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Work in Sweden

Sweden Job Seeker Visa: Permits to Look for Work in Sweden

Sweden has two residence permits for people who want to look for a job or start a business. Which one fits you depends on whether you studied in Sweden or abroad.

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Two Ways to Look for Work in Sweden

1. After studying in Sweden: up to 12 months

For students who completed a degree program at a Swedish university.

  • You hold a residence permit for higher education studies in Sweden
  • You completed a program of at least two semesters (vocational programs do not count)
  • You apply before your study permit expires
  • You can support yourself for the whole period
  • You have, or have applied for, comprehensive health insurance valid in Sweden
  • You have a valid passport

2. Master's degree from abroad: 3 to 9 months

For highly qualified people who did not study in Sweden, including graduates from India.

  • You completed studies equal to an advanced-level degree (for example a Master's or PhD)
  • You sign a consent letter so UHR can verify your degree with your university
  • You meet Migrationsverket's requirements for funds and health insurance
  • Family members cannot move with you on this permit

Requirements are summarised from the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). Rules change; we check the current requirements for every application.

What You Can Do With the Permit

Both permits let you stay in Sweden to look for a job or investigate starting your own business. When you find a job that meets Swedish requirements, you can apply for a work permit. We help you with that application too.

Many of our students combine this with a Master's from a Swedish university: study for two years, then use the 12-month permit to find work in engineering, IT, life sciences or business.

How We Help

  1. Eligibility checkWe review your degree, work experience and situation and tell you which permit fits, or whether a study route is a better first step.
  2. Document preparationWe prepare your degree documents, proof of funds, insurance and the UHR consent letter where needed.
  3. Application filingWe help you file the application with Migrationsverket and answer any follow-up questions.
  4. Settling in and job searchOur team in Borås helps with housing, personnummer and practical advice on searching for jobs in Sweden.
  5. Work permitWhen you get a job offer, we help you move to a work permit.

Last updated October 2026.

Check your job seeker eligibility

Share your degree and work experience. Our Sweden team will tell you which permit fits and what you need to prepare.

Free eligibility assessment

Reply within 24 hours on WhatsApp or email.

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Job Seeker Visa FAQ

Yes. If you studied in Sweden you can apply for a permit of up to 12 months after your degree. If you hold a Master's-level degree from India or another country, you can apply for a permit of 3 to 9 months as a highly qualified person.

No. Both permits exist so that you can look for work or explore starting a business. You do need to show you can support yourself during the permit period.

No. The Swedish Migration Agency states that family members cannot move to Sweden to live with you on the permit for highly qualified persons.

You must apply before your current residence permit for studies expires, and you must have completed your program of at least two semesters.

For example a 60-credit or 120-credit Master's degree, a professional degree, or a postgraduate or PhD-level degree. Your degree is checked by the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR).

Once you get a job offer that meets Swedish requirements, you can apply for a work permit. We help you prepare that application too.

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