How to Apply for Sweden’s EU Blue Card: Step-by-Step

Are you a highly-skilled professional looking for a pathway to a better future in Europe? Sweden’s EU Blue Card offers exceptional benefits and simplified rules for you and your family!

✨ Key Benefits & New Simplified Rules

The EU Blue Card is a fast-track permit that provides you with many offers, including residing and working in Sweden. Thanks to recent changes (May 2021), the process is now much easier:

• Permanent Residency Pathway: After 5 years in Sweden or other EU countries (with the last two years in the current country), you can apply for a long-term resident (Permanent Residency) status.
• Family Inclusion: Your partner and unmarried children under 18 are eligible to apply for a residence permit and can access the EU labour market.
• Reduced Salary Threshold: The required salary is now lower, ranging between 1 and 1.6 times the average gross annual salary. (As of August 3, 2021, the current requirement is SEK 54,150 per month).
• Shorter Contract Required: The minimum duration for a job contract has been reduced to just 6 months (down from 1 year).
• Experience Over Degree: For occupations in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector, applicants with professional experience equivalent to a higher education qualification are now eligible.

📋 Essential Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the EU Blue Card, you must meet the following criteria:

• Valid Passport and access to full Health Insurance in Sweden.
• A formal job offer for a highly-scoped position with a duration of at least six months.
• A salary that is approximately 1.5 times the average salary threshold in Sweden.
• You must have either 180 tertiary education credits or 5 years of relevant professional experience in your field (where applicable).

💼 Employer’s Criteria

Your Swedish employer must adhere to these standards:

• The job offer must be advertised for 10 days in Sweden, the EU, and Switzerland.
• The terms and conditions must comply with Swedish collective agreements.

⏳ Application Process & Timelines

• Processing Time: The decision on an EU Blue Card is always made within 3 months.
• Switching Jobs: During the first 12 months, you only need to complete a new labour market test if you wish to change position or employer. After 2 years, you can switch employers more freely, as long as you stay in the same industry.
• Validity: The first EU Blue Card is active for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years, or the length of your contract (whichever is shorter).
• Arrival in Sweden: If you don’t need a travel visa, you must schedule an appointment as soon as possible after landing to have your fingerprints and photograph taken for your residence permit card.

🏠 Applying for Permanent Residency (PR)

You can apply for a Permanent Residence Permit after fulfilling these key conditions:

• You must have worked in Sweden for 4 years in the last 7 years with an EU Blue Card or a work permit.
• You must be able to financially sustain yourself and maintain a stable lifestyle.
• Crucially: Time spent working in different EU Member States with a Blue Card will now be taken into account when calculating the period needed for EU long-term resident status.

The application process is initiated by your prospective employer in Sweden. It is primarily an online process using the Migration Agency’s e-service.

Phase 1: The Employer’s Role (Initiation)

Your employer must complete the following mandatory steps before you can submit your part of the application:

1. Sign the Employment Contract: You and the employer must sign a binding employment agreement for a highly qualified job that lasts at least six months.
2. Advertise the Position: The employer must advertise the vacant position in Sweden and within the EU/EEA and Switzerland for at least 10 days.
3. Union Consultation: The employer must send the employment terms to the relevant Swedish Trade Union and give them the opportunity to comment.
4. Start the E-Service: The employer logs into the Migration Agency’s e-service and provides all the details about the employment and the company.
5. Send the Link: Once the employer completes their part, you will receive an email with a secure link to the e-service, allowing you to fill out your part of the application.

Phase 2: The Applicant’s Role (Submission)

Once you receive the email link, you must complete your section of the online application:

1. Fill in Personal Details: Complete the online form with all your personal information, including previous stays in Sweden/Schengen countries.
2. Attach Required Documents: You will need to scan and upload clear copies of the following:
   • Passport: Clear copies of all relevant pages, including personal information, photograph, signature, and passport validity (the permit cannot be valid longer than your passport).
   • Employment Contract: The signed agreement between you and the Swedish employer.
   • Professional Qualifications: Diploma/Certificate proving your higher education (180 ECTS credits) or official documentation proving your 5 years of relevant professional experience.
   • Trade Union Declaration: A confirmation from the relevant trade union outlining your job circumstances (provided by the employer).
   • Health Insurance: Proof of comprehensive health insurance, valid for care in Sweden (at least for the first three months).
   • Previous EU Blue Card (if applicable): A copy of your current Blue Card if you received one from another EU country.
3. Pay the Application Fee: The application fee (currently SEK 2,000) must be paid online using a Visa or Mastercard.
4. Submit the Application: Review all information and submit your completed application through the e-service.

Phase 3: Biometrics and Decision (After Submission)

1. Decision Timeline: The Migration Agency aims to make a decision within a maximum of 90 days (3 months).
2. Passport and Biometrics Check: Before a decision is made, you must present your passport and provide fingerprints and a photograph.
   • If you need an entry visa: You must book an appointment at the Swedish Embassy or Consulate-General in your country before a decision is granted.
   • If you do not need an entry visa: You must book an appointment for biometrics at a Migration Agency service centre after arriving in Sweden.
3. Receive the Decision: The decision will be sent to the embassy or consulate you specified, or you may receive a notification by email/letter.
4. Collect the Card: If approved, your residence permit card will be produced (which can take up to four weeks) and delivered. You must show both the card and your valid passport upon entry to Sweden.