Sweden Job Seeker Visa: A Complete Guide
April 2022 came with its own share of glad tidings for Migrants seeking employment in the Constitutional Monarchy as Sweden made an announcement for the introduction of a new visa, specifically for job seekers. More often than not, job seekers are faced with the challenge of securing a job before moving abroad. This doesn’t always work as expected and has caused a major setback for such migrants. The Sweden Job Seeker visa which was meant to take effect from the 1st of June 2022 gives prospective migrants the rare opportunity of moving to Sweden even without a job offer.
What is a Job Seeker Visa?
It is exactly as it sounds. A Job seeker visa is a type of visa that permits foreigners to immigrate on the basis of job hunting. As such, you are allowed to stay in the country for a specified period of time as a job hunter even when you haven’t secured a job offer yet.
As a result of the shortage of labor, Sweden joins the list of European countries which allow foreigners the pleasure of migrating in search of available jobs with the use of a Job Seeker visa.
How Long Does a Sweden Job Seeker Visa Last for?
The expected minimum validity for this category of visa is 3 months. However, the permit can be extended to a maximum of 9 months.
What are the Conditions for applying for a Sweden Job Seeker Visa?
Before making the move to apply for a Job Seeker visa in Sweden, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. These include:
- Completion of studies at an advanced level.
- Financial stability to be able to support yourself throughout your stay while on a Job Seeker visa.
- A well-laid out plan to seek employment in Sweden or be self-employed.
- A comprehensive health insurance to receive medical care in Sweden.
- A valid passport. Note that your permission to stay on a Job Seeker would not be extended beyond your passport validity.
- A Sweden work visa to avoid delays in compliance upon securing a job. This is particularly important for those who aren’t citizens of a neighboring Nordic country to Sweden.
- A letter of permission issued to the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) to grant the right to contact your educational institution for the verification of all educational documents submitted.
- Proof of funds expected to cover your cost of living in Sweden throughout the period as well as enough money for the journey back home.
What are the Required Documents for a Job Seeker Visa Application in Sweden?
The documents needed for the application include:
- Exam certificates (where applicable).
- University transcript.
- Bank statement with proof of funds.
- Comprehensive Health Insurance document.
- Letter of consent that gives UHR the right to contact your institution in order to verify your academic documents.
Please note that all documents that are not in English or Swedish have to be duly translated to any of these 2 languages. This is to be done by an authorized translator.
How Much is Needed as Proof of Funds for the Sweden Job Seeker Visa?
A minimum amount of SEK 13,000. This is equivalent to $1200 and it’s for a period of 1 month. For a 3-month visa, a minimum amount of SEK 39,000 is needed, equivalent to $3,600. For a 9-month validity visa, an approximate amount of SEK 117,000 (approximately $10,800) is needed.
Can I Work with a Job Seeker Visa in Sweden?
The Sweden Job Seeker visa is strictly meant for and restricted to the sole reason of job seeking. As such, it isn’t sufficient to work in Sweden with it. Upon getting a job, it is mandatory to apply for a Sweden work visa. Unlike the former, this visa allows you to work and also allows your family members and dependants to join you in the country.
The Sweden Work Visa
Employees in Sweden can only be allowed to live and work in the country if they are in possession of a Sweden work visa. The exact type of work visa however, depends on the employee’s nationality or occupation.
Types of Sweden Work Visa
EU Blue Card: An EU Blue Card is meant for highly skilled workers who have jobs in specific professions, possess a university degree and/or a five-year professional work experience. The EU Blue card is a dual purpose work and residence permit.
Intra Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit: This is meant for transfer workers whose employers are located outside the EU and are being transferred to the Swedish branch of the company. The ICT permit is only available for employees working in a managerial or specialist capacity.
Eligibility Criteria for Obtaining a Sweden Work Visa
The conditions for obtaining a work visa in Sweden are distinct for both employees and employers and must be fulfilled by both parties. For employees, the eligibility criteria include:
- A valid passport.
- A job offer that is in line with the Swedish collective agreements or the occupation’s standard.
- A minimum monthly salary of SEK 13,000 before taxes or a salary on par with the position.
- Employment offer which covers health insurance, life insurance, occupational injury insurance, pension insurance and social security of the employee.
- Proof of accommodation
- Intention to leave the country once the employment contract ends.
Employers, on the other hand, also need to meet certain requirements before hiring a foreigner in Sweden. First and foremost, the vacant job position for which an employee is being sourced for must be advertised on Sweden’s Work Association website (Arbetsförmedlingens website) for a minimum of 10 calendar days. Other requirements include:
- Obtaining approval from the concerned trade union for the salary and job description.
- Making a job offer for the employee stipulating the length of employment.
- Creating an online visa application for the employee with the Swedish Migration Agency stating the employee’s date of birth, citizenship information, education, and email.
- After these have been done, the prospective employee is expected to receive an email to signify the start of the process from his/her end.
- Submission of all relevant documents by the employee such as a passport, an employment offer, and a statement from the trade union.
Depending on the nationality of the employee, two final processes need to be completed after which the application must have been processed. The migrant could be a visa free national or a non-visa free national. As such, there would be differences in the registration of biometrics, date of assumption of office and issuance of residence permit cards.
Visa Free Nationals
For a visa free national, you are allowed entry into Sweden and assumption of duty right from the first validity date of your work visa. The registration of biometrics such as capturing of photos and fingerprints can be done in Sweden itself. The Swedish Migration Agency office is responsible for this as well as issuing your residence permit card.
However, if within the past 180 days, you have spent more than 90 days in the Schengen region as a visa free national, then you will be regarded as a non-visa free national and required to follow the steps for the non-visa free nationals.
See the types of Schengen Visas here.
Non-Visa Free Nationals
The opposite is the case for non-visa free nationals. Rather than registering and obtaining the residence permit card in Sweden, a non-visa free national will be required to visit the Swedish embassy in his/her country of residence or the nearest one to get fingerprints and photos captured and duly submitted. Only then will a residence permit card be issued. The residence permit card for non-visa free nationals is a category of visa which allows its holders gain entry into Sweden and any other Schengen countries. It will always be needed every time the holder leaves and enters Sweden or any of the countries within the Schengen region during the period for which the permit is valid.
How Much Does it Cost to Obtain a Sweden Work Visa?
A typical work visa in Sweden costs approximately SEK 2,000 This is equivalent to about $200.
How Long Does it Take for a Work Visa to be issued?
The waiting period for the issuance of a work visa in Sweden is dependent on three main factors: the applicant’s place of work, the mode of submission and the mode of employment. Nevertheless, work visas get delivered within one to three months of waiting.
What is the Validity Period for a Sweden Work Visa?
A Swedish work visa remains valid for a maximum period of 2 years after which it can be extended for an additional 2 years.
What is Comprehensive Health Insurance?
A comprehensive health insurance is a scheme that covers all medical care including emergency care, dental care, hospitalization, as well as repatriation for medical reasons. While applying for a Job Seeker visa in Sweden, it is important to have proof that the Comprehensive Health Insurance in your possession will remain valid for the entire visa validity period.
Have you seen this article on the Easiest countries to get a work visa?
Hello Dears,
How can we get the Comprehensive Health Insurance before applying to Job seeker visa?
Hi.. If you are registered under a health insurance scheme in your home country, you can contact them to make enquiries on getting one for your journey to Sweden. Otherwise, you can visit the official website and apply online instead. Application is absolutely free so you are not expected to pay any amount to any online agency
Please can you help me with the link for Swedish insurance for the job seeker visa?
Hello @Tee-Eff-Kay ,
Many thanks to you for taking out time to orientate people. JazakAllah.
That being said, I’d like to inquire about getting the health insurance. Which website are you making reference to? Can we get a link to the website where we could get this insurance?
Kindly advice
Thanks
Hello Taofeekat,
Many thanks to you for taking out time to orientate people. JazakAllah.
That being said, I’d like to inquire about getting the health insurance. Which website are you making reference to? Can we get a link to the website where we could get this insurance?
Kindly advice
Thanks
could you please guide me how to apply for this visa?
Hi.. If you are registered under a health insurance scheme in your home country, you can contact them to make enquiries on getting one for your journey to Sweden. Otherwise, you can visit the official website and apply online instead. Application is absolutely free so you are not expected to pay any amount to any online agency
@adi-ahmed-449 what have you done so far and where exactly do you need a guide?
Hi everyone, please what should be the duration of comprehensive Health Insurance needed for a jobseeker visa?
The duration of a comprehensive health insurance is expected to cover your entire stay in the foreign country. For example, if you are applying for visa whose validity period is 6 months, then you insurance should cover all 6 months of your stay
Hi everyone
Is it possible to be supported by a family member who is a Swedish citizen ( rental expenses..etc ..using his bank statements), while applying for a job seeker Visa? Knowing that I’m a software engineer with a Master degree and not living in a EU country, is it a good choice or not? If I got a job offer, would I have to leave Sweden and apply for a work permit ?
I do appreciate your answers!
@mohamedlar45
This is a tricky one but to be on the safer side, I believe the bank statements must bear your name. If you have a family member there who is ready to support you, he can also assist you with the required funds and have it transferred into your personal account instead of using his bank statements.
As for your second question, provided you are legally residing in Sweden, then you can apply for a work permit while still in Sweden. This could be in form of any of the residence permits. Now, if the permit you have with you is a 6-month job seeker’s visa you are able to get a job before the visa expires, then you can apply within Sweden. But there is something you need to put into consideration and that is the fact that applying within Sweden takes longer than applying from outside Sweden. So, if you are holding a visa with a limited time-frame validity, remember to put that into consideration.
Thanks for the heads up!
I do appreciate your clarafications!
You’re welcome
@mohamedlar45 so will you be applying for the job seeker visa?
If you do, please keep me posted on the process. I’d like to learn from your experience.
@Tee-Eff-Kay Can you please drop the link to the Jobseeker visa application portal
@josiahjovido
Kindly read through the article. There is a hyperlinked text in the first paragraph “Sweden made an announcement”. That will lead you to the application portal. It’s in the form of a document that has to be downloaded and duly signed and submitted on the Swedish immigration portal. Let me know how this goes
Thanks for the writing , its really helpful
I just want to know one thing:
*** haw long the fund have to be in the bank?
( I mean in my bank statement haw long time the fund have to be in the bank )
@rakib-ais-41 you need to mention the writer, if not she may not see your comment and respond.
Hi @rakib-ais-41
As regards your question, no specific information has been given yet on the subject matter. However, if we were to go by general visa requirements, I would advice that you present the bank statements of an account you have been using steadily for at least 6 months, and as for the funds required for the job seekers visa, try to have the required amount and maybe more in your account for at least 28 consecutive days
Pls how long do I need to have the proof of funds in my account before I can apply?
@Tee-Eff-Kay do you know this, maybe?
Thanks for the mention @Wasi
Hi @pedroayodele
As regards your question, no specific information has been given yet on the subject matter. However, if we were to go by general visa requirements, I would advice that you present the bank statements of an account you have been using steadily for at least 6 months, and as for the funds required for the job seekers visa, try to have the required amount and maybe more in your account for at least 28 consecutive days
Thank you for the information.How to apply online ? On which website
@Rebira.B I think the relevant links are in the post. Did you read completely?
Hi @Rebira.B
Kindly read through the article. There is a hyperlinked text in the first paragraph: “Sweden made an announcement…” That should lead you to the registration portal. It’s in the form of a document that has to be downloaded, duly signed and then submitted on the Swedish immigration portal.
Can I apply Sweden for job seeker visa with Bachelor’s in civil engineering?
Hi @engr-monnaf
You can’t apply with a Bachelor’s degree.. Before you can apply, you must have completed advanced level programs. By implication, you must be a Master’s or Doctorate Degree holder
I just submitted my application with faith today. I am a bit scared because there is no particular blueprint to follow asides what was provided here which i followed. They asked my plan upon arrival and if i dont get a job what i would do? i simply responded by stating i would return to my country.
Wow, we have a go-getter here @nekky2k4all
I sincerely wish you the best of luck. The question was a tricky one but I must salute your wisdom in answering it. Remember that one of the requirements is your readiness to return to your home country upon expiration of your visa. Who knows? Your answer might just be what they are looking for. Let’s be optimistic for the best and don’t forget to keep sharing your experience here. Once again, all the best
@nekky2k4all great job. I like people who take action.
Also, your answer in the last part is very honourable, and they will respect it.
I am keeping my fingers crossed and wishing you all the very best.
Hi @ nekky2k4all,
Did you get Visa? Can you please guide us for below queries?
Hi everyone…
This is Hari from India, holding a Master’s degree in pharmacology with 10 years of experience in Pharmacovigilance. I am planning to apply for Job Seeker visa-Sweden. Can any one have an idea what is the scope of jobs for pharma people in patient safety/drug safety/clinical research domain.
In addition to this, i have gone through the official website for job seeker visa-Sweden and i have few queries below. Please suggest and guide me.
1. Is this the correct application Form: 265511 (Residence permit for highly qualified persons to look for work or start a business)?.
2. In the form, section 9 under future plans
a. What do you plan to do after y ou arrive in Sweden?
For this can we mention ‘ we look/search for Job as per local rules/law? Is this sufficient?
b. What do you plan to do if you do not find work or d o not start a business in Sweden?
Can we directly tick the box for leave Sweden?
3. Letter of intent (seeking employment) is required?
I request to review and provide your valuable suggestions. Thank you 😀