How it works

Illustration showing an employment contract.

The staffing agency signs an employment agreement with the employee

The staffing agency via which you hire employees signs an employment agreement with the employee. They must do this before you can begin the application for a work permit. The agreement must be signed by the staffing agency and the employee. Also ensure that the employee is properly insured by their employer, i.e. the staffing agency.

Illustration of a woman sitting at a computer.

You start the application for a permit

As a client, you fill in your part of the application by filling in the form Information about the employment.

Be sure to provide complete information. The Swedish Migration Agency prioritises complete cases.

Illustration of a trade union statement.

The relevant trade union organisation gets to comment

You send information to the trade union relevant to the industry into which the job falls, and give them the opportunity to comment on the terms of employment.

Illustration of a young man making an application on a computer.

The employee or their representative fills in the employee’s part of the application

The employee or their representative (often the staffing agency) fills in the employee’s part of the application, attaches the required documents and submits the application.

Illustration of a man looking at an application.

The Swedish Migration Agency reviews the application

The Swedish Migration Agency reviews the application. If we can immediately see that the employee does not meet the requirements for a work permit, we may already make a decision to refuse the application. We will contact the employee or you if we need more information.

Illustration of a man who works as a caseworker at the Swedish Migration Agency.

The Swedish Migration Agency processes the application

The Swedish Migration Agency reviews all information relating to the application and investigates whether the employee can get a work permit. We will contact the employee or you if we need more information.

Waiting time while we process your application

Now you must wait.

Read more about waiting times

Passport control

The employee will be asked to present their passport, either at a Swedish embassy, at one of the National Govern­ment Service Centres, or via a digital passport control.

Illustration of a young woman holding a decision.

You will be notified when the decision is ready

Once the Swedish Migration Agency has made a decision, you, as the client, will be notified by mail. The employee will be notified by email or post.

After the decision

The Swedish Migration Agency is responsible for considering applications from people who want to live in Sweden, seek protection or become Swedish citizens. Our work is based on Swedish laws and international conventions, with a focus on legal certainty and effective reception and return.