Step 2: Applying for a work permit in Sweden
Got a job in Sweden? Here’s how to apply for a work permit.
Once you have a job offer in Sweden, you can apply for a work permit. The process is mainly digital and completed in stages by both you and your future employer, with guidance from the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket).
This guide explains how it works, what applies to you, and if your family is moving with you.
Who you will be in contact with
- Your main contact is the Swedish Migration Agency, and you complete your part of the application online.
- You will also have your fingerprints taken be photographed for your residence permit card at a Swedish mission.
Who needs a work permit?
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA, you normally need a work permit to live and work in Sweden. The overview below shows the general rules.
You need a work permit before arriving. The type of permit depends on your situation – for example if you are moving for work, coming as a researcher or already are in Sweden as a student and want to stay and look for a job.
If you have been granted long-term resident status in another EU country, you can apply for a residence permit under special rules to move to Sweden for work.
You can work and study in Sweden without a work permit, and you have the right to come to Sweden to look for work. The same applies to any partner or children if they are EU/EEA citizens. They do not need a permit to move to and live in Sweden.
Check what applies to you on the Swedish Migration Agency’s website.
Some citizens aged 18–30 from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea may apply for a working holiday visa for up to one year. If you are coming to Sweden for a short assignment, other rules may also apply.
Processing times
How long it takes varies depending on the type of permit and the details of your application. Make sure to include all required information and documents to avoid delays in the assessment. See current statistics on waiting times.
How the application works
The application process is completed in several stages. The Swedish Migration Agency provides detailed guidance for each type of work permit, but these are the main steps.
- Your employer starts the application by submitting the first part through the agency’s online service and provide details about the role and employment conditions.
- You complete your part after your employer has submitted their information. You receive a link to fill in your information and upload your documents. You also add details for any family members applying with you.
- The Swedish Migration Agency begins assessing the application once both parts have been submitted, and may contact you if more information is needed.
- You receive the decision, along with with information on what happens next.
- After your work permit is approved, you receive information on how to get your residence-permit card. This usually includes a short visit to a Swedish embassy or consulate-general to provide fingerprints and be photographed.
Make sure to follow the Swedish Migration Agency’s guidance on passport copies.
Who does what in the application?
Your employer and you provide different information and documents during the process. Below is an overview of who does what:
- Start the application through the Swedish Migration Agency’s online service.
- Provide information about the role, your salary and the employment conditions.
- Confirm that the salary and employment conditions match Swedish collective agreements or industry standards. Your employer must also arrange the required insurance coverage, including health, life, occupational injury and pension insurance. The salary must reach at least 80 per cent of the median salary in Sweden, the current threshold is listed on the Swedish Migration Agency’s website.
- Submit all employer-related documents needed for the assessment.
- Your employer can follow the status of the application in the online service.
- Add your personal details and upload the documents requested in the application, such as a copy of your passport and documents showing your education or work experience.
- Make sure the information and documents you submit are complete and correct.
- Provide details for any accompanying family members who are applying for a residence permit with you.
- Respond if more information is requested.
- You will receive notifications about updates in your application.
Extending your permit
Most work permits are granted for up to two years at a time. You need to apply to extend your permit before your current one ends if you wish to stay longer. The Swedish Migration Agency explains what you need for an extension and how the process works.
Bringing your family
Below, you’ll find a short overview of what applies if your partner or children are moving with you. Family members include spouses, registered or cohabiting partners, and usually children under the age of 21.
If you are applying for a work permit and your partner or children are non-EU/EEA citizens, they can apply for a residence permit as accompanying family. They can be included in your application or apply separately if they are joining you later.
Partners who receive a residence permit as accompanying family have the right to work in Sweden.
If you are an EU/EEA citizen, your non-EU partner or children apply for a residence card under EU free-movement rules. The Swedish Migration Agency explains how this works.
Next step
Once your work permit has been approved, it’s a good time to start looking for a place to live. In the next section, you’ll find an introduction to how the housing market works in Sweden and where to begin your search.
Go to Step 3: Finding a home
