A Guide to Visa Types and Work Permits in Sweden

Jump right in:

• Work permits & employment based visas
• Self-employment visas
• Family visa
• Temporary & permanent residence permits

Work permits & employment-based visas

Depending on your country of origin, you’ll need a work permit or employment visa to work in Sweden. If you’re an EU/EEA citizen, you have the right to remain in Sweden. This means there are no work permit requirements for you to take up work there. As an EU/EEA citizen, you’re also allowed to come to Sweden to search for jobs. Once you have a job and are settled in Sweden, you’ll need to register with the Swedish Tax Agency. Read more about this in our Residence permits section below.

As a non-EU/EEA resident, you need a job offer to be eligible for a work permit, which you require to enter Sweden. It’s generally not possible to enter Sweden, nor begin working in Sweden, before you are granted a work permit.

What are the work permit requirements in Sweden?

To obtain a Swedish work permit, you must meet the following requirements:

• have a valid passport
• have an employment offer that complies with the terms set by Swedish collective agreements or are standard for the occupation
• be offered a monthly salary of at least 80% of the median salary in Sweden or offered a salary that is on par with the position
• have insurance covering health, life, employment, and pensions provided by the employer

In addition to the requirements you must meet to apply for a Swedish work visa, your Swedish employer must also meet certain requirements to hire you:

• The employer must be a company or organization legally established in Sweden.
• The job must have been advertised in the EU/EEA for at least ten days.
• The job must include employment terms on par with other Swedish jobs within the same industry.

How to apply for a Swedish work permit

Applying for a Swedish work permit starts with your employer. Here’s a step-by-step overview of how the process works:

Step 1: Get an employment offer

Your Swedish employer will need to submit a written job offer and obtain approval from the relevant trade union regarding the job and salary. The job offer should include the length of employment, as this is directly linked to the validity period of the visa.

Step 2: Employer starts the application

Once you receive and accept a job offer, your employer will start the online application for you with the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). To do this, they’ll provide information about you and the employment.

Step 3: Complete your application and submit documents

Once your employer starts the application, you’ll receive an email to fill in your part of the application and attach necessary documents. In some situations, you might also be invited to attend an interview at the embassy.

Step 4: Pay the application fee

The cost of application:

• 2,200 SEK (approx. 230 USD) for employees

• 1,500 SEK (approx. 160 USD) for accompanying adult family members

• 750 SEK (approx. 80 USD) for accompanying children

Step 5: Waiting for the decision

The wait time for your work permit can vary greatly depending on your situation. For most expats who are employed by a Swedish company, the wait time is one to three months.

Special types of work permits

EU Blue Card:

An EU Blue Card is a work and residence permit for highly skilled workers. To qualify, you must work in a profession and have a university degree or minimum five years of professional work experience in the relevant field.

Applying for the EU Blue Card requires documents from both the employee and employer.

As with the standard work permit process, your employer will begin the application by creating an employment offer. Once the offer has been finalized, you’ll receive an email informing you how to submit your work permit application.

The employee is required to have:

• a valid passport
• a university education equivalent to at least 180 university credits, or five year of relevant professional experience
• taken out or applied for a comprehensive health insurance policy that covers health and medical care in Sweden
• have a highly qualified position with a contract lasting at least six months, signed by both employee and employer
• at least 1.25 times the average gross salary in Sweden, before taxes

Employers are required to provide:

• proof that the position was advertised in Sweden, the EU/EEA, and Switzerland for at least ten days
• a complete offer of employment with terms that are on par with Swedish collective agreements or terms that are standard to the position being filled

Sweden sets an annual salary threshold that EU Blue Card holders must receive in order to qualify as a highly skilled worker. Although the amount is subject to change annually, as of 2025 the amount is 49,875 SEK (approx. 5,100 USD) gross per month.

ICT permit

An ICT (intra-company transfer) permit is for expats who work for a company outside the EU and are transferring to the Swedish branch of that company. Only non-EU residents need to apply. This permit only applies to employees in managerial or specialist positions. Like the EU Blue Card, eligibility for the ICT permit requires documentation both from you and your employer.

To be eligible for the ICT permit you must:

• have a valid passport
• have worked as a manager, specialist, or trainee for more than 90 days at the company in Sweden
• have the professional qualifications and experience required for the assignment as a manager or specialist, or have the training required for a trainee position
• have an employment contract from your home country
• have been employed for at least three months without interruption at the time of the relocation within the company
• be able to relocate after the transfer to a company outside the EU within the same corporate group or that belongs to the same company
• be able to verify the qualification to practice your profession in Sweden if it concerns a regulated profession
• have taken out or applied for comprehensive health insurance that covers healthcare in Sweden

Your employer must:

• offer compensation that is at least on the same level as the Swedish collective agreements or what is customary in the profession or industry
• offer terms of employment that are at least on the same level as for employees who are posted in Sweden
• offer an employment that gives you the possibility to support yourself
• create an employment offer that includes
  • employer’s name and address outside the EEA
  • the employee’s name and address
  • when the employment outside the EEUA began
  • the city where the work/training will take place
  • a brief description of the employee’s duties
  • salary and other payroll benefits
  • the employee’s professional designation or job title (not applicable to trainees)

An EU Blue Card or ICT permit will cost 2,000 SEK (approx. 200 USD).

A note for families

If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen and you’re granted a work permit, your partner/spouse and children are allowed to join you. However, they’ll need to apply for their own residence permits. This can be done in tandem with your application or separately.

Business visas for Sweden

If you plan to visit Sweden temporarily for business purposes, you’ll need a business visa. This will be a one-time entry Schengen visa, although there are still a few requirements.

To apply for a Swedish business visa, you’ll need:

• your passport (valid for at least for six months)
• a Swedish business visa application form
• one photograph
• a bank statement for the past six months
• proof of travel insurance covering the duration of stay
• business references including an invitation from the Swedish company or organization
• employment certificate
• proof of a hotel reservation and a round trip booking for Sweden

Self-employment visas

If you’re a non-EU/EEA national planning to run your own business in Sweden, you’ll need to apply for a self-employment residence permit before entering the country. For EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, there’s no need for a permit in such a case, but you must register with the Swedish Tax Agency if you’re staying longer than three months.

Sole trader

In Sweden, there are several ways to start a business, and one of them is as a sole trader (enskild näringsidkare). As a sole trader, you run the company individually and are fully liable. You must register your business with the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket) and the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). It’s important to keep accurate accounts and comply with legal standards for bookkeeping. While an accountant isn’t mandatory, it’s advisable to have one. Be aware that, when you register yourself in Sweden, you’re required to pay tax on your income from other countries as well. Read more about Swedish taxes in our Banks and Taxes in Sweden guide.

What are the requirements for a self-employment visa in Sweden?

The self-employment visa requirements in Sweden are as follows:

• valid passport
• significant experience in your field and previous experience of running your own business
• documented and relevant knowledge of Swedish and/or English
• proof that you are running the business, that you have the ultimate responsibility for it, and that you own at least half of the business
• evidence that the business’s services or goods are sold and/or produced in Sweden
• sufficient funds to support you and, if applicable, your family during the first two years
• reliable source documentation for your budget
• established customer contacts and/or a network in Sweden
• proof that your company, following a two-year probationary period, will have its finances in balance and you have the ability to support yourself and your family, if applicable (income support is calculated according to the Swedish national standard for income support plus housing costs)

In addition to meeting the above requirements, you’ll also need to provide the following documents:

• copy of your passport including the identity page and pages with stamps and visas
• bank statements demonstrating sufficient funds to support you and your family for at least two years (200,000 SEK for you, 100,000 SEK for your spouse, 50,000 SEK for each child)
• bank statements demonstrating funds to support the business
• contract of sale if you have bought an office space
• contracts with customers and suppliers
• partnership agreement or stock register
• annual accounting statements of the last two years if the business has been in operation before
• balance sheet and income report for the current financial year
• course certificate or other evidence that you speak Swedish and/or English
• certificates to substantiate your educational background
• certificates from previous employers
• certificate of registration for companies you own or have owned outside of Sweden

If you’re applying for the visa for the first time, you’ll need to start the process by submitting everything to the Swedish embassy or consulate in your country of origin. The visa cost is 2,000 SEK (approx. 200 USD). The wait time, however, may take up to 25 months.

What’s next after receiving your self-employment visa?

Your self-employment visa should be valid for two years, unless you stated you needed a shorter duration. About one month before expiry, you must apply for an extension. The Migration Agency doesn’t send a reminder. For an extension, you’ll need:

• a valid passport
• to show that you are the one who runs the business and continues to have a decisive influence over it
• to comply with generally accepted accounting principles and hold the necessary business permits
• to show that you are running the business according to the reported plans

If you have held a residence permit for self-employment in Sweden for at least two years, you may also be eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit. You can apply for this when you apply for an extension to your current permit.

If your family members want to join you, they can apply at the same time as you. If they want to join later, they need to submit their own application. If your family is applying with you, you must be able to prove that you can support them financially for two years.

Family visa

If you are the spouse, registered partner, or long-term cohabiting partner (i.e. you’ve lived together for a significant period in a “marriage-like” arrangement) or the child of someone living in Sweden, you may apply for a family visa.

Requirements for both of you:

• Both you and your partner must be at least 21 years old (there are special exceptions).
• You must be married or in a registered partnership or planning to enter into one of these relationships.

Requirements for the person who’ll move to Sweden:

• valid passport
• application from outside Sweden (For more information, check out the Migrationsverket website)

Requirements for the partner residing in Sweden:

• must have one of the following statuses:

  • Swedish or Nordic citizenship
  • permanent residence permit/card or permanent right of residence
  • temporary residence permit as a refugee or for exceptionally distressing circumstances

• must meet maintenance and housing requirements

What are the required documents for a family visa?

You must attach copies of these documents to your application about the applicant and the relationship to the person in Sweden:

• copies of your passport
• proof of your relationship such as marriage certificate or if cohabiting, evidence like joint rental/purchase agreements
• proof of income for the person in Sweden
• proof that the person in Sweden has a home
• if you’re expecting a baby, pregnancy certificate

For children under 18 joining a parent:

• child’s passport copy and birth certificate
• written consent from the other parent (if not accompanying), or proof of sole custody or the other parent’s death
• adoption documents, if applicable

If you have children over the age of 18 who would like to come to Sweden with you, they must each submit their own application.

Temporary & permanent residence permits

Learning how to become a permanent or temporary resident in Sweden differs depending on your country of origin. If you’re an EU citizen, you have a right of residence and don’t need a residence permit. However, for stays over 3 months, you should register with the Swedish Tax Agency. This will get you a personnummer and qualify you for permanent residence after five years.

Nordic citizens don’t need a residence permit either but must report their move to Sweden and get listed in the Swedish Population Register if they plan to live in Sweden for at least one year.

As a general rule, if you’re a non-EU/EEA citizen, you should apply for a residence permit before arriving in Sweden. You can apply based on work, studies, family reunification, or other legal grounds, and you must register with the Tax Agency for long-term stays. To be eligible for a permanent residence permit, you must meet certain criteria. Firstly, you must have been living in Sweden for a certain amount of time. This depends on your current permit. You must also be able to provide proof of stable income and housing.

What are the requirements and fees for a temporary residence permit?

To complete an application for a temporary residence permit as a non-EU citizen, you’ll need to present the following documents:

• a valid passport
• Swedish job offer / admission to full-time studies
• salary offering / sufficient financial funds
• proof of health and life insurance and social security as offered by employer / health insurance provided by the school or obtained independently

Temporary residence gives you the right to temporarily live and work in Sweden. You must renew your permit before it expires. However, there is no guarantee because your permit depends on your current situation. For example, if you change jobs, you’ll need to update the status on your permit. If you lose your job, you may not be able to renew.

How to get permanent residency in Sweden

To obtain a permanent residence permit in Sweden, you must have lived in the country with a valid residence permit for a certain period. This period depends on your current permit type. For example, it’s three years for those with a residence permit to live with a partner and four years for employees. Your application process and documents depend on your residence permit. You must also meet specific conditions, including financial self-sufficiency and demonstrating good conduct. EU/EEA citizens gain permanent right of residence in Sweden after five years of living there with the right of residence through work, study, business, or sufficient funds.

What are the requirements to get a permanent residence permit?

As stated before, EU citizens will automatically be granted permanent residency after five continuous years living in Sweden.

For non-EU citizens, the requirements vary based on the type of residence permit held. The following applies to those seeking permanent residence through a work permit:

• have a work permit for at least 4 years
• able to support yourself financially
• live a well-behaved life

Further, you can keep your permanent residence if leaving Sweden for up to 2 years, but you must notify the Migration Agency at least 1 week before departure. If you moved to Sweden as a student or as a temporary worker such as an au pair, you will not qualify for permanent residency.

How to apply for a permanent residence permit

You usually apply for a permanent residence permit in Sweden when you’re extending your current one. You can submit the application online via the Swedish Migration Agency’s e-service or in person at one of their offices. After submitting your application, you’ll need to schedule an appointment to provide your fingerprints and photo for your residence permit card.

Required documents include:

• copies of your passport
• your employment contract
• insurance company information
• income information from the Swedish Tax Agency
• pay slips
• certificate of employment
• certificate showing any absence from your work

The fee for application is 2,200 SEK (approx. 230 USD) for employees and 1,500 SEK (approx. 155 USD) for adult family members.

You can find more information at Migrationsverket.

What are the benefits of permanent residency in Sweden?

• It grants you the right to live and work in the country indefinitely, without the need to renew your permit or remain tied to a specific job or family situation.

• You gain full access to the country’s social welfare system, including healthcare, unemployment benefits, pensions, and family support, on the same terms as Swedish citizens.

• You can also travel visa-free within the Schengen Area, and are one step closer to Swedish citizenship, as permanent residence is typically required for naturalization.

Keep in mind that permanent residence does not mean citizenship. If you leave Sweden for a long period of time without notifying the Migration Agency, your permanent residence may be revoked. The time frame may vary depending on your situation. It can also be revoked if you provide false information in your application or commit a serious crime.