Sweden Job Seeker Visa 2023 – How to Work in Sweden

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Before now, there was nothing like the Sweden job seeker visa. The initial law only permitted job seekers to apply for work permits after they must have been offered employment.

However, from the month of June 2022 onward, the Swedish government introduced a new visa type. This residence permit allows highly skilled professionals who are seeking jobs in Sweden to stay in the country while they seek employment opportunities. This visa is called the sweden job seeker permit.

Also, this residence permit covers all Sweden’s recent graduates seeking employment opportunities after studies. However, to get the sweden job seeker visa or residence permit, there are some requirements and rules that must be kept and met.

In this article, we will dig deep into these requirements. And give you the step by step guide on how to process your residence permit application. Also, we will provide answers to questions around the Sweden job seeker visa.

Let’s begin by defining what really is the Sweden job seeker visa.

Table of Contents

What is the Sweden Job Seeker Visa

The Sweden job seeker visa as the name implies is the new visa that permits job seekers to stay in Sweden and apply for job opportunities. This visa also referred to as a residence permit is valid for a minimum of three months and can extend to nine months max.

However, with the Sweden job seeker visa or residence permit, you are not permitted to move into Sweden with your family members. To get a permit that allows you to move in with your family, you have to apply for Canada Skilled Worker Program after you have gotten employment.

Hence, to qualify for the Sweden job seeker visa, there are certain requirements you must meet. What are these requirements?

Key Requirements for Sweden Job Seeker Visa

According to the Swedish Migration Agency, to be eligible for this residence permit, you must meet these requirements:

You must have an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree or PHD, or any advanced vocational or professional degree.
You must have the intention of seeking or searching for employment opportunities or an intent to start your business within the given time.
You should be financially stable and able to support yourself during the period of your application
You must have enough money to take care of your needs while you apply for jobs
You must have a valid passport during the period of your stay.
Ensure you have comprehensive health insurance for your sweden health care.
Must be located outside of Sweden as at the time of your application.

These are the key requirements that makes you eligible for the Sweden job seeker visa.

What is an Advanced Level Degree?

One of the key requirements to be issued a Residence permit into Sweden as a job seeker is to have an advanced level degree.

An advanced level degree according to the swedish immigration council is a degree that corresponds or contains the following:

A 60-credit Master’s degree
A 120-credit Master’s degree
A professional degree worth 60-330 credits, or
A postgraduate/PhD-level degree.

Any of these degrees listed above is considered as an advanced level degree.

Moreover, you should note that, while processing your application, you must enclose a letter to the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR). This grants them access to contact your educational institution. This enables the UHR to confirm the validity of your attached degree.

Once the Swedish Migration Agency receives your documents, they send it across to the UHR who conduct further analysis to assess the credibility of your educational achievements.

How to Apply for sweden Job seeker Visa

There are two ways to apply for the Sweden residence permit visa. You can apply online via E-service or on paper with the Sweden Embassy or consummate in your country of residence. Let’s take a look at both methods of application.

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Method 1: Application through E-Service

This is the online application process. According to the data presented by the MigrationsVarket.se website, these are these are the documents needed to make the E-service applications

Digital copies of the pages in your passport that show your personal data, photo, signature, passport number, issuing country, period of validity, entry stamps and if you have permission to live in countries other than your country of origin
Digital copies of examination certificate
digital copies of official transcript of academic record that shows the courses included in your education
Digital copies of bank statements or other documents showing that you have enough funds to support yourself during the period for which you are applying for a residence permit, i.e. the bank assets equivalent to at least SEK 13,000 for each month. Moreover, you should also have money to be able to pay your travel home.
If permission from a central bank or the equivalent is required to take out the funds from your country, you must include such a permit
Digital copies of documents showing that you have comprehensive health insurance that is valid for care in Sweden
Digital copy of a signed letter of consent that gives the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) the right to contact higher education institutions in your home country to verify your educational documents

Other important things to Note before you make your submission

If your official documents like your certificate and transcript are issued in languages other than English or Sweden, you will have to translate your original documents to the required language. However, upon submission, you are required to submit both (original and translated copies of your document)
Before you submit your application, ensure the information in your attached documents are clear. Make sure your name and other relevant information are visible and spelt correctly.
Ensure all your translations are done by authorized translators.

Method 2: Paper Application Procedure

If you are unable to make your application using the e-service system, you can use the alternative process of filling the form for Residence permit from the Sweden embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Follow this steps:

Get the application form from the Swedish embassy or consulate-general in your country of residence.
Attach all necessary documents as stated in the form
Attach the letter of consent as provided by the swedish immigration counsel
Lastly, submit the filled form together with all attached documents at the Swedish embassy or consulate-general in your country of residence. If there is none in your country, contact, search for the closest sweden embassy to your country of residence.
Esure to pay the required fee when handing in your application. This fee differs depending on the Sweden embassy or consulate in your country.
Once you have submitted your application, the Swedish migration agency verifies the application and makes a decision on the length of your work visa. The permit will then be offered either for a period of 3 months but not more than nine months.

What Happens After a Decision is Made?

Once a decision is made concerning your application, you will receive a response from the Embassy. Here is what follows next:

If you are granted a permit valid for more than 3 months, you will receive a residence permit card. This card is proof that you’ve been given the permission to be in Sweden and search for a job. It contains your fingerprint and your photo alongside other information.
If you do not have a visa to travel to Sweden and would like one, then you must visit the Swedish embassy or consulate in your country of residence as soon as possible to be photographed and provide your fingerprint.

Note: With this work permit or residence visa, you are only permitted to search for and seek employment or investigate the conditions in setting up a business incase that was your intention. However, you are not permitted to work while in Sweden with the sweden job seeker visa.

However, if you are successful in your job search and you get a job within the permit period, you are allowed to apply for a work permit visa within the country. Although, you are not allowed to work until you’ve made the application.

Hence, once you have made the application, you are now allowed to start working while your application is being processed by the SwedisH migration agency.

Note: Even when you start working, you are only allowed to work in the field and profession indicated in your work permit. Anything aside this will not be allowed by the sweden government.

FAQs

1. What do you Need for a Job Seeker Visa in Sweden?

First, you must have the desire to seek job opportunities or a desire to start a business in Sweden.

You should be able to support yourself during that time.
You must have an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree or PHD, or any advanced vocational or professional degree.
You must have the intention of seeking or searching for employment opportunities or an intent to start your business within the given time.
You should be financially stable and able to support yourself during the period of your application
You must have enough money to take care of your needs while you apply for jobs

2. What is Comprehensive Health Insurance?

A comprehensive health insurance (CHI) consists of Emergency care and other medical care, dental care, hospitalization, and repatriation for medical reasons. Also, A good comprehensive health insurance should cover all the items listed above and should be valid for the period of time your residence permit covers.

3. How Long is the Job Seeker Visa Valid for in Sweden?

The Swedeh job seeker is valid for a minimum of three months and can extend to nine month maximum.

4. How Much is the Job Seeker Visa Fee in Sweden?

According to jobvisas.com, To get a work permit you need to pay a Sweden job seeker visa application fee of 190€. However, this may differ according to the Sweden Embassy or consulate in your country of residence.

Conclusion Sweden Job Seeker Visa

In conclusion, the sweden job seeker visa or residence permit for highly skilled professionals enables job seekers to live in Sweden while applying for jobs. However, please note that you are not permitted to work during your permit period.

However, If you receive an offer of employment during the permit period, you are allowed to apply for a work permit while still in Sweden. I believe we have covered all you need to know about the process, However, if you have need for further clarifications, ensure you check the official Swedish Migration Agency platform.