IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Swedish government has published eligibility requirements for its new start-up work permit.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals can now apply for a start-up work permit to look for work or start a business in Sweden if they:
    • Have obtained an advanced-level degree.
    • Plan to seek employment or start a business in Sweden.
    • Have at least 13,000 SEK for each month the applicant plans to stay in the country.
    • Hold valid international health insurance.
    • Currently live outside of Sweden and hold a passport that will be valid for their entire stay in the country.
  • If approved, individuals will receive a start-up visa to stay in Sweden for three to nine months. Family members and dependents are not eligible to join the applicant on this visa.
  • Applications for the start-up visa can be submitted through this website.

Additional Information: More information regarding eligibility requirements and application instructions for the start-up visa is available here.

BAL Analysis: Those interested in the new residence permit for start-ups should work closely with their immigration provider.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Swedish government has increased its application filing fees for work and residence permits.

Key Points:

  • As of June 1, filing fees for work permits, work permit extensions and residence permits for highly qualified individuals looking for work or to start a business increased to 2,200 SEK from 2,000 SEK.
  • Filing fees for EU Blue Card, Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICT) and seasonal work permits remain at 2,000 SEK.
  • A list of filling fees for employees, individuals who are self-employed and their family members is available here.

Additional Information: Processing times for work and residence permit applications have increased throughout 2022. Applicants should expect processing to take 10-12 weeks instead of the normal two weeks. Individuals can check this website on current processing time estimates.

BAL Analysis: Employers should take the new filing fees into account when adjusting their 2022 budgets. Employees and employers should expect longer than normal processing times for work and residence permit applications.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Swedish government has reintroduced certain border control measures for those entering the country.

Key Points:

  • Until at least Nov. 11, individuals who are traveling to Sweden, including those who are from Schengen Area member states, must have proof a valid passport and visa to enter the country.
  • Swedish authorities reenacted its border control measures in line with the European Commission’s recommendation to increase border security.

Additional Information: More information regarding Sweden’s decision to reintroduce border control measures is available here.

BAL Analysis: Travelers, regardless of their departure country must have a valid passport and visa to enter the country. The Swedish government has reintroduced its border control measures to increase the border security of the country by not allowing individuals to freely move across Schengen Area countries.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Swedish government has announced that it will expand its temporary protections for Ukrainian nationals.

Key Points:

  • Beginning April 26, Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members who traveled to and stayed in Sweden between Oct. 30, 2021, and Feb. 23, 2022, can now receive a residence permit with temporary protection in Sweden.
  • Eligible individuals should submit applications at this website to receive residence and work authorization in Sweden.

Additional Information: Until April 26, Ukrainian nationals must have left Ukraine on Feb. 24 or later to be eligible for protection under the Temporary Protection Directive. Ukrainian citizens do not need an entry visa to travel to Sweden; those who have a valid passport can stay in Sweden without a visa for up to 90 days.

BAL Analysis: Under the directive, temporary protections will cover more Ukrainian nationals who fled the war in Ukraine. Employers and employees are reminded that actions taken as a result of the invasion of Ukraine may change with little or no notice.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Swedish government has announced that it will lift its entry ban on countries from outside the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) in April.

Key Points:

  • Beginning April 1, travelers from outside the EU and EEA will no longer face any COVID-19 related entry requirements when entering Sweden.
  • Travelers from outside EU, and EEA will no longer be required to have proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival.

Additional Information: As of Feb. 9, Swedish authorities had lifted COVID-19 entry requirements for EU, EEA and Nordic countries. More information regarding Sweden’s decision to lift the entry ban is available here.

BAL Analysis: The ban on entry into Sweden from countries outside the EU and EEA will end on April 1.The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Swedish government has lifted its COVID-19 entry ban on travelers from EU, EEA and Nordic countries.

Key Points:

  • As of Feb. 9, travelers from EU, EEA and Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway) no longer face any COVID-19 entry restrictions when entering Sweden.
  • Until at least March 31, travelers from outside EU, EEA and Nordic countries must be covered by an existing entry ban exemption and have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
  • A list of entry ban exemptions is available here.

Additional Information: As of Jan. 31, Swedish authorities removed Argentina, Australia and Canada from the list of countries exempted from the entry ban. Travelers under the age of 18 are generally exempt from the entry restrictions. More information regarding Sweden’s entry ban and testing requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Swedish government has extended its existing COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Key Points:

  • Until at least Feb. 28, travelers from EU/EEA countries must have proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, taken a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival or have recovered from the virus in the past six months.
  • Until at least March 31, travelers from outside EU/EEA countries must be covered by an existing entry ban exemption and have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
  • A list of entry ban exemptions is available here.

Additional Information: As of Jan. 31, Swedish authorities removed Argentina, Australia and Canada from the list of countries exempted from the entry ban. Travelers under the age of 18 are generally exempt from the entry restrictions. More information regarding Sweden’s entry ban and testing requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Swedish government recently announced that it would ease testing requirements for all travelers entering the country.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Jan. 21, travelers from EU/EEA countries must have a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate, proof of full vaccination, a negative PCR test taken with 72 hours of arrival or proof that they have recovered from COVID in the past six months.
  • Beginning Jan. 21, travelers from outside the EU or EEA must fall under one of the entry ban exemption categories and have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
  • Beginning Jan 21, fully vaccinated travelers from Montenegro, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay can enter the country and are exempt from the entry and test requirements.

Additional Information: More information regarding Sweden’s entry ban and testing requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Swedish government has extended its border measures and entry bans.

Key Points:

  • Authorities extended entry restrictions for travelers from EU/EEA countries until Nov. 30.
    • Travelers from the EU/EEA countries must have a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate and have either a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before arrival or proof of COVID-19 recovery within six months of arrival.
    • Travelers from Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway are exempt from the entry restrictions.
  • Authorities extended the entry restrictions for travelers from countries outside the EU/EEA until Jan. 31, 2022.
    • Foreign nationals are generally barred from entering the country if they are traveling from outside the EU/EEA.
    • Eligible travelers from outside the EU/EEA can enter the country if they are traveling from an exempt country and have a negative COVID-19 test taken with 72 hours before arrival or are exempt from the test requirement.

Additional Information: More information on Sweden’s entry restrictions, health protocols and exemptions can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Swedish Migration Authority published new funding requirements for foreign nationals planning to sponsor dependents.

Key Points:

  • To sponsor dependents applying for residence permits, foreign nationals must satisfy the maintenance requirement by:
    • Showing proof of income to support yourself, others living in the household and all family members applying a permit.
    • Having a home of appropriate size and standard to live in.
  • The 2021 standard monthly income requirements are as follows:
    • SEK 5,016 for single adults.
    • SEK 8,287 for spouses or partners living together.
    • SEK 2,662 for children who are under six or under.
    • SEK 3,064 for children who are seven and or older.
  • The new funding requirements will not apply to existing permit holders. More information on what documents must be included to show proof of income and housing standards can be found here.

Additional Information: Individuals’ after-tax income must be able to cover housing cost and the amount required to support members of a household. Work related-income includes wages from work, unemployment benefits, sick benefits and income-based old-age pensions.

BAL Analysis: Employers should note the income changes and ensure that employees who are sponsoring dependents meet the proper income and housing standards. BAL will continue to monitor these changes and will provide additional information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.