If you are a citizen of a country that is not a part of the EU and you want to work in Sweden, you must have a work permit. If you plan to work in Sweden for longer than three months you will also need a residence permit.
Permit validity period
- You will get a residence and work permit that covers the relevant period, maximum validity period for your permit is two years. That means you will get a permit for two years even if the employment lasts until further notice.
- You will get a shorter permit if it is difficult to decide for how long the employment lasts, for instance if your work is to build a newly started company. When your old permit expires you can apply for an extension.
Change of employer
- For the first two years the residence and work permit is restricted to one named employer and a particular profession. For this reason, you will have to apply for a new work permit if you change employer or profession over the first two years.
- If the residence and work permit has been extended after two years, it will be restricted to a particular profession. But even here you must apply for a new work permit if you change profession.
If employment ends
- A residence and work permit in Sweden is always temporary.
- If you lose your job and do not get a new one within three months, the Swedish Migration Board may cancel your residence permit.
- If you get a new job, you must submit a new application for a work permit unless the permit also covers the new job.
Permits for family members
Your family may be granted residence permits for the same period that you were granted residence and work permits for. If the employment is to be for more than six months, family members can also be granted work permits.
Family members include:
- husband/wife or common law spouse
- children of yours under 21 or of your husband/wife or common law spouse.
If you have children who are 21 or older they must be dependent on you or your husband/wife or common law spouse for support in order to be granted a residence permit.
In order for the Migration Board to be able to issue a residence permit card, you will be photographed and will need to submit fingerprints in connection with:
- submitting your application or
- when you receive your residence permit.
Application fee
You must pay a fee when you apply for a Swedish residence permit and/or a work permit.
You must pay the fee, regardless of where you apply for your permit. The fee will not be refunded, regardless of whether your application is granted or rejected. As a rule, the fee is the same whether you are applying for the first time or applying to extend your permit.
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Work permit* | SEK 2,000 |
| Extension of work permit in the same occupation or with the same employer* | SEK 1,000 |
| Residence permit for the self-employed and extension for self employed | SEK 2,000 |
| Residence permit for visiting researchers | SEK 1,000 |
* If you apply for a work permit for more than three months you also need to apply for a residence permit. You do not need to pay any extra fee for this.
Source: Swedish Migration Office
How to Qualify
