If you are an Indian citizen and plan to move to Sweden, you must first obtain an entry visa if you come directly from your home country. For a long stay, if you are working or moving to Sweden, you will need a Swedish permit. However, if you wish to travel to Sweden for a period of up to 90 days and have a residence permit approved by a Schengen member country, then you can stay without applying for a separate residence visa.
When it comes to your stay in this country, the requirements differ from case to case, but refer mainly to the reason of immigration.
Below, you can find out from our immigration lawyers in Sweden the main pathways that enable you to live here legally.
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What are your Swedish immigration options as an Indian?
This is for sure one of the most stringent questions when seeking to relocate to any foreign country, not just Sweden. However, in this particular case, you can move here:
- as a student;
- as an employee;
- as a businessperson;
- as a spouse/other family member of a Swedish citizen/resident.
By far, the most common pathway is employment. So, if you decide to immigrate to Sweden from India as a worker, you need to secure a job first. This is also a good pathway to Swedish citizenship.
Application with the Swedish Migration Authority
Through the Migration Agency, you can submit an application for a Swedish residence permit. If you relocate to Sweden from India, such a residence permit can be applied for several purposes, including:
• work (including EU Blue Card);
• studies;
• self-employment;
• research;
• intra-company transfer (ICT);
Processing times vary significantly depending on the type of permit, the complexity of the case and the volume of applications. The Swedish Migration Agency periodically publishes indicative processing times, which can vary from a few months to longer periods.
Movingto Sweden from India based on employment is a double advantage
As in the case of most non-EU citizens, in order to enter Sweden, you must first obtain a work permit if you come here based on employment. For this purpose, the first step is to secure a job with a Swedish company. Following that, you will obtain your visa and work permit. However, the key advantage, in this case, is that you will also be issued a residence permit. Its validity will depend on the duration of your work contract. A work permit can lead to permanent residence if the applicant has worked in Sweden for at least 4 of the last 7 years, meets the maintenance requirements, and complies with the legal conditions.
The rules on Swedish citizenship are being tightened, including possible additional requirements on the period of residence and financial self-sufficiency.
Until the last two steps, you are welcome to get in touch with our immigration lawyers in Sweden for details on how to obtain a work visa.
How to obtain permanent residency in Sweden as an Indian
If you have successfully relocated to Sweden from India, you are on the good pathway to permanent residency. If you are on a work permit, permanent residency can be applied for after 4 years of legal work out of the last 7 years.
The 5-year period applies in situations like EU long-term resident status, but is not a universal rule for all types of permits. Other than that, you need to respect the law and abide by local regulations as set by the community you live in.
Sweden continues to allow labor immigration, but the rules have become stricter. From 2026, the minimum wage threshold for labor immigration is set at around 90% of the national median wage, and the requirements for supporting family members are also stricter.
If you have lived here for this long, do not hesitate to get in touch with us and see if you can apply for Swedish residency.
Opening a bank account and obtaining a Swedish personal number (Personnummer)
An essential aspect after moving to Sweden is obtaining a Swedish personal number (personnummer), issued by the Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency).
A personnummer is a personal identification number required for:
- employment and salary payment;
- access to the health system;
- renting a home;
- opening a bank account;
- telephone subscriptions or utility contracts.
Without this number, administrativeintegration in Sweden can be difficult.
You can get this personnummer, by register with the Skatteverket, if you are moving to Sweden for more than 12 months (for example, with a work or study permit). After checking your documents (residence permit, employment contract, etc.), you will receive a personnummer.
Most Swedish banks require a personnummer to open an account. A bank account is also required to receive your salary and manage your current payments.
For more details about obtaining citizenship in Sweden and any administrative matters regarding your move here, you can talk with our immigration lawyers.
Why move to Sweden from India?
Just like other countries, Sweden has its pros and cons when deciding to move here from India, however, the first ones outweigh the second. Among these:
- excellent infrastructure when it comes to healthcare and education, as Sweden ranks among the first countries in the world from these points of view;
- great quality of life;
- good professional prospects and high paying jobs;
- it is a safe country with a low crime rate.
According to recent official data released by Statistics Sweden (SCB), the number of people born in India and residing in Sweden has exceeded 50,000 in the following years, with the figure continuing to grow.
- the average living costs for a family of 4 per month is around EUR 4,200–4,600;
- a person should expect to pay around EUR 1,800 per month without rent;
- basic utility costs will average around EUR 284-400 a month;
- the average monthly salary is around EUR 2,700.
If you want to immigrate to Sweden from India and need support, do not doubt in contacting us!
