(edit title) Is Sweden easy to access as an American? Beginning to feel intimidated... Options

[zrt]

I originally came to Sweden to work with my girlfriend's father and his cousin in a company they're starting here. The original plan was that I would be hired on after arriving in the country (based on this migrationsverket statement), learn Swedish, and potentially live/work here long-term.

However, plans have changed...as we all know they often do... It has become clear to me that her family is having extreme difficulties starting this company (even though they are both Swedish). Although I'm not exactly sure what's going on, what is clear to me is that they're not very organized or resourceful. It's causing obvious problems in my life since I DO want to work here legally, whether with them or without, but have very little idea how to do it.

I tried some time ago to go to Skatteverket to apply for a Person's Number, but they told me that I need to register with Migrationsverket. At this time I don't see how I can do this, given my situation:

I'm 27 years old, have a Bachelor's degree in Architecture, and have some experience in Construction. Obviously I would like to get a job in a design or construction-related field -- but am very unsure if this is feasible given the fact that I:
A ) am currently in the country within the 3-month tourism window
B ) am an American
C ) barely speak any Swedish
D ) am getting uninformed advice from the real Swedes that I know

Does anyone know or have personal experience getting work here as a non-EU person while already in the country? I know this is an uphill battle but does it sound hopeless? Thoughts?
Rght now I'm beginning to think about cutting my losses and heading back to the States, before my situation gets worse...

[*Trowbridge H. Ford*]

Think that you should continue to work with your girl friend's family in the hope that its plans work out.

In the meantime, you can get established in, and more acclimated to Sweden while looking for alternative employment.

Sounds more sensible to me than just striking out on your own now. You might end up just striking out.

[Etheric]

Well the easiest way to get a residence permit is because of your relationship with your girlfriend, assuming you are living together.

http://www.migrationsverket.se/info/3421_en.html

Then once you get the permit you can get a personal number and try to find some "temporary" work while they get themselves sorted. And of course there is not necessarily a need to give up your "temporary" job if they do manage it.

To get a permit on your own will be hard, you would need a company to sponsor you and show that the skills you have are hard to come by in sweden etc, and go through a ton of paperwork.

[JulieLou40]

I think you will need to go back to The States while your residence permit application is processed....

[zrt]

Thanks for the responses guys, I suppose the best thing for me to do right now may be to hope that her family's paperwork is finalized soon and I can be brought in that way while also trying to make contacts in the meantime. I know that architecture and construction are considered "high-demand" fields by migrationsverket, so the hope is that this will help me being granted permission to work.

As far as getting the OK for employment through my relationship with my girlfriend, she is having her own troubles getting her citizenship approved...

[Gamla Hälsingebock]

Am I missing something here?

Your girl friend's father is Swedish...and she isn't?

[Svensksmith]

Sweden can be a tough nut to crack, no doubt about it. If you are really determined to stay in Sweden, then stick it out. Be prepared for 2 or 3 years of struggle though.

[zrt]

Gamia, I didn't explain the details because I don't want to swamp the thread with information. But you asked, and Ill try to keep it simple...

Her father had been living and working in the US for the past 30 some odd years. He hadn't kept anything up to date about his American life with the Swedish Government, his employment, marital status...nothing. So within their system, he hasn't existed in 30 years.
As his daughter she is having a real headache establishing her right to citizenship due to this. In addition her efforts made in person at Swedish embassies, skatteverkets, etc have been met with confusion as to what forms she needs to fill out in order to become a citizen. Ultimately no one gave her the correct form and no one knew what to do.

FINALLY, eventhough she has been trying to gain her recognition since she was 18, now that the problems with her Father's status and the confusion amongst state workers as to which form to fill out have dissipated, she is above 22 years old and thus no longer eligible for citizenship, according to migrationsverket.

I understand that these issues are not entirely the governments fault, but as someone who is not accustomed to a system like this I can see how it can be a "tough nut to crack".

Cheers

[SikGuy]

Etheric has it right:

Get a job by an employer that will sponsor you and assist with your work visa. It will be then up to the employer to prove to the migration board that the skills that make you able to fill that position are not already available among Swedish citizens.

I went through this six months ago and successfully secured my visa in less than six weeks. But I had an extraordinary amount of assistance and my skillset makes me the only person in Sweden capable of doing what I do...at least until I train my Swedish replacement .

[Svensksmith]

What are you, a dragon groomer?

[Bender B Rodriquez]

Am I missing something here?. Your girl friend's father is Swedish...and she isn't?

Only children of Swedish mothers become Swedish automatically if born abroad. If the mother is not Swedish but the father is, then the father has to apply for Swedish citizenship for the child. This is a standard procedure, but the father still has to send in an application.

In any case, a Swedish citizen who is born abroad and who has never lived in Sweden will lose their citizenship at the age of 22, unless they notify the authorities.

[zrt]

If you are a dragon groomer...need an apprentice?

[Kieruk]

I can't work out if this sounds like a great job or a horrible job!
How exactly would you groom a dragon? How would you manipulate the scales into a 'nicely groomed' pattern?
Do you need special tools to trim eyelashes etc, as surely they would be pretty hard?

And just think about how much manure there would be to shovel!

[Kibiri]

Etheric has it right:Get a job by an employer that will sponsor you and assist with your work visa. It will be then up to the employer to prove to the migration board that the ... (show full quote)

Etheric has it right:

Get a job by an employer that will sponsor you and assist with your work visa. It will be then up to the employer to prove to the migration board that the skills that make you able to fill that position are not already available among Swedish citizens. ... (hide full quote)

This is wrong. Since December 2008, one does not need to prove that the position could not be filled by a Swedish or EU citizen. There is a requirement that the position should be advertised at least two weeks so that Swedish and EU citizens have the chance to apply, but the employer do not need to explain why they picked the non-EU person over Swedish/EU persons.

[SikGuy]

@kibiri, Is this coming from your own experience and dealing with the migrationsverket and skatteverket or just research that you've done?
mvh, Dragon Groomer