Working in Sweden

EU and EES citizens and their immediate family (husband/wife and minors under 18) are except from the requirement of having a work permit. A residence permit is required.

You may, however, also require an entry visa. Information about which citizens are required to have entry visas and more information on visas is found on the page 'Visa for visiting Sweden'.

General information regarding work permits

Obtaining a Swedish work permit is no easy matter. Swedes, foreign citizens already living in Sweden and EU/EEA citizens have preference over others in obtaining work in Sweden.

Work permits are generally only granted to cover a temporary demand for labour or for specially qualified personnel needed in the Swedish labour market. Work permits are time-limited and can only be extended after a renewed assessment of the labor market needs has been made. A work permit does not entitle the holder to permanent residency in Sweden or to Swedish citizenship.

You must have a written offer of employment in Sweden, made out on a special form which your employer can obtain via the National Labour Market Board’s web site ams.se. After approval from the County Labour Board your employer must send the form to you so that you can enclose it with your application.

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

You must be fully prepared to leave Sweden when your term of employment is over.

Neither the Embassy of Sweden in Ottawa nor the Consulates throughout Canada are able to help you find employment in Sweden.

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. The permit must be granted and inserted in 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 an EU-country please contact the Embassy of Sweden.

How long does it take to get a work permit?

The processing time is approximately 2-3 months.

How do I apply?

An application for a work and residence permit can be filed

– electronically;
– at the closest Consulate of Sweden (in person) or
– at the Embassy of Sweden (in person)

If you would like to apply electronically, link to the Swedish Migration Boards information about "Electronic applications"

The following documentation is required if you apply at a Consulate of Sweden or at the Embassy of  Sweden in Ottawa:

• A completed application form
  in duplicate. Choose the one that applies to your situation.
  
  All application forms can be found on the Migration Board website;
  
  
• If family members are accompanying you to Sweden an application form in duplicate for EACH family member must be completed "Application by co-applicants to employees/visiting researchers/athletes/au-pair/self-employed persons (CB) for: ";
  
  
• Two passport size photograph for each applicant:  full face, colour, light background, not more than 6 months old, bareheaded unless special religious reasons exists;
  
  
• Valid passport (the passport should be valid for the entire planned stay in Sweden);
  
  
• A written offer of employment from the employer in Sweden.

How is my application processed?

Your application will be forwarded to the Migration Board in Sweden for processing. This will take approximately 2-3 months.

Your permit must be granted and inserted in your passport before entering Sweden.


Do I have to pay a fee?

Please click here to see information about fees.

Fees are payable at time of application and are non-refundable.

Whom do I contact for additional information?

Please contact the Embassy of Sweden in Ottawa or the Consulate of Sweden closest to where you live.