Sweden: Shorter Permit Validity Hinders Foreign Workers

In a recent policy change further clarifying June legislative changes, the Swedish Migration Agency now frequently issues Work and Residence Permits for the duration of a foreign worker's probation period, typically six months. As foreign workers require at least a 12-month permit to obtain a local personal identification number, the new policy hinders foreign nationals from finding residence and opening a local bank account to receive local wages, among many other processes that require a local personal number. Additionally, individuals with a six-month permit are not permitted to continue working after their permit expiry date until they receive their renewal. Lengthy government processing times result in permit approvals on or after the initial start date only, causing foreign workers to fall short of the six months' effective employment required to be permitted to work pending a renewal application. Lengthy renewal processing exacerbates the work authorization gap.