The Swedish Migration Agency has decided to introduce a new model for handling work permit-related matters. It is also establishing units for international recruitment. In particular, the new model promotes the recruitment of employers seeking to hire highly qualified workers from outside the EU, but it also aims to shorten the processing time for all labour market cases. The new model will be introduced in January 2024.
“We’ve been working on our mandate to implement a new model for work permits, which will make it easier to recruit foreign workers to Sweden, throughout the past year. Now we’re zeroing in on all parts of our organisation to make the transition as predictable and easy as possible for all parties,” says the Swedish Migration Agency’s Fredrik Bengtsson, Regional Director for Region South Sweden.
Read the report in Swedish Migration Agency
In the budget and policy specification for 2023, the Swedish Migration Agency received a mandate to promote highly qualified labour immigration to Sweden. The aim is to ensure that employers in highly qualified professional sectors get the labour they need, when they need it, thereby contributing to a competitive Sweden. In order to fulfil this task and to overhaul the entire work permit process, the Swedish Migration Agency has decided to introduce a new model for handling work permit cases and to establish international recruitment units.
The new model puts particular focus on:
- Better service
- 30-day processing time for a complete application
- Easier to apply
“We’re going to have special service teams that will support companies and employers in the establishment of larger companies. We’re well aware that employers, especially in major expansion and establishment phases, have a broad need for labour from third countries. Through our strengthened service organisation, we will come together and work closely with those employers,” says Fredrik Bengtsson.
New model for work permits
The Swedish Migration Agency has decided to introduce a new model for handling work permit-related matters. It is also establishing units for international recruitment. In particular, the new model promotes the recruitment of employers seeking to hire highly qualified workers from outside the EU, but it also aims to shorten the processing time for all labour market cases. The new model will be introduced in January 2024.
What this means for employers overall
Better service
With the new model, the Swedish Migration Agency will provide better service to employers of highly qualified workers. Among other things, the new service means that there will be staff from the Swedish Migration Agency whose task it is to support companies and employers in the recruitment of highly qualified workers, as well as with major new establishments. It should be easy for employers to contact us and receive support in your recruitment process.
Easier to apply
As the new model is gradually introduced, it will become easier for employers to submit a complete application via an improved e-service for work permits. The digital application process should be easy to understand, with a clear e-service and guidance on migrationsverket.se.
Shorter processing time
The improved service and development of the Swedish Migration Agency’s digital services will make it easy to submit a complete application, which is a prerequisite for shortening the processing time. Once the new model is implemented, a complete application for a work permit for highly qualified workers will receive a decision within 30 days.
New units for international recruitment – phase-out of certification
New international recruitment units will exclusively handle and provide service to the employers who recruit members of this group. The new international recruitment units will replace the current certification process, which already handles a large portion of all work permit applications for highly qualified professions. This means that the certification system will be phased out.
