Sweden is a member of the European Union (EU), which means that EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals are entitled to work in Sweden without the need to apply for a work permit. If you’re not familiar with how to obtain a work visa for international employees in Sweden, we’ve put together a few helpful guidelines.

Types of work visas in Sweden

Without a valid working visa in Sweden, employees cannot live or work in the country. The employee’s occupation and/or home country will determine if they are eligible for a work and residence permit, an EU Blue Card, or Intra Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit.

An EU Blue Card is a combined work and residence permit meant for highly skilled workers. Applicants must have at least three years of higher education or five years of relevant, comparable professional experience. Certain ICT roles qualify with three years’ relevant experience during the previous seven years.

Expats who work for a company outside the EU and are transferring to a branch in Sweden should apply for an ICT permit. However, this avenue only applies to employees in managerial or specialist positions.

In April 2022, Sweden announced a new residence permit for highly qualified jobseekers, startups, and those looking to start a business in Sweden. Qualified professionals can apply for temporary residency while they look for a job or start a business. This temporary permit is valid for at least three months and no more than nine months, but not beyond the applicant’s passport validity.

Requirements to obtain work visas in Sweden

Both employees and employers must meet certain requirements to obtain a work visa in Sweden. The requirements for employees include:

  • A valid passport
  • Job offer with terms equal to a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) or the occupation’s standard
  • Employment contract
  • A gross salary of at least SEK 34,560 per month (SEK 414,720 per year) that also meets collective agreement or customary occupation and industry rates
  • Employment offer with health insurance, life insurance, and social security
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Intention to leave the country once the employment contract ends

All employers must also meet requirements to hire international employees for jobs in Sweden. The position must be advertised for at least 10 calendar days in Sweden, the EU/EEA, and Switzerland before offering the job to a non-EU/EEA candidate. It also needs to include terms that are similar to other jobs in the same industry.

Residence permit applicants must have their passport verified before a decision is made. This sometimes requires an in-person visit to an embassy, consulate-general, or Migration Agency service center. Alternatively, some applicants can be offered a digital passport check.

Application process

While the steps to get a work visa in Sweden can change depending on the type of visa, the general application process includes:

  • A job offer: Companies should submit a written job offer to the employee after obtaining approval from the right trade union regarding the job and salary. Make sure the offer includes a specific length of employment, as this will determine how long the visa will last.
  • Starting the application: Employers must start the online visa application with the Swedish Migration Agency. You will need the employee’s date of birth, citizenship information, education, and email.
  • Receiving an email: After starting the application with the Swedish Migration Agency, the applicant will receive an email to start their side of the process. They will need to indicate whether they are moving alone or with family.
  • Submitting all relevant documents: Employees must submit a copy of their passport, an employment offer, and a statement from the trade union.
  • Paying the fee: The standard employee work permit application fee is SEK 2,200 per applicant. Fees vary by permit category.
  • Waiting for the permit to get issued: Most employees moving to Sweden for work can plan for approximately one to four months for a complete first-time work permit application. However, the wait time can vary based on the industry they are working in, whether someone submitted their application online or in-person, and whether they are self-employed or work for a company.

Other important considerations

Sweden operates a four-stream model for processing work-permit applications: 

  • Category A: Highly qualified workers including managerial roles and jobs requiring higher education
  • Category B: Specific occupations with their own rules such as seasonal jobs and EU Blue Card permits
  • Category C: Non-highly qualified jobs
  • Category D: Permit applications for sectors such as cleaning, construction, hotels, and restaurants

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For this particular location, G-P may offer support processing certain work visas and permits.