Sweden is an economically developed EU country, which in recent years has been experiencing a shortage of personnel more and more acutely. That is why local employers actively seek international talent and sponsor work visas. Find out what an expat needs to work in Sweden in 2024 and which industries are experiencing a shortage of workers

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Working abroad is a great opportunity to gain valuable professional experience, as well as to get to know another country, culture and new people.

Today, Sweden is one of the most popular destinations for labor emigration, including for citizens of South Africa, Australia, Kenya and the Philippines. The country has a developed economy, a high standard of living and good salaries. Expats who plan to work in Sweden will find many prospects and opportunities here.

How to move to Sweden? Read more about the work of expats in Sweden in 2024 in this article.

Requirements for employment of foreigners in Sweden

In order to legally work in Sweden, a foreigner will need a certain list of documents, which depends on the expat's citizenship:

- Citizens of the European Union, EEA and Switzerland do not need to obtain any documents to work in Sweden.

- All other expats must have a work permit for employment in the country, the procedure of which consists of the following stages:

1. Find a Swedish employer and sign an employment contract.

2. Obtain a work permit in Sweden and a work visa (if necessary).

4. Move to Sweden and start working.

Therefore, you should start planning your move to the country by looking for a job.

How can a foreigner find a job in Sweden?

Most foreigners find work in Sweden through the Internet, the following portals are popular: The Swedish Public Employment Service, EURES portal, CareerBuilder, Jobbland, Blocket, Indeed.

Also try looking for jobs on local job boards or company websites.

As soon as you find a suitable vacancy and the employer confirms the hiring, you can start collecting documents and applying for a work visa.

Work visa and work permit in Sweden

If you want to work in Sweden, you must apply for a work visa before entering the country. You can apply online or at the Swedish embassy or consulate general in the country where you currently live.

By duration, Swedish work visas are divided into short-term C visas and long-term D visas.

For example, a short-term work visa is perfect for seasonal work or business. However, to build a career and long-term employment in Sweden, it is better to get a long-term one right away.

The main types of long-term visas for work in Sweden:

- Work visa – issued to citizens of third countries who have the right to work in the state under an official employment contract.

- Visa for finding a job in Sweden - issued to former graduates of Swedish educational institutions who want to work in the country.

- Freelancer visa – it can be obtained by citizens who want to move to Sweden as a remote worker.

- Internship visa – granted to citizens of third countries who plan to undergo an internship in Sweden.

Requirements for an expat to get a work visa to Sweden

To obtain a work permit in Sweden, a foreigner must:

- Have a valid passport.

- Provide a job offer/contract with a salary level in accordance with the Swedish collective agreements.

- The employer is obliged to provide the employee with health, life, employment and pension insurance.

How to apply for a work visa in Sweden?

You can apply for a work visa to Sweden in two ways: online and at the country's embassy or consulate general.

The procedure for applying for a work permit in Sweden online

This procedure is simpler and faster, it includes the following steps:

1. Receive a job offer from an employer in Sweden. The employer must advertise the vacancy in Sweden, EU/EEA and Switzerland ten days before offering you the vacancy.

2. Employer Initiates Application – Your employer must initiate the work permit application by completing a job offer. To do this, you will need to provide the employer with personal information such as name, date of birth, nationality, education and email address.

3. Receive an email. After your employer completes the job offer, you will receive an email with information on how to apply for a work permit.

4. Attach a package of documents - together with the application, copies of the pages of the passport and power of attorney must be provided. These documents must be scanned or photographed.

5. Pay the visa fee and send the application.

6. Wait for the application to be processed – The Swedish Migration Agency will make a decision on your application after you have provided all the necessary information and documents.

You and your employer will receive a decision on your application by mail.

Application for a work visa and permission at the embassy

To apply at the embassy or consulate general, follow these steps:

1. Make an appointment. Before going to the embassy or consulate general, contact the embassy and make an appointment.

2. Fill out the work permit application form and sign it at the end.

3. Add the necessary documents.

4. Send the application form to the Swedish embassy or consulate general.

If you cannot apply in your country, you should find the nearest embassy or consulate general in a neighboring country.

5. Wait for a response - You will receive an email notifying you of the embassy's decision on your application.

List of documents for processing a work visa to Sweden

- Completed questionnaire.

- International passport valid for at least 90 days.

- Copy of the first page of the passport with personal data, as well as previous Schengen visas (if any).

- Two color photos.

- Employment contract.

- Confirmation of air ticket booking.

- Details of a bank account or a certificate of sufficient funds to stay in the country.

- Detailed information about the temporary place of residence in Sweden for the period of employment.

- Medical insurance.

You may also need a letter from the employer with confirmation of employment and the specified data: company address, applicant's position, salary, etc. Be sure to check the details of the full package of documents with the embassy in advance.

In order to safely move, travel or work in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

How long does it take to get a work visa in Sweden?

The duration of a work visa to Sweden depends on the industry in which you intend to work. This can usually take between 2 and 12 months.

How much does a work visa to Sweden cost?

For an application for a work permit, you need to pay 190 euros. The payment receipt must be printed after paying the fee and submitted with the application.

Which sectors of the Swedish economy experience the greatest shortage of workers?

Foreign specialists are sought by Sweden's booming industries, including technology and healthcare:

1. IT industry

Sweden is a center of innovation, especially in the IT and technology sectors. It's home to a lot of tech companies like Spotify and Ericsson, so it's a real hotspot for cutting-edge developments in software, artificial intelligence and cyber security. These sectors are constantly looking for qualified professionals, making the technical position one of the best areas for employment in Sweden.

2. Shortage of workers in the healthcare sector

Due to an aging population, Sweden is experiencing a shortage of healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses and specialists. The Swedish government has opened the door for qualified foreign healthcare professionals to fill these gaps through work visas, making healthcare another promising sector for foreign job seekers.

Sweden is actively fighting the labor shortage. The most affected sectors include healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Read here which specialists will find it easiest to find a job in Sweden in 2025.

Which Swedish employers offer visa sponsorship to expats?

Several leading Swedish companies in various industries finance work visas for hiring international talent, the most popular and most popular are:

- Spotify - the world leader in the music industry is hiring technical specialists to support its operations.

- IKEA is a world leader in retail trade, IKEA offers positions in management, logistics, etc.

- Ericsson - Global telecommunications giant Ericsson is hiring professionals who are experts in 5G technology, mobile networks and telecommunications infrastructure.

- H&M - This fashion and retail giant is recruiting marketing, IT and design professionals.

- Volvo - a well-known car manufacturer offers opportunities for engineers, production specialists and other experts in the automotive sector.

Average salary in Sweden

Sweden has a high standard of living and, accordingly, quite high salaries. Qualified professionals with work experience and language skills can count on a high income here. The average salary in the country is approximately $4,700 per month or more.

In general, labor migration to Sweden will be a great opportunity to build a cool career and receive a decent salary. The country welcomes foreign workers and offers many prospects.

We will remind you! Due to the acute shortage of specialists, European countries are gradually easing the procedure for obtaining a Blue Card, Sweden is no exception. We have already told you how to get a Blue Card in Sweden and what changes to the procedure for issuing the document the local authorities will introduce in 2025.

Ihor Usyk - head of Visit World's legal department

To organize a safe move to Sweden, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations when traveling abroad.

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