Categories and clear deadlines: What you need to know about Sweden's new work permit model

The Swedish Migration Agency has now launched the new units for the international recruitment of highly qualified labor. The agency found that applications concerning highly qualified workers account for about 40% of all work permit cases. A large majority of these applications are in the IT sector.

First of all, the new system aims to establish a new function for advising and supporting employers who recruit highly qualified labor. The Migration Agency will also provide employers with tailored services and information based on their needs and will have a dedicated unit responsible for handling applications.

Secondly, to increase efficiency and reduce processing times for new work permit applications the new model does classify workers in four different categories:

Category A: Highly qualified workers that are defined in Sweden by their occupation type according to the Swedish Standard Classification of Occupations (SSYK). Specifically, SSYK classifies workers as highly qualified if their job falls within:

• Managerial occupations: Positions with leadership and decision-making responsibilities.

• Occupations requiring advanced higher education: Roles demanding a Ph.D., master's degree, or similar advanced qualifications.

• Occupations with higher education qualifications: Positions requiring a bachelor's degree or equivalent level of education.

The Swedish Migration Agency will process category A applications within 30 days if the application is complete and it will take up to four months if there is a need of additional documents.

Category B: it includes both high qualified workers and other occupations, such as:

• Seasonal workers

• Berry pickers

• Intra-company transfers (ICT)

• EU Blue Card permits

• Artists

• Researchers

• Athletes/trainers

• Au pairs

• Trainees

• Youth exchange agreements

• Volunteers

• Applications to start a business

• "Spårbytare" from asylum

The reason why some applications from highly qualified workers (e.g., researchers, EU Blue Card, ICT) are handled in Category B instead of Category A is that they are handled under special regulations. The processing time in this category is shorter for some occupations such as athletes (10 days) and longer for others such as seasonal workers and EU blue card permits (90 days).

Category C: in this case are lower-skilled workers that might be employed within particular sectors relevant fo the society. The Agency has set up a deadline process the application within 4 months.

Category D: Occupations in specific industries that require a more detailed investigation such as the cleaning, hotel and restaurants as well as the construction sector. Category D applications will be processed within 4 months.

Each category (A-B-C-D) will have a dedicated unit within the Swedish Migration Agency responsible for handling applications.

Employers will still be able to be represented and supported with the application process by other companies such as law firms and relocation agencies .

The Migration Agency believes that the new model will make it easier and faster for employers to recruit the workers they need.