4 ms·

The website makes it sound like it's relatively simple to move there for work, and permanent residence seems to be granted after 4 years working there. Can some

by cesarbs 12y ago

The website makes it sound like it's relatively simple to move there for work, and permanent residence seems to be granted after 4 years working there. Can someone confirm that it is really that simple? What is the situation like for software developers who already have experience abroad (my case, I'm from Brazil but currently working in the US)?

_delirium 12y ago
If you have an offer of full-time employment, it's relatively easy (especially in the technology sector, since "in-demand" areas have some extra deference). This is sometimes called "sponsorship", but unlike the U.S. H1B process, the company doesn't really have to do anything besides offering you a job. But, it's not easy to move there without a job offer.
- johansch 12y ago
  It is pretty easy to do get a job offer in our industry. And employers know that the visa/work permit process is easy, quick (typically a few weeks) and predictable, so there is a lot less bias against foreign applicants than in e.g. the US.
  - _delirium 12y ago
    Yeah, I agree it's pretty easy if you want to move to Sweden to work at a tech job. But I think it's a reasonable caveat; some people might want to move to Sweden for other reasons, like starting a company or as a base of operations for freelancing, and that's considerably harder. IMO Scandinavia is actually a great place to be a freelancer, even for foreigners, if you can build a modest network. High cost of living, but no worry about health/benefits being tied to your job, very English-friendly, and a lot of part-time/freelance tech work that pays well. But it's very hard to get the formalities sorted out for that, unless you first get an EU citizenship or permanent residency via another route.
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]
  - _delirium 12y ago
    Unfortunately, considerably harder. There is a visa category (in Denmark, also, which I'm somewhat more familiar with), but it's not anything close to the almost-a-rubber-stamp process that the pending employment offers category is. Things will go most smoothly if you have venture capital or revenues already, and you want to move the business there. There is considerable general interest in startups, and people talk about doing something to make it easier to get a visa to start a company. But there are still some roadblocks preventing a more streamlined process. One is that people aren't sure how to judge a legitimate startup, from any random person who claims to be "doing a startup". And there's even some paranoia that your "startup", if not fake, is a real but unsavory business, perhaps some kind of import/export business involving the trade in smokeable plants. Another purely political-coalition-based factor is that the streamlined employment visa categories were pushed through (over some nativist opposition) by big businesses with hiring problems, and so they are narrowly tailored to solve their problem, which is how to get their own new hires into the country with minimal expense/delay. edit: parent comment was asking about a visa to start a business in Sweden. I think the above might be useful information, so I'm leaving it anyway.
- optimiz3 12y ago
  Can someone on a visa switch jobs? In the U.S. changing jobs while on a visa resets the residency process, which indentures the employee to the employer.
  - mrghn 12y ago
    For the first year, you're tied to your employer. After that, you're free to change jobs, but only within your field of work. You need to reapply for the work permit when you change jobs or every two years (max validity duration), which is quite painless. After 4 years you should get permanent residence, and no longer need any permits.. This is the process for most non-EU residents.
    - cesarbs 12y ago
      Is the permanent residence just granted after 4 years, or is it a stressful process like the American Green Card one?
      - _delirium 12y ago
        It's (for now, anyway) a fairly routine process. If you've been a legal, self-sufficient resident of Sweden for 4 years, you get permanent residency after a straightforward application. There is some debate over adding a Swedish-language requirement, but there isn't currently one. That is one of the two difference with Denmark: if you're a non-EU immigrant to Denmark, you need to live there 5 years under the same conditions rather than 4, plus pass a middle-level Danish competency exam.
        cesarbs 12y ago
        Interesting. And once a permanent resident, do you know how hard it is to attain citizenship?
hedwall 12y ago
I have a friend who moved to Sweden from the US (US Citizen) about two years ago, if you have a job offer or a contract i believe it to be fairly easy to get over here.
steele 12y ago
The visa process is straightforward and startlingly efficient compared to other countries in Europe. The train can get you to the immigration offices very easily. The appointment system effective and gets you through the process much faster if you are aware of it. Research the Schengen visa because it is a really great opportunity if you aren't in love with the idea to committing to one country in Europe; the additional career mobility it affords is really fantastic. The aspect which provides the lowest barrier to entry is that English is spoken widely and well in Stockholm. One somewhat funny and repeated experience is thinking you are being greeted with a friendly American-English "hey!" when entering a store or restaurant, but in fact it is the Swedish greeting "hej", haha.
rational-future 12y ago
I'd only recommend moving to Sweden, if you have a family and want a stress free 37.5 hours job. Practically free, but very good healthcare and education for your kids, high pensions and unemployment benefits. But on average you'll have to live in a lot smaller house/apartment, make less money after taxes, suffer the cold climate (unless you love winter sports). The startup scene is 1/1000th of the Valley.
- cesarbs 12y ago
  Sounds good to me! Stress free is what I look for, and not having to worry about health insurance seems awesome. I think it would be a good life for my family. The weather is not a problem, I love cold climates :)

by cesarbs 12y ago

_delirium 12y ago

If you have an offer of full-time employment, it's relatively easy (especially in the technology sector, since "in-demand" areas have some extra deference). This is sometimes called "sponsorship", but unlike the U.S. H1B process, the company doesn't really have to do anything besides offering you a job. But, it's not easy to move there without a job offer.

johansch 12y ago
It is pretty easy to do get a job offer in our industry. And employers know that the visa/work permit process is easy, quick (typically a few weeks) and predictable, so there is a lot less bias against foreign applicants than in e.g. the US.
- _delirium 12y ago
  Yeah, I agree it's pretty easy if you want to move to Sweden to work at a tech job. But I think it's a reasonable caveat; some people might want to move to Sweden for other reasons, like starting a company or as a base of operations for freelancing, and that's considerably harder. IMO Scandinavia is actually a great place to be a freelancer, even for foreigners, if you can build a modest network. High cost of living, but no worry about health/benefits being tied to your job, very English-friendly, and a lot of part-time/freelance tech work that pays well. But it's very hard to get the formalities sorted out for that, unless you first get an EU citizenship or permanent residency via another route.
deleted 12y ago
[deleted]
- _delirium 12y ago
  Unfortunately, considerably harder. There is a visa category (in Denmark, also, which I'm somewhat more familiar with), but it's not anything close to the almost-a-rubber-stamp process that the pending employment offers category is. Things will go most smoothly if you have venture capital or revenues already, and you want to move the business there. There is considerable general interest in startups, and people talk about doing something to make it easier to get a visa to start a company. But there are still some roadblocks preventing a more streamlined process. One is that people aren't sure how to judge a legitimate startup, from any random person who claims to be "doing a startup". And there's even some paranoia that your "startup", if not fake, is a real but unsavory business, perhaps some kind of import/export business involving the trade in smokeable plants. Another purely political-coalition-based factor is that the streamlined employment visa categories were pushed through (over some nativist opposition) by big businesses with hiring problems, and so they are narrowly tailored to solve their problem, which is how to get their own new hires into the country with minimal expense/delay. edit: parent comment was asking about a visa to start a business in Sweden. I think the above might be useful information, so I'm leaving it anyway.
optimiz3 12y ago
Can someone on a visa switch jobs? In the U.S. changing jobs while on a visa resets the residency process, which indentures the employee to the employer.
- mrghn 12y ago
  For the first year, you're tied to your employer. After that, you're free to change jobs, but only within your field of work. You need to reapply for the work permit when you change jobs or every two years (max validity duration), which is quite painless. After 4 years you should get permanent residence, and no longer need any permits.. This is the process for most non-EU residents.
  - cesarbs 12y ago
    Is the permanent residence just granted after 4 years, or is it a stressful process like the American Green Card one?
    - _delirium 12y ago
      It's (for now, anyway) a fairly routine process. If you've been a legal, self-sufficient resident of Sweden for 4 years, you get permanent residency after a straightforward application. There is some debate over adding a Swedish-language requirement, but there isn't currently one. That is one of the two difference with Denmark: if you're a non-EU immigrant to Denmark, you need to live there 5 years under the same conditions rather than 4, plus pass a middle-level Danish competency exam.
      - cesarbs 12y ago
        Interesting. And once a permanent resident, do you know how hard it is to attain citizenship?

hedwall 12y ago

I have a friend who moved to Sweden from the US (US Citizen) about two years ago, if you have a job offer or a contract i believe it to be fairly easy to get over here.

steele 12y ago

The visa process is straightforward and startlingly efficient compared to other countries in Europe. The train can get you to the immigration offices very easily. The appointment system effective and gets you through the process much faster if you are aware of it. Research the Schengen visa because it is a really great opportunity if you aren't in love with the idea to committing to one country in Europe; the additional career mobility it affords is really fantastic. The aspect which provides the lowest barrier to entry is that English is spoken widely and well in Stockholm. One somewhat funny and repeated experience is thinking you are being greeted with a friendly American-English "hey!" when entering a store or restaurant, but in fact it is the Swedish greeting "hej", haha.

rational-future 12y ago

I'd only recommend moving to Sweden, if you have a family and want a stress free 37.5 hours job. Practically free, but very good healthcare and education for your kids, high pensions and unemployment benefits. But on average you'll have to live in a lot smaller house/apartment, make less money after taxes, suffer the cold climate (unless you love winter sports). The startup scene is 1/1000th of the Valley.

cesarbs 12y ago
Sounds good to me! Stress free is what I look for, and not having to worry about health insurance seems awesome. I think it would be a good life for my family. The weather is not a problem, I love cold climates :)