Sweden has introduced major changes to its work permit system in 2026, including higher salary requirements, stricter employment regulations and faster processing for highly qualified foreign workers. However, the latest official statistics also reveal that fewer international workers are applying for Swedish work permits.
According to a report published by the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) on 19 October 2026, approximately 11,000 foreign employees received their first work permits in Sweden during 2025, while nearly 20,000 workers obtained extensions of their existing permits.
India remained the leading source country for international workers, followed by Thailand, Türkiye, China and the United Kingdom. IT specialists, engineers and technical professionals continued to represent some of the largest occupational groups.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s new general work permit salary requirement has increased to SEK 34,470 per month, although certain occupations and applicants qualify for a lower threshold.
The latest report provides important insights into Sweden’s labour immigration policies, employment opportunities, application trends and processing times.
Sweden Work Permit Applications Decline
The number of foreign workers applying for Swedish work permits has declined considerably over the past two years.
According to the Swedish Migration Agency, approximately 24,000 people submitted first-time work permit applications in 2023. By 2025, this figure had fallen to just over 16,000.
Applications for extensions also declined, although at a slower rate.
In 2023, approximately 23,000 workers applied to extend their permits. By 2025, this number had decreased to just under 20,000.
These figures indicate an approximate one-third reduction in first-time work permit applications between 2023 and 2025.
The Swedish Migration Agency identifies several possible explanations for this downward trend.
One important factor is the gradual tightening of salary requirements, which has made it more difficult for employers in lower-paid industries to recruit workers from outside the European Union.
Another factor is the abolition of the previous arrangement that allowed certain asylum seekers to switch to work permits after receiving negative asylum decisions.
The decline has been particularly noticeable in industries such as restaurants, cleaning and construction, where employers may struggle to meet the minimum salary requirements.
However, the situation is different for highly qualified workers. First-time applications involving highly qualified occupations declined by only 6% between 2024 and 2025.
This suggests that international recruitment for specialist positions has been less affected than recruitment in some lower-paid sectors.
How Many Sweden Work Permits Were Granted in 2025?
Despite declining application numbers, Sweden continued to approve thousands of work permits for international employees.
According to the official statistics:
- Approximately 11,000 employees received first-time work permits in 2025.
- Just under 20,000 employees received extensions of existing work permits.
- Workers from approximately 100 countries received permission to work in Sweden.
There was also a considerable difference between male and female permit recipients.
Of the approximately 11,000 first-time permit recipients, just over 8,000 were men, while just under 3,000 were women.
These figures demonstrate that men accounted for the majority of new employee work permit approvals during 2025.
It is important to distinguish between first-time permits, extensions and the broader category of work-related residence permits, which also includes certain family members, researchers and self-employed applicants.
Top Five Nationalities for Sweden Work Permits
India remained the leading source country for international workers receiving their first Swedish work permits in 2025.
The five leading nationalities were:
- India — 2,633 work permits
- Thailand — 1,974 work permits
- Türkiye — 764 work permits
- China — 679 work permits
- United Kingdom — 457 work permits
Indian nationals received more first-time work permits than citizens of any other individual country.
According to the Swedish Migration Agency, Indian professionals were mainly recruited for highly qualified positions requiring university education or equivalent professional skills.
A similar employment pattern was observed among workers from China and the United Kingdom, many of whom were employed in specialist and technical occupations.
Thai workers were primarily employed in agriculture, horticulture and forestry.
Turkish workers represented a broader range of occupational backgrounds. Approximately half worked in highly qualified occupations, while the remainder were employed in construction, manufacturing and other sectors.
These statistics show that Sweden continues to recruit foreign employees across different educational and professional backgrounds.
Top 10 Jobs for Sweden Work Permits
Technology and engineering occupations dominated Sweden’s international employee recruitment in 2025.
According to the Swedish Migration Agency, the ten most common occupational categories among first-time work permit recipients were:
- IT architects, systems developers, test managers and related occupations: 2,182 permits.
- Engineers and technicians: 1,147 permits.
- Engineering professionals: 1,068 permits.
- Agricultural and horticultural crop growers: 956 permits.
- Berry pickers and planters: 728 permits.
- Forestry workers: 646 permits.
- IT operations, support and network technicians: 250 permits.
- Fast-food staff, kitchen and restaurant assistants: 218 permits.
- Cooks and cold-buffet chefs: 191 permits.
- Organisational development and human resources specialists: 173 permits.
IT architects and software-related professionals represented the largest individual occupational category.
Engineering and technical occupations also accounted for a substantial proportion of work permit approvals.
Interestingly, agricultural and forestry occupations remained prominent, demonstrating the continued importance of seasonal and rural employment in Sweden’s labour market.
However, applicants should understand that these figures describe permits granted during 2025. Some employment categories have subsequently become subject to restrictions under the new rules introduced in June 2026.
Consequently, historical work permit statistics do not necessarily mean that every listed occupation remains eligible for a standard Swedish work permit.
Sweden Work Permit Salary Requirement 2026
One of the most important changes to Sweden’s immigration system concerns the minimum salary required for a work permit.
From 1 June 2026, the Swedish government introduced a new general salary requirement equivalent to 90% of the country’s median salary.
Following the updated median salary figures published by Statistics Sweden on 16 June 2026, the current requirement is:
Minimum monthly salary: SEK 34,470
This calculation is based on a national median monthly salary of SEK 38,300.
The new requirement applies to first-time work permit applicants who receive a decision on or after 1 June 2026, including certain applicants who submitted their applications before that date.
For the salary threshold, the relevant median salary is generally the figure applicable when the application was submitted.
Importantly, meeting the minimum salary threshold alone does not guarantee approval.
The proposed salary must also comply with Swedish collective agreements or normal salary practices in the relevant occupation or industry.
Employers may therefore need to offer salaries higher than SEK 34,470 depending on the position and applicable employment conditions.
Lower Salary Requirements for Certain Occupations
Sweden has introduced exemptions to the general salary requirement for selected occupational categories and groups of applicants.
For eligible applicants, the salary requirement is reduced from 90% to 75% of Sweden’s median salary.
Under the current median salary figures, this means a monthly requirement of:
SEK 28,725
Selected exempt occupations include:
- Certain IT support and network technician positions.
- Systems administrators.
- Laboratory engineers.
- Certain assistant nursing and care occupations.
- Welders and gas cutters.
- Forestry workers.
- Certain electrical and maintenance technicians.
- Selected agricultural occupations.
- Certain food production and machine operator positions.
The exemptions depend on the precise occupation classification rather than simply the job title.
Certain former students, healthcare professionals seeking Swedish professional certification, applicants covered by temporary protection and employees of qualifying technology or life-sciences start-ups may also qualify.
Applicants should check the Swedish Migration Agency’s official exemption list before assuming that the lower threshold applies to their employment.
New Restrictions on Certain Jobs
The regulations introduced in June 2026 also prevent ordinary work permits from being granted for employment in two specific occupational categories.
These are:
- Personal assistants.
- Forest berry pickers.
The restrictions apply even when employers otherwise meet the ordinary work permit conditions.
However, certain berry-picking activities may still qualify under Sweden’s separate seasonal work permit arrangements.
It is therefore important to distinguish between an ordinary employment-based work permit and a seasonal work permit, as the eligibility rules are not identical.
Transitional Rules for Existing Work Permit Holders
Workers who received their current permits under the previous rules may benefit from temporary arrangements when applying for extensions.
The Swedish Migration Agency has confirmed that qualifying extension applications submitted between 1 June and 1 December 2026 can continue to be assessed under the previous maintenance requirement.
This means workers covered by these transitional arrangements do not necessarily need to meet the new 90% salary threshold during that period.
However, extension applications submitted from 2 December 2026 are subject to the new salary requirement.
Workers approaching the expiry of their residence permits should carefully check their eligibility and application timing.
The agency also specifies when an extension application may be submitted, so applicants cannot necessarily apply earlier simply to benefit from the transitional rules.
Sweden Work Permit Processing Times in 2026
Although Sweden has tightened several work permit requirements, processing times have improved.
The Swedish Migration Agency has introduced procedures designed to make the application process faster for highly qualified foreign workers.
These improvements include better communication with employers, clearer application requirements and efforts to reduce the number of incomplete applications.
Highly Qualified Workers: 30-Day Processing
The Swedish Migration Agency has introduced a service pledge to decide complete applications for highly qualified workers within 30 days.
This arrangement covers eligible first-time applications, extensions and accompanying family applications within the same category.
According to the latest agency report, more than 80% of relevant cases in 2026 were decided within 30 days.
This is an important development for employers seeking to recruit international specialists.
Nevertheless, the 30-day period is a service target rather than a guarantee of approval or a binding deadline for every individual application.
Applications that require additional documents or investigations may take longer.
Processing Times for Other Workers
The Swedish Migration Agency has also reported improvements across the wider category of work-related residence permits.
In 2023, approximately half of the cases in this category were decided within 120 days.
During 2026, the proportion increased to approximately three out of four cases.
In other words, about 75% of relevant cases were decided within four months.
These statistics cover a broader immigration category, including employees, qualifying family members, researchers and self-employed applicants.
They should therefore not be interpreted as a processing-time guarantee for every ordinary work permit application.
Pending Work Permit Applications Fall Sharply
The number of pending work-related residence permit applications has also fallen significantly.
At the end of 2023, just over 20,000 first-time applications in the broader work-related residence permit category were awaiting decisions.
By the end of 2025, the number had declined to approximately 10,000.
This represents a substantial reduction in outstanding cases.
The Swedish Migration Agency attributes the improvements partly to more efficient processing procedures and a reduction in applications requiring extensive investigations.
However, a smaller backlog does not mean that all future applications will be decided quickly. Processing times still depend on the application category, completeness of documentation and individual circumstances.
New Health Insurance and Employer Requirements
The regulations introduced on 1 June 2026 contain other important changes beyond the increased salary threshold.
Foreign workers planning to remain in Sweden for a maximum of one year must meet a new comprehensive health insurance requirement.
This is in addition to applicable employment-related insurance and working-condition requirements.
Sweden has also strengthened measures against employers who exploit foreign workers or misuse the work permit system.
The Swedish Migration Agency can refuse certain applications where serious deficiencies or specified misconduct involving an employer are identified.
New criminal provisions also address the exploitation of foreign workers and trading in work permits.
For international applicants, these changes reinforce the importance of verifying that a job offer is genuine and that the employer is capable of meeting Swedish employment and immigration requirements.
Changes for Seasonal Workers and EU Blue Card Holders
The June 2026 reforms introduced changes to other employment-related residence permits.
For EU Blue Card holders, the maximum period for which a permit may be granted at one time has increased from two years to four years.
For seasonal workers, the permitted duration has increased from six to nine months within a twelve-month period.
Seasonal employment and certain intra-corporate transfers are also subject to specific salary and employment-condition requirements.
These categories have separate eligibility rules and should not be confused with ordinary Swedish work permits.
Family Members of Foreign Workers
Sweden continues to receive thousands of residence permit applications from the family members of international employees.
According to the Swedish Migration Agency, approximately 10,000 family members of employees applied for residence permits in 2025.
A separate Statistics Sweden study found that approximately 2,600 partners and 2,500 children of foreign employees immigrated to Sweden in 2023.
The study also indicated that accompanying family migration was more common among workers employed in highly qualified occupations.
Approximately one-third of male employees and one-quarter of female employees brought their partners, while around one-fifth brought children.
Eligible foreign workers may apply for residence permits for qualifying family members, subject to the applicable regulations.
Applicants should also be aware that new rules affecting accompanying family members came into effect on 1 October 2026.
Families planning to relocate should therefore review the current requirements rather than relying on older guidance.
Where Do Foreign Workers Settle in Sweden?
International workers are employed throughout Sweden, although the largest numbers are concentrated in major metropolitan and industrial regions.
According to the Swedish Migration Agency, the six leading counties for registered residents holding temporary work-related residence permits in 2025 included:
- Stockholm
- Västra Götaland
- Skåne
- Norrbotten
- Västmanland
- Dalarna
Stockholm remained the leading county, followed by Västra Götaland and Skåne.
Industrial investment and large infrastructure projects also contributed to international recruitment in other parts of the country.
The agency identified employers and industries involving international recruitment, including:
- Tata Consultancy and Capgemini in IT consulting.
- Hitachi Energy and Elnos Nordic in energy and electrical infrastructure.
- Volvo and Scania in vehicle manufacturing and engineering.
- Companies involved in the construction of the new steel plant in Boden.
The county figures indicate registered residence, not necessarily the exact location of each person’s workplace.
How to Apply for a Sweden Work Permit in 2026
Foreign nationals who are not citizens of an EU or EEA country generally need a work permit before starting employment in Sweden, unless an exemption applies.
The usual application procedure begins after the applicant secures employment with a Swedish employer.
Step 1: Find a Swedish Employer
Applicants must obtain a genuine employment offer from an employer willing to recruit an international worker.
Step 2: Sign an Employment Agreement
The applicant must have an employment agreement satisfying the applicable Swedish work permit requirements.
Step 3: Employer Starts the Application
The Swedish employer initiates the work permit process through the Swedish Migration Agency’s electronic service.
The relevant trade union is given an opportunity to comment on the proposed employment conditions.
Step 4: Applicant Completes the Application
After the employer completes its part, the applicant receives an email containing instructions and a link to finish the application.
Applicants must provide the required personal details and supporting documents and pay the applicable fee.
Step 5: Swedish Migration Agency Reviews the Application
The agency checks the employment conditions, salary, documentation and other immigration requirements.
Additional information may be requested where necessary.
Step 6: Receive the Decision
If the application is approved, the applicant must complete any remaining formalities applicable to their circumstances before beginning employment and travelling to Sweden.
Sweden Work Permit Application Fees
The current standard application fees are:
- Employee work permit: SEK 2,200
- Adult accompanying family member: SEK 1,500
- Child accompanying family member: SEK 750
Certain applicants may qualify for fee exemptions. Applicants should always confirm the current fee on the official Swedish Migration Agency website before submitting an application.
What Do the Changes Mean for International Workers?
Sweden’s latest immigration statistics reveal two developments occurring at the same time.
On one hand, the country has tightened its employment-based immigration rules, increased salary requirements and introduced measures intended to prevent labour exploitation.
On the other hand, the government and Swedish Migration Agency have worked to facilitate faster recruitment of highly qualified international professionals.
The result is a system in which applicants’ occupation, offered salary and the employer’s compliance with Swedish regulations play particularly important roles.
For international job seekers, especially those interested in IT, engineering, technology and specialised occupations, Sweden continues to offer employment opportunities.
However, applicants should not interpret the large number of historical permit approvals in an occupation as confirmation that they personally qualify for a work permit.
The applicable salary, occupation classification, employer requirements and permit category must all be assessed under the current rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum salary for a Sweden work permit in 2026?
The general minimum monthly salary is SEK 34,470, representing 90% of Sweden’s current median salary. Certain occupations and applicants qualify for a reduced threshold of SEK 28,725.
Which country received the most Sweden work permits in 2025?
India ranked first, with 2,633 first-time employee work permits, followed by Thailand, Türkiye, China and the United Kingdom.
Which jobs received the most work permits in Sweden?
IT architects, software developers and related technology professionals represented the largest individual occupational category in 2025, followed by engineering and technical occupations.
How long does Sweden take to process a work permit?
For complete applications involving highly qualified workers, the Swedish Migration Agency aims to issue decisions within 30 days. More than 80% of relevant cases were decided within this period during 2026. Other applications may take longer.
Can foreign workers bring their families to Sweden?
Yes. Eligible foreign workers may apply for residence permits for qualifying family members, subject to the current requirements.
Can someone obtain a Swedish work permit without a job offer?
An ordinary employee work permit generally requires a qualifying employment agreement. Sweden has separate permit categories for certain other purposes, including job seeking in specific circumstances.
Are Swedish work permits becoming more difficult to obtain?
Several requirements have become stricter, particularly salary thresholds and restrictions on certain occupations. At the same time, processing has improved for many applicants, especially highly qualified workers. Eligibility depends on each applicant’s circumstances.