Sweden is the third largest country in the European Union in terms of area, and became an independent and unified country during the Middle Ages. As with any plans of relocation, one should understand Swedish immigration laws before getting down to the application process.
Nordic citizens need no permit or special registration to live and work in Sweden.
EU/EEA citizens can freely reside in Sweden for up to three months and may start working prior to registration with the Swedish Migration Board. Work permits are not required. Those wishing to stay longer than three months in Sweden must apply to register their right of residence. A residence certificate is issued to those who are employees, self-employed, service providers, students and those with sufficient funds to support themselves. Residence certificates will also be issued to family members who are EU/EEA citizens. Family members who are not EU/EEA citizens apply for a residence card. Family members who require a visa to enter Sweden must apply for a residence card before coming to Sweden.
In some cases, family members do not have right of residence. In such cases, if intending to stay longer than three months, you must apply for a residence permit under Swedish law. As an EU/EEA citizen you can submit an application after entering Sweden.
All applications for residence certificates, cards and permits must be received by the Swedish Migration Board no later than three months after entering the country.
Non-EU citizens who have acquired the status of long-term resident in another EU Member State, and citizens of Switzerland, have similar rights to EU/EEA.
The Swedish immigration policy is not based on quotas or aimed exclusively at highly qualified labour.
Migration is a positive force in our increasingly globalised world. In order to promote cross-border mobility and make better use of the knowledge and experience of labour immigrants, it is time to change perspectives. We must recognise the ambition and potential of individuals who wish to travel abroad to live and work. This is why the Swedish government, in one of the most significant reforms of immigration policy in several decades, has decided to open a new path for those wishing to come to work.
Tradition of immigration
In 2007 nearly 1,500 Indian citizens were granted work permits in Sweden. In the years to come, we would like to welcome more labour immigrants. Immigration is of vital importance for Sweden's ability to meet both present and future challenges in the labour market. At the same time, it contributes to a more culturally diverse and open society.
Sweden has a tradition of labour immigration. In the decades following the Second World War, immigration made a major contribution to our prosperity. Sweden was still a labour immigration country at the beginning of the 1970s, but the general perception of immigration changed subsequently as the flows to Sweden came to be dominated by asylum seekers. Apart from asylum seekers and their relatives, the number of people who have been given the opportunity to come to Sweden to create a better future for themselves has been relatively small.
Sweden has now decided to re-open the path for those wishing to come to work. In stark contrast to immigration regulations in many other countries, Swedish policy is not based on quotas or aimed exclusively at highly qualified labour. Instead one of the main features of the reform is that it focuses on the employers' demand for labour, high as well as low skilled workers. In doing so, Sweden is setting an example which hopefully others in Europe will follow.
Even today, in times of financial instability, there are labour shortages in several occupations and sectors of the Swedish labour market. In addition, our population is getting older and many will soon be leaving working life. This demographic trend presents a challenge for future growth and the sustainability of our welfare system. Labour immigration is one of several instruments in efforts to prevent labour shortages and to maintain the supply of labour in the short and long-term. Increased labour immigration constitutes a complement to measures which aim to utilize the labour already in the country.
An area in which labour immigration sooner can play a vital role is where there are problems recruiting employees with the right skills. Already today, many companies are facing recruitment problems. The reality is that some skills cannot be found in Sweden, even though there is still unemployment. Doctors, nurses, engineers, electricians, IT-technicians and welders are examples of professions where there currently is a shortage in Sweden. The recruitment difficulties prevents employers from expanding and ultimately from creating more jobs.
The new rules and regulations are expected to enter into force on December 15, 2008. Thereafter, an employer who is not able to meet labour needs through recruitment in Sweden or in the European Union will be able to recruit labour from any other country. When processing cases involving residence and work permits, decisions will be based on employers' own assessment of their needs. The Swedish Migration Board will examine whether the terms offered - salary, insurance protection and other terms of employment - are in accordance with the conditions applying to employees already resident in the country. This is to ensure that there is sound competition for jobs in the labour market and to avoid social dumping.
A Swedish work permit will be granted for the duration of the employment or for a maximum of two years. If the person is still working, it will be possible to extend the permit once or several times. The total permit period may amount to four years. After four years, a permanent residence permit can be granted. The examination of an application for an extension of a work permit takes place in Sweden and the applicant will not need to return home to apply for an extension.
Rules for students
The rules for visiting students who whish to stay on and work in Sweden at the completion of their studies will also be simplified. Since the beginning of this decade some 500 Indian students have come to Sweden each year. They will benefit from the amended rules allowing visiting students who have completed one semester or who have completed one term of research education at institutions of higher education to apply for work and residence permits without having to first leave Sweden.
These measures will equip Sweden with an open system for labour immigration, based on the employers' need for competence. I hope to see a fruitful exchange of competence and experiences between Sweden and India in the future.
New rules for labour immigration
New rules for labour immigration to Sweden have entered into force. Sweden now has a more effective and flexible system which will make it easier for people to come to Sweden to work and for companies to recruit labour from outside Europe.
An employer who is not able to meet his or her labour needs through recruitment in Sweden or in other EU/EEA countries or Switzerland is able to recruit labour from a third country if certain fundamental conditions, such as, for example, terms of employment, are fulfilled. It has also become easier to come to Sweden to attend a job interview. Permit periods have been extended and it is possible for visiting students and some asylum seekers to remain in the country and apply for permits from inside Sweden. The the new laws and regulations entered into force on 15 December 2008.
The agency-based labour market test has been phased out
The Swedish Public Employment Service is no longer able to argue that labour of right qualifications is already available in Sweden, other EU/EEA countries or Switzerland. The point of departure is that the individual employer best knows the recruitment needs of his or her business. When processing cases involving residence and work permits, decisions are based on employers’ own assessment of their needs.
Salary and other terms of employment
The Swedish Migration Board examines whether the terms offered, i.e. salary, insurance protection and other terms of employment, are in accordance with the conditions applying to employees already resident in the country. In Sweden, these are established by so-called collective agreements. This is to ensure that there is sound competition for jobs in the labour market and to avoid social dumping.
The Swedish Public Employment Service was previously responsible for checking that the Community preference was respected, i.e. that posts were made available to job applicants in the other EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. Under the new rules, the Swedish Migration Board has taken over this task. Cases relating to residence and work permits are thus all dealt with by a single agency.
In assessing the conditions offered with the employment, the main rule has not been changed, the employer is normally required to give the employee organisations an opportunity to state an opinion on the terms of employment. The statements made by employee organisations are of great importance when making these examinations.
Changed rules for work permits
Time limits for work permits have been extended. A temporary permit can be granted for the duration of the employment or for a maximum of two years. If the person is still working after this, it is possible to extend the permit once or several times. The total permit period may amount to no more than four years. After four years, a permanent residence permit can be granted. The examination of an application for an extension of a work permit takes place in Sweden and the applicant will not need to return home to apply for an extension.
Three-month transition period
With longer permit periods, it may happen that a position is terminated during an ongoing permit period.
A position may be terminated for various reasons, such as
• the employee resigns
• the employer’s business activities cease
• the employee is given notice of termination because of lack of work.
In these situations, the employee is granted a transition period of up to three months in order to look for a new job. If he or she does not find a new job, the residence permit will be revoked.
Simplified rules for visiting students who whish to stay on and work in Sweden at the completion of their studies
Visiting students who have completed studies corresponding to 30 higher education credits or who have completed one term of research education at institutions of higher education are allowed to apply for work and residence permits without having to first leave Sweden.
The possibility of applying for job applicant visas
The possibility of obtaining a visa, for example, to attend a job interview, has been widened. A person subsequently offered employment will not always need to return home to apply for a residence and work permit.
The possibility for asylum seekers who have found employment to apply for residence and work permits
An asylum seeker whose application has been refused through a final and non-appealable decision may be granted a residence permit for work without first having to leave the country if he or she has had a job for at least six months. The position must be permanent or for a period of at least one year from the date of application and must fulfil the general conditions for work permits. An application must have been received by the Swedish Migration Board within two weeks of the decision concerning a rejection of an asylum application becoming final and non appealable. Family
members of the applicant can also be granted residence permits without leaving the country.
With the eased regulations for Swedish employers to hire out of Europe, now would be a good time for you to start finding out more and applying.
Source: Sweden, Arbetsformedlingen
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