Sweden · Work visa

Work Permit (employer-sponsored)

Processing: 1-4 months
Cost: From SEK 2,000
Validity: Up to 2 years

Sweden’s standard employer-sponsored work permit. From 1 June 2026, salary must reach at least 90% of the Swedish median, and private health insurance must cover the period before Swedish social insurance begins.

Requirements

Job offer from a Swedish employer who advertised the role in Sweden/EU for at least 10 days
Salary of at least 90% of the Swedish median at the time of application (effective 1 June 2026; check Migrationsverket for the current figure). Listed occupations, and some former students, researchers and early-stage tech and life-science employees, meet a 75% threshold instead
Terms at least on par with Swedish collective agreements or industry practice
Health insurance until Swedish social insurance begins
Valid passport covering the permit period

Time and cost

Processing time: 1-4 months (certified employers considerably faster)
Validity: Up to 2 years, extendable to 4 years total
Cost: From SEK 2,000
Required
SEK 2,000 application fee
Optional
SEK 1,500 application fee for an adult family member, if family members come with you
SEK 750 application fee for a child, if family members come with you
Path to residency: Permanent residence possible after 4 years of work-permit holding within 7 years

Documents

Valid passport
Must cover the full permit period, which cannot extend beyond passport validity
Offer of employment
Submitted by the employer via Migrationsverket’s e-service, with union statement
Proof of qualifications (if it applies)
CV, degrees or certificates supporting the role
Proof of health insurance
Coverage from the first day in Sweden
Family documents (if it applies)
Marriage/birth certificates if family applies together

Tips

The employer starts the application, then sends you a link to complete your part
Applying through a certified employer cuts processing to weeks
You are tied to the sponsoring employer and occupation for the first 2 years