Sweden Simplifies Work Permits for Highly Qualified Workers

According to Swedish authorities, highly qualified professionals will be able to enter the nation more rapidly as the country plans to expedite work visa processes.

The Swedish Migration Agency announced the news, stating that it has chosen to use a new approach for handling work permit cases as well as to develop international recruitment units.

The new model, according to the Agency, is intended to promote the recruitment of highly trained individuals from outside the European Union while also shortening the processing time for acquiring the necessary permission.

In response to the move, Mikael Ribbenvik, Director-General of the Swedish Migration Agency, stated that such a change is required in order to increase investment and attract more highly trained employees to Sweden.

“A well-functioning process for labour immigration is important for companies to be able to recruit, grow and invest in Sweden,” the statement of Ribbenvik reads.

Ribbenvik went on to say that the Agency would invest as needed. The Agency will also have service teams to assist enterprises and employers in making the recruitment of highly qualified individuals as easy as possible.

“We will make communication investments as needed, and service teams will support companies and employers in, the recruitment of highly qualified workers and major new establishments, among other things,” Ribbenvik stated.

Within 30 days of the new model's implementation, a decision on an application for a work permit for highly qualified workers will be made. This means that processing times will be greatly decreased, and highly skilled non-EU workers will be able to enter Sweden for work more swiftly.

Furthermore, the new model divides work permit applications into four groups based on industry and employment.

The four groups will be as follows:

• Work permit applications for highly qualified workers fall under Category A.

• Work permit applications for occupations with special requirements, such as seasonal occupations, fall under Category B.

• Category C, which includes applications for work permits for occupations that do not require a higher degree of academic qualification.

• Category D, which includes work permit applications for jobs in demanding industries as specified by the Swedish Migration Agency.

This indicates that the new model will be primarily concerned with allowing firms to bring labour to Sweden without having to follow stringent regulations.

“The new model means a greater focus on the employer’s ability to bring highly qualified workers to Sweden. New international recruitment units will exclusively handle and provide service to the employers who recruit this group,” Ribbenvik stressed.

A working group has already been formed, and the new model is expected to be unveiled before the end of this year.

Sweden is constantly attempting to make adjustments in order to attract more workers. Sweden's authorities recently announced that the procedures for obtaining an EU Blue Card will be simplified beginning in November of this year.

By fLEXI tEAM