If you are applying online, are granted a permit and do not need a visa to enter Sweden, you do not normally have to visit the Embassy. Regardless of how you apply, your work permit must have been granted before you leave for Sweden.

The employer initiates the application

Your employer in Sweden initiates the work permit application by completing an offer of employment. Your employer needs information about your name, date of birth, citizenship, education and your e-mail address, which the Swedish Migration Agency will use to communicate with you throughout the application period.

When you employer has completed an offer of employment you will recieve an e-mail with information about how to apply for a work permit.

The above does not apply to the following occupations, which are subject to special rules: performer, au pair, berry picker, visiting researcher, athlete or trainer and trainees.

Read more on the Swedish Migration Agency website: Working in Sweden

How to proceed (for applications on paper forms, see further down):

Applying on online

1. Prepare your documentation
Check which documents and personal data you need. The Swedish Migration Agency gives priority to applications that are completed in full, and you get a decision sooner.

Read more under ‘attach documents’ and on the Swedish Migration Agency website.

Instructions on the Swedish Migration Agency website

2. Applying

When you employer has completed an offer of employment you will recieve an e-mail with information about how to apply for a work permit.

Follow the Swedish Migration Agency's instructions. You attach documents electronically and pay the application fee using a VISA card or a MasterCard. Family members use the same online application if they apply at the same time as you.

The online application goes directly to the Swedish Migration Agency for processing and a decision.

3. Waiting for a decision
When the Swedish Migration Agency has reached its decision, you will be informed of this by email. The actual decision will be given to you when you visit the Embassy. Bring your passport when collecting your decision. Your employer or contractor will be informed of the decision by post.

4. Acquiring a residence permit card
If you are granted a permit for more than three months, you will be issued with a residence permit card.

If you need a visa to enter Sweden
Visit the Embassy to be photographed and fingerprinted for the card. You can do so either while waiting for a decision or after you have been granted a work permit. You need to book an appointment for taking biometrics via e-mail
Bring the same passport with you as the one you used when applying for a work permit.

You can find the Embassy’s address under ‘Contact’.

It can take up to four weeks for the residence permit card to be prepared and delivered to the Embassy. Once the card has arrived at the Embassy, you can collect it after appointment, made by e-mail. If you want to know whether your card has reached the Embassy, you can contact us by telephone during our phone hours, Monday-Thursday between 3.00 - 4.00 p.m., or by e-mail.

If you do not require a visa to enter Sweden
If you are granted a permit for more than three months and do not need a visa, you travel to Sweden and arrange for the card there. Contact the Swedish Migration Agency for photographing and fingerprinting.

Applying on a paper form

If you cannot or do not want to apply online, you apply on a paper form that you submit to the Embassy.

1. Prepare the documentation
Check which documents and personal data you need. The Swedish Migration Agency gives priority to applications that are completed in full, and you get a decision sooner.

Read more under ‘Required documents’ and on the Swedish Migration Agency website.

Instructions on the Swedish Migration Agency website

2. Pay the application fee
The application fee must be paid by the applicant to the Embassy account at any Stanbic Bank Branch.

Each applicant must fill out one payment slip, stating full name, date of birth and nationality.

Once a payment has been made the return slip is to be submitted to the Embassy together with the application.

Read more under ‘Fees’

3. Present an application at the Embassy
You can submit an application in person at the Embassy of Sweden. To submit your application please e-mail us to book an appointment. 

Once the application has been submitted, registered and the biometrics of the applicant has been taken, the application will be sent to the Swedish Migration Agency for a decision to be established.

You can find the Embassy’s address under ‘Contact’.

4. Wait for a decision
The Swedish Migration Agency sends an e-mail to your registered e-mail once a decision has been made. At the same time, your employer or contractor will be informed of the decision.

5. Arrange for a residence permit card
If you are granted a permit for more than three months, you will receive a residence permit card. You arrange for the card in the same way as described above under ‘Applying online’.