Sweden — Work (EU Blue Card)

Main requirements

Employment contract of at least six months signed by both parties; higher education of at least 180 credits (bachelor's equivalent) or at least five years of relevant professional experience; and, per the official source as of October 2026, a monthly salary of at least SEK 53,625 (1.25 × average gross salary, from 15 July 2026), updated annually by Migrationsverket from National Mediation Office data, so re-check before signing. You must also have, or have applied for, comprehensive health insurance covering your whole stay in Sweden.

Documents

Passport, signed contract, degree and transcripts (or proof of five years' experience), and proof of comprehensive health insurance (urgent and other care, hospitalisation, emergency dental care, medical repatriation); if you will be in Sweden for less than a year it must run three months beyond the employment period.

Language

No statutory language requirement; it depends on the employer.

Costs and proof of funds

Fee SEK 2,000; accompanying adults SEK 1,500, children SEK 750. The high salary demonstrates self-support; if family come along, your income after rent must cover everyone, and family members staying under a year also need comprehensive health insurance.

Steps and timeline

As with ordinary work permits, the employer starts the application. Migrationsverket reports 75% of complete cases decided within 1 month and incomplete ones within 2 months. A first Blue Card runs from nine months to four years; spouse and children under 18 get permits for the same period.

Notes for Iranian applicants

SEK 53,625 is realistic for senior technical and engineering roles, less so for junior ones; with a lower salary the ordinary work permit is the route. Iranian degrees need official translation and release (for tuition-free programmes). Men need a service completion or exemption card to exit.

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

Since 11 June 2026, three consecutive years on a Swedish Blue Card can lead to permanent residence (instead of four), subject to self-support and conduct.