Sweden is speeding up the work permit process for highly skilled workers

2023-05-22 11:49:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Sweden is speeding up the work permit process for highly skilled workers

Illustrative photo

Swedish authorities have said that highly skilled workers will be able to go to Sweden sooner as the country plans to simplify work permit processes.

Announcing the news, the Swedish Migration Agency said it has decided to introduce a new model for handling work permit cases as well as create international recruitment units, according to SchengenVisaInfo.com.

According to the Agency, the new model aims to promote the recruitment of highly qualified workers from outside the European Union and shorten the processing time for obtaining the necessary permit.

Commenting on the move, the Director General of the Swedish Migration Agency, Mikael Ribbenvik, said that such a change is necessary to increase investment as well as to attract more qualified workers to Sweden.

"A well-functioning labor immigration process is important for companies to be able to recruit, grow and invest in Sweden," Ribbenvik's statement said.

Ribbenvik further explained that the Agency would make investments as needed. The same emphasized that the Agency will also have service teams that support companies as well as employers to make the recruitment of highly qualified workers as easy as possible.

"We will make investments in communication as needed and service teams will support companies and employers in recruiting skilled workers and large new enterprises," said Ribbenvik.

Once the new model is implemented, within 30 days the decision on the work permit application for skilled workers will be given. This means that the processing time will be significantly reduced and highly skilled workers from non-EU countries will be able to enter Sweden for work purposes more quickly.

Also, according to the new model, the work permit application will be divided into four categories, based on industry and profession.

The four categories will be as follows:

Category A, which covers work permit applications for skilled workers

Category B, which covers work permit applications for occupations with specific rules, such as seasonal occupations

Category C, which covers work permit applications for occupations that do not require a higher level of academic qualification

Category D, which covers work permit applications for employment in industries defined as applicants by the Swedish Migration Agency

This means that the new model will mainly focus on allowing employers to bring workers to Sweden without having to be subject to strict rules.

"The new model means a greater focus on the employer's ability to bring skilled workers to Sweden. The new international recruitment units will handle and provide service exclusively to employers recruiting this group," Ribbenvik emphasized.

A working group is already being created and the new model is planned to be presented at the end of this year.

Sweden is constantly trying to make changes to attract more workers to the country. Recently, the authorities said that Sweden will simplify the rules for obtaining an EU blue card from November of this year./ CNA.al