Unlike the standard work visa, the job seeker visa (a.k.a. the Swedish work visa without a job offer) is aimed at highly qualified individuals, allowing you to stay in Sweden for up to nine months, searching for a job (with a work permit) or exploring business startup opportunities.

However, given that this visa has only been available since 2020, there’s a lot of confusion about it. People don’t really know where to apply, how to do it or what are the requirements to get it.

This is precisely why I’ve made this article—to guide you through who’s eligible and the exact steps to secure this visa, along with other essential details you’ll find invaluable.

Let’s get it going.

Who Can Get a Job Seeker Visa in Sweden

Sweden’s Job Seeker Visa is a strategic initiative designed to attract highly skilled professionals from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland by giving them the chance to look for a job based on their high levels of work experience or education (in case they don’t have job experience).

The goal is twofold:

• For Sweden, it’s about injecting fresh talent into the workforce to maintain its competitive edge in global markets.
• For applicants, it’s an opportunity to get a residence permit look for a job (from 3 to 9 months) to work legally in a country that values skill and provides excellent job conditions (solid welfare system, nice pensions, great quality of life, etc).

Where to Apply

You cannot apply from within Sweden.

Applications must be made from your home country or a country where you legally reside (fully online).

The Swedish Migration Agency has streamlined the process by offering an online application platform, though in some instances, you may be required to visit a Swedish embassy or consulate as part of the application process.

Requirements of a Job Seeker Visa in Sweden

To apply for a Job Seeker Visa in Sweden, there are several detailed requirements you need to meet:

• Educational Qualification: You must possess an advanced degree such as a master’s degree, Ph.D., or a professional degree ranging between 60-330 credits to credit that you are actually capable to look for a high skilled job
• Intent: Your primary purpose for moving to Sweden should be to seek employment or to explore starting a business.
• Financial Self-Sufficiency: It’s crucial that you can financially support yourself throughout your stay. This includes having sufficient funds for living expenses and the cost of your journey home (at the time of writing, you must demonstrate financial means of at least SEK 13,000 for each month of your stay)
• Health Insurance: You need comprehensive health insurance that is valid in Sweden. This insurance must cover emergency and other medical care, hospitalization, dental care, and potential repatriation for medical reasons.
• Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for the entire period of your intended stay in Sweden.
• Location: You must apply for the visa from outside Sweden (don’t worry, the process is fully online)

Given these requirements, it’s necessary to submit specific documents throughout the application process. To simplify this for you, here’s a rundown of the documents you’ll need to have on hand:

• Passport: Digital copies of your passport pages showing personal data, photo, signature, passport number, country of issue, validity period, entry stamps, and any residency permits for countries other than your country of origin.
• Educational Certificates: Digital copies of your degree certificates and official transcripts showing the courses included in your education. If these documents are not in Swedish or English, they must be translated by an authorized translator.
• Financial Proof: Bank statements or other documents proving you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay. As I said, you must have at least SEK 13,000 for each month of your stay, plus funds for your return journey.
• Health Insurance Documents: Proof of comprehensive health insurance valid in Sweden.
• Letter of Consent: A signed letter allowing the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) to contact your educational institution to verify your qualifications.

Must the Job Search Target a Specific Sector?

The Swedish Job Seeker Visa does not specify requirements for particular industries.

Instead, it focuses on attracting individuals with advanced level degrees, intending to seek employment or explore business opportunities in Sweden.

I believe that this approach is designed to draw highly qualified professionals from various fields to support the country’s labor market needs.

How to Apply for a Job Seeker Visa in Sweden

To apply for a Job Seeker Visa in Sweden, follow these steps on the Swedish Migration Agency’s official website:

1. Start Your Application

On the Swedish Migration Agency’s website, locate the section dedicated to “Working in Sweden – Look for work or start a business” and click on it.

Here, you’ll find an option for individuals looking to seek employment or start a business in Sweden.

Select this to begin your application process.

2. Complete the Application Form

You’ll be prompted to fill in an online application form.

This form requires your personal information, details about your educational background, and your intentions in Sweden (job seeking or business startup).

Ensure all the information provided is accurate to avoid any delays.

Then, you’ll need to upload all the required documents I told you about in the previous section.

3. Submit and Pay the Fees

After carefully reviewing your application and ensuring all information and documents are correctly uploaded, submit your application.

Following submission, you’ll be directed to pay the application fee. As of the time of writing the cost of the job seeker visa application is SEK 2,200 (you can check if this is correct here)

This can usually be done using a credit or debit card through the website’s secure payment gateway.

What to do After Getting your Job Seeker Visa in Sweden

Okay, let’s say you get your job seeker visa and you received your residence card which will allow you to go to Sweden and look for a job… now what?

Well, here’s what you should do:

• Personal Identity Number (Personnummer): Securing a personal identity number is crucial for employment in Sweden, as most employers require it when you’re hired. It’s also key to accessing the extensive Swedish welfare system, social security benefits, and potentially citizenship. To acquire it, make sure to register with the Swedish Tax Agency once you arrive. (You might be interested: How to get a Swedish tax id)
• Bank Account: Essential for managing finances and receiving salary. I’d say you should choose for banks offering English support to ease the process for non-Swedish speakers.
• Job Search: Now it’s time to find a job with a good salary (hopefully).Explore job listings on official Swedish employment websites that specialize in careers for highly skilled professionals. Networking and leveraging LinkedIn can also be effective strategies. I’d also tell you to make sure that your cv, cover letters and job interview skills are on point as they are key for you to maximize your chances of getting a job in Sweden. Remember, you’re trying to find a job ASAP, and freelancing , sadly, doesn’t count here (in that case, you’d need to apply for a self employed visa)

You might be interested in: How to politely decline a job offer in Sweden?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Swedish required to get a job seeker visa?

No, proficiency in Swedish is not a prerequisite for obtaining a job seeker visa.

However, knowing the language can enhance job prospects and social integration, particularly if you’re planning to get a job in Sweden (although getting a job in Sweden without Swedish is still possible!)

Can I bring my family to Sweden with a job seeker visa?

Sadly, the job seeker visa does not permit family members to accompany the visa holder during the job-seeking phase.

However, if you are able to get a job in Sweden and you turn your job seeker visa to a standard work visa, then you’ll most probably be able to bring your family to Sweden (although this is subject to certain requirements.).

How long does it take to process a job seeker visa in Sweden?

This is a hard question to answer as this will hardly depends on the case, but I’ve seen job seeker visas been granted in a period from 6 to 18 months. You can check this website to get a better idea.

How to check the status of your Swedish job seeker visa application?

Applicants can check their visa application status through the Swedish Migration Agency’s online service or by contacting them directly.