Historic waterfront buildings in Stockholm, Sweden

Sweden Visa & Immigration Services

Hudson McKenzie advises individuals, families and international businesses on visa and immigration options for Sweden. Our immigration lawyers assist with work permits, EU Blue Cards, intra-company transfers, self-employment, highly qualified job-seeking, family residence, study, research, permanent residence and Swedish citizenship.

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Whether you are moving to Sweden from the UK or another country, the appropriate route depends on your nationality, employment arrangements, qualifications, family circumstances and intended length of stay. Sweden is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area. EU/EEA citizens benefit from free-movement rights where the relevant conditions are met, while most non-EU/EEA nationals require appropriate permission to work or establish residence.

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We support employers recruiting or relocating international personnel, as well as individuals planning to work, establish a business, study or join family in Sweden. Hudson McKenzie can assess the available routes and coordinate the immigration process from initial eligibility and application preparation through to residence formalities and longer-term immigration planning.

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Sweden provides several immigration routes for non-EU/EEA nationals taking up employment or undertaking an international assignment. The appropriate route depends on the role, salary, qualifications, employment relationship and whether the individual is being hired locally or transferred within an international group.

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Standard Work Permit

Most non-EU/EEA nationals taking up employment in Sweden require a work permit unless an exemption or another immigration status carrying work rights applies.

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The Swedish employer starts the application process by providing information about the proposed employment to the Swedish Migration Agency. The employee then completes their part of the application and submits the required supporting documents.

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The employment must satisfy requirements concerning salary, insurance and employment conditions. From 1 June 2026, the general salary requirement is linked to 90% of Sweden’s median salary. Based on the median salary published on 16 June 2026, the current general threshold is SEK 34,470 per month.

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Meeting this figure alone does not establish eligibility. Salary and employment conditions must also comply with Swedish collective agreements or normal practice within the profession or industry, which can require a higher salary. Exemptions and transitional provisions apply to certain applicants and extensions, so the requirement must be checked against the individual application. Swedish Migration Agency

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EU Blue Card for Highly Qualified Workers

The EU Blue Card provides a residence and work route for qualifying highly skilled non-EU/EEA professionals.

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Applicants must generally have:

Higher education corresponding to at least 180 higher-education credits, or at least five years of relevant professional experience.
An employment contract for highly qualified work lasting at least six months.
A salary meeting the applicable EU Blue Card threshold.
The required insurance and other supporting evidence.

The salary threshold is calculated at 1.25 times the average gross salary in Sweden. As of September 2026, the published threshold is SEK 53,625 per month. Applicants and employers should check the figure applicable when preparing an application. www.migrationsverket.se

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ICT Permit – Intra-Corporate Transfers

The ICT Permit applies to qualifying managers, specialists and trainees employed by a business outside the EU/EEA who are transferred to a related entity in Sweden.

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The overseas employer and Swedish entity must belong to the same corporate group, and the employee must satisfy the requirements for the relevant category.

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The maximum ICT period is generally:

Three years for managers and specialists.
One year for trainees.

A separate ICT mobility process can apply where an individual already holds an ICT permit issued by another participating EU Member State and will work in Sweden for more than 90 days.

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Route	Typically Relevant To	Main Employment Basis
Standard Work Permit	A wider range of qualifying employees	Employment in Sweden
EU Blue Card	Highly qualified professionals	Highly qualified employment meeting the Blue Card requirements
ICT Permit	Managers, specialists and qualifying trainees	Temporary transfer within the same corporate group

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Employer Involvement

Depending on the route, employer responsibilities can include providing employment information, advertising the position where required, arranging insurance, offering qualifying employment conditions and giving the relevant trade union an opportunity to comment.

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Hudson McKenzie works with employers, HR teams and global mobility functions to assess eligibility, prepare applications and coordinate employee and accompanying-family immigration requirements.

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Further information about recent changes is available in our Sweden Immigration Reforms 2026 insight.

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Sweden provides residence options for certain non-EU/EEA nationals who do not yet have a conventional Swedish employment offer or who intend to establish and operate their own business.

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Residence Permit to Look for Work or Start a Business

Certain highly educated applicants can apply for residence to come to Sweden to look for work or explore opportunities to start a business.

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Applicants must have completed studies corresponding to a second-cycle qualification, such as a qualifying Master’s degree or another recognised qualification at that level. They must also satisfy the applicable requirements concerning financial resources, insurance and supporting documentation.

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Often described as a Sweden job seeker visa, this is a residence permit for a specific purpose. It should not be treated as unrestricted permission to take up employment or operate a business. If the applicant secures employment or decides to establish a business, the requirements for the appropriate work or self-employed residence route must be satisfied.

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Self-Employment & Entrepreneur Residence

Non-EU/EEA nationals intending to establish and actively operate a business in Sweden may qualify for a residence permit as a self-employed person.

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Applicants must demonstrate relevant experience in their industry and in running a business, together with appropriate knowledge of Swedish or English. They must generally own at least 51% of the business and have decisive responsibility for its operation.

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The authorities can assess:

The business plan and commercial viability.
Industry and business-management experience.
Ownership and control.
Financial resources for the business.
Customer contacts or commercial arrangements.
The applicant’s ability to support themselves and qualifying family members.

Simply registering a company or purchasing shares does not automatically provide the right to live and work in Sweden.

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Route	Typically Relevant To	Main Basis
Highly Qualified Job Seeker Residence	Qualifying highly educated individuals without a Swedish job offer	Looking for work or exploring business opportunities
Self-Employed Residence	Entrepreneurs actively operating a Swedish business	Ownership, active management, financial resources and commercial viability

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Investment & Property Ownership

Sweden does not operate a conventional Golden Visa under which passive investment or purchasing property automatically provides residence rights. Entrepreneurs may qualify through the self-employed residence route where its requirements are satisfied.

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Hudson McKenzie can review an applicant’s qualifications, business plans, ownership arrangements and supporting evidence. Where required, we can coordinate immigration matters alongside corporate, tax and other professional advisers.

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Sweden provides immigration routes for international students, researchers, doctoral students and certain specialist academic or professional assignments.

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Study & Student Residence Permits

Non-EU/EEA nationals undertaking qualifying higher education in Sweden will generally require a residence permit for studies. The permit must normally be granted before travelling to Sweden.

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Requirements can include:

Admission to qualifying full-time studies.
A valid passport.
Sufficient financial resources.
Payment of tuition fees where applicable.
Appropriate health insurance where required.
Other supporting evidence relevant to the course and circumstances.

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Working While Studying

For students at Bachelor’s or Master’s level whose residence permits were granted on or after 11 June 2026, employment is generally limited to 15 hours per week during study periods.

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Exceptions apply, including specified education-related work and employment during June, July and August. Further provisions can apply after completing qualifying studies. Students should check the conditions attached to their permit before accepting employment. www.migrationsverket.se

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Staying in Sweden After Studies

Qualifying students who complete higher education in Sweden may be able to apply for a residence permit to look for employment or explore the possibility of starting a business.

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Applicants must satisfy the requirements for the post-study category. Obtaining employment or establishing a business can require a subsequent application under the appropriate immigration route.

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Researchers & Doctoral Students

Different residence categories apply depending on whether the individual is undertaking research, doctoral studies or another academic activity.

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A researcher invited by an approved research principal may qualify for a residence permit for research. The appropriate route for a doctoral student can depend on the proposed activity and whether there is a qualifying hosting agreement.

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Separate rules govern work rights, changes of immigration status and longer-term residence eligibility.

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Specialist & Academic Assignments

Guest researchers, trainees, visiting professors and other specialist assignees may fall under different immigration provisions according to the nature and duration of their activities.

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Selecting the correct category is particularly important for universities, research institutions and businesses bringing international expertise to Sweden.

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Hudson McKenzie can assess the proposed course, research activity or assignment and coordinate the appropriate immigration process, including qualifying accompanying-family applications and subsequent residence options.

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The route to long-term residence in Sweden depends on the applicant’s nationality, immigration category and residence history. Permanent residence, permanent right of residence, EU long-term resident status and citizenship are distinct legal concepts.

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Permanent Residence for Work-Permit Holders

A person extending a Swedish work permit may become eligible for permanent residence where they have held and complied with qualifying work permission and worked in Sweden for four of the previous seven years.

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Applicants must also satisfy the other statutory requirements, including sustainable financial self-support and the applicable conduct requirements.

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Other categories, including researchers, EU Blue Card holders, ICT permit holders and self-employed applicants, have provisions governing which residence periods count and when permanent residence can be requested. These should be assessed against the individual’s immigration history.

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EU/EEA Permanent Right of Residence

EU/EEA citizens generally acquire permanent right of residence after five years of qualifying residence under the EU free-movement framework. Eligible family members can also acquire permanent residence rights where the relevant conditions are met.

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EU Long-Term Resident Status

Qualifying non-EU/EEA nationals may be eligible for EU long-term resident status after five years of continuous qualifying residence in Sweden, subject to the financial and other statutory requirements.

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Not every period spent in Sweden necessarily counts. The type of residence permission, continuity of residence and absences must be considered.

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Swedish Citizenship & Naturalisation

Swedish citizenship is a separate legal process. The rules address residence, identity, immigration status, financial self-support, conduct and knowledge of Swedish and Swedish society, with exemptions and specific provisions for certain applicants.

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Under the rules introduced on 6 June 2026, the general habitual-residence requirement for an adult applicant is eight years. Different periods apply to specified categories.

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Applicant Category	General Habitual-Residence Period
General adult applicant	8 years
Nordic citizen or former Swedish citizen	2 years
Stateless applicant	5 years
Applicant with qualifying refugee status	7 years

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Other provisions apply to certain younger applicants and qualifying spouses or partners of Swedish citizens. Residence periods alone do not guarantee citizenship, and not all time spent in Sweden necessarily counts towards the requirement. Swedish Migration Agency

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The 2026 reforms also introduced stricter maintenance and conduct requirements. Applicants should have their circumstances assessed under the rules applying to their case.

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Hudson McKenzie can review residence history, employment, absences and supporting documentation to identify the appropriate long-term status and advise on permanent residence and citizenship planning.

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Moving to Sweden from the UK After Brexit

British citizens can move to Sweden where they qualify under an appropriate immigration route. However, UK citizenship alone no longer provides automatic EU free-movement rights.

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For British citizens planning a new move, potential routes include:

A Swedish work permit for qualifying employment.
An EU Blue Card for highly qualified employment.
An ICT Permit for an eligible intra-company transfer.
Self-employed residence for qualifying entrepreneurs.
Residence for highly qualified individuals looking for work or exploring business opportunities.
Study or research residence.
Family residence, where the relevant conditions are met.

British citizens protected by the EU–UK Withdrawal Agreement are subject to a different framework. Existing residence rights, dual nationality and qualifying family connections may also affect the position.

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If you are considering emigrating to Sweden from the UK, the first step is to identify the legal basis for your intended residence and activities. Employment, self-employment, study and family routes have different requirements.

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Hudson McKenzie can assess whether you hold protected rights or require a new application and coordinate the appropriate Swedish work and residence process.

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Short-Stay Business & Visitor Visas

Sweden forms part of the Schengen Area. Depending on nationality, travellers may require a Schengen visa for short business, tourism or private visits. Short stays are generally subject to the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period.

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Permitted business activities can include meetings, negotiations, conferences, seminars, trade fairs and discussions with customers or suppliers.

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A business visit should not be confused with permission to take up employment or undertake activities requiring Swedish work authorisation. Visa-free entry does not automatically provide work rights.

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Hudson McKenzie can assess whether the proposed activities are permitted as a business visitor or require a work or residence application.

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Remote Working & Digital Nomads in Sweden

Sweden does not operate a general Digital Nomad Visa equivalent to dedicated remote-working residence schemes available in some other European countries.

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Working remotely for an overseas employer does not automatically give a non-EU/EEA national the right to establish residence in Sweden. The immigration position depends on nationality, existing residence rights, employment arrangements, the nature of the activity and the intended duration of stay.

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EU/EEA nationals may have residence rights under the free-movement framework where the relevant conditions are satisfied. Non-EU/EEA nationals should not assume that Schengen visitor status permits long-term residence while working remotely.

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Remote-working arrangements can also create tax, social-security and employment-law considerations separate from immigration requirements.

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Hudson McKenzie can assess the immigration implications of a proposed arrangement and identify whether an appropriate Swedish residence category is available.

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Why Choose Hudson McKenzie for Sweden Immigration?

Hudson McKenzie supports individuals, families, professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers and international businesses with Swedish immigration and global mobility matters.

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Our team can assist with:

Swedish work permits and EU Blue Card applications.
ICT permits and international employee transfers.
Highly qualified job seeker residence.
Self-employed and entrepreneur applications.
Family and dependant residence applications.
EU/EEA residence rights and post-Brexit matters.
Student, researcher and specialist-assignment immigration.
Residence extensions and changes of status.
Permanent residence and citizenship-related immigration planning.
Immigration strategy and supporting-document review.

For businesses, we work with HR and global mobility teams to assess immigration routes, review employment arrangements and coordinate employer, employee and accompanying-family applications.

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For private clients, we provide an assessment based on employment, qualifications, business plans, family circumstances, immigration history and longer-term objectives.

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Planning to work, establish a business, study, undertake research or join family in Sweden? Contact Hudson McKenzie to discuss the immigration options relevant to your circumstances.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Swedish and EU immigration rules, salary thresholds, employment conditions, financial requirements, residence periods, citizenship requirements and procedures are subject to change. Requirements vary according to nationality, immigration category, individual circumstances and the applicable application or decision date. Salary figures stated on this page are current as at September 2026 and should be checked before an application is submitted. Please contact Hudson McKenzie for advice tailored to your circumstances.