Sweden — Work (Work permit with a job offer)

Main requirements

Valid passport; employment contract signed by both parties; pay and terms at least on par with collective agreements or industry practice; and, per the official source as of October 2026, a monthly salary of at least SEK 34,470 (90% of the SEK 38,300 median per SCB). The 90% rule took effect on 1 June 2026 and this figure applies to applications received from 16 June 2026; SCB updates the median each mid-June and the new figure applies to the following 12 months of applications, so re-check before signing.

Some groups need only 75% of the median (SEK 28,725): occupations on the Government's list (e.g. chemical engineers and technicians, laboratory engineers, IT operations/support/network/sysadmin technicians, nursing and care assistants, ambulance care assistants, welders, mechanics, electrical technicians, butchers, food-processing operators, agricultural and forestry workers; the list Migrationsverket applies by SSYK occupation code is what counts), doctors, dentists and nurses seeking Swedish licensing, staff of tech/life-science start-ups (under 5 years, under 100 employees), and people holding a Swedish student or researcher permit when they first apply (for two years).

From day one the employer must provide health, life, occupational injury and occupational pension insurance; for contracts under a year comprehensive health insurance is also required. The vacancy must have been advertised for at least 10 days on the Swedish Public Employment Service portal (visible in EURES).

Documents

Passport, signed contract or offer, education and work records to show qualifications, and for family a marriage certificate and children's birth certificates. The employer sends the job details to the relevant trade union for comment.

Language

There is no statutory language requirement; the employer decides. Good English is needed for most skilled jobs and Swedish improves job-search chances.

Costs and proof of funds

Fee SEK 2,200; accompanying adults SEK 1,500, children SEK 750. The salary itself is the means of support. If family come with you (spouse or partner and children under 21), your income after rent must cover everyone; the amounts currently shown (2025) are SEK 6,243 for a single adult, SEK 10,314 for a couple and SEK 3,336–5,339 per child depending on age. From 1 October 2026 this is also checked at extension, and a family member's own income can count. Permits last up to two years (not beyond the contract).

Steps and timeline

The employer starts the online application, you complete it and pay. Most applicants get an email for a digital passport check; otherwise you visit an embassy. Migrationsverket reports 75% of complete highly qualified cases decided within 1 month, others within 4 months.

Notes for Iranian applicants

The hardest part is finding an employer willing to hire from Iran; an English CV and presence on Platsbanken and LinkedIn matter. If you cannot apply online, you can file at the Swedish Embassy in Tehran by appointment and pay the fee in rials to the embassy account. Men need a completion or exemption card for a long-term exit. Stricter good-conduct (vandel) requirements apply from 13 July 2026.

After arrival (work while studying, post-study stay, path to permanent residence)

The permit is tied to employer and occupation; changes must be handled under the rules and employers must report a job that does not start within four months. After four years on a work permit in the past seven you can apply for permanent residence, with stable self-support (at least SEK 6,243/month left after housing for a single adult in 2026) and good conduct.