Sweden: Difference between revisions
Added Sweden, with some immigration info, but mostly empty skeleton |
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Sweden's immigration policy is very binary, either you have a reason for getting a work or residency permit, or you don't. This is unlike countries with points system or otherwise weighing several different factors into some kind of combined judgement. The official web page has lots of information on the practical parts, but also the rules involved: https://www.migrationsverket.se/English.html | Sweden's immigration policy is very binary, either you have a reason for getting a work or residency permit, or you don't. This is unlike countries with points system or otherwise weighing several different factors into some kind of combined judgement. The official web page has lots of information on the practical parts, but also the rules involved: https://www.migrationsverket.se/English.html | ||
The information below is a summary of the most likely path for US immigrants. | The information below is a summary of the most likely path for US and most other non-EU immigrants. If you have the possibility to get an EU citizenship, it becomes much easier. | ||
=== Work Permit === | === Work Permit === | ||
The main challenge for the most likely path into Sweden is to find an employer that will hire you paying least 80% of the median Swedish salary, that is willing to do paperwork on your behalf, and is willing to wait for a slower hiring process than someone local. | The main challenge for the most likely path into Sweden is to find an employer that will hire you paying least 80% of the median Swedish salary, that is willing to do paperwork on your behalf, and is willing to wait for a slower hiring process than someone local. For the first 2 years the work permit is limited to the employer that filed it, and after that it is still limited to a particular job. If you get promoted you might need to apply for a new permit, but as long as it is a serious employer and you get a raise, this is mostly a formality. | ||
Enforcement of the rules for work permits is strict, if your employer fails at following all the rules and regulations (pension payments, overtime rules, etc) the work permit will not get renewed and you'll have to leave the country. | |||
If your employment ends for any reason, you have 3 months to find a new job and send in a work permit application for that. | |||
=== Study permit === | |||
This path requires you to get accepted and pay tuition fees to a Swedish university, as well as showing you have the means to support yourself during the study period. Some university programmes are given in English, but most requires Swedish language. PhD study permits are a separate category since that is considered a job with salary in Swedish academia. | |||
=== Permanent Residency Permit === | === Permanent Residency Permit === | ||
After living for 4 years in Sweden you can apply for permanent residency. There are some additional requirements, like being able to show you can support yourself and your family, having a long-term housing contract, and not get caught doing crimes. A permanent residency permit gives you almost all the benefits of society while living in Sweden. | |||
=== Citizenship === | === Citizenship === | ||
Citizenship currently requires permanent residency and having lived in Sweden for 5 consecutive years without getting caught doing crime. There is a current government proposal to increase the wait to 8 years, which is expected to become law by 2026. Sweden does not currently require Swedish language or any other tests for citizenship. | |||
== Community & Social Support == | == Community & Social Support == | ||
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=== Language === | === Language === | ||
All Swedes speak basic to good English, in some workplaces English is fine as a work language too (much of IT, research, and engineering, maybe others). | |||
== Culture & Integration == | == Culture & Integration == | ||
Revision as of 15:50, 9 February 2025
(Work in early progress)
Why Sweden?
Why not Sweden?
Access to trans health care
Immigration
Sweden's immigration policy is very binary, either you have a reason for getting a work or residency permit, or you don't. This is unlike countries with points system or otherwise weighing several different factors into some kind of combined judgement. The official web page has lots of information on the practical parts, but also the rules involved: https://www.migrationsverket.se/English.html
The information below is a summary of the most likely path for US and most other non-EU immigrants. If you have the possibility to get an EU citizenship, it becomes much easier.
Work Permit
The main challenge for the most likely path into Sweden is to find an employer that will hire you paying least 80% of the median Swedish salary, that is willing to do paperwork on your behalf, and is willing to wait for a slower hiring process than someone local. For the first 2 years the work permit is limited to the employer that filed it, and after that it is still limited to a particular job. If you get promoted you might need to apply for a new permit, but as long as it is a serious employer and you get a raise, this is mostly a formality.
Enforcement of the rules for work permits is strict, if your employer fails at following all the rules and regulations (pension payments, overtime rules, etc) the work permit will not get renewed and you'll have to leave the country.
If your employment ends for any reason, you have 3 months to find a new job and send in a work permit application for that.
Study permit
This path requires you to get accepted and pay tuition fees to a Swedish university, as well as showing you have the means to support yourself during the study period. Some university programmes are given in English, but most requires Swedish language. PhD study permits are a separate category since that is considered a job with salary in Swedish academia.
Permanent Residency Permit
After living for 4 years in Sweden you can apply for permanent residency. There are some additional requirements, like being able to show you can support yourself and your family, having a long-term housing contract, and not get caught doing crimes. A permanent residency permit gives you almost all the benefits of society while living in Sweden.
Citizenship
Citizenship currently requires permanent residency and having lived in Sweden for 5 consecutive years without getting caught doing crime. There is a current government proposal to increase the wait to 8 years, which is expected to become law by 2026. Sweden does not currently require Swedish language or any other tests for citizenship.
Community & Social Support
Practical guide to living in Sweden
Language
All Swedes speak basic to good English, in some workplaces English is fine as a work language too (much of IT, research, and engineering, maybe others).