Residence permit for job seekers in Sweden

How does the residence permit for job seekers work?

Foreign nationals looking to work or start a business in Sweden can apply for the “residence permit for highly qualified persons to look for work or start a business”, often referred to informally as the “Swedish job seeker visa.”

This permit allows individuals with advanced-level degrees to come to Sweden and explore job opportunities or start their own business for a period of three to nine months.

Helios Law Firm offers comprehensive legal assistance with the application process, appeals, and general advice.

(If you already have a job offer from a Swedish company you need a different type of permit. This permit is only for job seekers. Click here to read more)

What are the requirements?

To be eligible for the Swedish job seeker visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have completed studies equivalent to an advanced-level degree. This means you must have a degree that corresponds to a 60-credit Master’s degree, a 120-credit Master’s degree, a professional degree worth 60–330 credits, or a postgraduate/PhD-level degree.
• Plan to seek employment or explore business opportunities in Sweden.
• Be able to financially support yourself during the permit period and cover the cost of your return journey.
• Hold comprehensive health insurance valid for healthcare in Sweden.
• Possess a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your stay. If your passport is near expiration, you should extend it, as you cannot receive a permit longer than your passport’s validity.
• You must currently be located outside of Sweden.

In your application, you must enclose a letter of consent that gives the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) the right to contact higher education institutions in your home country to verify your educational documents. The Swedish Migration Agency then sends your documents to UHR so that they can assess your level of education. The Swedish Migration Agency cannot answer questions about the level of your degree before you have made your application.

Do I need a lawyer?

While it’s possible to handle the application process independently, our services ensure all procedural steps are followed meticulously, reducing the risk of errors or delays.

What are the total costs/fees?

The cost for our legal assistance is 2,500 SEK (approximately 250 USD).

The fee charged by the Swedish Migration Agency is 2,200 SEK (approximately 220 USD) and is not included in our price.

Total cost for our service and the application fee to the Swedish Migration Agency would be 4,700 SEK (approximately 470 USD).

Additionally, if your university degree is not in English or Swedish, it will need to be translated and notarized at your own expense.

What’s included?

Our services cover:

• Submitting your application and relevant documents to the Swedish Migration Agency on your behalf under a power of attorney.
• Personalized legal assistance tailored to your specific situation, ensuring you understand every step of the application process.
• Ongoing advice regarding your job seeker residence permit after you arrive in Sweden, if needed.

Who is Helios Law Firm?

Helios Law Firm is based in Sweden, with offices in Stockholm and Malmö. We specialize in various areas of law, including criminal law, business law, litigation, and immigration law.

While we primarily handle standard work permits, which require a job offer, we recognize the growing demand for support among individuals seeking employment physically in Sweden. Therefore, we offer a service to assist those without a job offer.

Why choose Helios Law Firm?

• Expert guidance: Our experienced team helps you navigate the application process efficiently, avoiding common mistakes that can result in application denial.
• Time efficiency: We streamline the application process, saving you time and reducing stress.
• Seamless transition to a long-term work permit: If you secure employment while on a job seeker permit, we will discount the fee you paid for the job seeker permit when we assist with your work permit application. Since we already have your case details, the transition to a work permit will be more smooth and efficient.

Contact us

Contact our team today via phone or WhatsApp. We are fluent in both Swedish and English and ready to assist you.

Phone/WhatsApp:
+4670-458 94 61
Email: sebastian.johansson@heliosadvokat.se

Disclaimer: The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact us directly.