Moving to Sweden Forums

Cost of living in Sweden. Is it expensive??

qlmhuge — Wed Oct 07, 2009 10:45 am

Author: qlmhuge

Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 10:45 am

Middle-aged professionals get 30K to 50K, if that's any guide

Moving from belgium to Sweden

kevve900 — Wed Aug 26, 2009 3:41 pm

Author: kevve900

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 3:41 pm

Hello everyone,

I'm kind of new to this forum and I kinda need your opinion/advice.
I'm 19 years old and live in Belgium. I went to Sweden this summer and met a lot of interesting people and now I really want to move to Sweden.

Do you guys know if it is possible to move to Sweden and then find a job there?

Thanks in advance,

Kevin

Current visa wait time?

FallnXAngel — Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:34 am

Author: FallnXAngel

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:34 am

Well, that's a tricky question. There's several factors. When you apply, where your applying from, and what type of visa.

I can't really offer much advice on the work permit side (I went sambo). Have you tried contacting the consulate or the migration board to find out what's going on with your application? I think work visa's are only supposed to take 2-3 months. But I'm not entirely sure. If I were you, I'd follow up.

Not sure if this is a moot issue since this post was from a few months ago though.

Schengen visa

efaisal — Fri Nov 02, 2007 3:45 am

Author: efaisal

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 3:45 am

Hi All,
A quick question, how long it takes to get Schengen visa after I submit my application? Ticket booked, and I only have one week to get the visa. Will it be sufficient?

I'm an Indonesian, living in Singapore with working permit. The company arrange a week on-site-training for the new hire (me).

Thanks in advance.
EF

WORK PERMITS IN SWEDEN

Sweden Information — Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:06 am

Author: Sweden Information

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:06 am

WORK PERMITS IN SWEDEN

You must have a work permit in order to work in Sweden. Once you have been granted a permit, it must be entered into your passport before your arrival.

Obtaining a Swedish work permit is no easy matter. Swedes, foreign citizens already living in Sweden and EU/EEA citizens have preference over others in obtaining work here.

If there is a temporary shortage of labour, or if you have obtained employment as part of an international exchange programme, the Migration Board may grant you a work permit.

If the offer of work is for more than three months you will also require a Swedish residence permit.

A specialist employed by an international concern and travelling to and from Sweden in that capacity in order to work for temporary periods does not require a work permit. This applies if total duration of stay in Sweden is less than 12 months.

What are the requirements?

* You must have a written offer of employment in Sweden, made out on a special form which your employer can obtain via the National Labour Market Board's web site ams.se. Your employer must send it to you so that you can enclose it with your application.

* Your employer shall guarantee you pay, insurance coverage and other terms of employment equal to at least the collective agreement or Swedish practise in the profession or the branch of trade.

* Accommodation must have been arranged for you in Sweden

* You must be fully prepared to leave Sweden when your term of employment is over.

Where do I apply?

First time applications
The first time you apply for a work permit, you do so at a Swedish embassy or consulate in your country of origin or in your country of domicile.

Extension of permits
If you want to renew your permit, send an application to the Migration Board – Migrationsverket, Tillståndsenheten, SE 601 70 Norrköping, Sweden. Alternatively, you can apply at any of the Migration Board offices in Sweden.

How do I pay the application fee?

First time applications
You pay the application fee when you apply at the embassy or consulate-general. If you apply via the Internet, you must pay by credit card and cannot then pay at an embassy or a consulate-general.

Extensions of permits
* You pay the fee at one of Migration Board’s offices in Sweden.

* You may pay the fee into our postal giro account instead. The Migration Board’s postal giro account no. for permits for work or studies is 95 78 46-9. This postal giro number also applies to close relatives of someone who is applying for or already has these permits.

In the message box that says “Meddelande till betalningsmottagaren” on the payment slip, write
-surname and given names of the person making the application
- the civic registration no. and/or case no..of the applicant
If the fee is for more than one person, write each civic registration no. and/or case no.

Write on your application form how you paid the fee. Also write down when you paid it.

Who decides my case?

The Swedish Migration Board decides whether or not you are to be granted a work permit, after consultation with the county labour board. The embassy or consulate sends yours application to the Migration Board.

The work permit must be entered in your passport before your arrival in Sweden. You cannot travel to Sweden and wait for a decision here.

You will be notified by the embassy or consulate-general where you submitted your application.

How long will I have to wait for a decision?

You should submit your application 6-8 weeks before leaving for Sweden.

How long is a permit valid?

Work permits are normally granted for one year at a time, or, if it is less than one year, for the period for which employment is offered. Permits are granted for a maximum of 18 months altogether if the employment is due to a temporary labour shortage.

If the work is part of an international exchange programme or the like, the permit may be extended up to a total stay of four years.

The permit is restricted to the trade or profession envisaged in the offer and to the employer who made you the offer.

EU/ EEA Citizens

An EU/EEA citizen who is an employee, selfemployed person, student or who has sufficient funds to support himself/herself has a right to reside in Sweden. The term right to reside means that an EU/EEA citizen and his or her family members are permitted to be in Sweden for more than three months without a residence permit. A person who has a right of residence must register with the Migration Board no later than three months after entering the country.

If you are a citizen of Switzerland you must apply for a residence permit. Nordic citizens can spend time in and live in Sweden without having to register or have a work permit.

What happens on entering the country?

On entering Sweden citizens of EU/EEA countries and their family members must have a valid passport or an identity card stating their citizenship. Relatives who require a visa to enter Sweden must apply for a visa at a Swedish embassy or consulate before entering the country. A list of citizens who require a visa can be found at www.utrikes.regeringen.se. You and your family members are entitled to begin working immediately.

What documents are required?

To register you must fill in a form with a request for registration of your right of residence. You must enclose certified copies of a valid passport or identity card stating your citizenship. You must also enclose documents showing that you satisfy the conditions that apply for one of the following categories:

Employee
If you intend to work in Sweden you must enclose a certificate of employment from the employer stating the period of employment and the form of employment.

The employment certificate must be written and signed by your employer. Apart from the name, address and telephone number of the employer, the name of a contact at the employer must also be given. Also included must be the company’s registration number and your duties. It must also state how many hours you will work each week. You must preferably use the form ”Certificate of employment for citizens from the EU/EEA”.

Self-employed person
To be registered as a self-employed person in Sweden you must be able to produce the registration certificate for the company and/or other documents which show that you have your own company.

Provider of a service
If you are a provider of some form of service, as a consultant or on a freelance basis for example, you must confirm this by means of a certificate, agreement or similar document. The document must state the type of service in question and how long you will offer that service. The document must be written and signed by the person who will receive the service.

Sufficient funds
If you do not fall into any of the above categories you can register as an EU/EEA citizen if you have sufficient money for your upkeep. When you register you must enclose documents that confirm that your finances are secured through, for example, a pension from your home country or capital so that you will not need welfare benefits.

Family members who are EU/EEA citizens
If you are an EU/EEA citizen and are a member of the family of a person who has a right of residence in Sweden you also have a right of residence. The following family members are included:

* Husband, wife, registered partner or cohabitee.
* Children under the age of 21 years or older children who are dependent on their parents for their upkeep.
* Parents who are financially dependent on children who live in Sweden.

Parents of students, however, do not have a right of residence.

In conjunction with registration you must enclose a certificate showing the marital or familial ties. Children over the age of 21 years who are financially dependent on their parents must confirm this. Parents who are financially dependent on their children who are living in Sweden must also be able to confirm this. You will be granted a residence permit for the same period of time as your relative.

Cross-border workers
If you are an EU/EEA citizen and work in Sweden but live in another EU/EEA country to which you return at least once a week, you do not need to register in Sweden.

Registration and permanent right of residence

You can register by filling in a form, which is then sent by post to the Migration Board or handed in to any of the Migration Board permit units. If you are an employee or student you can register on the Internet.

The registration certificate is sent to your address in Sweden. The registration certificate is valid until further notice and does not need to be renewed. It is free of charge. Registration is valid as long as you are resident in the country and satisfy the conditions laid down.

When you have been in Sweden legally for five years without a break you have a permanent right of residence. If you would like a certificate confirming your permanent right of residence you can apply to the Migration Board.

Residence card for family members who are not EU/EEA citizens

If you are a member of the family of an EU/EEA citizen but not an EU/EEA citizen you must apply for a residence card. (Swedish citizens are not regarded as EU/EEA citizens in this connection.)

Regardless of citizenship, the following family members of employees, self-employed persons, providers of services or persons with sufficient funds can be granted a residence card in Sweden:

* Husband, wife, registered partner or cohabitee.
* Children under the age of 21 years or older children who are dependent on their parents for their upkeep.
* Parents who are financially dependent on children who live in Sweden.

Parents of students, however, cannot be granted a residence card.

What documents are required?

When you apply for a residence card you must fill in the form ”Application for residence card”. You must enclose certified copies of a valid passport. Together with your application you must also enclose a copy of your relative’s certificate of registration of right of residence and a certificate showing the marital or familial ties.

For children under the age of 18 years the guardian must approve the application by signing it. Children over the age of 21 years who are financially dependent on their parents in Sweden must confirm this. Parents who are financially dependent on their children who live in Sweden must also be able to confirm this.

Relatives who require a visa to enter Sweden must apply for a visa at a Swedish embassy or Swedish consulate before they travel to Sweden.

Residence card and permanent residence card

The application for a residence card must be submitted after entering Sweden. This can be done at any of the Migration Board permit units.

The residence card is sent to your address in Sweden. The residence card is valid as long as you are resident in the country and satisfy the conditions laid down. After five years you can apply for a permanent residence card. The residence card is free of charge.
Appeal

A decision regarding registration and a residence card cannot be appealed. If you do not have a right of residence and as a result you are not registered or do not receive a residence card you can instead apply for a residence permit.

Application for a residence permit

Certain persons do not have a right of residence as family members. This applies to persons who are EU/EEA citizens and are:

* A husband/wife/registered partner/cohabitee/child of a Swedish citizen

* A husband/wife/registered partner/cohabitee/child of a citizen of a country that does not belong to the EU/EEA

A person who does not have a right of residence in Sweden but wishes to stay in the country for more than three months must apply for a residence permit. As an EU/EEA citizen you can submit an application after entering Sweden. This can be done at any of the Migration Board permit units.

Further information

For further information, you can contact the Public Contact Unit at the Migration Board by e-mail at upplysningen@migratonsverket.se or by calling 0771-19 44 00. You can also contact a Swedish embassy or consulate.

VISA TO SWEDEN

Sweden Information — Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:46 am

Author: Sweden Information

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:46 am

VISA TO SWEDEN

A visa is a preliminary permit which is required to enter and remain in Sweden and the other Schengen countries (see below) for a short period of time, e.g. to visit relatives or friends, as a tourist, on business, to attend a conference or simply passing through (transit). A person who wishes to reside in Sweden, to be reunited with relatives for example, must apply for and be granted a residence permit before entering the country.

The visa should be complete and be entered in the passport before entry into the Schengen area.

Who needs a visa?

Nationals in the majority of countries outside the EU require a visa to visit Sweden and the other Schengen countries. This is a decision reached by Sweden together with the other EU countries.

You can find a list of the countries whose nationals require a visa to visit Sweden below.

Visitors who arrive from countries that are not on the list can enter Sweden and the other Schengen countries and remain there without a visa for three months.

List of Foreign Citizens who Require Visa for Entry into Sweden:
(*) = bearers of Diplomatic Passports do not require a visa
(**) = bearers of Diplomatic and Service Passports do not require a visa

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua & Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Rep, Chad, China, People’s Rep (excl Hong Kong & Macau), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Dem. Rep, Congo, Rep, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Rep, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (North), Kuwait, Kyrgystan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Nothern Mariana Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Palau Islands, Papua New Guinea, Peru, The Philippines (**), Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tomé & Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand (**), Togo, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia (*), Turkey **), Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Fed. Rep (Serbia and Montenegro), Zambia, Zimbabwe

A visa is valid for the whole of the Schengen area

In Sweden it is the Schengen Agreement visa rules that apply.

The Schengen Agreement means, among other things, that the Schengen countries, i.e. Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Norway and Iceland, have abolished border controls for persons travelling between these countries. A visa granted by any one of these countries is also valid for visits to the other countries. In exceptional cases the visa could be valid only for entry into the issuing country or only for certain countries if the holder's passport is not approved by all the Schengen countries.

Review each time you enter the area

A visa does not mean that the holder is automatically entitled to enter the Schengen area. This right is examined each time he or she passes the outer border of the Schengen area.

At the border control everyone who enters the area must be able to show that they have money for their keep during their visit and for their return journey home and that they have medical travel insurance and documents showing the purpose of their visit.

What is required to be granted a visa?

If you wish to visit Sweden and the other Schengen countries you will need a passport valid for at least three months after the final date stated in the visa.

You must also have money for your keep and for the journey home. The Swedish authorities have estimated that a person needs SEK 370 (€40) for each day spent in Sweden. This amount could in certain instances be lower, such as in the case of a young child, if the cost of food and accommodation is paid in advance or if the applicant intends to stay with relatives or friends. You can prove that you have sufficient money for your keep by, for example, producing an account statement from your bank or a document showing that the person inviting you to Sweden promises to cover all expenses during your visit.

It is also necessary to have individual medical travel insurance which covers any costs that could arise in conjunction with

* emergency medical assistance
* emergency hospital care
* transport to your home country for medical reasons.

The insurance should cover costs of at least €30,000 and be valid in all the Schengen countries.

You will be granted a visa if the authority that makes the decision – a Swedish mission abroad (embassy or consulate) or the Swedish Migration Board – considers that you will leave the Schengen area after your visit. If it is considered that your true intention is to reside in the Schengen area your application will be rejected. The same applies if you are registered in the computer system SIS (Schengen Information System), where the member countries can register persons who are not permitted to enter the Schengen area. These rules apply in all countries that have ratified the Schengen Agreement.

Information that must be included in the application

To enable the authorities to process your application you must state clearly

* why you are visiting Sweden
* how long you intend to stay in Sweden
* how you will support yourself during your time in Sweden
* the type of passport you hold and how long it is valid
* where you intend to travel following your visit to Sweden
* if you have a permit to travel to the country you intend to travel to after your time in Sweden

You must also enclose two passport photographs, taken with you looking straight ahead and which are not older than six months.

Note: Certain Swedish missions abroad could require that you enclose further documents with your application. It could also be that they require that the authenticity of all the documents is confirmed by a notary public.

It is therefore advisable that you call the mission abroad before you go there so that you know which documents you should take with you. You should also call if you wish to hand in your application at another Schengen country's mission abroad (a country that represents Sweden, see above). In that case it is that country's application forms and documentary requirements that apply. Documents should also be translated into the language of that country.

Many Swedish missions abroad have their own websites with information on how to apply for a visa and possible local requirements. If you can, read this information before you call.

Business and conference visits

If you intend to travel to Sweden on business or to attend a conference you should submit an invitation – a letter – from the company or the person arranging the conference together with your application.

The invitation should contain information about you, such as:

* your personal details
* your reason for visiting Sweden
* how long you will be in Sweden
* who is responsible for your keep during the time you are in Sweden.

What does it cost to apply for a visa?

The cost of an application for a visa at a Swedish mission abroad is SEK 315. The cost is the same for children and adults. This money will not be refunded if you are not granted a visa.

A relative of a national of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland does not need to pay a fee for his/her visa application. The applicant must present a certificate which confirms marriage or relationship.

The following persons are classified as relatives:

* husband, wife, co-habitee *
* registered partner
* a child under the age of 21 years or an older child who is dependent on his/her parents for his/her keep
* parents who are financially dependent on children in Sweden.

Note: Does not apply to persons co-habiting with Swiss citizens.

Relatives of Swedish nationals must, however, pay a fee to apply for a visa.

How long will it take?

Normally, a decision is made within two weeks although processing times at the missions abroad vary. If the Migration Board is to make a decision it could take longer as the mission abroad must then send the application by mail to the Migration Board. To be certain that you will receive your visa in time you should submit your application at least two months before you are due to travel to Sweden. During the holiday period June–August it could take longer.

How long is my visa valid?

A visa is time-limited and is valid for a maximum of three months in any six-month period. This means that if you have spent three months in the Schengen area you must leave the area for three months in order to be granted a new Schengen visa. If you have particular reasons you can be granted a visa for a longer period – subject to a maximum of one year – although in that case the visa is only valid for entry into Sweden and for a stay in Sweden. Particular reasons could, for example, be that you need to travel to Sweden several times during the year on business or to visit your children.

It is stated in the permit how many days you can use your visa during the permit period. This is often slightly longer than the period of validity of the visa. The reason for this is that the authorities expect that you could need a little time to arrange the trip – to book tickets and take out medical insurance for example.

It should be noted that you are not permitted to stay in Sweden or another Schengen country longer than the number of days stated on the permit sticker. The time is calculated from the date of entry on the first trip.

A Schengen visa can also be granted if you need to travel through Sweden and the Schengen area. It is stated on the permit sticker how many times you may travel through the Schengen area during the period of validity.

Can I extend my visa while I am in Sweden?

It is not possible to extend a visa. However, you can apply for a residence permit for a visit at one of the Migration Board permit units if you wish to stay longer than the time covered by a visa. However, this carries an extra cost of SEK 1,000 per adult and SEK 500 for children under the age of 18 years.

If you know in advance that you want to remain in Sweden for more than three months you should apply at the mission abroad for a residence permit for a visit or, if you have particular reasons, a visa that is valid for a longer period of time (see above). By doing so, you avoid paying fees twice. The mission abroad sends applications for a residence permit for the purpose of a visit to the Migration Board, which then makes a decision.

Appeal

Only relatives of nationals in an EU/EEA country may appeal against the rejection of a visa application and it is only decisions reached by the Migration Board that can be appealed. These applications are heard by a migration court. The following persons are classified as relatives:

* husband, wife, co-habitee
* registered partner
* a child under the age of 21 years or an older child who is dependent on his/her parents for his/her keep
* parents who are financially dependent on children in Sweden.

Other persons are not permitted to appeal against the rejection of a visa application. However, you could ask the mission/authority (the embassy, consulate or the Migration Board) that rejected your application to review its decision, i.e. that it examines whether there are reasons for changing the decision. A review does not necessarily mean that the decision will be changed.

You request a review by writing a letter to the mission/authority that reached the decision in which you state new reasons you wish the mission/authority to take into account when reassessing your application. You can always make a new application for a visa.

Further information

For further information, please contact the Public Contact Unit at the Migration Board. For information by e-mail write to upplysningen@migrationsverket.se. For information by telephone call +46 (0)771 19 44 00. You can also contact a Swedish mission abroad.