What we know about Sweden’s delayed tougher work‑permit rules

Sweden’s plan to introduce tougher work permit rules is moving forward after months of shifts and delays, with a mixed package that tightens some paths while making others simpler. On June 10, 2025, the government proposed major reforms to the work permit regime. If Parliament gives final approval, the changes are set to take effect on May 21, 2026.

The package would loosen employer ties for many workers, shorten processing times, and lengthen the grace period after job loss—while also hardening rules for people who tried to move from the asylum system to the labor route.

Policy changes — key features

Under the proposal, a work permit in Sweden would no longer be tied to a single employer or a narrow profession. Instead of reapplying for a new permit after a job change, a worker would simply notify authorities. That shift aims to reduce stress for workers and cut paperwork for employers.

Other key elements include:

• Six-month job search window for permit holders who have lived in Sweden for more than two years, up from three months now. After the first three months, the person must show they can support themselves.
• Permits of up to two years from the start, rather than the probationary six months used today.
• A ban on employers charging back application fees to workers.
• Processing time cut to 90 days for complete single-permit applications, down from 120 days.

These changes form part of Sweden’s rollout of the revised EU Single Permit rules under Directive 2024/1233. The goal is to make it easier for non-EU talent to live and work in the EU while keeping clear controls. Officials say the reform package is designed to improve labor mobility across sectors without weakening checks.

A separate set of measures already took effect on April 1, 2025, after Parliament passed a bill that ended the option to switch from an asylum case to a work permit application (“track change”). People who earlier made that switch can no longer extend their permits. The Swedish Migration Agency estimates about 4,700 people are affected. The same law made return decisions enforceable for as long as a person remains in Sweden, and it did not include transitional rules, meaning it applies to ongoing cases.

There are also proposals under consultation to raise salary and income requirements and further limit low-skilled labor migration. These were published in February 2024 and described possible implementation in June 2025, though some steps remain under review. Another track would make permanent residence and citizenship harder to obtain—longer residence periods, higher maintenance requirements, and stricter good conduct rules—potentially from June 2026.

Important: the April 1, 2025 measures are already in force and affect ongoing cases. The proposed May 21, 2026 reforms are subject to parliamentary approval.

Impact on applicants

For workers, the most immediate shift—if approved—will be flexibility. A permit that is not tied to a specific employer or profession reduces the risk of losing status simply because a job ends or a career path shifts.

• The six-month job search period after two years in Sweden offers more breathing room, with the condition that after three months the worker must prove they can cover living costs.
• The two-year cap on initial permit validity would reduce the frequency of renewals and lower early-career uncertainty.

However, some avenues are closing:

• The end of the asylum-to-work pathway removes a safety valve that many used to stay and contribute in the labor market.
• Migrant groups and NGOs warn the lack of transitional rules and retroactive reach of the law create legal and personal strain for families.
• Entry-level workers may be affected if salary thresholds rise or if limits on “low-skilled” roles are tightened.

Impact on employers

Employers face both benefits and new obligations:

• Benefits:
  • Greater retention and internal mobility because hires need not apply for a fresh permit after a job change.
  • Potentially shorter hiring timelines with 90-day decisions for complete applications.
• Obligations and challenges:
  • Employers cannot recoup application fees from employees.
  • Expect tighter reporting and compliance checks, especially around job changes and internal controls.
  • Higher salary floors and reduced entry-level options could make filling certain roles more difficult, particularly outside major cities.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Swedish HR leaders are split: some welcome the speed and flexibility, while others worry that higher salary floors and the loss of entry-level options will make it harder to fill roles outside major cities.

Timeline and practical steps

The main reform package is proposed, not yet final. If Parliament approves it in time, the start date remains May 21, 2026. The rules already in force since April 1, 2025—including the end of track change—will continue to shape decisions for people with pending or soon-to-expire permits.

Practical steps for workers and employers, based on the proposal:

1. Apply online for a single permit (combined residence and work permit) with the Swedish Migration Agency. Use the agency’s website for instructions and updates: https://www.migrationsverket.se.
2. If you change employer or profession after approval, notify authorities promptly. No new application would be needed, but timely reporting will matter.
3. If you lose your job after two years of residence, inform the authorities and look for new work within six months. After three months, be prepared to show that you can support yourself for the remaining period.
4. Employers should stop any practice of asking workers to repay application fees and adjust internal rules to handle job-change notifications and recordkeeping.
5. Expect a target 90-day decision for complete single-permit applications once the reforms take effect. Incomplete files will likely take longer.

Data and political context

The context around these shifts is stark. Sweden has tightened migration rules across the board.

• 27,009 work permits were granted in 2024, down 26% from 2023.
• Total residence permits issued in 2024 were 82,857 (excluding about 11,000 for Ukrainians), a 9% drop from the year before.
• Asylum applications fell to 9,645 in 2024, the lowest since 1996.

The government—a liberal-conservative coalition supported by the Sweden Democrats—has said it aims to reduce asylum numbers and raise standards for permanent residence and citizenship. Immigration Minister Johan Forssell has pointed to stricter rules on citizenship and a continued focus on enforcement.

Human impact and EU alignment

For many families, the human effect arrives in small, tense moments: a job offer delayed by paperwork, a spouse waiting on residence rights, a child’s school year set against an expiry date. The promise of faster decisions and the freedom to change jobs without starting over may ease some of that strain. At the same time, those shut out by the end of track change or by higher salary thresholds face hard choices, including the risk of losing legal status.

The reforms also reflect a wider EU trend. By aligning with Directive 2024/1233, Sweden joins a push to make the single permit more user-friendly while holding firm on border and return policies. The balance is delicate: keep the door open for skilled workers who help the economy grow, but close side routes that policymakers view as misused.

What to do now

• Prepare for both streams:
  • The stricter rules already in force since April 1, 2025.
  • The proposed, more flexible single-permit model expected in May 2026 (pending parliamentary approval).
• Check the Swedish Migration Agency’s official site regularly for updates and detailed guidance: https://www.migrationsverket.se.

Key takeaway: changes promise more job mobility and faster decisions for some, but immediate restrictions (like the end of track change) and possible higher thresholds mean many migrants and employers will face tougher choices in the near term.