New rules regarding the application process for certain residence and work permits

The government presented proposals on June 10 to implement a new directive aimed at simplifying the application process for third-country nationals to reside and work in Sweden.

The proposed legislative changes include, among other things, that work permits will no longer be tied to a specific employer or profession. This means that an individual who wishes to change jobs will no longer need to apply for a new work permit. Instead, a notification requirement is proposed when changing employers or when changing profession. 

Furthermore, an extended transition period of up to six months is proposed for individuals who have held a work permit for more than two years in the event of unemployment. The transition period provides the opportunity to find new employment before the work permit is revoked. The longer transition period is proposed to be linked to a maintenance requirement, meaning that the individual must be able to support themselves during the part of unemployment that exceeds three months.

The purpose of the proposals is to simplify the process for work permits and thereby strengthen Sweden's competitiveness and attractiveness.

The changes are proposed to come into effect on May 21, 2026.

KPMG views the proposed changes positively; it will simplify matters for companies undergoing e.g. reorganizations. This often involves changes in job titles and certain modifications to job duties, which in many cases leads to uncertainty that the new proposal addresses.

It will further facilitate individuals who change employers where job duties differ or where different employers refer to similar roles in different ways. We have also seen uncertainty regarding assessments and where the boundaries lie and who to make a correct assessment.

Extending the period so individuals can be unemployed from three to six months also provides more flexibility for people who have worked at companies that, for various reasons, cannot retain the person. In the long run, it gives Sweden the opportunity to retain attractive and highly skilled labor.

Within the framework of highly skilled labor, it is often individuals who change titles and job descriptions, especially in the IT industry. Facilitating the procedure for this group is seen as a step towards increasing the conditions for predictable assessments in upcoming extension applications.

In summary, KPMG sees the proposed changes as positive and will simplify work for many employers and individuals, as well as reduce the risk of administrative errors that, in the worst case can lead to deportation.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

Read more:
Swedish version