1. How can I extend my work permit in Sweden?
If you already have a work permit (Swedish: arbetstillstånd) and it is about to expire, you need to apply for an extended work permit to be able to continue working in Sweden. This extension application is submitted to the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). A work permit can be granted for a maximum of two years at a time. If you have been authorized as a worker for six months or more and apply before your current permit expires, you have the right to continue working while the Migration Agency is deciding on the extension.
When applying for an extended work permit you should send in the application within four months before your current permission expires. If you apply after your current permit expires you can not work during the time it takes for the Migration Agency to process your application. When you apply for an extended work permit, the Migration Agency checks that the conditions for a work permit have been met during all your previous permit periods.
Your current employer must send in information about your employment, as well as your contact information and general information about you, to the Migration Agency. After your employer has sent this over to the Migration Agency, you will receive an email with instructions on how to apply for a work permit. You then have to fill out the information that is required for the application, and send this back to the Migration Agency.
2. What are the requirements for an extension?
In order to extend your work permit, you must have worked in the position for which you were granted a permit, and your salary and other employment conditions must at least have been in line with collective agreements or practices in the industry. You must also have worked to such an extent that your salary has reached at 27 360 SEK per month (before tax). These conditions must have been met throughout the time you have had a work permit in Sweden.
Furthermore, you must also have been covered by a few different insurances such as health insurance, life insurance, occupational injury insurance and occupational pension insurance. You must have been covered by these insurances for the entire time you have had a work permit in Sweden.
For the application to be complete, you need to submit income information from the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) for the entire period you have worked in Sweden. You must be able to provide pay slips and clarify any absence from work you may have had, vacation excluded.
3. How long is the waiting time?
According to the Swedish Migration Agency the waiting time for a work permit application to be processed takes between 1-4 months. For qualified labour the waiting time is up to 30 days.
When waiting for a decision you can after 4 months send in a request to conclude your case to the Swedish Migration Agency. The Authority shall then, within four weeks of the date they received the request, either make a decision on the matter or reject the request in a separate decision, according to 12 § förvaltningslagen (2017:900) (FL).
4. What is the process like step-by-step?
Step 1 – Your employer contacts the Migration Agency.
Firstly, your employer has to start the process of extending your work permit by informing the Migration Agency about your employment. Make sure that your employer has your contact information and general information about you, such as name, date of birth, citizenship, education and email address. When your employer has sent in the information to the Migration Agency you will then receive an email with instructions on how you apply. You then fill out the application. If you have family members that also need a residence permit you have to apply for their permit at the same time you are applying for an extended work permit.
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Step 2 – Fill out the paperwork and attach the correct files
When you fill out the application there are also certain documents that you will have to send in with it. You will have to send in copies of your passport, a summary of your income data from the Swedish Tax Agency for all the years you have worked in Sweden, payroll records, your employment contract, a certificate of employment for every employment you have had in Sweden or certificates showing any absence from your work and information about which insurance company your employer has taken out insurance with, your policy number and the period for which you are covered by the insurance.
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Step 3 – Pay the Migration Agency’s fee
With almost every application you will have to pay a fee. Once the fee is paid, your application will be submitted. When the application is submitted the Migration Agency will contact you if anything is missing in the application, such as documents or other information.
Step 4 – Wait for the decision
You have a right to remain in the country during the time it takes the Migration Agency to decide on the matter. You also have the right to continue working with your employer if the application is made before the current permit expires. Note that there are a few exceptions to this rule, one of them being if you had a work permit in Sweden for less than 6 months, you are not allowed to continue working while waiting for the decision.
Step 5.A – Your application is approved
If you are granted a permit for more than three months, you will receive a residence permit card. The card is proof that you have permission to be in Sweden. You will receive an email that the decision has been made. The decision itself will then be sent to your home address in Sweden. Your employer or contractor will also be notified of the decision by post.
Step 5.B – If your application is rejected, we can help you appeal
If your application is rejected we can help you appeal in the court of law. Normally you can keep working while your court case is pending.
5. What happens if I have changed, or want to change jobs?
If you want to change jobs the regulations are different whether you want to do this within the first 24 months from when you first applied for a work permit, or after 24 months has passed.
Within the first 24 months from the date you received a work permit, your permit is only valid for the employer and the type of work stated in your previous application and decision. If you want to change your employer or type of work, you need to apply for a new work permit. Once you have submitted your application, you can start working for your new employer before you receive a decision, provided you have applied before your previous work permit expires.
Once you have had a work permit for 24 months or more and received an approval of your extension application, you can change employer without submitting a new application as long as you work in the same profession. But, if your new job involves a change of profession, you must submit a new application.
6. Can I bring family members to Sweden? If yes, how?
Yes, you can. While you have a valid work permit in Sweden, your family members can obtain a residence permit for the same period of time. If you have found a job in Sweden, or when you send in your application for an extended work permit, you apply for the whole family in your own application. If you apply for your family to obtain a residence permit during the period you have a work permit you will also have to send in information and documents about each and everyone of the family members you apply for. For your family to get a residence permit, you must also be able to financially support yourself and your family. Please contact us if you want to know if you meet the requirements.
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7. When can the work permit be permanent?
If you want to continue working in Sweden after your permit has expired, you have to submit an application to extend your permit. When you have had a work permit for 48 months, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. You must apply for an extension before your previous permit expires. The Migration Agency assesses whether you are entitled to a permanent permit in connection with your application for an extended work permit.
To get a permanent residence permit there are certain requirements that must be met. First of all you must meet the requirements for a continued work permit. You must have had a work permit for at least 48 months and have been working at least 44 months of these 48 months. You must also live a well-mannered life and be able to support yourself in Sweden.
An application for a permanent residence permit can only be granted in connection with an application for an extended residence permit.
8. What can I do if the Swedish Migration Agency rejects my extension application?
You have the right to appeal a decision by the Migration Agency. If you choose to appeal, a court will review the decision. Your decision will state how long you have to appeal, but it is often three weeks from the date the Migration Agency made the decision. If you appeal, you can stay in Sweden while your case is being heard in court. If you do not meet the requirements for a permanent residence permit, you can still get an extended residence permit.
If you have applied for a permanent residence permit, you can also appeal against a decision not to grant you a permanent residence permit, if your application is rejected because you do not meet the income requirement or the good conduct requirement. The decision from the Migration agency will also inform you about how to appeal.
- 1. How can I extend my work permit in Sweden?
- 2. What are the requirements for an extension?
- 3. How long is the waiting time?
- 4. What is the process like step-by-step?
- Step 1 – Your employer contacts the Migration Agency.
- Step 2 – Fill out the paperwork and attach the correct files
- Step 3 – Pay the Migration Agency’s fee
- Step 4 – Wait for the decision
- Step 5.A – Your application is approved
- Step 5.B – If your application is rejected, we can help you appeal
- 5. What happens if I have changed, or want to change jobs?
- 6. Can I bring family members to Sweden? If yes, how?
- 7. When can the work permit be permanent?
- 8. What can I do if the Swedish Migration Agency rejects my extension application?