Residence and work permit

General information

You must have a work permit in order to work in Sweden. Once you have been granted a permit it must be entered into your passport before your arrival.

Work permits are generally only granted to cover an acute shortage of specially qualified personnel needed in the Swedish labour market. You must be able to substantiate your qualifications for the job you have been offered. Work permits are time-limited and can only be extended after renewed assessment of labour market needs. A work permit does not entitle the holder to immigrate to Sweden or acquire Swedish citizenship.

Your Swedish employer must be able to guarantee a fair market salary which should provide adequate livelihood as well as standard Swedish benefits. The current minimum wage is 13 000 SEK per month before taxes. Housing arrangements must also have been made beforehand.

Work permits are limited to a particular occupation and/or particular workplace. You may not change occupation or workplace without renewed assessment of labour market needs.

A work permit may not extend beyond the period stated in your application or beyond the expiration date of your passport.

If your work permit is valid for MORE than six months, your spouse may obtain a work permit for the same period without any assessment of the needs of the labour market.

Do I need a work permit?

If you are a citizen of a country which is not a member of the European Union (EU) and wish to work in Sweden, you must have a work permit sticker attached to your passport before you enter Sweden. If your stay in Sweden is to exceed three months, you will also need a residence permit.

If you are a citizen of a EU-country, please contact the Embassy for further information.

Grants

A recipient of any type of grant/scholarship may be required to have a work permit depending on whether the stay in Sweden is for studies only or whether research work will be performed. To avoid a delay in the processing of a work and/or residence permit for an applicant in this category, Form AMS 1704 should always be included within the application.

How long does it take to get a work permit?

An estimated time of 2-3 months is usually required to process your application. Due to the large number of applications it receives, the Swedish Embassy will not be able to answer questions concerning the status of your application or confirm receipt of your documents.

How do I apply?

To apply for a work and residence permit, please submit the following to the Embassy of Sweden in Kuala Lumpur:

• two completed application forms, SIV 1040.U
• two passport size photos in colour or black/white
• a valid passport
• one of the following forms, either
  
  "Ansökan om arbetstillstånd/arbetsgivareintyg", AMS PF 1704
  or
  "Ansökan om arbetstillstånd Kulturarbetare", AMS PF 1707, mailed to you by your prospective Swedish employer.

How is my application processed?

The Swedish Embassy will send your application to the Swedish Immigration Board in Sweden. You will be contacted when a reply has been received. This process usually takes 2-3 months. If your application is approved, the Swedish Embassy will attach the work/residence permit to your passport.

Once your application has been sent to the Swedish Immigration Board you are not allowed to enter Sweden until your permit (if granted) has been attached to your passport. If you enter Sweden before a reply has been received by the Swedish Embassy you may jeopardize your application.

Please make sure that your passport will not expire during your stay in Sweden. Your permit may not extend beyond the expiration date of your passport.

You may pick up your passport in person, or it can be mailed to you.

How much does it cost?

You must pay a fee when you apply for a Swedish residence permit. If you are 18 or older and applying for a permit to work in Sweden, the fee is SEK 1000. If you are under 18 it is SEK 500. The fees are to be paid in Malaysian Ringgit, therefore please consult the consular section at the Embassy for the current exchange rate.

Please be informed that payment must be done in advance and that you must be able to show a receipt. The Embassy do not handle ready-money.
Embassy of Sweden
Maybank
Please visit the Embassy to collect the account number.

Whom do I contact for additional information?

Visa applications for Malaysian residents are handled by the Embassy of Sweden in Kuala Lumpur.

Forms

Form AMS PF 1704 (Offer of Employment)
written offer of employment must be made by your prospective Swedish employer on the above form and mailed to you. Please bring or enclose this form along with items a-c (see the 'How Do I Apply' section) to the Swedish Embassy.

Form AMS PF 1707 (Offer of employment – Artistic work) This form applies to those engaged in certain types of artistic work, e g ballet instructors. Please send the form along with items a-c (see the 'How Do I Apply' section) to the Swedish Embassy.