How to apply for a work permit

From December 15, 2008 new regulations regarding the influx of labour to Sweden have come into force, which means that there are some changes concerning work permit. According to the new regulations a work permit can be granted even if there is not a shortage of labour in a specific field. New is also that it is the employer who decides who to employ and not the National Labour Market Board (AMS) as before.

A work permit can be granted for maximum two years. After two years the permit can be prolonged for two more years. After four years (48 months) of work permit, permanent residence permit can be granted. During the first two years the work permit is limited to be valid for one specific profession at one specific employer. After two years the work permit will be limited only to the specific profession.

More information on > the new regulations can be found on the web site of the Swedish Migration Board.

Your application for work permit shall be handed in to the Embassy of Sweden or to the appropriate Consulate General. After handing in the application, you may be summoned to a personal interview. In most cases the application will be forwarded to the Swedish Migration Board for decision. Application can also be made electronically directly to the Migration Board.

Requirements when applying for a work permit

You are required to enclose the following documents with your application (note that all documents must be submitted in original and a copy of the original document)

• Two fully completed and signed application forms (see links to the right).
  
  
• Two passport photos taken within the past six months.
  -Photos that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and may cause delay in processing the application.
  
  
• A valid passport and two photocopies of the identity page of the passport. We only accept passports which have been signed by the holder of the passport.
  
  
• An "Offer of employment" (see links to the right), filled out by the employer and signed by the local labour union. The form, Anställningserbjudande 232011, can be found under "Links" on the right side of this page.
  

In addition to that, your employer shall:

• have advertised the job vacancy in Sweden and the EU.
  
  
• offer you terms of employment which must be equivalent to a Swedish collective agreement or customary terms for the occupation or industry.
  
  
• give the relevant union an opportunity to state an opinion on the terms of the offer of employment.
  

You and the employer are responsible for showing the Migration Board that the requirements above have been met. You do this by completing the application form for employees and the employer completes the Offer of the Employment form.

• Non-Chinese applicants must also provide a valid Chinese residence permit.
  
  
• Power of Attorney (see pdf-files to the right).

Self-employed should use special application forms (see links to the right). For athletes, artists, and au-pairs, refer to the website of the Migration Board in Sweden.

Simplified rules for foreign emloyees

The Swedish Government has decided that the two following categories will be exempted from the obligation to hold a work permit. The exemption applies to a total of maximum three months during a twelve-months period and came into effect on January 1, 2010.

• Foreign employees that will undergo training, conduct tests, prepare and finish deliveries or participate in similar activities in Sweden as part of a business deal.
  
• Foreign employees, employed by an international group, that will undergo practical training (on-the-job training or other in-service training) at a company in Sweden which is part of the group.

Note!

If your family is going with you, please note that there is a special application form for co-applicants (see links to the right).

If you are a student or a doctoral student at a university/college you do not need a work permit to be able to work during your studies.


Where do I apply?

Online:
It is now possible to apply directly through the website of the Swedish Migration Board (permits for self-employed persons excluded), but then you must be able to pay the application fee by VISA, Mastercard or American Express. If you do not have any of these, please apply directly to the Consulate General instead. The time for handling your application will be much shorter if you apply online!

At the Consulate General:
You should hand in your application to the Consulate General at least 10 weeks before your departure to Sweden. If you fail to supply the necessary documents mentioned above, the decision-making process of your case may be delayed. The Consulate General may call you for additional documents or information if necessary.

Residence permit cards to be introduced in May

As from 20 May 2011 all EU member states will issue residence permit cards (UT cards). The card will contain biometric data (photographs and two finger prints).

If you receive a residence permit after 20 May, you will be given a residence permit card. The card will have a chip where your biometric data will be stored. The UT card is proof of your residence permit. It is not an ID card or a travel document. When you enter Sweden, you must therefore show your UT card along with a valid passport.
 
If you are applying for a residence permit through a Swedish mission abroad (embassy or consulate), you will be photographed and will need to submit finger prints in connection with:
 
submitting your application or
during your interview (if you are called to one)
 
The Swedish mission abroad will issue or send your finished card to you.

If you have received a decision before the 20ht of May but not yet been to the Consulate to pick up your decision you have to contact us to book a personal appointment for leaving the biometrics. The Consulate can receive this on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8.45-10.00. Please contact generalkonsulat.shanghai-Visum@foreign.ministry.se to make an appointment.