Historic waterfront buildings in Stockholm, Sweden

Sweden Visa & Immigration Services

Hudson McKenzie advises individuals, families and international businesses on Swedish visa and immigration matters. Sweden provides immigration routes for employees, highly qualified professionals, intra-company transferees, entrepreneurs, self-employed individuals, researchers, students and qualifying family members.

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The appropriate immigration route depends on factors including nationality, employment arrangements, professional qualifications, business activity, family circumstances and the intended duration of residence. EU and EEA citizens benefit from free-movement rights where the relevant conditions are met, while most non-EU/EEA nationals need appropriate permission to work or establish residence in Sweden.

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Hudson McKenzie can assess the available Swedish immigration options and provide support from initial planning and application preparation through to residence formalities and longer-term immigration strategy.

Sweden provides several immigration routes for non-EU/EEA nationals taking up employment or undertaking an international assignment in the country. The appropriate route depends on factors including the nature of 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: A Swedish work permit is relevant to many non-EU/EEA nationals taking up qualifying employment in Sweden. The employment terms and salary must meet the applicable immigration requirements as well as Swedish collective agreements or normal practice within the relevant profession or industry.

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From 1 June 2026, the general salary requirement is linked to 90% of Sweden’s median salary. Based on the median salary applying from 16 June 2026, the current general threshold is SEK 34,470 per month. As the figure is linked to the national median salary, applicants and employers should check the requirement applicable when the application is made.

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EU Blue Card: The EU Blue Card provides a combined residence and work route for qualifying highly qualified non-EU/EEA professionals. Specific qualification, employment and remuneration requirements apply. Sweden increased the maximum EU Blue Card permit period from two years to four years as part of its June 2026 reforms.

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ICT Permit: The ICT framework is relevant to qualifying managers, specialists and trainees transferring from a business outside the EU/EEA to a related entity in Sweden. The route is designed for temporary intra-group assignments and has requirements distinct from the standard Swedish work permit.

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Route	Typically Relevant To	Main Employment Basis
Standard Work Permit	Wider range of qualifying employees	Swedish employment
EU Blue Card	Highly qualified professionals	Highly qualified Swedish employment
ICT Permit	Managers, specialists and qualifying trainees	Intra-group transfer

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Employers have an important role in Swedish employment immigration, including ensuring that employment terms, salary, insurance arrangements and supporting information meet the relevant requirements.

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Hudson McKenzie can assess the proposed role and employment structure, advise on the appropriate immigration category and coordinate the employer and employee stages of the application.

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Sweden introduced significant employment immigration changes during 2026. Further detail is available in Hudson McKenzie’s dedicated Sweden Immigration Reforms 2026 insight.

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Sweden also provides residence options for certain non-EU/EEA nationals who do not yet have conventional Swedish employment.

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Highly Qualified Job Seekers: Individuals who have completed studies corresponding to a second-cycle qualification may be able to apply for residence to come to Sweden to look for work or explore the possibility of starting a business. Applicants must satisfy the applicable requirements concerning qualifications, financial resources, insurance and their proposed stay.

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This residence route does not itself provide unrestricted long-term work permission. If qualifying employment is subsequently secured or a business is established, the applicant may need to move into the appropriate immigration category.

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Self-Employment & Entrepreneurs: Non-EU/EEA nationals intending to establish and actively operate their own business in Sweden may qualify for residence as a self-employed person.

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The route requires more than simply investing in or incorporating a Swedish company. The applicant must demonstrate relevant business and industry experience, a credible commercial plan, financial resources and an active role in the business.

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The Swedish Migration Agency currently requires the applicant to own at least 51% of the business and have crucial responsibility for running it.

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Route	Typically Relevant To	Main Basis
Highly Qualified Job Seeker	Highly qualified individuals without a Swedish job offer	Looking for qualifying work or exploring a business
Self-Employed Residence	Entrepreneurs actively running a Swedish business	Ownership, active management and viable business activity

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Hudson McKenzie can assess the applicant’s qualifications, proposed activity, business structure and supporting evidence and advise on the immigration steps required as the applicant’s plans develop.

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For many applicants, obtaining an initial Swedish residence or work permit is the first stage of a longer-term immigration plan.

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Permanent Residence: Eligibility depends on the immigration category and the applicant’s residence and work history.

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For standard work-permit holders, permanent residence may be available where the applicant has held and complied with qualifying work permission and worked in Sweden for four of the previous seven years, provided the other requirements are met, including sustainable financial self-support.

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Following 2026 reforms, certain other categories including researchers, EU Blue Card holders and ICT permit holders can also count qualifying residence periods towards permanent residence under the applicable rules.

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Different provisions apply to EU/EEA citizens, who can acquire permanent right of residence after five years of qualifying residence.

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Swedish Citizenship: Citizenship is a separate legal process with its own residence, identity, conduct, maintenance, language and civic-knowledge requirements.

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From 6 June 2026, the general habitual-residence requirement for an adult citizenship applicant increased from five years to 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
Refugee	7 years

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Other special provisions apply, including for certain younger applicants and qualifying spouses or partners of Swedish citizens. Residence periods alone do not guarantee citizenship, and an applicant’s full immigration and personal history must be considered.

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Hudson McKenzie can review immigration history, residence periods and supporting documentation and advise on permanent residence and Swedish citizenship planning.

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Other Sweden Immigration Routes

‍Short-Stay Business & Visitor Visas: Sweden forms part of the Schengen Area. Depending on nationality, travellers may require a Schengen short-stay visa for 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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Business visitors may be able to undertake qualifying activities such as meetings, negotiations, conferences and other limited temporary business activities, but visitor status does not provide unrestricted permission to take up employment in Sweden.

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Employers and travellers should therefore establish whether the proposed activities are permissible as a business visit or require Swedish work authorisation before travel.

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Why Choose Hudson McKenzie for Sweden Immigration?

Hudson McKenzie provides Swedish immigration support to individuals, families, professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers and international businesses.

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Our team can assist with:

Swedish work permit applications;
EU Blue Card applications;
ICT and intra-company transfer permits;
highly qualified job seeker residence;
self-employed and entrepreneur applications;
international students and researchers;
family and dependant residence applications;
EU/EEA residence rights;
post-Brexit immigration matters for UK nationals;
residence permit extensions;
permanent residence;
Swedish citizenship-related immigration planning;
corporate immigration and employee transfers; and
immigration strategy and supporting-document review.

For businesses, Hudson McKenzie can coordinate Swedish immigration requirements for international recruitment, intra-company transfers and specialist assignments, including assessment of the appropriate route and coordination of employer, employee and accompanying-family applications.

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For individuals and families, we provide a structured assessment based on employment, qualifications, business activity, family circumstances and longer-term plans.

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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 laws, salary thresholds, financial requirements, residence periods, citizenship requirements and administrative procedures are subject to change. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances. Please contact Hudson McKenzie for advice tailored to your specific case.