4 Guides

Residence Permit

Swedish work permits, residence permits, permanent residence, and citizenship — the full Migrationsverket pathway.

Sweden's immigration system is administered by Migrationsverket and the rules differ significantly between EU and non-EU citizens. EU citizens have the right to live and work in Sweden without a visa, but must register with Skatteverket after three months. Non-EU citizens need a work permit tied to a specific employer, with the employer obligated to offer union-equivalent terms and salary. Processing times vary widely — certified employers can get decisions in weeks, while other applications can take 6–12 months. These guides cover the full immigration pathway: initial work permit applications, residence permit renewals, the requirements for permanent residence after five years, and ultimately Swedish citizenship — which requires no language test but does require 5 years of continuous registered residence.