statement of consent should contain
- the name, date of birth and address of the parent who consents
- the name and date of birth of the child to which the statement of consent relates
- a statement that the parent agrees that the child should be granted a residence permit to settle in Sweden
- the signature of parent consenting, along with his or her name in printed letters.