2026-07-12
No permanent residence permits for former asylum seekers from 12 July
From the 12 July, people who have a permit in Sweden on the grounds of protection cannot be granted a permanent residence permit (PUT).
You are waiting for a decision Work
Information for those who have applied for international protection (asylum) about working in Sweden and how AT-UND works.
You must usually support yourself financially while you wait to receive a decision about your application for international protection (asylum). You can do this either by using your own savings or by working.
The Swedish Migration Agency considers your right to work once you have submitted your application for international protection. The proof that a person who has applied for international protection is exempt from the requirement to have a work permit is called “AT-UND”. If we determine that you are covered by this exemption and have the right to work, this will be recorded directly on your application card or LMA card.
If you have been offered a job and need to be granted an AT-UND exemption quickly, you can present your offer of employment to the Swedish Migration Agency. We will then quickly decide whether you can be granted AT-UND status.
Keep in mind that not only wages/salary but also other forms of compensation, such as gift cards, may affect your right to financial aid from the Swedish Migration Agency.
Requirements to be granted the right to work
You are exempt from the work permit requirement if you have applied for international protection and meet the following criteria:
You submit acceptable identity documents, or otherwise help clarify your identity
Your case is under examination in Sweden
Your application is well-founded
You are not exempt from the work permit requirement if you have received, or it can be assumed that you will receive, a refusal of entry decision that is to be implemented immediately, or if your application is to be examined by another country under the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation.
Once the Swedish Migration Agency has taken a position on your request for AT-UND status
You will receive AT-UND status through a registration made directly on your application card or LMA card, which your employer can check by scanning the QR code on the card. Your exemption from the work permit requirement usually applies until you receive a residence permit or leave the country.
Information about application cards and LMA cards
If you do not receive AT-UND status, this means that you do not have the right to work while waiting for a decision about your application for international protection.
Once you have AT-UND status, you can turn to the Swedish Public Employment Service for help with finding a job. They can inform you about vacancies and provide other information.
If you receive a return decision
You retain your AT-UND status for as long as you cooperate in preparations for you to leave the country. If you do not cooperate in preparations for you to leave the country in accordance with the decision, you are no longer exempt from work permit requirement, and this will be evident from the information on your application card or LMA card.
If you get a job while you are waiting for a decision
If you get a job while you are waiting for a decision about your application for international protection, you must present your employer with proof that you are exempt from the requirement to have a work permit (i.e. that you have AT-UND status).
The application card and LMA card have a QR code that allows an employer to use their mobile phone to easily check if the card is valid and if you have the right to work.
Your employment does not need to be approved by the Swedish Migration Agency.
If you want to open a bank account
Only the Swedish Migration Agency can deposit money on the payment card that you receive from the Swedish Migration Agency. If you want to open a bank account into which your employer can deposit your wages/salary, you need to contact a bank. The bank offices themselves decide whether you meet their requirements to open an account with them.
News
2026-07-12
Exemptions from the requirement for a permanent residence permit to obtain Swedish citizenship
From 12 July, as a general rule, permanent residence permits will no longer be granted. Consequently, some people with temporary residence permits may apply for Swedish citizenship without having a permanent residence permit.
2026-06-18
No permanent residence permits for former asylum seekers or their family members
Following changes to the law, it is no longer possible for people who have a permit on the grounds of protection to be granted a permanent residence permit (PUT).
2026-06-12
The migration pact is introduced on the 12 June
On 12 June 2026, the EU's Pact on migration and asylum is introduced. Among other things, this means that the EU will have common rules about how migrants will be controlled at the border, and what the procedure is when somebody applies for international protection (asylum).
2026-06-01
New levels of reintegration assistance from 1 June 2026
The EU Reintegration Programme (EURP) provides support for people returning to their country of origin after their application for asylum has been rejected or when they no longer have the right to remain in the EU. The levels of assistance available under the programme are now being revised.