The minimum wage for a work permit in Sweden (Update)
Update:
September 25, 2023
The new information from the Swedish Migration Agency indicates a higher salary level and a new date for the introduction of the new minimum salary for people with work permit in Sweden:
- The minimum salary is SEK 27,360/month
- Full-time or part-time is not considered
- Applications pending after November 1st must adjust the salary if it does not reach the threshold
- The level will be adjusted annually based on 80% of the median salary
- Exceptions for athletes, EU blue cards, ICT, researchers, interns, foreign talents on residence permits as co-applicants and seasonal workers, etc.
Please disregard from the previous information in this post.
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The minimum wage for a work permit in Sweden is raised to SEK 26,560/month
As of October 1, 2023, the salary floor for work permits in Sweden will be raised from a gross salary of SEK 13,000 per month to 80% of the median salary.
In pure numbers, this means that from 1 October 2023 the gross salary must be at least SEK 26,560 for people applying for a work permit in Sweden. The salary level applies regardless of profession, industry or whether the person works full-time or part-time.
Below you find a summary of the changes the Swedish Migration Agency plans to introduce.
Highly qualified workers will be able to come to Sweden more quickly
Better service to employers who hire highly qualified workers will reduce processing times at the Swedish Migration Agency and thus contribute to a competitive Sweden. The Swedish Migration Agency has decided to introduce a new model for handling work permit cases and to establish international recruitment units.
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.
Better service
To support employers in establishing themselves and recruiting labour, the Swedish Migration Agency will provide better service to those who employ highly qualified workers and thus contribute to a competitive Sweden.
Processing within 30 days
Once the new model is implemented, a complete application for a work permit for highly qualified workers will receive a decision within 30 days.
The new model
There is currently a certification system for handling work permit cases. The system has grown too expansive and no longer fulfils its original purpose. The new model will replace the certification system, which will be phased out. The model will also provide better service to employers who hire highly qualified workers and shorten processing times. The model includes four categories.
Under the new model, work permit cases will be divided into four different categories, based on occupation and industry.
The introduction of the new model is planned for the end of 2023. A working group is being created for dialogue with the business community on the introduction of the new model.
Categories
Category A covers work permit applications for highly qualified occupations. The term “highly qualified” is defined in the Swedish Standard Classification of Occupations (SSYK). In Category A, it applies to the three occupational areas: managerial occupations, occupations with requirements for advanced university competence, and occupations with requirements for higher education competence or equivalent.
This category will be the agency’s way of replacing the current certification system. The ambition is that complete applications for highly qualified workers will be processed within 30 days.
Category B covers applications for work permits in occupations with specific rules, such as seasonal occupations, berry pickers, intra-corporate transferees (ICT), permits under the EU Blue Card Directive, artists, researchers, athletes/coaches, au-pairs, trainees, youth exchange agreements, and volunteers. It also covers applications to start business activities and so-called “track changers” from asylum cases.
Category C covers occupations that do not require a higher level of academic competence, i.e., non-highly qualified occupations in sectors that do not require a particularly high level of case investigation. This category includes, e.g., occupations that constitute an important social benefit, even if they do not meet the criteria for being classified as highly qualified. Applications for major new establishments in growth areas also fall into this category.
Category D includes work permit applications for employment in industries that the Swedish Migration Agency defines as particularly demanding in terms of case investigation, including cleaning, construction, personal assistance, and hotels and restaurants.
Source: Swedish Migration Agency
We at Permizon offer a free of charge preliminary analysis of your case to see how the employer and employee meet the requirements of an application for work permits in Sweden.
Reach out for an unconditional conversation.
