• There is a major shortage of skills in several professions in Sweden.
• The situation is similar in most parts of Europe and therefore many companies choose to employ skilled professionals from countries outside the EU/EEA.
• These people, in most cases, need a work permit to be allowed to work and reside in Sweden. 

• The work permit must be applied for and be granted before the person can enter Sweden for work.
• The application is made by the person (is owned by the employee) but the employing company in Sweden is involved in the process at great extent.
• And it is the employer’s obligation to make sure that the person has the right to be and work in Sweden.

If your future employees are not EU citizens or long-term residents of the EU, they’ll need a work permit to work in Sweden in most cases. Here’s how it works:

1️⃣ Job Offer First – The person must already have a formal job offer. The position must also be advertised properly before hiring.

2️⃣ The employer Starts the Application – The employer fills out the first part of the application which contains information about the company and the employment offer.

3️⃣ Union Review – The job offer is sent to the relevant trade union to give them the chance to express their opinion about the terms of the employment.

4️⃣ The Employee Completes Their Part – They get an email to continue the application and upload the required documents (like passports, work and education background, and family information if any).

5️⃣ The Fees – When the application is completed, fees are paid, and everything is sent to the Swedish Migration Agency.

When it’s time to renew, the Migration Agency checks all previous details carefully. You’ll need to show proof that:

• The employee has been paid correctly according to the employment contract and at or above the required salary threshold.

• The working conditions matched Swedish collective agreements.

• The employee was covered by the required insurance policies (life, health, occupational injury, pension).

An extension can be applied for up to four months before the permit expires — and it’s important to apply while the current permit is still valid.

After 48 months (4 years) on a valid work permit, the employee can apply for permanent residency.

Swedworks Global also helps companies and individuals with work permit extensions.

If an application is rejected or needs to be corrected, the process becomes more expensive, more complicated, and much slower.

By letting us help from the very beginning, we make sure:

• The right documents are submitted.
• The application is complete and accurate.
• The process runs as fast and smoothly as possible.

We also support employers with recurring applications or multiple hires at the same time. You’ll get a dedicated case manager who knows your company and stays in direct contact with you.

Swedish labor laws can look complicated if you’re not familiar with them. The rules change depending on the type of job and the length of employment — and in some industries, the requirements are higher.

For example, in sectors like:

• Personal assistance

• Staffing agencies

• Cleaning

• Hospitality & restaurants

• Construction

• Agriculture & forestry

If your company is in one of these sectors, you’ll need to provide extra documentation to avoid delays or rejection.

Hiring someone without the proper permits isn’t worth the risk. Since 2013, EU rules mean that employers who hire people illegally can face fines or even prison sentences.

Some professions have different rules — for example:

• Athletes and coaches

• Researchers

• Volunteers

• Seasonal workers

• Au pairs

• Artists

There are also specific agreements between Sweden and certain countries for youth working holidays and other special permits.

Some people don’t need a work permit at all (e.g., diplomats, short-term technicians, or international drivers) — but most non-EU hires do.