This article was originally published on June 6, 2022, and was updated on June 27, 2022, to reflect new information.
June 27, 2022 Update: The government of Sweden revoked requirements for employers and foreign national employees to sign employment contracts and assignment letters physically. Instead, employers and foreign national employees will be permitted to submit a digital signature for these documents.
Original Post From June 6, 2022:
Key Points
- On June 1, 2022, Sweden introduced new work permit measures, a new entry visa type, and a new residence permit type for highly educated individuals
Overview
The government of Sweden introduced new rules for renewing work permits as of June 1, 2022. The following updates came into effect from these rules:
- An employment contract will be required when obtaining a work permit. Previously, an offer of employment was sufficient. Some work permit categories, including researchers, seasonal workers, and au pairs, will be exempt from this requirement
- The employer will need to be able to support any family members who seek to join the employee in Sweden. As a result, the employee’s income will need to be sufficient to cover the entire household’s housing and living expenses. This will not apply to individuals seeking extensions to current residence permits
- Additional checks to ensure that the working conditions of the work permit are met
- Individuals who have held a work permit for four years but do not meet the requirements for a permanent residence will be permitted to extend their residence permit for an additional two years. Further extensions will be possible if the applicant continues to meet all eligibility requirements
A new entry visa known as the D-visa will also be introduced. The D-visa will allow individuals who applied for an extension in stay to their residence permit to go on business trips outside of Sweden while the application is processed. A D-visa will only be issued for business trips and not for other travel purposes.
The government will also introduce a new residence permit for highly educated individuals who hold an advanced degree. This residence permit will grant eligible individuals the right to live and work in Sweden or allow them to investigate the possibility of starting a new business in Sweden.
For additional information for employers, click here, and for employees, click here.
What are the Changes?
The government of Sweden introduced new work permit measures, a new entry visa type, and a new residence permit type for highly educated individuals on June 1, 2022. According to the government, these new measures aim to ease the work permit renewal process and allow current residence permit holders more flexibility.
Looking Ahead
The government of Sweden is expected to publish further information on the new D-visa and residence permit in the coming weeks. Continue to check the government of Sweden’s website for the latest updates and news.
Written by: Jessie Butchley, Global Immigration Writer, Envoy Global
Source: Migration Agency Sweden
