Permit for seasonal workers
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland and have been offered seasonal work in Sweden by an employer established here, you can apply for a work permit for seasonal work. You should apply for and obtained a permit before entering EU/EES.
If you are from Ukraine and applied for a work permit for seasonal work
The Swedish Migration Agency is currently rejecting applications for seasonal work from people who are resident in Ukraine. If you come from Ukraine, however, you are covered by the Temporary Protection Directive. If you come to Sweden and are granted a permit under the Temporary Protection Directive, you have the right to work (including seasonal work) for as long as the permit is valid.
Read more about the Temporary Protection Directive and how to apply
Requirements for a permit for seasonal work
If you are going to work for less than 90 days, you can get a permit for seasonal work. Citizens in some countries also need a visa.
Countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Sweden
External link, opens in new window.
Read more about applying for a visa
If you are going to work longer than 90 days, you can get a residence and work permit for seasonal work.
To obtain a permit for seasonal work, you must
- be a resident of and be in a country outside of EU/EES
- have a valid passport (if your passport is about to expire, you should extend it because you are not able to get a permit for longer than your passport is valid)
- have been offered temporary employment as a seasonal worker by an employer established in Sweden
- have access to accommodation of an appropriate standard
- have taken out or applied for comprehensive health insurance for healthcare in Sweden (health insurance must be valid for the full duration of the stay and should cover emergency as well as regular medical expenses and hospitalisation, dental care, and repatriation for medical reasons)
- be able to prove you are qualified to practise in Sweden if the work is within a regulated profession
- intend to leave Sweden when the permit expires
- if you previously worked for the same employer: copies of all payslips from the previous employment
- in most cases, pay a fee (application fees for a work permit for seasonal work)
Read what your employer needs to do in order for you to be able to get a work permit
Requirements for using the e-service
In order to use the e-service, you need
- to get an email from your employer with a link that will take you to the e-service
- copies of the pages in your passport that show your personal data, photo, signature, passport number, issuing country, validity period and if you have permission to live in countries other than your home country
- information about the insurance company with which you have applied for or taken out comprehensive health insurance and for what period the insurance applies (health insurance must apply for healthcare in Sweden)
- rental agreement or certificate from a landlord, property owner or housing agency for an upcoming contract. If you are a sub-tenant in your home, you also have to send in documents showing that your landlord, housing cooperative association or rent tribunal has approved the let
- documentation proving you have the necessary qualifications for the job if the application concerns a regulated profession
- power of attorney if you are the representative of the applicant.
The rental agreement or accommodation certificate should state
- the address of the accommodation
- the rent
- the living area (square meters)
- number of rooms and kitchen/WC
- the terms of the rental contract (period of validity and period of notice)
- the contact details of the landlord and tenant
- the signatures of the landlord and tenant
- the number of people who will be sharing the house or apartment
- the type of accommodation (for example house or apartment)
What is a power of attorney?
A power of attorney can be a signed letter in which the person applying for a permit allows another person to represent them. A power of attorney can, for example, give someone the right to apply, be informed of the reasons for a decision, or lodge an appeal for someone else. The power of attorney must be signed by the person who gives their power of attorney to another person, and must be presented in the original if required by the Swedish Migration Agency.
In order to give another person power of attorney, you will need to send a letter to the Swedish Migration Agency stating
- that it is a power of attorney
- the name, date of birth and address of the person giving someone else the power of attorney
- what the person who has the power of attorney has to do
- the name, personal identity number and address of the person who is given the power of attorney
- the signature of the person giving someone else the power of attorney
- the date and place where the power of attorney is signed.
Power of Attorney, form 107011
Pdf, 1.1 MB, opens in new window.
A decision on a permit for seasonal work is taken within 90 days. If your application needs to be supplemented with additional information, it may take longer before you get a decision.
You must have applied for and obtained a permit for seasonal work before entering EU/EES. Your cannot be granted a permit if you are within EU/EES.
Follow your case in My page
If you have made your application in the e-service, you can log in to My page to follow your case and see if you have received a decision.
You must show your passport
The Swedish Migration Agency must check your passport before a decision can be made. You may therefore need to show your passport at a Swedish embassy or consulate-general if you are outside Sweden, or one of the Migration Agency's service centres if you are in Sweden.
In some cases, you can have your passport checked digitally, instead of showing it in person.
Read more about the digital passport check e-service
In some cases, you will not be required to show your passport, for example, if we have already checked your passport during a previous visit.
If you need to show your passport, we will contact you with information on how and when to do so.
Be photographed and have your fingerprints taken
If you receive a permit, you will receive a residence permit card. The card is a proof that you have permission to be in Sweden and contains, among other things, a photo of you along with your fingerprints.
If you need a visa to travel to Sweden, you will in most cases be photographed and have your fingerprints taken when you visit us to show your passport. You will be photographed and have your fingerprints taken even if you previously have had a residence permit card, because the Swedish Migration Agency cannot save this information.
Countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Sweden External link, opens in new window.
Swedish embassies and consulates-general External link, opens in new window.
The decision will be sent to the embassy or consulate-general where you submitted your application. You must take your passport with you when you go to get your decision. You can get a permit for the period of time you are being offered work but for no longer than your passport is valid.
Swedish embassies and consulates-general External link, opens in new window.
If your application for a permit for seasonal work is granted, you will receive a residence permit card which says Seasonal work. The card is proof that you have permission to be in Sweden and contains, among other things, your fingerprints and photograph.
The card gives you the right to work in Sweden with the employer and within the profession you have specified in the application. The card is valid for the period stated in the decision.
Read more about residence permit cards
If you need an entry visa to travel to Sweden and you were not photographed and had your fingerprints taken when you applied or in connection with showing your passport, you must visit the embassy or consulate-general so that a residence permit card can be made for you.
The embassy or consulate-general will issue or send you the residence permit card when the card is ready. Please note that it may take longer than four weeks to manufacture and deliver the card to the embassy or consulate-general after you have received your decision. When you enter Sweden, you must present the residence permit card along with a valid passport.
If you can travel to Sweden without a visa, you should be able to present a copy of the decision when you enter the country. You must book an appointment to have your fingerprints and photograph taken as soon as possible after coming to Sweden. Once your residence permit card is ready, it will be sent to your address in Sweden.
If your permit for seasonal work is for less than 90 days, you may need a visa to stay in Sweden. The visa sticker must say Seasonal work.
You cannot get a permit for seasonal work if you have already had a permit for seasonal work permit for six months over a twelve-month period.
The Swedish Institute's website about Sweden External link, opens in new window.
Information for people with a residence permit who have just moved to Sweden
The Swedish Migration Agency may withdraw a permit
Your permit can be withdrawn if, for example,
- in your application, you submitted incorrect information or did not disclose something that was of relevance for your residence permit
- the conditions for the permit are no longer fulfilled, for example, if you are no longer working or if the conditions of employment are no longer met.
If the Swedish Migration Agency rejects your application
If the Swedish Migration Agency rejects your application, it means you are not entitled to a residence permit for Sweden. You may lodge an appeal against the decision within three weeks of the date when you received notification of the decision. Information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in your decision. If you have given someone a power of attorney document that authorises him/her to represent you, this person is able to lodge an appeal on your behalf.
If you are still in Sweden when your application is rejected, you must leave the country within the timescale given in the decision.
If you have applied for or have a permit for seasonal work, you must notify the Swedish Migration Agency if you move to a new address.
If you do not report that you have changed your address, this can lead to
- your application for a permit or extension of a permit being rejected
- your permit being withdrawn
- in the worst instance, you can be punished with fines or imprisonment for a maximum of six months.
Inform the Swedish Migration Agency about any changes by filling out the form Report change of address, number 266511 Pdf, 777 kB, opens in new window.. You must clearly state your name and the reference number of your case. You must also enclose the new rental contract.
Send the form and rental contract to
Migrationsverket
Box 3100
903 03 Umeå
If you want to continue working in Sweden, you must extend your permit for seasonal work. You must also submit a new application if you have a permit for seasonal work but want to change profession or employer. The application must be submitted before your current permit expires.
You can only get a permit for seasonal work for six months during a twelve-month period.
How to apply
You can apply to extend your permit online via the link in the email that you receive from your employer.
You can also apply for a permit for seasonal work by submitting a paper application.
Application for a seasonal work permit in Sweden, form 262011 Pdf, 853.6 kB, opens in new window.
In most cases, you will pay a fee.
Application fees for work permits for seasonal work
Once we have received your application
You have the right to continue to work while waiting for the decision if you have submitted your application before your prior permit expires.
If you are granted a permit, you will receive a residence permit card. The card is proof that you have permission to be in Sweden and contains, among other things, your fingerprints and photograph. You must therefore book an appointment to have your photograph and fingerprints taken as soon as possible. You will need to do this even if you have had a residence permit card before because your photo and fingerprints cannot be saved.
Check that your application has been registered or if you have received a decision
Book an appointment at the Swedish Migration Agency for a residence permit card
Read more about residence permit cards
Decision
The decision will be sent to your home address in Sweden. Once the residence permit card is ready, it will be sent to your home within about one week.
If you apply online, you will get clear instructions on how to fill in your application and what documents you need to enclose. This makes it easier to do things correctly right from the start which increases your chances of getting a decision faster.
You can apply for a permit for seasonal work using the form Application for a permit for seasonal work in Sweden, which you submit to a Swedish embassy or consulate-general.
The application must be made before you enter Sweden and you must not be a resident of an EU country.
Application for a seasonal work permit in Sweden, form 262011 Pdf, 853.6 kB, opens in new window.
In most cases, you will pay a fee.
Application fees for work permits for seasonal work
If it is not possible for you to apply in your home country, you must apply to the embassy or consulate-general that is closest to the country where you live. Information about procedures at the embassy or consulate-general in question can be found at swedenabroad.com.
If you apply at an embassy or consulate-general, you pay the fee when you submit your application. For information about the fee, please contact the embassy or consulate in question since they do not follow the same fee regulations as the Swedish Migration Agency.
Swedish embassies and consulates-general External link, opens in new window.
When you come to Sweden for seasonal work, you must be able to stay in accommodation of a suitable standard.
Suitable standard means that the accommodation has
- continuous heating
- continuous access to hot and cold water for domestic purposes and hygiene
- drains for waste water
- access to a toilet and a washing facility such as a bathtub or shower
- electricity for household consumption
- cooker, sink, fridge, storage spaces and worktops
- access to storage room within the property and
- the possibility to wash clothes within the property or within a reasonable distance from it.
The accommodation may not have any shortcomings with regards to its strength of materials, fire safety or sanitary conditions.
You will be required to submit a rental agreement or documentary evidence from your landlord, the property owner or lettings agency regarding a future agreement.
If you are a sub-tenant in your home, you also have to send in documents showing that your landlord, housing cooperative association or rent tribunal has approved the let.
This applies when your employer rents accommodation to you
