Sweden Work Visa Process 2024
Sweden is among the best countries to live, work, and study. It is home to some of the world’s best innovative Companies like IKEA, Ericsson, and Spotify. They welcome people from a diverse background. In this post, we will tell you about the Sweden Work Visa Process, eligibility, requirements, types of work permits, labour shortage list, minimum wage, number of work permits that have been issued so far, and how to find a Job in Sweden.
The Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency) has granted (36,000) work permits in 2023. In January 2024 they received 3,123 applications out of which 2,230 permits have been granted. That’s a 71.41% success rate! The statistics are available on the Migrationsverket website. If you do not have a Job offer from a Sweden Employer you can apply for the Sweden Job Seeker Visa. This permit allows you to search for employment. More details are given below.
About Sweden Work Visa Process
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU and wish to work in Sweden, in most cases you need a work permit and a Long Stay (D) Visa.
There are different types of work permits in Sweden and the easiest way to apply for a work permit is to do so online.
Countries Whose Citizen Needs a Visa for Sweden
Do you need a Visa or not depending on your nationality? Please check this link.
Types of Sweden Work Permits
Work Permit (Employer Sponsored): For general employment with a specific Swedish employer. The employer must sponsor this work permit.
Residence Permit to Look for Work: For graduates seeking work or starting a business in Sweden. It is known as Job seeker Visa. This allows job seekers to search for employment in sweden for up to 9 months. Read more about the Sweden Job Seeker Visa
Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT): For employees transferring within multinational companies.
Self-Employment Permit: For starting your own business in Sweden.
Seasonal Work Permit: For temporary seasonal work (maximum 6 months within 12 months) in agriculture, forestry, tourism, and other approved sectors. This permit also comes under an Employer-sponsored.
Sweden Work Permit Requirements
- Generally, citizens from countries outside the EU must apply for a work permit to work in Sweden.
- Employees in certain fields may be exempt from work permits.
- You must have received an official offer of employment from a Swedish employer.
- As an employee, you must be paid a minimum monthly salary of SEK 13,000 before taxes.
- Have a valid passport.
- You cannot enter Sweden until the permit has been granted.
- Health Insurance is covered by the employer.
- Read about Sweden’s Work Permit Requirements.
Sweden Work Visa Requirements
Before applying for a Long Stay National (D) Visa you must be able to show the following things:
- Valid Job offer and employment Contract
- Work Permit Apply
- All educational documents
- Biometrics
- Pay Visa Application Fee
- Attend an Interview at the Swedish Embassy if required.
- Submit the Complete Visa application either online or at the Swedish Embassy/consulate in your home country.
Validity of a Work Permit
- Sweden Work Permit (Employer-sponsored): Depends of Job Contract
- Seasonal Permit: Six months
- Intra-company Transfer (ICT): Validity depends on Job Contract
- Business visa: You can stay up to 90 Days
- Self-employment visa: Issued for one year.
Visa Duration
The Sweden long-stay visa is a national visa, also known as a D-visa. The D Visa will be initially issued for one year.
Cost of a Sweden Long Stay Visa
- D Visa Fee: 80 Euros
Sweden Work Permit Cost
- Work Permit: SEK 2,200
- EU Blue Card, ICT permit, Seasonal work: SEK 2,000
- Extension of work permit: SEK 2,200
- Job Seeker Visa: SEK 2,200
- Self-employed: SEK 2,000
You can also check the permit cost from here
How to Apply for the Sweden Long Stay D Visa for Work?
There are two ways you can apply for a Sweden work visa:
- Online.
- At the embassy or consulate-general.
Online Process
- You will need to apply for a work permit before entering sweden.
- Your Employer in sweden must initiate the work permit application by providing information about the employment.
- The Swedish Migration Agency will contact the employee at the email address that was provided to the employer.
- You will receive an email from sweden with information about how to apply for a work permit.
- You will attach all the documents that have been asked such as the employment contract, and passport pages.
- Pay the Visa Fee online.
- Show your passport. Find out which embassy or consulate-general you should contact. If you need an entry visa for travel to Sweden you should therefore visit the Swedish embassy or consulate-general as soon as possible to be photographed and have your fingerprints taken.
- Get a Residence Permit Card. The card proves that you have permission to reside in Sweden and contains information such as your fingerprints and photograph.
Embassy or Consulate General Process
For applications at the embassy or consulate-general, follow these steps.
- Book an appointment. Find the Swedish embassy or consulate and check the visa process.
- Fill out the Visa application form.
- copies of the pages of your passport.
- Your offer of employment and the statement from the trade union.
- Submit an application fee.
- The Migration Agency considers your application and informs you of its decision, see current waiting times
How to Find a Jobs in Sweden?
E-mailing your CV with a cover letter is usually step 1 when applying for a job in Sweden.
- The Swedish Public Employment Service
- EURES portal
- Sweden.se
- Direct contact with a company
Labour Shortage List
list of occupations that are in high demand in Sweden. Check it out because it’s a highly demanded occupation.
- Ambulance paramedics
- Occupational therapists
- Midwives
- Pediatric nurses and school nurses
- Biomedical analysts
- Bus and tram drivers
- District nurses
- Operation technicians at heating and water plants
- Physiotherapists
- Drivers of agricultural and forestry machinery
- Pre-school teachers
- Geriatric nurses
- Primary school teachers
- Registered nurses
- Crane operators
- Refrigeration and heat pump technicians
- Vocational teachers
- Teachers without specialist training
- Medical secretaries and healthcare administrators
- Environmental and health protection inspectors
- Software and system developers
- Motor vehicle mechanics and vehicle repairers
- Operating room nurses
- Psychiatric nurses
- Psychologists
- Radiographers
- Nurses in emergency care
- Specialist doctors
- Specialist teachers and special pedagogues
- Welders and gas cutters
- Study and career counselors
- Systems analysts and IT architects
- Security inspectors
- Dental hygienists
- Dentists
- Nursing assistants
- HVAC engineers
- HVAC installers
- Subject teachers in mathematics and science
- Other healthcare specialists
- Other specialist nurses
Permanent Residency in Sweden
A permanent residence permit can be granted after four years of employment in Sweden within seven years.