What happens if the company you work for goes bankrupt?
If the company you work for goes bankrupt and you have a work permit to work for this employer, you will need to find a new job within three months to stay in Sweden.
If you have a residence and work permit for employment with a specific company in Sweden, you can stay in Sweden and continue to work as long as you are employed, provided your permit is still valid. If you are laid off, you have three months to find a new job that meets the requirements for a work permit in Sweden. If you do not find a new job within three months, the Swedish Migration Agency may revoke your permit, which means that you will have to leave the country.
The three months are counted from your last day of work, as long as your permit does not expire in the meantime. For example, if you have two months left on your work permit, you have the corresponding time to find a new job, i.e. two months in this example.
Read more about changing employer, changing profession or leaving work
Change of permit from within Sweden
If you do not find a new job within three months or if your permit expires before then, and you do not have the right to stay in Sweden on any other basis, you must leave the country. To be allowed to return to Sweden, for example for studies or work that you find after you have left the country, you need to apply for a new permit.
The main rule is that you should apply for a residence permit from your home country or another country where you have permission to live, and that the permit should be ready before you enter Sweden.
If you want to switch to a residence permit for running your own business
If you want to run your own business, you can apply for a residence permit to run your own business in Sweden. As long as the conditions for your current work permit have been fulfilled and you have applied for the new permit before your current permit expires, you can stay in Sweden while the Swedish Migration Agency examines your application.
If you become unemployed and want to apply for a permanent residence permit
If you have worked in Sweden with a work permit for at least four years during the past seven years, you can choose to apply for a permanent residence permit. If your current permit is about to expire and you want to extend it, you can apply for a permanent residence permit at the same time as you apply for an extension. However, in order to be granted a permanent residence permit in Sweden, you must meet certain requirements, including a connection to Sweden via the Swedish labour market, an income and good conduct.
Longer periods of unemployment affect your connection to the Swedish labour market, which may affect your ability to obtain a permanent residence permit.
If you find a new job
If you find a new job, you may need to apply for a new work permit, depending on how your current work permit is restricted. Some work permits are limited to occupation and employer while other work permits are limited to occupation only.
You can see how your permit is limited both in the decision and on your residence permit card.
If your work permit is limited to your profession and employer and you find a new job, 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.
You want to apply – Work
If your work permit is limited to your profession and you find a new job in the same profession that 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 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.
Please note that your new employment still needs to meet the conditions for a work permit in Sweden in order for you to obtain a work permit. This means that your job must be advertised and your employment conditions must be in line with collective agreements or practices in the profession or industry. You must also be able to obtain a good living. It is important that you submit your application before your current permit expires.
There are no requirements on the length of employment to be eligible for a work permit. You can get a work permit for the duration of your employment, as long as the requirements are met.
Read more information about the requirements for work permits