You get a job and an employment agreement
Before you apply for a work permit, you need to have an employment agreement signed by you and your employer.
The employer starts the application
It is your employer who starts your application in the e-service.
The trade union is given the opportunity to comment
The employer sends information about the employment to the relevant trade union for the industry to which the employment relates. The trade union is given the opportunity to comment on the terms and conditions of employment.
You fill in your part of the application
Once the employer has completed their part, you will receive an email with a link to the e-service. You must then fill in your part of the application. You fill in the application and attach the necessary documents.
Your application for a work permit must be received by the Swedish Migration Agency no later than two weeks after the decision rejecting your application for asylum entered into force (became legally binding).
Waiting time before we start examining the application
Now follows a period of waiting until the Swedish Migration Agency takes a closer look at your application.
The Swedish Migration Agency reviews your application
The Swedish Migration Agency reviews your application. If we can immediately see that you do not meet the requirements for a work permit, we may already decide to reject your application.
We will contact you if we need more information.
If your application can be considered, we will issue a suspension decision. This means that you can remain in Sweden until your application has been examined.
You may need to present your passport
You may need to present your passport before we can make a decision. You only need to do this if we have not already checked it on a previous visit, or if you have received a new passport since you last presented it. Certain applicants will be offered the option of presenting their passport in a digital passport check conducted via an app. If you need to present your passport, we will contact you with information about how and when you can do so. You may also need to submit your passport for examination.
You are waiting for a decision – You have applied for the first time
The Swedish Migration Agency processes the application
Once you have presented your passport, the Swedish Migration Agency will review all the information related to your application and determine whether you can be granted a work permit.
We will contact you if we need more information. In some cases, we will contact your employer for further information.
You receive our decision
As soon as we have made a decision, you will receive an email or letter stating whether you have been granted a work permit or if your application has been rejected. The decision will then be sent to you and your representative (if any) by post. When you receive the decision, you can find out the reasons on which it is based.
A copy of the first page of the decision, which states whether you have been granted a work permit or your application has been rejected, will also be sent to your employer.
If you are granted a work permit it is valid for working for the employer and within the profession you specified when you applied. If your application is rejected, you must prepare to leave Sweden within 14 days. You need to do this even if you choose to appeal.