Working in Sweden

This may be the case if you've been offered employment:

• at a Swedish company
• as a performing artist
• professional sportsmen/-women and coaches
• working as a doctoral candidate
• au-pair
• if it is practical training within the process of the company in Sweden or to perform a work e.g. installation of software programs, you might also need a work permit.

New rules apply for labour migration from 15 December 2008, for find out more please go to the website for Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Board).

There will be problems with the links to the application form "Application for work permit" during a short period. To ensure that you have the correct application form (nr 148011 Application for work permit) please go to the website for Migrationsverket.

Requirements

Attention! All documents should be submitted in two copies.

• Application, completed, dated and signed.
  
  
• A written offer of employment ( your employer can find the form at the website for Migrationsverket) Your employer is required to fill out this form which must be attached to the application.
  
  
• International passport and copies of all pages of the passport.
  
  
• Two [2] coloured photographs, size 35 x 40 mm
  The photograph must be:
  – recent and of true likeness, not more than six months  old
  – showing full face
  – taken without headgear, head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs,  and  even then, may not cover any portion of the applicant's face
  – taken against a plain, evenly lit and light background.
  Photographs that do not meet these requirements will be rejected or may  cause a delay in processing the application.
  
  
• Application fee. Click here for more information.

The performing artist category includes singers, musicians, dancers and circus artists etc. Those accompanying the artist as technicians, road managers, etc, also come into this category and are therefore required to have a work permit as well.

• You must have a contract with whoever is organizing the engagement in Sweden. The contract must be signed by both parties.
  
  
• You must have a written offer of employment in Sweden. This should be made out on a special form which your employer in Sweden can obtain from the Swedish Migration Board, Migrationsverket. Your employer must complete the form and send it to you so that you can enclose it with your application together with your contract.
  
  
• The time and the place of your engagement must be stated in the contract and in the offer of employment.
  
  
• Your employer shall guarantee you pay, insurance coverage and other terms of employment equal to at least the collective agreement or Swedish practice in the profession or the branch of trade.

Performing artists who have been contracted for a temporary radio or TV engagement by the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation, the Swedish Television Company, the Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company or the Nordic Television Company are exempt from the work permit requirement   (maximum one month after entry).

Performing artists, their technical staff and other tour staff contracted to work temporarily in Sweden for no more than 14 days during a 12-month period do not require work permits. They must, however, have a written invitation from an established organiser. A list of established organisers is available on the web page of the Swedish Migration Board under Work permits for Performing artists. The citizens of some countries, however, require a visa in order to enter Sweden.

Work permit for doctoral candidates/guest scientists

Since Juli 1, 2008, third country nationals who will work in Sweden as visiting researchers, will not need a work permit. However, visa is required for a stay in Sweden up to three months and a residence permit for a stay that exceed three months. For information about the requirements for visa and residence permit se information under the respective head line in the margin to the left.

People who have an academic doctor's degree, such as assistants and demonstrators, are also considered as guest scientists.

Scientists or teachers in the higher education, who have been invited by a scientific institution in Sweden to lecture or to teach during maximum three months in a twelve months period, are as before not required to have a residence or work permit. Instead, they shall apply for regular visa.

Work permit for au-pair

If you want to work as an au-pair in Sweden, you are required to have a residence and work permit. The purpose of the stay shall be to gain international experience and the possibility to learn the Swedish language and culture. You can not be granted this permit if your are under 18 years or if you are older than 30 years.

A written letter, from the family who invites you to Sweden as an au-pair, shall be attached to the application. It shall clearly state that you will participate in the domestic work maximum 25 hours per week, that you will be supplied with free food and accommodation, and that your salary will be minimum SEK 3 500 per month, before taxes.

You shall attach proof of identity (personbevis) from the inviting party and a certificate, from a college or other place of study, that guarantees you to participate in Swedish language classes.

Work permit for sportsmen/-women, and coaches

Professional sportsmen/-women and coaches who will work in Sweden need a work permit. In order for the Swedish Migration Board to grant such permit, the Swedish National Sports Association (Riksidrottsförbundet) must acknowledge the contract and certify that the employment is of great importance for the sport's positive development.

You need a written contract, signed by both you and the Swedish sports club. Accommodation must be arranged for you. Your employer (the sports club) shall guarantee you a minimum wage of SEK13500 per month, before taxes. Only professional sportsmen/-women and coaches may be granted this permit.

For a stay of less than three months, no residence permit is required. Some foreign nationals however must in such cases have visas in order to enter Sweden. To find out which, click here. Normally, visas are granted for three months at the most.

A professional sportsman/woman or official may visit Sweden without a work permit in order to take part in international competitions for a maximum of three months during a 12-month period.

If the term of contract is longer than three months, you must also apply for a residence permit.

Co-applicants

Your family, i.e. spouse/cohabitant and children under 21, can obtain residence permits for the same period as you, provided they can show enough financial means for their stay in Sweden. Your spouse/cohabitant can also be granted work permits if your permit is valid for six months or longer. Children under 18 years old pay half the application fee.
 
For further information please contact the Visa Chancellery (see open hours below). You may also contact the 
> Swedish Migration Board

601 70 Norrköping
Sweden
Phone: +46-771-235 235
Fax: +46-11-10 81 55

Open hours Visa Chancellery

The Visa Chancellery in Kyiv is located on Ivana Franka str 36, 2nd floor.

The Visa Chancellery is receiving applications:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30-12.30. 

On Wednesdays the Visa Chancellery is closed to the public.

Holidays when the Embassy is closed:

2009: 1/1, 6/1, 7/1, 10/4, 13/4, 1/5, 21/5, 22/5, 19/6, 24/8, 24/12, 25/12, 31/12.

Questions on working permit in Sweden can be posed to the Visa Chancellery via e-mail: ambassaden.kiev-visum@foreign.ministry.se or
by phone +380 44 494 4290
during Monday to Friday 14.00-16.00 or
by fax +380 44 494 4292, +380 44 494 4272