Sweden: Report Published on How New International Recruitment Units Will Improve Work Permit Process
November 28, 2023
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At a Glance
The Swedish government has published a report on its plans to implement new International Recruitment Units to improve the work permit application process. Key topics covered in the report include:
- a new tiered application category system based on the applicant’s profession and educational background, instead of the current Fast Track scheme;
- elimination of the Fast Track scheme due to its inefficiency; and
- Update – November 28, 2023: Companies must have been registered in Sweden for at least 12 months for their employees to be eligible for Category A processing.
The policies are likely to enter into force by the end of 2023 or early 2024.
The situation
A closer look
Under the new application category system to be used by the new Units, work permit application adjudication will be based on the applicant’s profession and educational background instead of the Fast Track scheme that has existed since 2011. Details on the four categories, as described in the report, are outlined below:
|
Work Permit Category |
Details |
|
Category A |
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|
Category B |
|
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Category C |
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Category D |
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The Swedish authorities have also introduced an information page (in Swedish) regarding these changes.
Background
In May 2023, the Swedish Migration Agency was tasked with promoting the entry of highly-skilled immigrants and, in order to meet that mission, the Agency conducted a review of the current certification process and created a new model for handling work permit applications through units for international recruitment.
Impact
The new units and category system are expected to create a more transparent work permit adjudication system than the current process, under which approximately 40% of all highly-qualified work permit applications are adjudicated. The current system results in unpredictable and long processing times.
Looking ahead
The policies are likely to enter into force by the end of 2023 or early 2024. We will report on related developments.
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].
