Sweden: New Work Permit Exemptions for Certain Short Stays

Effective January 1, 2010, employers are no longer required to obtain work permits for foreign nationals coming to Sweden to engage in certain short-term training and business activities, under two new provisions of the Swedish Aliens Ordinance

The new work permit exemptions apply to the following categories of foreign national for stays of no more than three cumulative months within a twelve-month period:

• Foreign nationals who are employed by an international group of companies and are entering Sweden to engage in practical training, internal training, or other educational or competence development activities at an affiliated entity in Sweden; and
• Foreign nationals who will participate in educational programs, conduct tests, prepare or finish deliveries, or engage in similar activities in Sweden, within the scope of a business transaction.

For longer stays, a work-and-residence permit will continue to be required. Note that the work permit exemptions do not affect visa requirements.

The work permit exemptions were put in place to facilitate international business exchanges, at the recommendation of the Swedish Migration Board. The exemptions will give employers greater flexibility to send staff to local affiliates in Sweden for training and related programs. They will also give business visitors greater freedom to conduct activities that are related to forming deals in Sweden.

In preparing this alert, Fragomen worked closely with the law firm of Bird & Bird (Stockholm). The content herein is provided for informational purposes only.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen Global Immigration Services or send an email to emea@fragomen.com.

Source: Fragomen