(edit title) Work permit and Permanent resident permit (PUT) PUT in Sweden Options

[as22kk]

Dear all,

I have a question that I just wonder if any one of you can help me with an input!

I have been living in Sweden since 2005 and working since 2008. During the first two-years (2008-2010), I didn't apply for a work permit, since the legislation for work permit started to be carried out since december 2008, so I kept continue with my study permit although I was working.However, during the past 2 yaers I got a work permit since my study permit was not extended any longer. Now, after four years of working and paying taxes, I was hoping to be granted a permanent permit according to the following law:

"The Migration Board can grant you a permanent residence permit (PUT) if you still have a job after 4 years in Sweden"

However, my case officer interpret the latter sentence as if I have to have four years of work permit. I don't really agree with her view since I have had a job that fullfile the requirement (e.g. salary, etc.) since 4 years ago (and I provided all the evidances in support of that) and that is what is written in the law. Moreover, I can remember a sentence in the immogration office webpage (by that that this rule was legitimated, late 2008) that if you have been working for four years before that time, you would be granted a PUT. However, I can not find that sentence any more.

Has anyone had this problem before?or have any idea/suggestion about it?

Best
Ali

[Puffin]

Time spent on a student permit never counts towards a PUT even if yu have been working during your student time

So they will only count the date from which you were granted a work permit - 4 years from that date

[hackie]

Unfortunately for you, your case officer is right. You have to satisfy the requirement for PUT before you apply for it. And to complicate your matter further, don't even start thinking about applying for citizenship after 1 year on PUT.
In summary, you will get your PUT in 2 years time and you will get your citizenship in 7 years time. That is the law. I wish you good luck.

[axiom]

yep, case officer is of course correct, nothing to do with what you have been up to.

everything to do with the permit you hold in your passport.

you can ignore all the permits before the first work permit, thats when the clock began, so two years to PUT and 7yrs to citizenship

[Visit]

Your years on a student permit (even though you were working, your first permit granted was for a student permit) will not be considered as counting towards the years required for a PUT (Permanent) Search the TL old threads. If your original purpose for the initial student's permit was to study, that time can never be counted towards PUT or Swedish citizenship.

You will have to wait till 4 years from the time you were approved for the work permit to start your countdown. The first 2 years of work permit are for a "named employer and named profession". After the 2 years with that same employer and in the same position (job description)making at least 13,000 SEK monthly, you can apply to get your work permit extended to another 2 years. If you had changed jobs (change employer) during the first 2 years, you must reapply for a new work permit, thereby setting the counter to zero again. Read Migrationsverkets rules, they clearly state what I have just said and more. Read the threads and posts on the TL, there is a lot of info regarding this.

Prior to 2008, it was even harder to get PUT from a work permit. One was dependable on the employer to apply on your behalf for PUT. I have a friend who worked for 8 years in Sweden(prior to 2008) and was still on a work permit since his employer never agreed to sponsor him for the PUT.

[as22kk]

Thanks alot for all your inputs!

So, even after doing my PHD here in Sweden and a high demand for my skills, they don't want an skilled worker to be settled down permanatly? Isn't it stupid that the immigration office, however, allow people with a very low education to come to Sweden and put a lot of extra cost for the gornment, and they would be given a permanent simply because they are married with a citizen of Sweden (even in some cases, it is only a matter of formality), but this procedure has not easily been established for a skill worker?

I also have been informed that a new legislation is going to be carried out considering those PHD students that have finished or are going to finish their PHD to be offered PUT. Is that right?

It looks like it would have been better to move to Canada, since they give a PR to an skill-worker after 2 years and citizenship after 4 years.

/A

[rtharper]

So, even after doing my PHD here in Sweden and a high demand for my skills, they don't want an skilled worker to be settled down permanatly? Isn't it stupid that the i ... (show full quote)

So, even after doing my PHD here in Sweden and a high demand for my skills, they don't want an skilled worker to be settled down permanatly? Isn't it stupid that the immigration office, however, allow people with a very low education to come to Sweden and put a lot of extra cost for the gornment, and they would be given a permanent simply because they are married with a citizen of Sweden (even in some cases, it is only a matter of formality), but this procedure has not easily been established for a skill worker? ... (hide full quote)

This is a discussion that we have been through ad nauseum. The status of PhD students is what is, I'm afraid. There are plenty of threads if you want to see what other people think.

I also have been informed that a new legislation is going to be carried out considering those PHD students that have finished or are going to finish their PHD to be offered PUT. Is that right?

Yes, but my advice is not to hold your breath for this one.

It looks like it would have been better to move to Canada, since they give a PR to an skill-worker after 2 years and citizenship after 4 years.

Perhaps that is the case. I myself am not looking forward to a long wait for citizenship after seeing how quickly immigration laws can change in the presence of a xenophobic, nutty government. It's the reason I am leaving the UK despite having been here for five years (and moving to Sweden).

To try and offer some perspective, however, I think it's important to ask what difference this really makes in a pragmatic sense? If you are a skilled worker and you can get a job, all you have to do is live your life (and fill out some extra paper work) and the time will pass. The wait for permanent residence being 4 years is actually very reasonable. It sucks that the clock starts after you have been here a while, but, to be fair, that is quite clear in any material regarding student permits (including those for PhD students).

And if you can't find a job in Sweden, you wouldn't be staying anyway, would you?

[axiom]

Isn't it stupid that the immigration office, however, allow people with a very low education to come to Sweden and put a lot of extra cost for the gornment, and they would ... (show full quote)

Isn't it stupid that the immigration office, however, allow people with a very low education to come to Sweden and put a lot of extra cost for the gornment, and they would be given a permanent simply because they are married with a citizen of Sweden (even in some cases, it is only a matter of formality), but this procedure has not easily been established for a skill worker?
/A ... (hide full quote)

I think we are forgetting one thing, a Swedish (and by extension an EU) citizen has a right to live with his/her spouse or sambo. Migrationsverket actually uses these words. That is a right they have afforded themselves through their parliament, and I mean it makes perfect sense, it kinda is their country.

Everyone else is afforded the privilege of moving to Sweden, sounds unfair to us moving here but quite fair to Swedes, their laws are firstly to guarantee secure their well being.

The case of PhD students is one that I find quite interesting, since PhD students wear a double cap. I have signed all the petitions, followed the debates etc.

I think Sweden has come a long way, considering that a few years ago you couldn't have dual citizenship or even work permits being so liberally granted, the rest will just take time.

Easiest way by far, find a sambo

[uduck]

I need a sambo .. where to find them ??

[uduck]

How long does it take to get a swedish citizenship??

I thought the website says 5 years. Doesn't that mean you can work 4 years under work permit UT, then apply for PUT and hold it for 1 year, then would be eligible for a citizenship??

[axiom]

on the face of it, that is pretty logical but read MV's exceptions

[uduck]

You will have to wait till 4 years from the time you were approved for the work permit to start your countdown. The first 2 years of work permit are for a "named employer ... (show full quote)

You will have to wait till 4 years from the time you were approved for the work permit to start your countdown. The first 2 years of work permit are for a "named employer and named profession". After the 2 years with that same employer and in the same position (job description)making at least 13,000 SEK monthly, you can apply to get your work permit extended to another 2 years. If you had changed jobs (change employer) during the first 2 years, you must reapply for a new work permit, thereby setting the counter to zero again. Read Migrationsverkets rules, they clearly state what I have just said and more. Read the threads and posts on the TL, there is a lot of info regarding this. ... (hide full quote)

Are you serious? Crap .. then I have to stick to my first job for at least the first 2 years!!

[rtharper]

That would be advisable =)

[iwasyoungandineededthemon...]

I have changed job twice in first two years. But they told me I can apply for PUT from August this year, which is my 4th year on work permit. The lady also told me that I can apply for PUT while my work permit is still valid.

Additional info for people, I got my work permit after less than one month of waiting. I just complained and complained, by mail and telephone

[activex]

I have changed job twice in first two years. But they told me I can apply for PUT from August this year, which is my 4th year on work permit.

So, you have to wait 5 more years on PUT to able to apply for citizenship.