Professional Athletes and Coaches

Please ensure that your passport does not expire during your stay in Sweden. The expiration date of your permit (if granted) may not extend beyond the expiration date of your passport. Also note once your application has been submitted to the Consulate General you are not allowed to enter Sweden until a decision has been made.

Please submit the following documents:

• 2 copies of Application by Professional Athlete and Coach (form #129011), completed, signed and dated, including detailed contact information.
  
  
• National passport or other travel document – valid until at least three months after the end of the trip.
  
  
• Notarized copy of US Alien Registration Card or other valid resident visa (type A, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, O, or R), if applicable.
  
  
• 2 passport photos, in color, taken from the front with the face depicted at a straight angle. 
  Digital files and photocopies of passport pictures will NOT be accepted.
  
  
• 2 copies of contract signed by both parties. (The employer or club must guarantee a minimum salary of 13,000 SEK per month before tax and arrange accommodation).
  
  
• Application fee as well as shipping and handling fee, in the form of one money order or certified bank check, payable to Consulate General of Sweden or Embassy of Sweden, depending on where you file the application.  Applicants applying at the Consulate General of Sweden in New York may also pay by Visa or MasterCard.

How much does it cost?

A non-refundable application fee of $155 plus a $20 shipping and handling fee for return of passport with next-day delivery service.

The total amount can be paid with one money order.

How do I submit my application?

Applications with all required documents may be delivered in person during visiting hours or mailed directly to the following address:

Consulate General of Sweden
Attn: Visa Section
One Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza
885 Second Avenue, 45th floor
New York, NY 10017

Due to the large number of applications, the Consulate General will NOT be able to confirm receipt of your documents. If you would like acknowledgement that your application has been received, please use registered mail or a delivery service such as FedEx, UPS or DHL.

Please note that you might be requested to provide additional documentation.

Who decides my case?

The Consulate General of Sweden sends your application to the Migration Board in Sweden, which makes a decision after consulting with the Swedish Sports Federation. The residence permit must be entered in your passport before your arrival in Sweden.

How long will I have to wait for a decision?

To be sure of obtaining your permit in time, you should present your application 6-8 weeks prior to your departure for Sweden.

How long is a permit valid?

Work permits are granted for a maximum of one year at a time, or for the period of your contract if it is less than one year. Should your contract with your employer or club be renewed, you will have to reapply for a permit. As long as you have a valid contract, your permit can be extended for one year at a time up to four years. Only in exceptional cases are permits granted for longer than a total duration of four years in Sweden. Your permit is only valid for work in the club that has offered you employment and only for the branch of sport specified in your invitation.

May my family come with me?

Your family, i.e. spouse/cohabitant and children under 18, can obtain residence permits for the same period as you.

The co-application must be completed and submitted with the primary application. Please refer to the section on co-application for detailed instructions.

Further questions?

Specific questions about visas, residence and work permits are answered at 212-583-2555 between 2 and 3 pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.