4 steps from job offer to arrival
Published: 31 May 2010
First, apply for a job in Sweden via the EURES job site. When you've managed to get a job offer from Sweden, our step-by-step guide will take you through the process of moving here. Learn how your immediate family members can automatically qualify for a work permit along with your own. A written job offer is your key to a life in Sweden.
Get a work permit — step by step
1. Receive a written offer of employment.
- Your employer sends the job offer to the concerned trade union for approval of salary and working conditions.
- After approval, the trade union sends it back to the employer.
- The employer sends it to you, the future employee, who submit it when you apply for the work permit.
2. Apply for a work permit at the Swedish Migration Board.
- If applicable, apply for family work and residence permits.
3. Receive your work permit at the Swedish embassy or consulate.
4. Arrive in Sweden.
Please note that by filing your work permit application online, your approval process can be as short as three weeks, as opposed to three months or more for paper applications.
Step 1: Receive a written offer of employment
If you have successfully applied for a job via the EURES job site and been offered a position in Sweden, your future employer must provide you with a written offer of employment. It is an official document that clearly describes the terms and conditions of your employment such as salary, insurance and length of employment. Without it, you can't apply for your work permit. Your potential employer finds the form on the Swedish Migration Board (Migrationsverket) website.
Please note that the offer of employment must be signed by both employer and the concerned trade union and submitted along with your application for a work permit.
Download the Offer of Employment form (pdf)
Step 2: Apply for a work permit
Once you have received a written offer of employment, you can apply for a Swedish work permit. All non-EU/EEA, non-Nordic and non-Swiss citizens who intend to enter Sweden and work there need a work permit. To make the process more efficient, it is recommended that you apply online. Otherwise you may apply at your nearest Swedish embassy or consulate.
Apply online
The Swedish Migration Board offers a simple online application process in which you can fill in all necessary information and submit the required documents. By filing online, the approval process will be faster than for paper applications. The approval process takes between 4 and 6 months. Please note that you will have to pay a small fee for your application to be processed.
As soon as you have collected the required digital documents, you may begin the application process.
Go to the work and residence permit application form
Apply in person
If you don't have access to a computer or the internet, you can also apply for work permits in person at your nearest Swedish embassy or consulate. The embassy or consulate will forward the application to the Swedish Migration Board for processing, review and approval. But be aware that this process can take several months to complete — significantly longer than the online application process. You will also have to pay a small fee to handle your application.
Once you have gathered the documents listed above, you may apply for your work permit at your nearest Swedish embassy or consulate.
Locate your nearest Swedish embassy or consulate
Apply for family permits
In connection with your application, immediate family members may also apply for a Swedish work and residence permit. If approved, this will allow them to live, work and study in Sweden for the same duration as your employment and residence permit allow.
Immediate family members include:
o Spouse or registered domestic partner
o Children up to 21 years of age
Read more about family migration at the Swedish Migration Board
Step 3: Receive your work permit
As soon as your work permit is approved, you will be notified by the Swedish Migration Board, or by the embassy or consulate where you submitted your application. You will then have to visit a Swedish Embassy or consulate to receive your work permit.
Don't forget to bring your passport when picking up your work permit — it will be stamped directly into your passport.
Locate your nearest Swedish embassy or consulate
Step 4: Arrive in Sweden
When you first arrive in Sweden you are required to register with certain authorities. You can follow this simple to-do list in the order below:
At the Swedish Tax Agency:
1. Register
Everyone living in Sweden must be registered with the Swedish Tax Agency to be entered into the system as a tax-paying resident. Registering also allows you to vote in your local municipality and assures that you pay the right amount of tax and insurance premiums.
2. Get a personal identity number
After registering with the Swedish Tax Agency, you will get a Swedish personal identity number (personnummer). This number is unique to each individual, is based on your date of birth, and follows you throughout your life. It is used for identification in many everyday situations, from paying for goods and services to signing an apartment contract.
3. Apply for an identity card
Once you have received a personal identity number, you can apply for a Swedish identity (ID) card. The Swedish ID card is the primary form of identification in Sweden and is necessary for everyday activities such as using your credit card or picking up a package. A national passport is generally not accepted as a legitimate form of identification.
At the bank:
4. Set up a bank account
You will need a Swedish bank account to receive your salary. All Swedish banks offer secure online banking, so internet banking is very popular in Sweden. Banks will also help you apply for debit and credit cards as well as set up services such as automatic bill payments. The four largest banks are Nordea, Swedbank, SEB and Handelsbanken.
At the Swedish Social Insurance Agency:
5. Register
Being registered in Sweden means that you are included in the Swedish social welfare system and have rights to a range of insurance payments. The Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) determines the amount of insurance payment you receive, so you must register with them in order to receive any benefits.
Read more about arriving in Sweden on Workinginsweden.se
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Learning Swedish
While most Swedes are very capable in English and willing to speak it often, those moving to Sweden are encouraged to learn Swedish. Your ability to speak the language will improve your career prospects and help you to get more out of life in Sweden.
Read more about learning Swedish on Workinginsweden.se
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Sweden's labor shortage list
See which types of work are on Sweden's labor shortage list
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Links to Swedish authorities
The Swedish Migration Board (Migrationsverket)
The Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket)
The Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan)
Swedish Customs (Tullverket)
The Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket)
The Swedish Transport Agency (Transportstyrelsen)
The Swedish National Agency for Education (Skolverket)
Swedish embassies and consulates around the world
This feature has been published by the Swedish Institute.
