Sweden Issued 11,760 Work Permits to Foreigners in the First 5 Months of 2024
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Sweden granted over 11,700 work permits in the first five months of 2024, marking a 30% increase from the same period in 2023.
2. This rise in work permits is closely tied to Sweden's ongoing labour shortages.
3. Processing time for highly qualified workers' permits has been reduced to under 30 days.
Between January and May 2024, Sweden issued 11,760 work permits, as revealed by the country’s Migration Agency. This figure represents a significant 30% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2023, when 8,180 work permits were granted.
The most common nationalities receiving work permits during this period were from India, Türkiye, Iran, China, and Pakistan. The majority of these permits were issued for roles requiring advanced university qualifications (4,667) and those necessitating university education or equivalent (1,256). Many work permits were also granted for jobs in service, care, sales, construction, and manufacturing.
Work as the Leading Reason for Residence Permits
Recent data highlights that work was the primary reason for granting residence permits in the first five months of 2024, reflecting the labour market's needs and trends. The 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses indicates that Sweden faces labour shortages in 39 occupations, particularly in education and healthcare.
Swedish Labour Minister Johan Pehrson has confirmed the country's urgent need for professional workers, stating that some regions are "crying out for staff" despite rising unemployment.
Reduced Processing Times for Work Permits
In early 2024, the Swedish Migration Agency introduced a new processing system to shorten waiting times for highly qualified workers. These efforts have proven effective, with the average processing time for resolved cases now under 30 days. Authorities aim to reduce processing times for other work permit applications to within four months.
"We are pleased that our efforts have had an impact and that we can offer a service and working method that strengthens Sweden’s competitiveness," said Maria Mindhammar, Director General of the Migration Agency.
2023 Work Permits Overview
In 2023, Sweden issued 20,823 work permits, with berry pickers and planters being the most common occupations. Other highly sought-after roles included IT architects, system developers, test managers, engineering technicians, civil engineers, and food preparers.