Visas and Work Permits in Sweden

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Visas and Work Permits in Sweden Sweden has recently changed its policies towards residence and work visas. The biggest change is that residence visas - including student visas - now incorporate the right to work. The right to work is included in permanent, temporary, and student residence visas. Work in Sweden is still disallowed for tourist visas and for people entering Sweden under the Visa Waiver Program. Sweden has also adjusted its immigration laws relating to Schengen visas to conform with recent directives of the EU and EU Commission rulings. This resource was last updated in June 2007. APS can help process visas and work permits for individuals and their families that are either visiting or relocating to Sweden. For individuals that desire to apply for tax relief, this process must be initiated before entering Sweden for the first time - it is important that APS be informed as soon as possible. Note: APS does not assist with asylum (refugee) visas or in sponsoring applicants seeking a work visa that do not already have a job or job offer in Sweden (An individual must already have a job or job offer before contacting us - we will need to obtain documentation from the employer as part of the work visa application process). In limited cases we can assist with student visas but we strongly recommend that students obtain assistance through the Swedish school that they are applying to. APS can assist both organizations and individuals (including their family members) in processing visas and work permits. Review Each Time an Individual Enters the Schengen Area A visa does not mean that the holder is automatically entitled to enter the Schengen area. This right is examined each time he or she passes the outer border of the Schengen area. At the border control everyone who enters the area must be able to show that they have money for their upkeep during their visit and for their return journey home and that they have medical travel insurance and documents showing the purpose of their visit. Applying for Swedish Residence and Work Visas There are various procedures that regulate immigration and work in Sweden based on length of time that a person will be a resident within Sweden. Immigration to Sweden is broken down into several categories: Nordic country immigrants European Union immigrants (Any non-Scandinavian EU Country) Treaty country immigrants (such as the United States) Visa Waiver Program and Schengen Visas Restricted visa country immigrants (such as Asian, African, and Eastern European countries) Several recent changes within the Swedish immigration system will also impact the application process: Schengen Treaty EU visa treatment policies Application and processing fees There are two forms of the Swedish Residence Permit (Visa): Permanent Resident Permit Permanent Uppehållstillstånd (PUT) Valid as long as the individual remains in Sweden and does not require renewal. A PUT can be invalidated if an individual remains outside of Sweden for more than six months. Temporary Resident Permit Uppehållstillstånd (UT) Generally issued for one year at a time but may be issued for up to eighteen months at a time (The immigration board can also decide to issue a longer term UT if they believe it to be justified - no appeal process is available). For international exchange programs, a UT can be issued for up to four years. Requires renewal. The decision to issue a PUT or UT is made at the sole discretion of the Swedish Immigration Board and is not subject to any appeal process. Special Requirement for Work-Based Visa Applications: Although there is not a prescribed minimum wage in Sweden, work-based visas require a minimum wage of SEK 13,000 per month before taxes as a condition for being approved. Insurance and Entry Requirements - Sweden and Schengen If an individual is not a citizen of a Schengen member country or of a country that has a bilateral healthcare treaty in place with Sweden, there is a legal requirement for the individual to obtain Medical Travel Insurance (MTI) with a minimum coverage of Euro 30,000 that covers emergency medical assistance, emergency hospital care, and transport to their home country for medical reasons. There is a further requirement that the MTI be valid in all Schengen member countries. Note that for US citizens, most private health insurance policies are not valid in Sweden - this includes Medicaid, Medicare, and Military health insurance. A specific medical travel insurance policy must be purchased. The leading provider of medical travel insurance in the world is International SOS. More information can be found at the following URL (This information is provided for information purposes only and does not imply an endorsement by Aurenav): http://www.internationalsos.com/ All Visa and Visa Waiver Program travel (including Schengen Visa Waiver) and Tourist Visa travel is contingent upon: The individual having sufficient funds to support them self while they are within Schengen. The individual either having a return ticket if arriving by plane or sufficient funds to cover a return trip if arriving by other means. Non-EU Citizens Entering and Traveling in the Schengen Area Non-Immigrant Visas Individuals entering and traveling within the Schengen area on the Visa Waiver Program (which means that you are traveling without a formal visa due to treaty) are limited to a maximum stay of 90 days during any six month period. No form of employment is permitted under the Visa Waiver Program. Individuals traveling within the Schengen area who have one or more residence permits are only permitted to travel in the Schengen area for 90 days during any six month period. Travel in countries in which the individual does not have a residence or work visa (or permit) have the same restrictions as do people traveling under the Visa Waiver Program. Specifically, there are prohibitions on working - only tourist travel is permitted. An individual may have more than one valid Schengen residence and/or work visa/permit at the same time for different Schengen countries in order to live and work in multiple Schengen countries. The 90 day limit and prohibition from work does not apply for these countries. An example where an individual would be required to have more than one visa is the Öresund Sound region in which individuals live in Sweden and work in Denmark or live in Denmark and work in Sweden. EU Freedom of Movement EU and EEA Citizens have the freedom to move to and work in any EU/EEA member country. Note that unemployment, health insurance, and social benefits are the responsibility of the country in which the person last resided in until they meet the local country requirements. The right of freedom of movement does not extend to non-EU/EEA citizens even if the person has a residence and/or work visa for one or more EU/EEA countries (the person is required to get a visa for each country that they intend to live or work in). Nordic Country Immigrants The Nordic countries (8 as of JAN 2007) consist of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, and the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Aaland. Work and residence requirements for Nordic citizens: Citizens of Nordic countries must notify Sweden that they are residing and/or working in Sweden. Nordic country citizens do not require residence visas or work visas. European Union Country Immigrants European Union countries (27 as of JAN 2007) consist of Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Sweden also extends freedom of movement to: EEA citizens of Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein Citizens of Switzerland Work and residence requirements for EU citizens: As of 30 April 2006 EU/EEA citizens and their family members no longer need residence permits for staying in Sweden for more than three months. EU/EEA citizens shall instead register their right of residence and family members who are not EU/EEA citizens shall apply for residence cards. EU/EEA citizens are also allowed to settle in another member state without holding employment or pursuing studies if they have sufficient money for their upkeep. EU/EEA citizens are entitled to bring family members even if these are not citizens of an EU/EEA country themselves. Some people in this category however may be required to have entry visas and shall apply for a residence card in the new country. If an individual has a residence permit in an EU country but is not a citizen, they can acquire the status of long-term resident in that country. An individual can acquire this after holding a residence permit in that country for five years. In doing so, the individual will acquire certain rights which are similar to those of EU citizens. This means that they have the right to work, start their own company or study in another EU country, in Sweden for example. Their family members are entitled to accompany them. The United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark are not covered by the rules for long-term residence. This means that an individual cannot acquire the status of long-term resident in these three countries. An individual that has the status of long-term resident in an EU country and wants to spend more than three months in Sweden must apply for a residence permit. Family members, including children, must submit their own application for a residence permit in Sweden. For children under the age of 18 years, their guardian must approve the application by signing it. Treaty Country Immigrants and Non-Immigrants There are a number of countries whose non-immigrant citizens may travel to and visit the Schengen area including Sweden for up to 90 days without a permit, residence visa, business visa, or work visa. For stays longer than 90 days, a residence and/or work visa must be applied for prior to entry into Sweden. In general, if you are a citizen of a country not on the Regeringskansliet restricted visa list you do not need to apply for a visa if your stay will be less than 90 days. Work and residence requirements for Treaty Country citizens: Permanent residence and work visas (immigrant visas) must be applied for while outside of Sweden. Permanent residency and work visas are valid indefinitely within Sweden. Temporary residence and work visas (immigrant visas) can be applied for while outside Sweden or while inside the country. Temporary residence and work visas are typically valid for up to one year and are renewable within Sweden. Restricted Visa Country Immigrants and Non-Immigrants Regeringskansliet There are very strict visa requirements for citizens of countries that fall into this category, which includes most African and Asian countries. A list of countries that require a visa to enter Sweden can be found at the Regeringskansliet visa requirements list. The following countries have additional special restrictions: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka. Citizens of countries on the Regeringskansliet list must have a visa issued to them before entering Sweden. The application must be made and the visa issued prior to traveling to Sweden. Permission to enter Sweden will be denied If the appropriate visas and/or permits are not presented when arriving in Sweden. A list of countries that require a visa to enter Sweden can be found in a PDF document located on the Swedish government web site (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open and read this file): http://www.regeringen.se/ Work and residence requirements for Restricted Visa Country citizens: Work and residency visas must be applied for and received prior to traveling to Sweden. Failure to have a valid residence and work permit can result in either denial of entry into Sweden or deportation once inside Sweden. Schengen Treaty Provides a common policy on law enforcement policies and cooperation, the temporary entry of persons (including the Schengen Visa), and the harmonization of external border controls. Impact on immigration and work in Sweden Schengen countries (15 as of JAN 2007) consist of Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Spain. The following EU countries do not participate in Schengen: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary, and the United Kingdom. The Schengen agreement lies outside the framework of the European Union and does not convey or extend residence and work permit benefits issued by Sweden to any other Schengen signatory country. However, a person barred from one Schengen treaty country becomes barred from all schengen signatory countries. The United Kingdom and Ireland have not opened their boarders to Schengen visa holders. Schengen Information System (SIS) SIS is a secure governmental database system used by several European countries for the purpose of maintaining and distributing information related to border security and law enforcement. The data collected concern certain classes of persons and property. This information is shared among the 15 participating countries of the Schengen Agreement Application Convention (SAAC). Countries currently using SIS are: Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Spain. Only Iceland and Norway are not members of the EU. Additionally, Ireland and the United Kingdom use the Schengen Information System for law enforcement purposes. General Notes on Residence and Work Permits Issued by Sweden Visas and permits issued by Sweden are not transferable to other countries. Individuals wanting to reside or work in another Nordic or EU member country must apply to that country for residence and work visas. Travel within Nordic, EU, and Schengen countries is dependent on a person's citizenship and the country that issued the person's passport. Application Fees Beginning in 2001, the Swedish government requires a fee to process all residence visas and permits and all work visas and permits. The fees are required for the initial application, renewal, and for updates and changes.