People have responded with enthusiasm to new Swedish regulations that open the door to job seekers from all countries, but many wonder how to start the migration process. One of the first steps is to find a job.
Finding a job opens the door to Sweden. Photo: Anja Callius/Scanpix
Since new labor migration laws came into effect in December 2008, Sweden is open to anyone who wants to work, regardless of country of origin. But before you pack up and leave home:
• you must have a job offer from an employer in Sweden;
• then, if you are not an EU/EEA or Swiss resident, you need to apply for a work permit;
• and, if you are going to work in Sweden for more than three months, you also need a residence permit.
1. Job search
Like in most other countries these days, finding a job in Sweden has become more difficult due to the economic downturn. Nonetheless, there are jobs available for people with certain skills such as engineering, welding, technology and IT. Doctors, pastry chefs and electricians are some other professions where there are labor shortages. In the Swedish government publication New Rules for Labour Migration, you can find out more about which skills are needed.
When looking for a job, make full use of all personal contacts and do not hesitate to contact potential employers directly, even those who are not advertising vacancies. Sweden is home to many large international companies, among them Ericsson, Electrolux, Alfa Laval, SKF, Sandvik, H&M and Ikea to name just a few, and such companies often welcome more diversity among their staff.
Employment agencies
A number of employment agencies serve the Swedish market, but the largest one in the country is the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen). Its website contains job listings as well as information in English about finding a job and the working conditions in Sweden. The “Find a job” brochure gives advice on, among other things, writing a CV.
For English-speaking professionals, there is the Jobs in Stockholm website, which despite its name, lists jobs in all parts of Sweden. The English news website The Local also advertises Swedish jobs, as well as the international job site Monster. The StepStone site is in Swedish, but you can search for jobs advertised in English by writing key words in the search field. And at DN.se, you can search for jobs in Swedish.
Related publications
New Rules for Labour Migration (pdf) — Publication from the Swedish government
A world of opportunity (pdf) — Publication from the Swedish Public Employment Service
Do you want to work in Sweden? (pdf) — Publication from the Swedish Public Employment Service
Related links
www.arbetsformedlingen.se — The Swedish Public Employment Service
www.jobsinstockholm.com — Jobs in Stockholm
www.thelocal.se — The Local
www.monster.com — Monster
www.stepstone.se — StepStone
www.dn.se — Job classifieds
Most people speak English in Sweden, but a little Swedish goes a long way. Photo: Nicho Södling/ www.imagebank.sweden.se
2. Language — English works
If you don’t know any Swedish, you’d better be prepared to speak English. English is a second language for many Swedes and it is spoken widely.
It is important, however, to learn some Swedish if you plan on working and living in the country, and potential employers appreciate it when people make the effort. Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) is offered free to residents of Sweden and language courses both in Sweden and in other countries can be found through Si.se.
Now that you have your job offer, and you know how to say ja, nej, tack, hej and hej då, (yes, no, thanks, hello, good-bye), it’s time to get the permits.
Related link
www.si.se — Swedish language studies online
3. Applying for permits
You can apply for work and residence permits electronically on the Migration Board website, or at a Swedish embassy or consulate in the country where you reside.
Foreign citizens (excluding those within the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland) must have a valid passport and earn enough from employment to be self-supportive once they are in Sweden. The employment terms for your job must be equivalent to those provided by a Swedish collective agreement or to the customary terms and conditions for the occupation or industry.
If the employment is temporary, you will be issued a residence and work permit valid for the period of time that the job will last, and for a maximum of two years at a time. After four years, you become eligible for a permanent residence permit.
Related link
www.migrationsverket.se — The Swedish Migration Board
4. Students can stay and work
If you are a foreign student studying in Sweden, and are working or have been offered employment, you may apply for a residence and work permit. You must have a student residence permit and have completed at least 30 higher education credits or one semester/term of postgraduate education in Sweden. You also have to apply before your student residence permit expires.
Young people (18 to 30 years old) from Canada, Australia and New Zealand, can also work in Sweden thanks to new agreements signed in April 2009. Residents of these countries can obtain residence and work permits in order to spend a working holiday in Sweden for up to one year.
Related publications
Working holiday visa for young citizens of Canada, Australia and New Zealand (pdf) — Application from the Swedish Migration Board
You may also want to read our previous article on the subject: Sweden relaxes labor migration rules.
Good luck and welcome to Sverige!
Cari Simmons
Freelance journalist Cari Simmons was able to find a job when she moved to Sweden from Canada in the 1990s, but speaking Swedish was a big challenge. As a native English speaker, having to say words like Arbetsförmedlingen (employment agency) was daunting. Fortunately, she never had to look for a job as a sjuksköterska (nurse), a word she still can’t pronounce.
The author alone is responsible for the opinions expressed in this article.
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