You have a work permit in Sweden and are going to change your employer or profession or stop working.
Your permit applies to the employer and profession stated in the decision that granted it. If something changes, you may need to apply for a new permit.
If you get a new job with another employer, or if you change profession or have completely new work responsibilities, you need to apply for a new work permit. The same applies if your employer changes its company registration number or gets new owners, as this counts as a change of employer.
Once you have submitted your new application, you can start working for your new employer or in your new profession before you have received a decision from the Swedish Migration Agency, provided that you have applied before your previous work permit has expired.
Keep in mind that your new employer must have advertised the position in Sweden and within the EU/EEA and Switzerland before you start your employment.
If you terminate your employment early, for example because you are dismissed or because you resign, you no longer meet the requirements for the work permit you have been granted. You still have the option of staying in Sweden to look for a new job for three months after your last day of employment, provided that your work permit is still valid during that period.
If you get a new job within three months, you may need to apply for a new work permit, depending on how your current work permit is limited. Some work permits are limited to occupation and employer (allowing you to work in a specific occupation for a specific employer), while other work permits are limited to occupation only.
You can see how your permit is limited both in your decision and on your residence permit card.
Limitations of work permits
If your work permit is limited to profession and employer | If your work permit is restricted to a profession |
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If you get a new employment, you must apply for a new work permit. You can start working for your new employer as soon as you have submitted your application. Remember to submit your application before your current permit expires.
| If you get a new job in the same profession as your work permit is limited to, you do not need to apply for a new work permit. If your new job is in a new profession, you should apply for a new work permit. You can start working for your new employer as soon as you have submitted your application. Remember to submit your application before your current permit expires.
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If you do not find a new job within three months or if your work permit expires before then, and you do not have the right to stay in Sweden on any other grounds, you must leave the country.
2025-04-03
On 9 April, the Swedish Migration Agency will resume its residence and work permit activities in Pakistan. Applicants needing to submit biometric data, have their passport checked or be interviewed after submitting an application can once again do so at the embassy in Islamabad. This does not apply to those who are applying for a Schengen visa to visit Sweden for a short stay.
2025-04-01
From 1 April, the possibility of changing tracks will end
On 1 April, the Swedish Parliament’s decision to remove the possibility of changing tracks will come into force. This affects those who have been granted, or applied for, a work permit after an asylum application has been rejected. Your co-applicant family members will also be affected.
2025-03-31
On site in Skellefteå to answer your questions about work permits
Due to Northvolt’s bankruptcy, the Swedish Migration Agency will be on site in Skellefteå to answer your questions about residence and work permits.
2025-03-06
Changes for those residing in Cyprus who wish to apply for residence and work permit
From 17 March 2025 the Swedish embassy in Nicosia will no longer handle migration matters. If you are a citizen of Cyprus, you should instead contact the Swedish embassy in Athens, Greece. The same applies for non-Cypriot legal residents of Cyprus.
2025-02-07
Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania are now part of the Schengen area. Legal residents of these countries shall, from 24 February 2025 turn to one of the five Schengen hubs for migration related matters.
2025-02-07
As from 10 March, 2025, the embassy in Sarajevo will no longer handle migration related matters. Instead, you should turn to the Swedish embassy in Skopje, North Macedonia.
2025-01-07
New EU Blue Card rules now apply
As of 1 January, new requirements and rules apply for anyone who wants to apply for an EU Blue Card and existing Blue Card holders.
2024-12-20
Change for people residing in Serbia and Montenegro and want to apply for residence and work permit
As of 3 February 2025, residents of Serbia and Montenegro should contact the Embassy of Sweden in Skopje, North Macedonia for applications for residence and work permits.