Highly qualified foreign nationals seeking employment or exploring starting a business in Sweden can now apply for a special residence permit, as the Swedish Migration Agency published eligibility criteria and application details for this new residence permit type. Successful applicants receive a nine-month permit that does not permit work. Once they find employment or start a business, permit holders apply for work authorization or an entrepreneur permit in Sweden and can start working or can run their business from the date of application filing. Applicants must hold an advanced degree to be eligible, specifically a master's degree, postgraduate or doctorate (PhD) degree, or professional degree at a similar level (assessed based on education credits). Notably, there is no requirement for the education to be at a certain institution (e.g., listed in certain global ranking systems), a requirement that does apply for UK and Dutch graduate permit options. Applicants submit supporting documents on their education and proof of sufficient financial means (government filing fees, travel costs, and SEK 13,000 per month of intended stay), among other supporting documents. Applications must be filed from outside Sweden. Foreign nationals benefit from this new route for foreign talent to pursue (self-)employment in Sweden, where no jobseeker permit was previously available.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Blog post
Partner Hyla Kaplan Rosenberg and Senior Associate Elizabeth Brettschneider discuss the eligibility and application process for marriage-based green cards for foreign nationals married to US citizens.
Video
Neste Mobility Minute, a Sócia Diana Quintas explora a proposta de Visto Verde do Brasil.
Podcast
Senior Manager Lindiwe Mapota interviews Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba on the long-anticipated publication of the Points-Based Immigration System (PBIS).
Blog post
Senior Consultant Lauren Penny and Consultant Daniel Heymann discuss how Israel is leading the charge with AI and immigration.
Fragomen news
Partner Ryan Freel is elected to the Houston Relocation Professionals' Board of Directors for 2025.
Blog post
UK Government Affairs Strategy Lead Shuyeb Muquit dives into the UK's shifting net migration trends.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Consultant Konstantin Schmid shares what employers and workers need to know about 2025 Swiss immigration quotas.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the recent legislative changes to Ireland’s employment permits.
Fragomen news
Fragomen's Gemma Hyslop, Andreia Florina Ghimis and Ana Sofia Walsh review ODI Global's new report.
Blog post
Partner Jo Antoons and Lead Analyst Dominic Dietrich discuss Skills Mobility Partnerships (SMPs) in Europe, which are agreements aimed at facilitating cross-border training and migration to address labor shortages.
Fragomen news
Senior Manager Stephen McCrea discusses the key immigration priorities of various NGOs in Ireland ahead of the 2024 general election.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg discusses how new US immigration policies might impact international students and the OPT program.
Blog post
Partner Hyla Kaplan Rosenberg and Senior Associate Elizabeth Brettschneider discuss the eligibility and application process for marriage-based green cards for foreign nationals married to US citizens.
Video
Neste Mobility Minute, a Sócia Diana Quintas explora a proposta de Visto Verde do Brasil.
Podcast
Senior Manager Lindiwe Mapota interviews Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba on the long-anticipated publication of the Points-Based Immigration System (PBIS).
Blog post
Senior Consultant Lauren Penny and Consultant Daniel Heymann discuss how Israel is leading the charge with AI and immigration.
Fragomen news
Partner Ryan Freel is elected to the Houston Relocation Professionals' Board of Directors for 2025.
Blog post
UK Government Affairs Strategy Lead Shuyeb Muquit dives into the UK's shifting net migration trends.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Consultant Konstantin Schmid shares what employers and workers need to know about 2025 Swiss immigration quotas.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the recent legislative changes to Ireland’s employment permits.
Fragomen news
Fragomen's Gemma Hyslop, Andreia Florina Ghimis and Ana Sofia Walsh review ODI Global's new report.
Blog post
Partner Jo Antoons and Lead Analyst Dominic Dietrich discuss Skills Mobility Partnerships (SMPs) in Europe, which are agreements aimed at facilitating cross-border training and migration to address labor shortages.
Fragomen news
Senior Manager Stephen McCrea discusses the key immigration priorities of various NGOs in Ireland ahead of the 2024 general election.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg discusses how new US immigration policies might impact international students and the OPT program.